New Homes in The Villages Website

[collie1228]

I occasionally take a look at the new home listings in the TV website, and was surprised to see they now have a new format. I was thinking that this might be a good thing, as most changes are for the better, but when I looked at the square footage they are showing, something looks very wrong. For instance, a Laredo Ranch, which was listed at 1095 sq ft a month ago is now listed at 1627 sq feet - but the floorplan dimensions haven't changed. Same for the Austin model - last month it was listed at 1140 sq feet and now it's listed at 1802. Also, looking at the Marathon Courtyard Villa, they are showing square footage of 1627, but if you look at the floorplan and do a rough calculation, you only come out to around 1200 sq feet. I can't figure out what they are doing - has anyone else seen this and wondered what is going on? Or am I missing something?

[SteveFromNY]

Looks to me like they are now including the garage and lanai in the sq footage. I know for the Gardenia, the "old" sq ft was 1929, but that was "under air". They are now 2671 sq ft, and like you pointed out, it's the same house. That's the only thing that makes sense to me.

[Russ_Boston]

See my next response!

[Donna]

We should mention this to a Village Realtor, this way they don't think we are all falling prey to their games!

[Russ_Boston]

I occasionally take a look at the new home listings in the TV website, and was surprised to see they now have a new format. I was thinking that this might be a good thing, as most changes are for the better, but when I looked at the square footage they are showing, something looks very wrong. For instance, a Laredo Ranch, which was listed at 1095 sq ft a month ago is now listed at 1627 sq feet - but the floorplan dimensions haven't changed. Same for the Austin model - last month it was listed at 1140 sq feet and now it's listed at 1802. Also, looking at the Marathon Courtyard Villa, they are showing square footage of 1627, but if you look at the floorplan and do a rough calculation, you only come out to around 1200 sq feet. I can't figure out what they are doing - has anyone else seen this and wondered what is going on? Or am I missing something?

I just got home and I'm able to look at the Villages new home web site. Where are you looking? I see a Marathon Villa at the proper sq. ft of 1161. I don't see any deception there. Are you looking at a different site? They have always shown 'living' space not total. In fact they use the word 'living' on the page.

For example: http://www.thevillages.com/homes/newlyConstructed/detail.asp?VNH=200801236&sid=799198763

[Boomer]

Hey, thanks for doing the math. I would like to understand what happened, too.

Many years ago I was having a house carpeted and had compared prices on the exact carpet. Two places. One guy came in significantly less on the price per square yard. I thought I had found such a deal, until I looked at what he said the total square yardage was. He assumed that I would not do the math.

It seems like the official square footage of a house is what's on the property tax bill, at least where I live that's how it is.

And speaking of property tax -- I still have not figured out how that works in Florida. I thought about starting a thread asking about it, but I never got around to it. I just know that property tax there is not figured like it is here in Cincinnati. At least in late 2007 when we had our first look at TV, property tax was determined so differently than what we had been used to.

Boomer

[Russ_Boston]

Boomer - see my previous post. Not sure where they are looking where they see the wrong living sq. ft. I got my link directly from the TV main site.

What am i missing?

[collie1228]

I can assure you that I never said anything about deception - you should re-read my post. Clearly my point is that I don't understand the difference in the listed square footage. I might think deception if TV were a fly-by-night outfit, but certainly nobody I know would ever call them that.

Here is the link I used.

http://www.thevillages.com/homes/newVillas/keysCourtyardVillas.asp

Or just go the thevillages.com and click on Homes. If you click on "New Villas", you can see that the Marathon is listed at 1690 square feet.

[KayakerNC]

Boomer - see my previous post. Not sure where they are looking where they see the wrong living sq. ft. I got my link directly from the TV main site.
What am i missing?
Go to the Homes Index page
http://www.thevillages.com/homes/index.asp

Now follow the links at the left of the above page.

http://www.thevillages.com/homes/newHomes/ranch.asp

http://www.thevillages.com/homes/newVillas/keysCourtyardVillas.asp

[Russ_Boston]

Ok Thanks I see them now.Never paid it much attention since I look at the built homes not the models page.

Just go look at the actual available homes and they list them by living sq. ft.

Sorry, I thought you were implying deception since they were listing more sq. ft. than it holds for living space.

[Donna]

OH..I misread that too..Sorry!!

[Boomer]

Ohhhhh, I took a quick look at this thread a couple of hours ago and I thought the math had been done. Now I see that it is about the current advertised square footage being different from the previously advertised square footage.

And so I thought I would do the math. I did the A = LW routine on each room and then did the total. I also tried A = LW on the outside measurements which was kind of a pain because it is not a plain old rectangle so I lost interest pretty fast and gave up. (Hey, maybe I really am an English major.)

So how do they do those numbers? Maybe if it's got a roof on it, it counts. Does anybody else want to do math tonight?

Ironically, yesterday, I looked at the new home ads for the first time in a long time, and I remember having a rather fleeting thought that they sounded kind of big.

