[CFrance]

Originally Posted by casita37

I was thinking about how to cut corners, to make the ends meet, and I thought of something I wish we had considered more before we bought. When choosing your house, be sure to choose one you like....just the way it is! When you start tiling your lanai, pavering (made up that word..) your driveway, installing solar tubes, new carpet/tile/wood, etc., enlarging your lanai and the list goes on and on, it really adds up. EVERYday, we weave through construction/service trucks in the neighborhood. Seems like every other house is "remodeling".

Low maintenance landscaping can save you a fortune, too, unless you are the diy type and just like yard work. Again, people are always changing things. Our yard guys offered us a palm tree really cheap because another customer just didn't like it....nothing wrong with the tree. I've even seen ads on here for free landscaping items.

What are your plans for furniture? If not bringing your own, consider a turn-key house (as long as you LIKE it). Lots of consignment and used furniture stores here because, again, people are always remodeling. You can find some good deals on nice furniture, if you don't mind used....I don't mind!!

Just something to consider. Hope it helps.

Good stuff, casita. I always appreciate your posts. And you are right. We bought a spec house and have been upgrading it ever since. We liked how it was situated, plus the price vis-a-vis something more expensive, and those were the main factors. But we are pumping a lot of $ into it.