Anyone live in Drayden? Porto Bello estates? Somerset builder experiences!

[bhanks]

I'm thinking of building in a fairly new development called the Porto Bello estates and I was wondering if I could get community opinions from people on this board. The development is in Drayden -- it's off of Flat Iron Rd. ...about 5 miles east of the intersection of 5 and Great Mills Road.

The community itself looks very pretty -- very clean, private (wooded lots), etc. Has anyone here built (or know of someone who built) in this area? Somerset Homes in the builder -- their homes look beautiful. I'm just wondering what people think of them once they've been living there for awhile. (Any problems come up? How were they handled?)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Suz]

Still Haven't made up your mind where you want to live????

I found this for you:
BBB of Metro Washington DC & Eastern Pennsylvania
1411 K St. NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005-3404

BBB Reliability Report

Somerset Development Co
PO Box 70
Bel Alton, MD 20611
Charles County
MAP
General Information
Original Business
Start Date January 1983

Registration or
Incorporation Type of Entity Corporation
State unknown
Date unknown

BBB File Opened December 30, 1899

Principal Contact Mr John Sites (Founder)

Complaint Contact Mr Thomas Allhoff (Vice President)

Other Contacts none

BBB Member Yes
Type of Business Home Builders

Website www.somersethomes.com

The information in this report has either been provided by the company, or has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources.


BBB Membership
This company has been a member of this Better Business Bureau since September 2003. This means it supports the Bureau's services to the public and meets our membership standards.
Program Participation
This company participates in the BBB Membership Identification Program. This means the company has agreed to use special procedures including mediation and arbitration if necessary to resolve complaints.
Customer Experience
Based on BBB files, this company has a satisfactory record with the Bureau. One complaint has been processed by the Bureau in its three-year reporting period. The complaint was resolved.

To have a "Satisfactory Record" with the Bureau, a company must be in business for at least 12 months, properly and promptly address matters referred to it by the Bureau, and be free from an unusual volume or pattern of complaints and law enforcement action involving its marketplace conduct. In addition, the Bureau must have a clear understanding of the company's business and no concerns about its industry.

Additional Information

This Business Operates under the Names Somerset Development Co
Somerset Homes


Addresses PO Box 70, Bel Alton, MD 20611, Charles County MAP


Phones (301) 932-1331
(301) 932-0113 (FAX)




Reported on Monday, November 22, 2004
As a matter of policy, the Better Business Bureau does not endorse any product, service or company. BBB reports generally cover a three-year reporting period, and are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information contained herein is believed reliable but not guaranteed as to accuracy. Reports are subject to change at any time.
The Better Business Bureau reports on members and non-members. Membership in the BBB is voluntary, and members must meet and maintain BBB standards. If a company is a member of this BBB, it is stated in this report.
© 2004 BBB of Metro Washington DC & Eastern Pennsylvania

 

[happyazz]

I'm thinking of building in a fairly new development called the Porto Bello estates and I was wondering if I could get community opinions from people on this board. The development is in Drayden -- it's off of Flat Iron Rd. ...about 5 miles east of the intersection of 5 and Great Mills Road.

The community itself looks very pretty -- very clean, private (wooded lots), etc. Has anyone here built (or know of someone who built) in this area? Somerset Homes in the builder -- their homes look beautiful. I'm just wondering what people think of them once they've been living there for awhile. (Any problems come up? How were they handled?)

Thanks in advance!

I have heard bad things about this building company.

 

[bhanks]

Hi Suz,
Nope...still looking. It's like the eternal hunt! (Actually our finances changed for a bit so we slowed the house hunting. Now we're picking up the pace again.) Thanks for the info...I've been on the website and like what I see.

Happy,
Interesting to hear...I've heard a couple of good things about Somerset. Do you recall any of the particulars about the builder that were bad?

Again, thanks!

