[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by JerryLBell

Window coverings? That surprises me as the new house we bought already had decent matching blinds throughout. I thought all new homes had them but maybe I'm wrong on that.

We added some landscaping and a decorative sealant for the lanai floor plus bought a washer and dryer as those weren't included in the house. Once we moved in (we rented the house out unfurnished for a year before retiring and moving here), we realized that the renters were right on a couple of things and addressed those. Namely, we really didn't like the fridge the house came with and the water taste wasn't great. We got a new fridge and moved the old one to the garage to hold drinks and we had the folks from Nova come out and add whole-home water filtration and now the water tastes great.

I kind of like the looks of the sealed, dressed-up driveways and garage floors but not enough to warrant the initial cost and whatever upkeep and/or replacement those would entail. As far as removing carpeting, I actually prefer carpeting - especially in the living room. Hardwood or tile floors are easier to maintain and look nice but I'm a home theater enthusiast and hard floors really make a good sound system sound harsh and echo-y plus party conversation is much louder. I've yet to put in attic stairs as I use the attic so rarely that using a ladder just isn't that much of an inconvenience. Our lanai faces north so we didn't have to put in shades for it but I know a lot of folks who've added something for their lanais that are in direct sun. The house is open and light enough for us that we haven't felt the need for solar tubes, though I can see their appeal.

For some folks, particularly from northern states, the temptation to add a palm tree is overwhelming. Research it first. They can look really great but some varieties require quite a lot of maintenance and some folks argue that they attract palm rats (which are different than the common rats you get up north but just as annoying). We're tempted ourselves (we're from Michigan, after all) but since the neighbors on both sides of our house have them, we can enjoy theirs until we ever decide to get one of our own.

Some folks here also spend a LOT on Christmas decorations, some spend little, many do nothing. If you haven't been here over Christmas, you're in for either a treat or a shock. There are some displays out there you might find amazing and some you might find garish. Your neighborhood may already have an established theme and you might want to buy matching items to fit in. Up to you, of course.

Oh, and you have to save out a few bucks ($50 and up) for a name sign for the light post out front! Take your time, look around the neighborhood and pick out something you'll like for a long time. Moving here from a northern state will make you want to put up one with palm trees in it or maybe golfers but check out how many like that are already out there! Here's a chance to show your personality and creativity!

Excellent response