Overall, communication among the builder, buyer, lender, and agents could have been much smoother. Early miscommunications quickly led to finger-pointing rather than proactive solutions.
Additionally, because this purchase was designated as a VA loan from the start, key details should have been caught much earlier. For example, I had to catch on my own that the builder's fee was capped at $500 under VA rules rather than the $3,200 listed. Catching that saved me thousands, but doing so just one day before closing caused unnecessary stress and last-minute scramble.
Final closing costs were also noticeably higher than expected. While I understand interest movements, unanticipated fees—like Lennar's deed tax stamp—should have been factored into the initial estimates by an experienced team. I understand Lennar may be the only company in the world that charges the buyer this fee. But I'm sure NAF has dealt with Lennar at least once in the past few years
Buying a home is naturally stressful, and while I recognize my own learning curve as a buyer, clearer upfront guidance would have made a world of difference. That said, the mission is complete, and I am excited to settle into Florida. Thank you for loaning me this money and your work in getting the loan closed.