Upgrading my Villages Home

[Plexer2]

Please help me improve my property, lol. How many ideas can you give me that either you or your friends have done to improve their Village Home. I will start with the first one that I did. I added a large solar light for my living room. Wow does it make a difference! Next up may be small windows on my garage door as it is so dark in there with door down! Help me spend my money! You must have hundreds of ideas! Perhaps approx. cost would be helpful to anyone reading this post. My large solar light was around $500 bucks installed. I think garage windows will cost me $190 to 220 bucks.

[Donna]

Hi Plex,

I did some upgrades, We had three solar tubes put in, a large one in the kitchen, and two smaller ones in each bathroom..

We added rock to the flower beds, brought in from Pennsylvania..That nuts you don't want to get! lol We had a professional landscaper do the beds, and added Palm Trees..

We had the driveway, walkway, lanai and garage painted..
Painted the interior custom colors..Had curbing put all around the flower beds..

Had attic fans put in..Put donuts all around the sprinkler heads..

[chuckinca]

Gutters all around.

Retractable Attic stairs.

Alarm System.

Murphy Bed (the first thing we bought - for our 3rd BR)

Plantation Shutters.

Chattahoochee River Rock coating on the driveway.

Custom Paint interior (nine painters came in and did it in two days)

Ceiling Fans in all bedrooms.

[l2ridehd]

If you had to rank them, what was the one best thing you did that added real value to your home? I also have done many and my number one which I would always do in the next home is the solar attic fan. Makes a huge difference in how long it takes to change temperature in the home. I just bought my second Villages home and it does not have it. It will get added real soon.

As with anything I am sure everyone has a view, so what was your number one?

[graciegirl]

If I could I would rip off the siding and put those new shingles that some of the newer homes have on them.

If your home is more than two years old, replace ALL of the lighting fixtures.

[villages07]

Retractable screen door for front door (to allow air flow in cooler months) ... approx $350.

Add insulation over garage ($350)

We concreted in small landscaped area near front door and constructed 2 waist size walls to create a courtyard area near our entrance.

Not an improvement, but ... paid $600 for 10 year extended warranty on the heating/AC system.

Numerous shelves/storage areas for laundry room and garage.

Outdoor LED type solar lights to accent landscaping (new LED style lights last all night long) ($70)

Removeable, palm-themed opaque decal for shower door ($20)

Whole house surge protection (about $200)

Custom Door glass insert (Perry's door glass) for front door and sidelights (aprpox $1,000)

Metal wall sculpture art for stucco walls at entrance.

Plus all the other stuff Donna and Chuck suggested.

For L2's question, our best (top 3 improvements) were add on birdcage, landscape, and entry courtyard. "Top" based on our enjoyment of them.

[Lady Jan]

.

[graciegirl]

Why would you recommend replacing the lighting fixtures?

Because most of them are too small, outdated in appearance and don't have the pizazz you find in "showcase" homes. If you wanted to sell, it makes a huge difference in overall appearance to the home. If you want to stay, it makes a huge difference in the home.

In the last couple of years the new homes have had nicer dining room and entry way fixtures. The bathrooms, not so much.

[graciegirl]

Retractable screen door for front door (to allow air flow in cooler months) ... approx $350.

Add insulation over garage ($350)

We concreted in small landscaped area near front door and constructed 2 waist size walls to create a courtyard area near our entrance.

Not an improvement, but ... paid $600 for 10 year extended warranty on the heating/AC system.

Numerous shelves/storage areas for laundry room and garage.

Outdoor LED type solar lights to accent landscaping (new LED style lights last all night long) ($70)

Removeable, palm-themed opaque decal for shower door ($20)

Whole house surge protection (about $200)

Custom Door glass insert (Perry's door glass) for front door and sidelights (aprpox $1,000)

Metal wall sculpture art for stucco walls at entrance.

Plus all the other stuff Donna and Chuck suggested.