Boomer

[zcaveman]

I just checked the Amarillo. According to the website is says 2063 Sq Ft. My brochure shows 1392 sq ft climate controlled and 1932 sq ft total.

Don't know what the difference is unless they include a family room or lanai.

[Russ_Boston]

looks like they add the 15 X 9 lanai for an additional 135 sq. ft.

I don't think it would fool anyone. The Amarillo's on the for sale site list it as 1392.

http://www.thevillages.com/homes/newlyConstructed/detail.asp?VNH=200712380&sid=799287619

[downeaster]

There are two ways of stating square footage of a house.
1: Under roof.
2: Climate controlled.
Before even looking at a house one should ask which measurement is being used. Once that is established then ask for the other measurement.
As you can see by referring to the Amarillo measurements mentioned in a prior post, the difference is significant. I believe you will find the larger measurement includes two car garage, lanai and front porch.

[Ooper]

Also ... keep in mind that "climate controlled" square footage takes into account the outside measurement of the controlled area, not the room size. Climate controlled square footage costs more than say garage square footage so builders will get more $$$ by maximizing the controlled area. If you have 2 interior garage walls, the controlled area is measured from the inside of the garage, not the inside of the controlled area. This doesn't seem like a lot, but with a concrete block house, it could mean a difference of 150-300 square foot difference of the controlled area increasing the price of the home.

[Yoda]

Gee, what possible motivation could there be to change the measurement?

Hmm, do you think?

[collie1228]

When we visited for our Lifestyle Preview, we were assigned a very professional and knowledeable real estate rep to help us find our way around TV. We really liked the guy, and found him to be a great asset to our trip. I just sent him an email asking him about the differences in square footage, and when I get an response, I'll let you know what he has to say.

[Russ_Boston]

I think we understand the differences as we discussed in previous posts. I guess the real question is why wouldn't they list, in the model description, all the sq. ft. totals (under A/C, with garage&lanai, outside dimensions)? This is enough info for an informed decision. Also why did they decide to change what was listed?

Of course not of that really matters when you view in person. It either works for you or it doesn't.

[graciegirl]

Gee, what possible motivation could there be to change the measurement?

Hmm, do you think?


Banish the thought Yoda. ;)

[JTW]

With all this discussion on lanai and front porch measurements, I got a little confused...my amarillo is listed as 1392 sq. ft ..does that include the lanai and front porch or not?:shrug:

[Russ_Boston]

No - that is under 'air' living space.

[collie1228]

I got an email from my assigned TV realtor, who says that the larger numbers are "total square footage" and the smaller numbers would be "living space". He confirmed that the lower square footage numbers I quoted were correct living space for those models.

[rshoffer]

Gee, what possible motivation could there be to change the measurement?

Hmm, do you think?noooooo, it can't be...

[Boomer]

This morning while doing about three other things, I wrote a response here about patio villas. Well, actually it was about patio villas on steroids.

(We have looked at a patio villa as a possible second home. We are not selling Boomer Base up north so taking on a second home takes more time to figure out, especially considering what's happening now in the economy. So we will be doing some more renting as soon as we can get back to it. We need to know for sure.)

So anyway, I got it all written, and had added numbers and research and all manner of stuff to try to gain credibility, and then I hit send. And found that I had timed out. (I never compose in Word. You would think I would learn.)

Well, now we all know that the opening page on The Villages web site shows the big number. And the page that shows the details of the home shows the square footage shrinking back to normal and that (Living) is after the number.

So gimme a break. What's that about? Who is writing that advertising? What are they thinking? I guess I could get real snippy and say, "Oh my! Sounds a little like it is bordering on bait and switchy to me." But I won't say that. Somebody might throw something at me. And it is not exactly bait and switch. Not exactly. But it is a come-on that makes me feel a little bit like I am being talked down to. Underestimated. Oh I don't know....it just makes me a little grouchy.

And besides all that, don't they know that at this point, most of us want smaller homes. Or is that opening page number supposed to imprint a lower price per square foot in our brains or something.

Who knows? Whose idea was it it anyway? Whoever it was does not know the market very well. Never insult the market. The market that tends to do the math. The market where some actually even know how to do math in their heads.

And now I will shut up my somewhat snippy self and flounce off for a little while to get over being insulted by this advertising tactic. -- I have only recently recovered from my fear that everyone who lives in TV looks just like those skinny, beautiful people in the ads, the people who all appear to be excellent golfers. But I can forgive them that advertising. It's expected you know. But this one bothers me a little. I wonder how old the person who wrote that ad is. Somebody needs to rethink it.

Boomer

[rshoffer]

This morning while doing about three other things, I wrote a response here about patio villas. Well, actually it was about patio villas on steroids.

(We have looked at a patio villa as a possible second home. We are not selling Boomer Base up north so taking on a second home takes more time to figure out, especially considering what's happening now in the economy. So we will be doing some more renting as soon as we can get back to it. We need to know for sure.)

