Quote:
Originally Posted by jojo
Beth, I am amazed by how much renovation/remodeling/updating people do here. We have new neighbors who moved into a resale about 3 months ago and there are no less than two contractors a day working inside and outside since they moved in. The good news is that costs for this work is quite a bit less than we were accustomed to paying up north. Good luck with your decision.
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This is very true and as jojo says, very common. Beth, there can be practical reasons for some of the finishing materials though. For instance, wood flooring may not stand up well to the alternate humidity and air conditioning that we put it through. There is an exceptional amount of blowing sand here that may create a situation where you are constantly cleaning those floors instead of being out golfing.
Design is a different issue, though. You can't change the fact that this is a "new" community and there aren't historic homes here. I understand how you feel and have a friend who flat out rejects TV as a result. There are older sections with more mature trees that you might find more attractive than new construction.
That said, you may consider embracing new possibilities and think about ways to complement and integrate that Craftsman style without losing the Florida feel.
Florida Architecture magazine is a great resource and a good way to look at the higher end materials and designs that people are using here. You can probably get back issues at the library. Tour some of the older homes in Ocala and other nearby areas. Get up to St Augustine and tour Flagler college, etc. Most likely you will find some attributes that you can bring into your new home without sacrificing the look you love.