For L2's question, our best (top 3 improvements) were add on birdcage, landscape, and entry courtyard. "Top" based on our enjoyment of them.

07? Can I please come over and see your house when we get there in a couple of weeks? I knew just by looking at your golf cart (and YOU) that you had good taste. (OH and Guenther too of course)

I am intrigued by your filling in with concrete and creating a retaining wall in front. I think we could do that with our Camellia!

[mom2five]

Quote

Not an improvement, but ... paid $600 for 10 year extended warranty on the heating/AC system.


We are just now deciding if we should take this warranty. Would appreciate any comments on why and why not to take it.

Thanks

[villages07]

Mom....

Why??? A/C in FL gets quite a workout; $600 for 10 years (I recall it was 10 but I could be wrong) seemed like a good investment; something will probably go wrong in that time. One hefty repair bill could pay for it. Also, there were a spate of problems with the AC coils on Trane systems. Only requirement is you have to do annual maintenance visit at your cost, but, that probably makes sense too.

Why not... if you don't plan to keep the house (although the warranty is transferrable and would make a selling feature) why pay for it; some parts are already warranteed beyond the initial year/2 years.

If you wait til after your first year is up, I understand the cost is higher.

[joannej]

I would recommend you contact Omar Villeda at Central FL Countertops & More (phone number: (352) 307-2333 or (352) 307-1460 (toll free: 866-443-9484) to have your countertops changed to granite if you haven't already done so. We upgraded our gray kitchen countertops & island to granite. What a difference it makes! We paid $54/sq ft. to have it done. The plumber's cost was a little over $100. The nice thing is that we could look at our granite pieces in advance at their showroom. Their web address is: www.centralfloridacountertops.com.

[graciegirl]

I would recommend you contact Omar Villeda at Central FL Countertops & More (phone number: (352) 307-2333 or (352) 307-1460 (toll free: 866-443-9484) to have your countertops changed to granite if you haven't already done so. We upgraded our gray kitchen countertops & island to granite. What a difference it makes! We paid $54/sq ft. to have it done. The plumber's cost was a little over $100. The nice thing is that we could look at our granite pieces in advance at their showroom. Their web address is: www.centralfloridacountertops.com.

I love my granite in my kitchen and bathrooms here in Ohio, BUT, It is black galaxy and it shows everything. I spend more time wiping off those (censored) countertops!!! It is sort of a vacation to come to our home in Hadley where you can't see anything much on the laminate...Which is pretty too.. (Now no one will want to eat at my house)

[chuckinca]

Quote

Not an improvement, but ... paid $600 for 10 year extended warranty on the heating/AC system.


We are just now deciding if we should take this warranty. Would appreciate any comments on why and why not to take it.

Thanks


Probably a good bet with the humidity issues.


.

[MMC24]

In the first 2.5 years of ownership we:

1. Added slide outs to kitchen cabinets - a wonderful improvement.
2. Added 2 Solar-tubes 1 in kitchen and 1 in master bath.
3. Fans in bedrooms
4. Exhaust Fan in Attic
5. Considering closing in the Lani to make a Florida Room.
6. Added storage cabinets in the garage
7. Added a security system
8. Added a sound system in 4 rooms
9. Murphy bed in the Den
10. Replaced counter tops in kitchen with Granite
11. Upgraded kitchen stove, fridge, microwave and dishwasher.
12. Best of all, I reduced by Golf Score by an average of 5 strokes-priceless :a040:

[Cassie325]

We added
1. a retractable screen door at the front door
2. tile floor throughout kitchen, dining and living room (CYV open floor plan)
3. tile floor in both bathrooms
4. Granite Counter Tops (Tile and Granite done by same company) ($9,000)
5. New Carpet in Master Bed ($700 deal from tile/granite guys)
6. New stainless appliances ($1500)
7. Bought villa turnkey....Have now replaced all furnishings and decor
(lol priceless)
8. Ceiling Fans in every room (varies in price avg $150-300 per)

On the list still:

Solar tubes for kitchen and 2 baths
Bird Cage
Possibly small pool or hot tub
Garage Floor and walls need painting
Landscaping up front
and outback when bird cage put in...
New Ceiling fan for Lanai
Have discussed an add-on the the Master Bedroom??
hhhmmm....I am sure there is more!!