So anyway, I got it all written, and had added numbers and research and all manner of stuff to try to gain credibility, and then I hit send. And found that I had timed out. (I never compose in Word. You would think I would learn.)

Well, now we all know that the opening page on The Villages web site shows the big number. And the page that shows the details of the home shows the square footage shrinking back to normal and that (Living) is after the number.

So gimme a break. What's that about? Who is writing that advertising? What are they thinking? I guess I could get real snippy and say, "Oh my! Sounds a little like it is bordering on bait and switchy to me." But I won't say that. Somebody might throw something at me. And it is not exactly bait and switch. Not exactly. But it is a come-on that makes me feel a little bit like I am being talked down to. Underestimated. Oh I don't know....it just makes me a little grouchy.

And besides all that, don't they know that at this point, most of us want smaller homes. Or is that opening page number supposed to imprint a lower price per square foot in our brains or something.

Who knows? Whose idea was it it anyway? Whoever it was does not know the market very well. Never insult the market. The market that tends to do the math. The market where some actually even know how to do math in their heads.

And now I will shut up my somewhat snippy self and flounce off for a little while to get over being insulted by this advertising tactic. -- I have only recently recovered from my fear that everyone who lives in TV looks just like those skinny, beautiful people in the ads, the people who all appear to be excellent golfers. But I can forgive them that advertising. It's expected you know. But this one bothers me a little. I wonder how old the person who wrote that ad is. Somebody needs to rethink it.

Boomerno sense shutting up when you are absolutely correct...

[collie1228]

Boomer, I think "gimmie a break" just about covers it. I think you may have hit the nail on the head - it's probably someone in the marketing department getting "creative" with his head up somewhere human beings can't generally put their heads.

[katezbox]

This morning while doing about three other things, I wrote a response here about patio villas. Well, actually it was about patio villas on steroids.

(We have looked at a patio villa as a possible second home. We are not selling Boomer Base up north so taking on a second home takes more time to figure out, especially considering what's happening now in the economy. So we will be doing some more renting as soon as we can get back to it. We need to know for sure.)

So anyway, I got it all written, and had added numbers and research and all manner of stuff to try to gain credibility, and then I hit send. And found that I had timed out. (I never compose in Word. You would think I would learn.)

Well, now we all know that the opening page on The Villages web site shows the big number. And the page that shows the details of the home shows the square footage shrinking back to normal and that (Living) is after the number.

So gimme a break. What's that about? Who is writing that advertising? What are they thinking? I guess I could get real snippy and say, "Oh my! Sounds a little like it is bordering on bait and switchy to me." But I won't say that. Somebody might throw something at me. And it is not exactly bait and switch. Not exactly. But it is a come-on that makes me feel a little bit like I am being talked down to. Underestimated. Oh I don't know....it just makes me a little grouchy.

And besides all that, don't they know that at this point, most of us want smaller homes. Or is that opening page number supposed to imprint a lower price per square foot in our brains or something.

Who knows? Whose idea was it it anyway? Whoever it was does not know the market very well. Never insult the market. The market that tends to do the math. The market where some actually even know how to do math in their heads.

And now I will shut up my somewhat snippy self and flounce off for a little while to get over being insulted by this advertising tactic. -- I have only recently recovered from my fear that everyone who lives in TV looks just like those skinny, beautiful people in the ads, the people who all appear to be excellent golfers. But I can forgive them that advertising. It's expected you know. But this one bothers me a little. I wonder how old the person who wrote that ad is. Somebody needs to rethink it.

Boomer

Hi Boomer,

Someone does need to rethink it - because anything that turns off a potential buyer that really loves TV is not good business. None of us like to feel we are being taken...

Kate

who is building what is now a 2,759SF Bridgeport that was only 2,595 when we bought it!

[jinker]

Whether you are talking about under-roof, living space, or air-conditioned, what is the difference between the gardenia and begonia models? They look almost identical to me. Am I missing something, since both could include the golf garage.

[graciegirl]

I can't figure it out either. I have been in one and the Begonia seems smaller than a Camellia/Gardenia.

[villages07]

When I toured a Begonia model, the agent said that the interior floor plan is identical. The Begonia comes with the golf cart garage and it is located between the main garage and the kitchen rather than on the far side of the garage. The agent explained that this 'inside' golf cart garage location configuration allows the Begonia to be built on a narrower lot than a 'regular' Gardenia with a regular 'outer wall' golf cart garage.

[Russ_Boston]

I like that model a lot V7 - Plan to tour one when I'm down.

[jmemc46]

I think someone just made a big mistake. I'm sure they will correct it.

[73Goat]

Banish the thought Yoda. ;)

One possible explanation is competitive pressure. While personally my wife and I don't think any homes around TV compare to the overall TV lifestyle, some may be quoting the 'under roof' sq ft and TV is simply responding to it. I have no eveidence to show this is true, just conjecture on my part.