As the search continued we decided to head out to Point Cook's Salt Water Coast. It was a terrible day to drive out west with torrential rain, we got lost along the way and had to double back a couple of times - mostly poor navigation. We began our visit in Point Cook at Metricon's Laguna display home, which my dad had recommended. It is a pretty spectacular home, but of course most things are when they are brand new and well furnished. This home was definitely on the cards, but there were more display homes to view: Boutique Homes, Clarendon Homes, Carlisle Homes, Porter Davies and others.
Clarendon homes provides a what you see is what you get package. However their designs were old and dated. The others, like Metricon employ a bait and switch like tactic to sell their homes. We don't think that this is a good way to start a relationship.
After viewing the Carlisle display, across the road the design of the outdoor alfresco is what initially caught our eye of the MainVue Homes display, a developer than we had not previously known.
There are three MainVue Homes displays at Point Cook: Amalfi, Emporio and Ivory.
Walking through the Amalfi display, a single storey, the facade was very unassuming however upon entry you were greeted by a high vault ceiling and outlined marble flooring. A very open plan living area with high ceiling and separated sleeping quarters the display was approximately 33 squares. For Andy, he was won by the entry foyer and the doors with special soft close hinges. The alfresco, not an option that is built by MainVue, was also a key focus of the lifestyle that we hope to enjoy - entertaining family and friends.
Emporio was more impressive from the facade, offering a balcony from the main bedroom upstairs on the first floor. A much larger home at over 40 squares it provides for larger bedrooms with walk in wardrobes and additional study and living areas as standard. The other drawcards for this display were the large picture windows options for the family and dining rooms. From an interior design point of view there wasn't a standout feature of the house, like in the Amalfi entry foyer.
Both were great displays with good open floor plans providing lots of natural light; despite the miserable weather. We were most comfortable with these display homes and wanted to proceed with MainVue Homes.
Speaking with the Sales Consultant (XP) at the sales office to get the conversation started was relaxed and friendly. He threw out the wet weather special gimmick of a refundable deposit to lock in a $8,000 promotion. We didn't bite, but we didn't come back the next day on a sunnier day with my dad and sister. We had tentatively decided on the Emporio home, and he walked us through the house with another couple to explain the options and choices.
Xavier's approach came across as genuine and helpful, our only complaint that we would have is that he doesn't need to slag off the other competition so much, and could focus more on the great selling points of MainVue Homes and any flexibility they have in design etc.
He promised a quotation in 24hours after providing a refundable deposit of $800, and he delivered. The detailed quotation came back in the ball park which he suggested, but noted that there would still be plenty of other non essential options that could be removed to reduce the cost. Options such as the glass balustrade along the staircase and bi-fold doors to the alfresco.
However, it is generally unlikely that you would want less rather than more and the quotation fluctuated up and down with the revisions that we made to the options and choices that we wanted. Such as larger garage ~$5k, grand alfresco area ~$10k, picture windows, highlight windows, additional water and gas points, rain water tank, just to name a few.
The final quotation prices came to a little over $500,000. The tender, site and colour costs are yet to come.
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