[graciegirl]

In the first 2.5 years of ownership we:

1. Added slide outs to kitchen cabinets - a wonderful improvement.
2. Added 2 Solar-tubes 1 in kitchen and 1 in master bath.
3. Fans in bedrooms
4. Exhaust Fan in Attic
5. Considering closing in the Lani to make a Florida Room.
6. Added storage cabinets in the garage
7. Added a security system
8. Added a sound system in 4 rooms
9. Murphy bed in the Den
10. Replaced counter tops in kitchen with Granite
11. Upgraded kitchen stove, fridge, microwave and dishwasher.
12. Best of all, I reduced by Golf Score by an average of 5 strokes-priceless :a040:

About that golf score. Have any tips?

[Shirleevee]

"we added a retractable screen door"

Cassie,

May I ask where you purchased the screen door, and/or who installed same.

Thanks

[Mintjulep]

One of the best, least expensive things we did to our patio villa was putting windows in the garage door, $195. Made a HUGE difference doing laundry as our laundry area is in the garage. And it looks good.
We also added 3 solar lites, a large one in the kitchen and master bath and a smaller one in the guest bath.
Pricier, $1250, but worth every penny.
Have done many other things, but those are 2 of our favorites.

Our newly purchased 2 year old pre-owned gardenia already had many perks. Roll down motorized garage screen, driveway pavers, office with murphy bed. (And the bond was paid!)
We plan to add garage door windows, solar lites, granite countertops, laundry room cabinets, a summer kitchen, and possibly a small cage ASAP. Are in the process of getting bids.
Laundry cabinets are already ordered thru Baileys.

It also had the 10 year warranty for the heating/AC, but the owner ask if we wanted to purchase it. We thought the warranty would automatically transfer to the new owners. We were really taken off guard and said no.
Dumb, I guess...
Does anyone know if it will transfer anyway? :shrug:

[The Great Fumar]

OK...HERE'S ONE FOR YOU . I BOUGHT A PREOWNED HOUSE THAT WAS SEVEN MONTHS OLD, IT HAD ALL THIS STUFF ALREADY DONE AND THE BOND WAS PAID , SAVED ME THOUSANDS $$$$$$$

BUT THE BIGGEST SURPRISE WAS TWO COMFORT LEVEL COMMODES IN THE BATHROOMS,,,,,,I LAUGHED AT THE EXTRAVAGANCE WHEN I SAW THEM BUT LET ME TELL YOU, I WILL NEVER BE WITHOUT THEM AGAIN........NO MORE " I've fallen and I can't get up"......DON'T LAUGH , THEIR TERRIFIC...

JUMP UP FUMAR :a040:

[ijusluvit]

And here's some more not mentioned yet:

Besides tile and hardwood floors throughout, tile the lanai, front entry area AND the garage.

Install motorized screen door on garage.

If you're really lucky like us and have a corner villa with a fenced in side yard, you can turn the yard into a park. Ours had a concrete pad in the center where the former owner had a hot tub. I tiled the pad and erected a 10'x12' pergola surrounded by jasmine trellises. The rest of the area is gardens and paths with music and lights. There is an arbor entryway to the back yard which is 90% pool and spa under a birdcage. The cage is lined with soft rope light for evening fun. Palm islands in front, palms and other landscaping around entire perimeter. Pool equipment, including solar heating controls is hidden behind a screen enclosure.

Inside, everything we've done has already been mentioned except: turning closets into super efficient storage and dressing areas; buying or building custom furniture especially for dens and bedrooms, to use every inch of space to maximum potential; adding safety equipment like emergency lights, weather radio and most definitely, lightning rods.

I also have a list of future improvements...

