Quote:
Originally Posted by NewJerseyBoy56
Did you have a list of Must Haves and a list of Wants when you brought your home?
Can you please share some of them?
thank you!
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Besides price point, for me it was
Location, location, location. I wanted to be away from a rec center, a postal station and a main thoroughfare. Some of the streets inside the village itself can be busy--it's something to consider.
For example a side street that has a golf cart path to Buena Vista Blvd or Morse Blvd will get a ton of golf cart traffic. (Until about 9 pm hahahah). Decide if that is important to you.
As far as carpeting /tile/ etc all of those things can be modified.
You cannot modify the location, size or orientation of your home. Decide what is important to you and then shop accordingly!! Even building a brand new home doesn't guarantee you will get all of your must-haves. You will need to make some compromises.
I wanted to be north of 466A, (all of the major shopping is here) and easy to get to either Lake Sumter landing or Spanish Springs in a golf cart. Backyard privacy wasn't too much of a concern as long as I didn't have a "kissing" lanai so that means either a cul-de-sac lot, or backing up to a cul-de-sac lot. Lots with water / golf/ preserve views are pricier. I wish we had a golf cart garage but life isn't about the "stuff" we have. We downsized and got rid of a lot of unnecessary stuff. My third must have was natural gas cooking--again a personal preference.
I downloaded a file I found on the internet of all the available home plans and reviewed them for those I could live with and those I didn't like. I crossed all Amarillo models and those related to it. I didn't want to walk into my living room. I wanted a foyer/entryway. My home even has a closet in the foyer!! I wanted a big kitchen with plenty of cabinets with either a pantry cabinet or pantry closet, and indoor laundry. Kitchen had to be away from the master bedroom. ( I wake up before hubby and I like to bake bread early in the morning--the noise of the Mixer would wake him otherwise). I also wanted an eat-in kitchen.
Orientation of your home is important. Our home faces south, with the master bedroom, dining room, large living room window and lanai facing north (and north east). Our lanai is comfortable even on the hottest days because it isn't in direct sunlight.
We ended up in Glenbrook, north of 466. We bought a 20 yr old home this past year that was in serious need of updating and the price reflected that--$25,000 less that our max. We replaced the flooring throughout the entire house; the roof was replaced by the sellers. We have painted most of the rooms (3 more to go -- hubby and I are doing it ourselves). We are still below our absolute top end price point but once we replace the kitchen counters and put on the bird cage this fall, we will hit it. We also will have to replace some of the appliances; most of what was here is original to the house. I am glad that I get to choose what goes in, rather than have to replace a brand new fridge or stove or dishwasher because I don't like it.
I hate to waste anything; I couldn't even consider some of the newer homes because I would hate to rip out brand new carpeting, etc. to put in what I wanted. I didn't mind ripping up 20 yr old ugly carpet!
Remember when looking at older homes, look BEYOND THE DECOR ... imagine the house empty and with a clean coat of new paint on the walls.
Good luck with your house hunting!