We bought last September and can tell you about our experience. First you pick the type of home, eg. villas, designer homes, premier homes. Then you visit the villages where lots for those types of homes are available for sale. Some lots are too small for the larger models. Lots typically are predefined regarding whether they have a left or a right side driveway. We were (advised by friends) to avoid a lanai that faces west because of the hot afternoon sun.
We then were given options for "packages" by viewing the models. According to the sales rep. their designers are much better at picking appropriate combinations of cabinets & floors, etc. than the average buyer. My thinking is they just want to limit the number of options available. Available options included all tile, tile on the diagonal, jets in master bath, golf cart garage and increasing the size of every dimension of the house by a foot or more.
We were also advised to decline the washer/dryer, faux wood blinds and granite counter-top because they could all be purchased aftermarket for less money and can be easily installed immediately after closing if we choose. In retrospect, I would have preferred to decline the refrigerator, washing machine and stove in order to upgrade those as well, but we were not given that option. I bet you could if you pushed hard enough.
|