[Sidney Lanier]

We too bought a resale--a small Designer for barely more than the Patio Villas we as snowbirds had been looking at--with the bond already paid. Gave us flexibility to do more in the house.

We picked bright colors and I painted the entire interior of the house; what a difference from the all white including white cabinetry and the all white furniture that the previous owners had. Typical 'Florida' style, but just not our taste.

Bought the ten-year a/c warranty though will be able to take advantage of only 6-1/2 years of it, as the clock starts running on day 1. (I should add that friends of ours had an a/c problem, have this warranty, and discovered that Munn's will not cover their particular issue, something about a freon leak in the line connecting the inside and outside units. Be conscious that the warranty is thus not 100%....)

One of the first things we did was have a solar attic fan installed by the Solar Guys on 441. What a huge difference it makes! (Didn't think of it before, but maybe this fan has something to do with our electric bills being comparatively reasonable; see the thread on 'Electric.') Solar Guys did such a fine job that we had them back later to do three solar tubes, and what a huge difference they make!

We also replaced all our light bulbs with fluorescents that are now available in every shape needed, including the candelabra and the flood bulbs in the kitchen area. This cut down on heat considerably, especially noticeable in kitchen and washrooms (and I now realize may also contribute to our relatively low electric bills, both lowered lighting and a/c costs).

Much of whatever else we would have done was done by the previous owners: water treatment/softener system, pull-down stairs to the attic, knobs on all the cabinetry, the slide-outs in the kitchen cabinets, five ceiling fans (to which we added lights to all the indoor ones), extra storage units in laundry and garage, some really nice landscaping including two large citrus trees that are now loaded with fruit, solar lights along the walk, windows in the garage door, and so forth. The previous owners, only months before we bought the house, had the front porch screened and furnished, which allows us to keep the front door open and sit out there in cooler weather. Doubt we'll enclose the lanai as we really enjoy sitting and eating out there in comfortable weather.

HB has in mind to build an arbor out back above our patio to grow vining plants to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and we plan to plant two more citrus trees. We just bought laminate flooring on special at The Home Depot for the living and dining rooms; total cost of all the materials to do this about $600+, and our son, who's done it before, will install it for us. We want to keep carpeting in the bedrooms.

I'm sure in time we'll find more that we'd like to do....

[Rozzie]

ijusluvit-Your "park" sounds like a slice of heaven. This is exactly what I imagine my dream home would have. I'll have to remember your ideas for when we move down.

[Aceskaters]

Mr. and Mrs. Fix-it put lots of roll outs in my kitchen cabinets (in addition to the roll outs that came with the new house) and it almost doubled my useable cabinet space.

[MMC24]

About that golf score. Have any tips?

Yes, golf lessons and routinely play 3 times a week. Mostly I play the executive courses. You have to understand, I only became serious about golf after arriving in TV so taking 5 strokes off the my game in the last 1.5 years is just learning the game. But I have improved so I can play the more challenging courses now.

[Barefoot]

12ridehd and Sidney Lanier:

Cost of solar attic fan? Sounds like a good investment.

[jojo]

I had a solar attic fan installed also by the Solar Guys who were highly recommended by several folks on TOTV. It was $459.

[bestmickey]

I LOVE this thread! Getting some great tips.

[Barefoot]

I had a solar attic fan installed also by the Solar Guys who were highly recommended by several folks on TOTV. It was $459.


Thanks for the price Jojo. How do you feel the solar attic fan has improved your lifestyle? Is it just for keeping the temperature regulated if you have cathedral ceilings?

[jojo]

Barefoot, I don't have a comparison because I put in the attic fan the first week we lived here along with the solar tube. The solar tube was a priority in order to get light into the kitchen. I think in just the few days I noticed that my garage was cooler. My electric bills are fairly low compared to what has been posted on the board but I set my AC at 79 and then sometimes I find that too cool. (PS - loved the name "confusion" in an earlier post. It was hilarious). Look forward to meeting you although I won't make October Crispers.