Quote:
Originally Posted by kp11364
I've been seeing some nice homes for sale in my price range and square footage, but not necessarily in the area I want (I prefer between 466 and 466a, closer to 466a). I believe that homes above or near 466 are considered "older". Some of the ones I've seen listed were built around 2000-2003.
Are there any specific "gotchas" for that area that I should be aware of besides age of roof and age of HVAC? Is the "grey plastic pipe" issue something I need to specifically check for? Are there specific repair permits I or the home inspector should be checking for?
Thanks all!
Kevin
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My home was built in 1998. It looks pretty much like new. I think it’s perverse for people (not you!) to see these thousands of homes as used up and old. The Villages is in wonderful condition. I’m amazed by how well-kept neighborhoods are. Even the Historic Section looks really nice. When I bought, selling points that made me interested included the bond being paid, a new roof, and a new HVAC system. I’ll probably need to replace the water heater in a few years. But can you ask for a price reduction because the roof isn’t new or the bond isn’t paid off? You can ask, but by then the house may have been sold. Just take these things into account when you figure out what you can afford and what your upcoming expenses are likely to be and start saving for them. My carpet doesn’t look great, but it will be a few years before I can afford to replace it.
As for Morse, I live two blocks from the intersection of 466 and Morse, just north of 466. I haven’t noticed much noise. Yes, the traffic is worse on Morse in the winter when the snowbirds are here, but not all that much worse. What people who complain aren’t realizing is that the traffic is never as bad as it is many times in many cities, and also that there are rush hours. Just don’t expect 100 yards clear in both directions. Learn to make quick decisions and step on it when there is a break in traffic. There are always periods of several hours a day when making a left turn isn’t hard on Morse, and after about 6 pm it’s easy. The result of the lights at San Marino and Rio Grande is that traffic comes in spurts of twenty or thirty cars, followed by a break during rush hour. If you have your wits about you and are used to city traffic and have fast reaction time, you can often make a left between cars. If your reaction time is slower, that can be harder. It would be nice to have some left turn lanes here and there so traffic can keep flowing, but I know that is expensive.
There are also some scheduling possibilities. If, say, I need to go to Home Depot or Sam’s during a Morse rush hour when left turns are difficult, I’ll turn right on Morse, then take 466 to Rolling Acres Road. If I also need to go to, say, WalMart, I will arrange my route so I don’t need to make a left turn except at a light with a turn lane. First Home Depot, and then WalMart on 441. If I need to pick up my mail from my mail station on Morse during rush hour, at the end of my errands I head south on Morse so getting the mail is a right turn. If, say, I have an appointment near the hospital, instead of turning left on Morse during rush hour I might take 466 to Buena Vista, then Avenida Central to the office. It’s a little farther, but it’s a pretty drive.
In short, Morse is busy like a busy suburban street, not like a busy urban street, and it is annoying at times but manageable with some thought. I wouldn’t avoid neighborhoods that flow into Morse because they do. Once you are off Morse, those neighborhood streets are quiet, with hardly any traffic.