 

[happyazz]

Hi Suz,
Nope...still looking. It's like the eternal hunt! (Actually our finances changed for a bit so we slowed the house hunting. Now we're picking up the pace again.) Thanks for the info...I've been on the website and like what I see.

Happy,
Interesting to hear...I've heard a couple of good things about Somerset. Do you recall any of the particulars about the builder that were bad?

Again, thanks!

As with any new house there will be things that need to be fixed, made right ect. But friends of mine have incountered poor attitude and responce from the builders. Actually Rude attitude once they have your money. The builders fix for a leaking basement was to dig a trench around the house. Come on, if it was done correctly the basement SHOULD NOT leak at all. They are still complaining and their house is still not right.

 

[bhanks]

Happy,
You're right...when a house is built, it should be done properly. I live in a Quality Built Home (QBHI) and two years later, I'm still finding problems. The builder has been a bit on the slow side to respond to complaints...but I suppose most builders are like that. Thanks for sharing your info!

 

[kom526]

Do yourself a favor

and find a local custom builder as opposed to buying from a corporate builder. (somerset, Washington, marrick etc.) The homes are built with a quick turnaround so the builder gets his money and the owner gets a substandard home for the amount of money spent. JMHO

Ever wonder how a $350,000-$500,000 home can be built and inhabited in two months or less?

A.S. Buscher, and Ripple Bothers are builders that I am considering to get to build my house.

 

[YoYo_Cee]

I know of a great builder in Lusby, he builds a lot in Calvert but has built some in St Marys.. Its "RCH Builders" Good luck with the new home.. HAppy Thanksgiving all..

 

[Aimhigh2000]

Oy with housing!

I have seen several new developments popping up especially down by my mothers in the Park. It does make you wonder how a house is built in a month. I can see these new houses with the vinyl siding already bowing, cracks in the walls, etc. When I got my house, I was going to build, but decided to save 150k and bought an older home that I fixed up to my liking on the inside. I have awesome hardwood floors, new carpets and appliances. I am glad I decided to go with an older home rather than face the nightmare some of my friends have experienced. Just a thought. And, if you can save a bundle by doing some of the work yourself. The way the market is and with builders trying to make an easy buck (or a few thousand!) I would see if there is perhaps and older home that you could do some work to. You may have to look past some things (like purple and blue paint on the walls), but the outcome is so much better. I would say drive around to some of these new neighborhoods and observe the outside of some of these homes. I don't wanna be a downer on the builder side, but, an older home may be just what you need. They don't build them like they used to. Good luck hunting!

 

[fttrsbeerwench]

I reccomend you sit down and make a list of exactly everything you want, then set out to find a builder who can accomodate, or who offers plans that fit your design.
Otherwise, why not buy an older home, it may be less consuming. Building a new home is big bucks, and why not spend it to get exactly what you want. I have been around it for a while( the building trade), No builder I have ever sen haas not had a few problems on a house. Keep in mind the these home builders have many,many people in the works , which inevitably, at least one of them will screw up. You got the guys who dig up the ground, then the concreteguys come and form, pour and finish. You will have framers, roofers, electricians, plumbers adn inspectors. Something is bound to go wrong!!
I want the BF to build his new house with out using someone elses plans. Even if he has to have a design group draw up something totally new. I figured, that if is gonna spend all this money to build a home he will spend the rest of his life in, he needs to make absolutly sure it has every detail to his specific satisfaction. He orginally has plans( and he had a stack of them to choos from in his office since he does concrete) had an attached garage. He has said several tiems he thinks those things just attract tons of junk in them. So why build a house with one, even if you turn it in to extra rooms or an indoor pool. Even the layout of the rooms is important. I hate for the master bedroom to be any where but on a back corner, with the bath atthe corner so that you can put in a garden style whirlpool tub with a view. A walkin pantry for the kitchen, and a mud room near the laundry and spare bath room for dirty little critters.

