First... Just so nobody thinks this forum is for the more experienced people that like to type a lot, let me just say that this is the first discussion post I've ever made, on any website, in any forum. So if I can do it, I bet we all can do it.

Ok, moving on... For those that don't know, Pulte has contracted a company to come and remove the washrock between each of our driveways (underneath your faucet), and replace it with concrete. I've not heard the official reason for why this is being done yet but I do have a few ideas, which I'll keep to myself for now.

This will cement in the cable and phone lines, and various other utilities. What this means is that anytime a homeowner has a problem with any of these, the concrete may need to be broken, removed, and then replaced... and someone will be stuck having to pay for it. I've seen a few places where the existing utilities could make this an immediate issue.

I'm curious what other homeowners think about this and if I'm in the minority of homeowners that was unaware of what's taking place. Regardless of whether or not this work needs to be done, I wouldn't have thought that Pulte or anyone else could come alter our homes without our consent, or even work on HOA governed areas without the HOA's consent. In many ways this concerns me greatly... which I will again keep to myself for now

Any thoughts? Was everyone aware of this? Lets get some dialogue going in here on this and several other subjects.

I know there are a number of first-time homeowners that live in our community. Don't let that keep you from starting or contributing dialogue to this board. We all really need to know about the good and bad things going on, or just whatever is on our minds, whether you think it's worth mentioning or not. So lets not be turtles that keep our heads buried inside our shell. Lets be proud, involved, and concerned ''HOMEOWNERS'' and get all topics of discussion out on the table! Then we can all work through each thing together.

Re: Driveways

I had no idea this was happening, and I certainly never received notice about any such doing from Pulte. Frankly, given my other dealings with them, I'm not surprised. I've not been overly impressed with the customer service nor the mortgage company, so I've become pretty cynical about their motives in general.

As of yet, I've not been able to transfer the electricity to my name because CPS says the final inspection hasn't been completed. I'm also still missing a window shade that was promised in October when I closed the house. Worse, Pulte neglected to PAY THE PROPERTY TAXES for 2006, and as they've sold my note already (not a big deal, really), Chase has sent me a delinquency notice for 2006's property taxes. I'm therefore having to get that sorted out with the folks at Pulte mortgage, who've never struck me as particularly competent. All in all, I really like the house, but the company isn't impressive. Not what I'd have imagined a first-time home buying experience to be like.

I'm also, frankly, sick of getting notices about surveys, and surveys, and being goaded/cajoled into giving them good marks. That notice, and the phone call during dinner, about the JD Power survey was quite, quite irritating.

Driveway

Hi, Rick,

Thank you so much for getting this posting started.

This is the first time that I have heard about this happening - and I am extremely concerned. We have been attempting to get other neighborhood issues resolved (further clearing and sodding of former dump site, etc.), and no mention of this was made by their representatives (no real surprise here). I have met with HOA board members weekly, and I am certain they are unaware of this. Do you know when these driveway alterations are supposed to take place by chance?

Thank you again for your encouragement, Rick!

Surveys

Hello, Timothy, and thank you for posting here.

I am also a first-time home buyer, and I can say my experience is not what I had hoped for. The company's customer service is definitely questionable, especially since the continual turnover of personnel gives them a crutch to claim ''that [issue] was before I got here.'' In my opinion, that does not detract from the company's responsibility to the consumer.

I can definitely relate to how you feel about the survey. With this last one, I know better - and I'm going to make this one count! I wasn't expecting another one since I was never contacted for my 11-month walk-through. I am glad that I am given this opportunity to tell JD Power what I think. It will be interesting to see how the results pan out.