Lighted exterior concrete steps in new construction- have to give a thumbs down

GON

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White Sands, NM
Came across a new construction home with lighted exterior steps.

The lights definitely catch the eye. But I would have to go thumbs down on this lighting option.

Reasons for the thumbs down:
  • as unlikely as it is, adding unnecessary conduit, wires, flush lights to concrete reduce the structural integrity of the concrete steps
    • these steps are pricey and very labor intensive to replace
  • the lights likely are Chinese manufactured with lowest quality material
    • lights will be a high failure item, even in the desert water will be trying to get into the lights
    • more likely than not parts availability will not be feasible over the life of the steps
On a positive:
  • good that electrical is run to the stair area during the new construction, although I suspect the wiring is low voltage and not 110 a/c
  • might provide a supplemental safety feature at night
  • provides a supplemental visual security lighting even before a scoundrel makes it to the front door
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Where's the sidewalk leading up to the steps?
Home is on a one-acre lot, in what I suspect is an unincorporated area.

With a side garage (which can sometimes be a very nice design feature)-- I suspect the steps will be to nowhere (like the bridge to nowhere). With this size lot, the driveway from the steps, the cost to make the steps fully usable must be in the many thousands of dollars.

This is the homes listing. I find it funny I see the home as new construction, yet someone is living in the home. This is a new trend I am seeing, homes being listed as new construction yet someone is living full time in the home.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatea...ordo_NM_88310_M15637-97946?from=srp-list-card
 
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This situation is common in the SW - an occupied house sitting on a dirt lot with no landscaping, defined driveway or walkways. Not just new construction either. Those lights shining right in your eyes as you approach are going to make it harder to see the steps at night not easier.
 
Not a bad place but one AC unit in the desert is a no for me.
I found the floors interesting.

With a reported serious shortage of hardwood floors, why bamboo rather than a porcelain tile made to look like wood? I understand bamboo is technically a hardwood, but not a traditional hardwood when discussed for single family homes.

It does drive me a bit crazy on a new construction to see multiple flooring material on a single level home. And being this home is in the desert, every more reason to go with a single tile, rather than a bamboo, carpet, tile mix.
 
Where's the sidewalk leading up to the steps?
Where's the driveway??? LOL. It is missing as well.

Apparently the builder doesn't know any concrete guys (or he's already dicked them all over at least once and none of them will work for him anymore).

Ugh. Those dark shiny, wavy floors are awful. And they're nearly everywhere.

Oddly enough.... not a single picture of the inside of the garage. None.
 
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Not exactly what I'd be after but nothing shown would bother me to the point of complaining.
A nice size house for the $$$
 
Home is on a one-acre lot, in what I suspect is an unincorporated area.

With a side garage (which can sometimes be a very nice design feature)-- I suspect the steps will be to nowhere (like the bridge to nowhere). With this size lot, the driveway from the steps, the cost to make the steps fully usable must be in the many thousands of dollars.

This is the homes listing. I find it funny I see the home as new construction, yet someone is living in the home. This is a new trend I am seeing, homes being listed as new construction yet someone is living full time in the home.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatea...ordo_NM_88310_M15637-97946?from=srp-list-card
I'm venturing a guess that it's being rented until sold or prior to closing. Income stream while listed.
 
what's with the shower? looks like being hosed down in a stall, just two showers in one, no lip, big drain?.. I'm not a horse! lol

Yeah, not a fan of horse stall open showers like that.

Still, a house few would be ashamed to live in. Would make a nice 2nd home for changing up location occasionally if you like desert environment.
 
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