cottages Like them or not?

[ssmith]

Here's another question. I hear a lot about villas and designer homes but not so much about cottage homes. I am not talking about the expensive ones at LSL but the smaller cottage homes.

What do you think of the cottage homes? I can see that they have 2 car garages and no kissing lanai's. Do you like them? Does someone live in one? Do you like it? What do you like about it? Are your neighbors friendly? Do you like the finishes offered in a cottage? Are you able to choose finishes? I noticed they opened the kitchen in the one called "at Ease". Does anyone have this design or know anything about it?

We are keeping all our options open and love hearing your wise imput.
Thanks

[golfnut]

cottages, ranch homes, villas, designers, premiers... there are a lot of names but the bottom line is you have to decide what works best for you, we saw value in all of them....gn

[Bosoxfan]

Here's another question. I hear a lot about villas and designer homes but not so much about cottage homes. I am not talking about the expensive ones at LSL but the smaller cottage homes.

What do you think of the cottage homes? I can see that they have 2 car garages and no kissing lanai's. Do you like them? Does someone live in one? Do you like it? What do you like about it? Are your neighbors friendly? Do you like the finishes offered in a cottage? Are you able to choose finishes? I noticed they opened the kitchen in the one called "at Ease". Does anyone have this design or know anything about it?

We are keeping all our options open and love hearing your wise imput.
Thanks

We have an "At Ease" and absolutely love it!!:MOJE_whot:

[ceejay]

What do you think of the cottage homes? I can see that they have 2 car garages and no kissing lanai's. Do you like them? Does someone live in one? Do you like it? What do you like about it? Are your neighbors friendly?


We have a Tuckett Inn...and love it!

The #1 selling point was that the lanai is right off the kitchen (no spilling coffee on my way through the carpeted rooms:mornincoffee: The kitchen is HUGE with lots of cupboards and counter space. The lanai faces the neighbors solid wall, so we have lots of privacy.

The #2 selling point was that the bedrooms and bathrooms are in the back of the house...another privacy plus!

Geeze...can you tell I love my privacy??:icon_wink:

Our neighbors are great...the neighborhood is beautiful...I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!:a040:

[zcaveman]

The cottages used to be called ranch homes and are one of the biggest sellers because of their afford ability and size. I think the Villages wanted to push the designers so they changed the name to cottages to imply that they were small.

Several of the designer model floor plans are exactly the same as the some of the cottages. Make sure that you look at the cottages before you spend the big bucks.

The only disadvantage to some is that they are all frame construction.

[Pturner]

The cottages used to be called ranch homes and are one of the biggest sellers because of their afford ability and size. I think the Villages wanted to push the designers so they changed the name to cottages to imply that they were small.

Several of the designer model floor plans are exactly the same as the some of the cottages. Make sure that you look at the cottages before you spend the big bucks.

The only disadvantage to some is that they are all frame construction.

Thanks Z, I was just about to post a question asking what a cottage home is. I apparently have one. :oops:

Like it very much.

[villages07]

Z ... they may also have changed the name to "cottage" homes because it sounds more Florida/retirement than "ranch". Perhaps a marketing sales move.

[Hawkwind]

About the same time as the name change some of the features that were included in the ranch were not included in the cottages, garage door opener, ceiling fans, washer and dryer, blinds, and possible a few other things. I believe they may have begun to add some of those items back and of course you can have them added when you build.

Another thing about the cottages is that you are limited to the options that you have in the home. In the designer you have a number of choices in the kitchen while in the cottage you are limited to a few.

One thing I am not sure of is if building a new cottage if you can have the walls and garage kicked out a few feet (lot size permitting).

[Russ_Boston]

Used to ranches but they also added a few new cottage models that have the lanai on the side as mentioned. I know it's a sore subject but I'm sure that they get many questions as to why there are no cheaper models without 'kissing lanais'. For this same reason they are starting to do more and more offset building on interior lots of designer series.

[Pturner]

About the same time as the name change some of the features that were included in the ranch were not included in the cottages, garage door opener, ceiling fans, washer and dryer, blinds, and possible a few other things.

Oh. Then maybe I don't have a cottage.:oops: :shrug:

[zcaveman]

Oh. Then maybe I don't have a cottage.:oops: :shrug:

Your home is a ranch built in 2001 or 2002 when ranches were still ranches.

[Pturner]

Yes, it was. Thanks neighbor.

[YodaMom]

Just wondering if anyone has done any improvements on their cottage and if so, what? We like a couple different cottages especially the At Ease. Because the cottages come without a lot of bells and whistles, there are so many things you can do to them to make it "your house".

[ceejay]

Just wondering if anyone has done any improvements on their cottage and if so, what? .