 

[Gunn317]

I don't quite understand why those who like to live in a subdivision atmosphere want to live in Drayden in the first place? Drayden is a rural area. If you want to live in a nice close-knit subdivision, stay in Lexington Park, Great Mills, California, etc. Don't come out to Drayden, cut more trees, make more traffic to live "out in the country"...when that is not what you really want!!?

 

[bhanks]

I don't quite understand why those who like to live in a subdivision atmosphere want to live in Drayden in the first place? Drayden is a rural area. If you want to live in a nice close-knit subdivision, stay in Lexington Park, Great Mills, California, etc. Don't come out to Drayden, cut more trees, make more traffic to live "out in the country"...when that is not what you really want!!?

Honest answer to the quote above...for me, it's the desire to have a few (and just a few) neighbors around me in a private, wooded neighborhood. I think the folks who live in Porto Bello are hoping to be able to have the "out in the country" feeling. But, they want their neighbors to keep the general area looking nice and maintained (hence, having a home owner's association). There are not very many houses in the Porto Bello neighborhood, and each home has quite a bit of space (and trees) around it. So, in essence, the draw to a neighborhood like that is that I can live in a well-kept, small community and be only 10 minutes away from amenities.

By the way--we put an offer in! Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

 

[PrepH4U]

Honest answer to the quote above...for me, it's the desire to have a few (and just a few) neighbors around me in a private, wooded neighborhood. I think the folks who live in Porto Bello are hoping to be able to have the "out in the country" feeling. But, they want their neighbors to keep the general area looking nice and maintained (hence, having a home owner's association). There are not very many houses in the Porto Bello neighborhood, and each home has quite a bit of space (and trees) around it. So, in essence, the draw to a neighborhood like that is that I can live in a well-kept, small community and be only 10 minutes away from amenities.

By the way--we put an offer in! Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

My advice to you is don't cross frog marsh rd and ramble into those woods for your country feel. Alot of folk down in Drayden are a little crazy! You may stumble across something or someone who is not very accepting of outsiders!

 

[Aimhigh2000]

Homeowners Association?

You have a home owners association for "just a few" homes? Sounds like a rip to me. Now, here in Golden Beach, we sorta have one, but it costs a whole $28bux a year. It doesn't matter if ya want to build your house and all, but, I really am against all these little pop-up neighborhoods in the middle of no-where. Look at this county and see how they have handled growth. Not good.

 

[bhanks]

I believe the neighborhood will consist of between 80 and 95 homes. So, hopefully most folks won't think it's a bad deal. The HOA fees are a bit higher than yours, Aimhigh, but I don't think they're too bad to keep up the common areas.

 

[CowGirlUp]

and find a local custom builder as opposed to buying from a corporate builder. (somerset, Washington, marrick etc.) The homes are built with a quick turnaround so the builder gets his money and the owner gets a substandard home for the amount of money spent. JMHO

Ever wonder how a $350,000-$500,000 home can be built and inhabited in two months or less?

A.S. Buscher, and Ripple Bothers are builders that I am considering to get to build my house.

My Aunt just built a home in the new development in between Rt. 234 and Rt. 5. Her house was built so quickly the home had no time to settle. Builders were back fixing cracks etc. once the home begun to settle, numerous times. I believe the builder was Marrick?

Ripple Brothers!!! 2 of my future brother n laws work for them. Excellant, hard working, Southern Maryland built homes!!

 

[dreamland]

My Aunt just built a home in the new development in between Rt. 234 and Rt. 5. Her house was built so quickly the home had no time to settle. Builders were back fixing cracks etc. once the home begun to settle, numerous times. I believe the builder was Marrick?

Ripple Brothers!!! 2 of my future brother n laws work for them. Excellant, hard working, Southern Maryland built homes!!

"Future brother inlaws".....that sounds too cute

 

[CowGirlUp]

"Future brother inlaws".....that sounds too cute

I know that is why I stuck it in there!!!

 

[workin hard]

I know that is why I stuck it in there!!!

You are too much.

 

[dreamland]

I know that is why I stuck it in there!!!

LOL....your goofy!!