friend buying same home

mscuteone · July 2013

Please let me know if I'm making to much of a big deal about this. We bought our home less then two years ago and i love my home. Everyone who comes to my home tell me how much they like it. My husband's friend has been to our home several times and has also commented on how much he likes our home. About a month ago we found out he and his wife are buying a home and it is the exact same model and floor plan as ours. I'm very upset about this, because i feel like he is coping my home and there is at least two dozen other models that this builder makes. I would just like to know how would you ladies feel about this and would you say something about this to the friend.

vpine · July 2013

I wouldn't say anything. Buying the same layout or model is one thing, it would be different and creepy if they copied your decor and furniture.

GeorgiaRiah · July 2013

You should take it as a compliment. You must have one great house!

Disneygeek77 · July 2013

This wouldn't bother me one bit. Your floor plan works for them just like it works for you.

I wouldn't say anything at all because...well you might come across as a crazy person.

Sisugal · July 2013

So how does their buying the same house cause you trouble in your life? You do not own the model/floor plan. Someone was going to buy it - why not friends?

minionlover · July 2013

I woudn't say anything to them. Unless paid for custom floor plans and had some sort of rights to them, there isn't anything that you can do or should do.

cakergirl · July 2013

I would be super annoyed but if they have their heart set there isn't much you can do. Especially if they are aware that it is the same model and floor plan and want it for that reason.

is there a chance they don't realize it's the same, or do you think they did it on purpose. I personally would/could never buy a home so similar to a good friend.. but not everyone feels that way. Maybe they liked the style of yours but didn't realize the one they chose was identical. In this case you could casually mention "wow, isn't it fun to think your house will look just like this one?" .

Then one of three things will happen.

A) They will say "yes, we love it! That's why we picked it!".

they will say "oh wow, we didn't realize they were so similar" and choose something a little different.

c) they will say "oh wow, we didn't realize they were so similar" and decide they like it anyway or it's too late to change their minds.

but after that you can't bring it up anymore and have to let it go. You will just need to focus on decor and landscaping and ways to make yours different.

fsumom · July 2013

I honestly don't see what the big deal is. And no, I would not say anything!

flyingsouth77 · July 2013

One of the reasons your house is "you" is the decor. The same house, decorated differently, will look much different. When you build, and choose a builder design you take the risk of having something that will be like someone else's. I would never ask a friend to change the biggest purchase of their lives to accommodate your need to be different. I understand the emotion behind it...but you have to let it go.

Rainzzzy · July 2013

I don't see this as a big deal at all. It would be different if you and your husband custom designed the home, but you picked from the builder's options same as they are doing now. Like a PP said, it won't really look the same as yours anyway as your decorating styles probably differ. Now if they start picking same furniture and curtains that would creep me out a bit. In that case I would joke like "wow this all sure looks familiar." But as of this point, I don't think you should say anything as they aren't in the wrong.

CowgirlK39 · July 2013

This is something my in laws would do. My husband and I bought a project car last year to restore together. My in laws ran out two weeks later and bought a car the same make and year but different model. They restored theirs already (read: had someone do it for them since they know nothing about cars) and now always say to us "it's too bad yours isn't running yet!" Is it annoying? Absolutely! But do we say anything about it? No. You should do the same. What would you say anyway? "Hey stop copying us!" You will sound like a five year old. I think PPs are dead on - if they copy your colors and decor, then I would be a little alarmed.

rentaduckie · October 2013

HouseOfGreen · October 2013

My mom and good friend have the exact same floor plan. Because of the way that it was decorated we honestly did not even realize it for years! One had carpet, one has hardwood, my mom has yellows and greens on the walls, and the other has light blues. You would be surprised how much floors and paint make a difference.

Beads921 · October 2013

I'm really not sure what you're so upset about. You, and they, chose from the builder's models. There are only so many to choose from, which means there are many other homes just like yours (and theirs).

GeorgiaRiah · October 2013

I would take this as a compliment that they like your home so much! When a friend goes and buys the same dress as me I would just think - Man! I must have looked awesome in that dress!

pugrace · October 2013

How is it different that your friends have the same model bothers you but the fact that everyone else in your neighborhood could/does have the same model. Cookie cutter houses are made to be duplicated. Breathe and move on.... you have bigger fish to fry.

KonaCoffeeBean · October 2013

How is it different that your friends have the same model bothers you but the fact that everyone else in your neighborhood could/does have the same model. Cookie cutter houses are made to be duplicated. Breathe and move on.... you have bigger fish to fry.

My thoughts exactly.

toothpastechica · November 2013

pugrace said:

How is it different that your friends have the same model bothers you but the fact that everyone else in your neighborhood could/does have the same model. Cookie cutter houses are made to be duplicated. Breathe and move on.... you have bigger fish to fry.

This. I think you are being silly...I would be thrilled if my friends bought from the same builder as me because it would mean they are in my neighborhood....since mine is one of about 52 houses with floorplan C1...I would assume someone else in the world is going to like it.

justrach87 · November 2013

Did you copy right this floor plan? do you own the rights to it so no one can use it?

nope.

you're being silly and definitely over reacting.

hersheykiss21 · December 2013

Don't you want the best for your friends? Lay off the competitiveness and try to be supportive. Your friends aren't going into foreclosure, they're doing well for themselves. Shouldn't you be cheering them on?

asoiafguy · December 2013

Maybe see a psychiatrist? This makes NO sense. Who cares if your friends have a straight up carbon copy of your home? How does this affect you? Did you build the house with your own hands? Even if so, this still makes purely 0 sense to be upset about.

shana+chris · December 2013

Beads921 said:
I'm really not sure what you're so upset about. You, and they, chose from the builder's models. There are only so many to choose from, which means there are many other homes just like yours (and theirs).

This exactly! That's what happens when you buy a cookie cutter house. They won't be the only people with your house and floor plan, and neither will you.