We expanded our lanai with a birdcage...and now we're thinking about wood floors. The carpet is nice but not very good quality...we've only been here for 6 months and it already is beginning to show some wear.

[YodaMom]

Ceejay,

I'm sorry to hear your carpet has to be replaced already. Although, I think the hardwood is a great idea. It will look so nice. Because the prices are lower on the cottages, this must be one of the areas they cut costs. I hope the construction is the same as the designer homes. Will you have to replace anything else in the near future?

Bet you are loving the birdcage!

[ceejay]

Yes...we do love the birdcage! It opens up the whole lanai...just can't wait for the weather to get a little warmer so we can sit out there more often!

It's not that the carpet has to be replaced...I could certainly live with it for another few years or so. We're just trying to get things done early so we can enjoy it sooner. I never liked carpeting in the dining room...it's difficult to move the chairs, stains, etc. Since our living area is one large greatroom, we decided that it wouldn't look right to cut the room in half...hence, the wood floors (or a good laminate) in the greatroom only. The carpeting will definitely be staying in the bedrooms...not as much wear there!

We were lucky that our home came with the fans, blinds, washer and dryer...and all at the same price as a cottage without those upgrades. As far as replacing anything else, I don't think we will be doing anything in the near future...we are ecstatically happy with our home just the way it is now!:a040:

[YodaMom]

Good to hear you love your home. I forgot to ask you what kind of cottage do you have? Like I said, we are interested in the At Ease. I liked the big living area and the separate kitchen.

[Russ_Boston]

Has anyone see how they are placing the cottages? In other words, are they making the side lanai of an At Ease private from the home behind? Lanai placement is my biggest concern.

[Pturner]

Has anyone see how they are placing the cottages? In other words, are they making the side lanai of an At Ease private from the home behind? Lanai placement is my biggest concern.

Hi Russ,
A private lanai was a priority for us too. In some of the older neighborhoods on the north side, the houses are not as close together, are very well offset and have mature landscaping, all of which facilitate back yard and lanai privacy. Don't know if you have any interest in north side; but if so, you can zoom into The Villages from Google Earth and get an idea of where you might be able to find a private backyard lanai. Of course, on the north side, these would all be resales and as Zcaveman pointed out, the houses are called ranches, not cottages.

[Bosoxfan]

Has anyone see how they are placing the cottages? In other words, are they making the side lanai of an At Ease private from the home behind? Lanai placement is my biggest concern.

http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af206/Bosoxfan_photos/Home/1.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af206/Bosoxfan_photos/Home/7.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af206/Bosoxfan_photos/Home/6.jpg

Russ,
These pictures show how the lanai on my cottage "at ease" style is on the side.In my neighborhood the lanais are on the side that faces the garage on the house next door.This make it very private.As you can see from these pics also my back faces a farm which was the real selling point.We absolutely love our house ,the layout and all but I believe the privacy of our lanai and our backyard made us write the check.Happy house hunting!!:wave:

[Russ_Boston]

Nice!

[graciegirl]

http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af206/Bosoxfan_photos/Home/1.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af206/Bosoxfan_photos/Home/7.jpg
http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af206/Bosoxfan_photos/Home/6.jpg

Russ,
These pictures show how the lanai on my cottage "at ease" style is on the side.In my neighborhood the lanais are on the side that faces the garage on the house next door.This make it very private.As you can see from these pics also my back faces a farm which was the real selling point.We absolutely love our house ,the layout and all but I believe the privacy of our lanai and our backyard made us write the check.Happy house hunting!!:wave:

Very nice Bosox. Are you in Amelia?

[Bosoxfan]

Thanks Russ & Gracie..and Gracie yes we are in Amelia

[ceejay]

Good to hear you love your home. I forgot to ask you what kind of cottage do you have? Like I said, we are interested in the At Ease. I liked the big living area and the separate kitchen.

We have a Tuckett Inn :)

When I replied to your original post, I was in a hurry and hadn't really thought about everything we've done since we moved in.

:blahblahblah:We installed slider garage doors, attic stairs, a cabinet over the washer and dryer, a fan with a light in the kitchen, under-cabinet lighting, island lighting over the breakfast counter, surround sound speakers in the living room ceiling, dish network connections in the other bedrooms and the lanai, new shelving in the master closet and a built-in medicine cabinet in the guest bathroom. Outside we replaced the straw with stone and planted a couple of trees. Oh, and I just got my "It's 5:00 Somewhere" sign for the lanai!:a040:

I'm sure there's something I have forgotten...I can't believe we've done all this stuff...and that's why I love my home "just the way it is!":clap2:

[Indy-Guy]

A friend of mine is having a At Ease built in The Village of Buttonwood. He got to pick out his lot and they just put down his slab on Friday February 26th and is scheduled to close on April 9th. After he picked out his lot he then picked the starting date. They are building many many Cottage homes in Buttonwood. His home is accross the street from designer homes.

