Anyone own a KB Home?

[Evil Queen]

Oh, I very much dislike HOA's. Luckily, I don't live in one (yay! I can do whatever I want to my yard without asking a PANEL for permission!) and the only HOA I know of, I'm personal friends with the president.

So he tells me horror stories.

[Tanasi]

There is a similar bunch locally called Jim Walter Homes they've been around for over 50 years and have a so-so reputation. Check out KB with the local BBB and state BBB (if there is one). Is KB a member of the local chamber of commerce? If not, ask why not. Go to local building supply stores, lumber yards, plumbing, electrical supply and ask those guys about KB reputation.
Does the city/county/state require building inspections? If not hire your own inspector.
Don't run water supply lines through a concrete slab or exterior walls (if possible) interior only (no frozen pipes.) Cut-offs on everything and if possible use pex-pipe with a central manifold. If you can afford it maybe a sprinkler system for fire-prevention especially so if you only have VFD or are far from a fire-plug.
Nothing less than a 200 amp electrical box and insist on sub-boxes with cut-offs for the water heater, heat-pump, etc.
I'm iffy about gas heat, I like it but the price fluctuates so much it scares me, whereas electrical heat while not as efficent is dependent upon the power being on. If you have a fire place you can at least stay warm and cook if need be.
Insulation??? I prefer the pink-stuff (fiberglass) as it doesn't degrade, the problem with it is installation. It must be either stapled in place or held in place by mechinacial means. Cellouse (news-paper, cloth) will settle in walls leaving the top of the walls un-insulated and the stuff is just plain nasty. As EQ says I don't trust fire-proof.
Insist on the sub-floor being screwed down and not nailed (no squeeky floors.) If you are going to have a crawl-space accept nothing less than 4 feet in height and a positive air pressure using exterior air that way it stays dry and no harmful gases build up (radon.)
Roof, ridge-vents with soffit vents. I'd also use the plastic trays that keep the insulation away from the soffit and allows for air circulation. These vents use convection to circulate the air and keeps the underside of the roof dry and the roof will last longer. Insist on high quality roofing.
Water heater, if you have gas instant water heater is the way to go as there is no tank to maintain. If electric try to figure how much hot water you use a day and then pick a tank that is twice that size. I have electric water heaters but I use a combination of tank and instant. The water in the tanks are kept about 80 (tanks are heavily insulated) and the temp is boosted to 110 by 240v instant water heaters when needed at the exit. That way long long showers are possible.
Kitchen appliances, buy high quality energy star and nothing else.
Exterior doors? I made mine but I'd use a very heavy duty insulated door set in a steel frame with the frame lag bolted to the door jams all the way around. Also storm doors and windows. The look dorky but they help with insulation (trapped air) and just a little more security.
Have more electric plugs put in each room than code requires (you can never have too many.) Have every room wired for phone, cable and at least Cat-6 network even the bathrooms. Try to have every room on a seperate circuit.
No tile floors in the kitchen. You, hubby, yardape or someone will drop something and break a tile and it's a major pain to change. Use wood but someone will drop something on it and dent it but you at least stand a chance of steaming out the dent.
Double or tripled paned windows with low-e film. If you want maybe a one-way coating.
Security system??? I have one of my and my brother's design and it's in constant evolution (it drives my wife crazy.) These days good quality infrared cameras are fairly inexpensive. Have cameras that covers all doors and blind spots (I have them everywhere outside.) A wired-in fire alarm system that will call the FD don't forget the sprinkler system (water damage is easier to repair than fire damage.)
Insulated garage door(s).
Every penitration into the house via exterior walls must be sealed up. I buy caulk by the case.
At your house warming ask for tools because you'll need them and ask for home-maintenance books or courses.

OK I've rambled on for too long. This is a subject that I'm passionite about as I've learned many of these things the hard way and I'd just as soon others not make the same mistakes. Good luck.