The entire process of building a house with Ashton was nothing but stress and dishonesty all leading to the builder backing out of his commitment. We were first drawn to the community by a house they had listed on MLS that was completed and ready to go. Of course when we got there it was sold, which is understandable because of the market at that particular time. This house was listed at a price on the MLS with all the upgrades included. They tell us they can build us one just like it. So we go to the model center and pick up their sheet of "Standard Features". After gathering some information we return home to think about the location, the house, and the price. We were impressed with what was included at the price, even at a little elevated price. We return in a few days to place a contract with them and have them build a house. They give us a price that is higher than they had posted in ther book on the counter. First red flag we should have noticed. As we go along we are told that the features that are listed on the "Standard Features" sheet are not included. They are upgrades. Second red flag and first time of getting disturbed. We return a few days later and we are presented with a new "Standard Features" list that of course is much smaller. So we work with them on getting prices on upgrades which is like pulling teeth. Most sales folks would have the prices available or be able to get them in a acceptable amount of time. Not this one. We would call every two days to see if we could get the prices and info. Each time there was either no information or partial information, until we are presented with the statement "You need to decide what you are going to do about XXXX" We still don't have prices or info. This happened on multiple items. One of he upgrades we decided on was granite countertops. We were given a price. I asked at 5 different occasions to verify this price. Each time it was verified. We picked a color and went home. We were called the next day and told that was a second level upgrade. So again we asked for a price. The next day they told us it would be the upgrade price plus an additional XX. We agreed. During this time we found out that the faucets that they put in the house did not match and it was an upgrade to get the ones that did. Again disturbed but we agreed. It comes to the time that we are presented with the list of upgrades and the prices. The price on the countertops is $200 more than was quoted. I was then given an answer of "I always tell people the upgrade is a range of XXXX to XXXX" This was not the case and I had verified multiple times. At this time I had enough. This was a Friday. That Sunday we visited the Model Center and had a sit down with the sales person. After voicing all of the concerns we had since the beginning they agreed to remove $200 from the countertops and put the matching faucets in at no charge. I signed off on it. The next day he sends the sheet back and says since we wanted white appliances and this was not a standard that it would not be an added cost but the builder wanted me to sign off on the statement that said there "would be no returns or exchanges" on the appliances. I did and assumed everything was good. Two days later I get a call from the salesman stating that the build is not going to honor it and he wants to cancel the contract. I requested a meeting with the builder. 30 minutes later I get a call from the builder and he begins to berate me, tell me how there will not be any gratuities given, and tell me I am naive to believe the salesman. HIS salesman. He said he wanted an answer on whether we wanted to pay for the upgrades or cancel the contract. I told him I would call him back by the end of thier business day (6pm). After fuming a while we decided that we would just leave the faucets the way they were and pay the extra $200 just to be done. I called at 5:55 and got a machine. I left a message. The next morning the salesperson calls and states that he has the cancellation form and check for our earnest money. I asked him that I thought it was left up to us. He told me the builder would not build the house for me, even though we had a contract and he was obligated. At this point we are left with no home 3 weeks from closing. I would stay as far away from these individuals as possible.
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