Not only can you pick out your lot then he got to choose vinyl color, cabinets, counter tops, carpet, golf car garage, and many more. They offer a fan package, and you can choose appliances. He is purchasing his own washer and dryer he also is having an outside person put in his blinds rather than the blind package that The Villages offered. He also picked out a birdcage over the patio next to the lani. I don't know all of the options that were available but as he mentioned some of what he got I was very surprised.

Buttonwood is located West of Cane Garden Country Club and West of The Village of Pennecamp. Lots of construction now going up in Buttonwood.

[YodaMom]

Wow! You really went to town. Everything does sound wonderful - I'm sure we will want to do just as much. We are returning to PA at the end of March to once again put our home on the market - hopefully, this will be the year. Then we'll return to Florida with hopes of starting our cottage.

Thanks again for sharing!

[kofficer]

We are looking at the new one, the Hammock, and wondered if there are
any lots that would take a bigger lanai and swim spa, they seem to all be interior lots.

Thanks.

Lee in Tampa

[oceangirl]

Thanks Russ & Gracie..and Gracie yes we are in Amelia
Your home is very nice. What a beautiful lot you have. We are building a home in Buttonwood but I always love to hear what others have and what they love about their home. Thanks for sharing

[mak44070]

We are looking at the new one, the Hammock, and wondered if there are
any lots that would take a bigger lanai and swim spa, they seem to all be interior lots.

Thanks.

Lee in Tampa

Hi Lee,
We toured an open model last week in Tamirand Grove - and it was a Hammock with a swimming pool, priced around $260M (if I remember correctly!) The lot was at the end of a cul-de-sac, so was one of the larger ones.
Happy hunting!

[Pturner]

Hi Mary Ann,
Wowser! Did you mean $260k?

[mak44070]

Hi Mary Ann,
Wowser! Did you mean $260k?

Yep, I meant $260,000 not $260 million!

Sometimes my mind works in Roman Numerals!

[ssmith]

from what i have seen the Hammock looks like a great home plan.

[laryb]

Hi we have an at ease and love it. We added a birdcage, upgraded the cabinets, putting up crown moldings and painting. When we move down full time going to replace carpet with wood,customized the closets and so on opted to do after closing because less expensive.

[Tweety Bird]

We also have an "At Ease" and absolutely love it. We have no kissing lanai and we chose a large corner lot with the lanai facing the quiet streets and have enough distance for privacy. Not every corner lot is great, but this one was. Of course, one can always plant palm trees for extra privacy. The view is a panoramic view which is perfect looking at birds in flights with long distances. The house is built up which doesn't put the lanai flat to the ground. Much better when it rains and doesn't back splash into the lanai with dirt. We chose a cottage, because of the price and because the square footage in this one is ample. This also allows us more cash flow to have FUN rather than sticking it into the house. The kitchen was the big seller for us because of all the natural light from the windows. We added a ceiling fan in the kitchen. It can get hot in there!!

After the sale, we did add fans, washer and dryer of our choice, garage door opener (OF COURSE), window panes in the garage because we go in and out ALL the time and I didn't want to be flicking on lights all the time. Also added under counter kitchen lights and dimmer switches and blinds.

With the At Ease, you can have an open kitchen or a closed. I like the closed because I'm messy and like hiding the mess from the dining area. It also gives you more cabinets.

My concerns are a few. I'm not sure about the venting in the kitchen. It seems as though it vents back to the inside rather than to the outside. Stupid since it's an outside wall behind the oven and stove. I may get a contractor to vent it to the outside. Why do I want all that cooking gunk to flow back inside and have a slow build up on my walls, only to have to clean and paint?

The carpets are cheap and are building up dirt marks. I should have had some kind of protection to be sprayed on by a carpet company before moving in. I think I will eventually get wood floors.

The dishwasher is cheap. I will eventually replace the kitchen applicances when they break down.

[JenAjd]

First of all...what is a "kissing lanai"????

We have a cottage series and love it! We looked at several styles when getting ready to purchase knowing we wanted to downsize. Love the size of our yard, love the house (Sun Kist) as both are so easy for upkeep. Who wants to spend time with worrying about cleaning, mowing, trimming etc.? Of course one can hire all to be done but don't want the hassle while we can still do things ourselves. We got rid of "stuff" when making the transition as all that can be cumbersome too. Wouldn't change a thing!!

[Russ_Boston]

First of all...what is a "kissing lanai"????



When the backs of two homes (and thus the lanais) are nearly touching.

[linandvin]

We just put a deposit on a lot in St. James for a cottage. Model-Seabreeze for now with a 2.5 (to me it looks like 3) car garage. Looks like plenty of room.

[ssmith]

Nice model...congrats!!