We bought a 25 year old courtyard villa. Upgrades that it already had were, full gutters, epoxy garage floor, acrylic sliders on lanai, birdcage, storm door with roll down screen, sliding panel garage screen, 2 solar tubes, window cornices and window treatments, 5 ceiling fans, decoratively painted courtyard concrete, and laminate floor in living/dining area, and pull down attic stairs. The previous owner also left a good full sized fridge in the garage and a 4 drawer metal file cabinet. They also left one full package of the roof shingles. That's super handy to have just in case. All those things add up, especially the bird cage. You must consider that when comparing to a new home.
We purchased a lot in Shady Brook (only 5k premium) and had opportunity to select our roof color, kitchen cabinet color, upgrade quartz, etc. Each room came with a ceiling fan and blinds as standard.
Happy New Years Gary, all great points. I believe designer, veranda‘s and premieres all come with fans and shades. When we looked to buy land there to build the timeframe is very short between buying the land and having to design the home. I believe it was a week from deposit on land to completely designing the house. Wasn’t enough time for us as we were not in Fla. They had no flexibility on the timeframe at least when we tried.
The Villages frequently changes what they include in new homes, and what are options for the buyer. I did my design process in October, for a new build designer home in Well Point. The base home included ceiling fans in the bedrooms, living room, and lanai, but did not include window treatments, blinds, or a washer / dryer. There were about 100 design decisions to make, including: counters, flooring, cabinets, kitchen appliances, door types, faucets, light fixtures, hardware, sinks, roof color, paint, etc. Within each of those 100 items, there were a couple to a dozen different options (which changed the base price). If the Villages provided a list of the choices and options in advance, it could have simplified the design process.
Hi. I would get the pull down stairs. Not the cheap ones that are very unstable. The nice ones that unfold and easier to climb. As you get older, you need to be more careful about falling.
@ Extending your lanai and adding a mini split to your lanai, garage and / bedroom should also be considered. I like to watch the open houses on You Tube to get ideas on what to add or change to your new home. I will also add an out door kitchen.
Thank you for sharing your ideas Gary. With the newer homes I would add a bit of landscaping and remove the straw they now give. When the wind blows or too much water runs, the straw lifts and goes onto other areas it doesn't belong in. I really dislike the straw. It's messy.
I have to say I’m in the minority on straw. I really like it and add it twice a year. Mine has never blown around and my plants seem to like it year around. I think if the Villages use it for landscaping it must work but I agree most think it’s a necessary change.
I had heard that in Florida the straw is better plant protection from hot and cold days where rocks are not a great insulator. I also think it depends on your plants.
I’m not sure if the design center has options on the landscaping but my guess is you would have choices since when you buy a lot nothing has been started.
Yes, you can get upgraded landscaping at your design meeting, but of course at an additional cost. As for the "standard" package, you have no choice for any of the plants in that package.
We bought a 25 year old courtyard villa. Upgrades that it already had were, full gutters, epoxy garage floor, acrylic sliders on lanai, birdcage, storm door with roll down screen, sliding panel garage screen, 2 solar tubes, window cornices and window treatments, 5 ceiling fans, decoratively painted courtyard concrete, and laminate floor in living/dining area, and pull down attic stairs. The previous owner also left a good full sized fridge in the garage and a 4 drawer metal file cabinet. They also left one full package of the roof shingles. That's super handy to have just in case. All those things add up, especially the bird cage. You must consider that when comparing to a new home.
We purchased a lot in Shady Brook (only 5k premium) and had opportunity to select our roof color, kitchen cabinet color, upgrade quartz, etc. Each room came with a ceiling fan and blinds as standard.
Sounds like you got a great deal!
Happy New Years Gary, all great points. I believe designer, veranda‘s and premieres all come with fans and shades. When we looked to buy land there to build the timeframe is very short between buying the land and having to design the home. I believe it was a week from deposit on land to completely designing the house. Wasn’t enough time for us as we were not in Fla. They had no flexibility on the timeframe at least when we tried.
I've heard go cheap and add upgrades after you buy to keep property taxes lower. Taxes based are based you pay for house.
Point taken. Will think on this.
Actually your taxes are based on the house square footage, the garage square footage and the size of the property.
Thank you for the information. It was very helpful.
APPREciate your thoughtful advice on this. Thank you . ❤
You are welcome, glad you found it helpful.
This was very helpful. Thanks Gary.
I’m happy it was helpful!
The Villages frequently changes what they include in new homes, and what are options for the buyer.
I did my design process in October, for a new build designer home in Well Point. The base home included ceiling fans in the bedrooms, living room, and lanai, but did not include window treatments, blinds, or a washer / dryer. There were about 100 design decisions to make, including: counters, flooring, cabinets, kitchen appliances, door types, faucets, light fixtures, hardware, sinks, roof color, paint, etc. Within each of those 100 items, there were a couple to a dozen different options (which changed the base price). If the Villages provided a list of the choices and options in advance, it could have simplified the design process.
Hi. I would get the pull down stairs. Not the cheap ones that are very unstable. The nice ones that unfold and easier to climb. As you get older, you need to be more careful about falling.
Good call! The pull down stairs, insulation in the ceiling of the lanai and garage also should be discussed.
@ Extending your lanai and adding a mini split to your lanai, garage and / bedroom should also be considered. I like to watch the open houses on You Tube to get ideas on what to add or change to your new home. I will also add an out door kitchen.
Thank you for sharing your ideas Gary. With the newer homes I would add a bit of landscaping and remove the straw they now give. When the wind blows or too much water runs, the straw lifts and goes onto other areas it doesn't belong in. I really dislike the straw. It's messy.
I have to say I’m in the minority on straw. I really like it and add it twice a year. Mine has never blown around and my plants seem to like it year around. I think if the Villages use it for landscaping it must work but I agree most think it’s a necessary change.
@@GaryAbbott oh wow. I thought the straw was only temporary to keep the grass seed from washing away. That's how they do it here in Virginia.
I had heard that in Florida the straw is better plant protection from hot and cold days where rocks are not a great insulator. I also think it depends on your plants.
They use Quartz, not coriander.
Gary, wer'e not in the 1990s, no Corian used here now.
Thanks as I wasn’t sure but looks nice.
Yeah,another nice video 😊
Thanks for watching!
Hey, Gary, can you ask for tree upgrades or is it pretty much you get what you get as far as standard trees and shrubs to start?
I’m not sure if the design center has options on the landscaping but my guess is you would have choices since when you buy a lot nothing has been started.
Yes, you can get upgraded landscaping at your design meeting, but of course at an additional cost. As for the "standard" package, you have no choice for any of the plants in that package.