[DeanFL]

Just back from our 1pm tour. Extremely organized and so worth the trip.

- At Brownwood - left in a large tour bus - they are using those plus trollies. They took Buena Vista up to Hillsborough, east to Morse then down to Rt 44 where it turns into 468 - then down 5 miles to the Fenney entrance.
- Entrance is gorgeous - like typical old time Florida - all the huge Live Oaks - like up north Buena Vista, even more. They left a lot of nice rambling grounds with walking paths too.
- As mentioned Jennifer Parr greets as we are coming off the bus (She really doesn't HAVE TO do this, but...what a nice touch by 'The Family').
- They provide a small map and explain the areas to visit and where to go. Again so very organized and lots of TV sales/support staff there.
- Designer homes - about 8 models are open to walk thru. From about $280K - 650K. Some are OMG! One had Premier-like interior with the 8' doors and 12' ceilings etc. Most had huge lanais with super great views of the trees and ponds etc. Very lovely. Some Designer homes were same models or slight mods of current/previous "above Rt 44" home styles. Exterior designs were nice and different from "ours". Good, because "our" neighborhoods can look "cookie cutter". Oh - they have "GAS" (stoves etc) down there too.
- Cottage homes - like Ranch homes. We only went into one as they are smaller/simpler, and we were spoiled after the first models. About 7 are available to walk thru.
- They are building Patio Villa-like homes, will have models.
- They plan to have Premier homes in Phase II.
- They are building 2 Exec golf courses right now -look GREAT- Red Fox and Grey Fox.
- Building a min-golf course (2 9 holes) on a natural island - will real greens/grass)
- They sold 2 homes and 1 lot yesterday - we were told these were the first sales in Fenney (not sure if we heard right tho)
- They said 70 homes are completed, with more in phases of building.
- They bought 7000 acres down there (again not certain if we heard right)
- As usual for TV, they are building Rec Centers, postal stations et al before the homes.
- seems to be laid out really well - rambling, and countrylike.
Yes, the ride down on 468, there are areas where old style single fam "homes" (not TV) are - kinda junky rural like areas. But LOTS of open land/farms etc they will prob also build on.
SO WORTH the trip and tour. The Villages ALWAYS seems to get it right.
I, for one, am thrilled about Fenney et al and good for the TV Management for 'No Buildout'!
The Family could have cashed out and retired - glad they didn't - more retirees can join our lifestyle. And the tons of jobs TV continues....