Length of Design meeting

[meriboo]

How many days did you need to complete your design meeting?

[VApeople]

We spent a very enjoyable day and a half.

Of course, we were very prepared. We drove around and looked at different houses, so when she asked what color we wanted for the house, trim, and roof, we just said the same as the house at a certain address.

We had spent hours walking around looking at the type of front lights, so we knew what we wanted.

We knew in advance that we did not want a roman shower, vertical blinds, an oven, or a refrigerator. We later got the refrigerator and oven much cheaper at Best Buy, and we got ADO-wraps instead of vertical blinds at another store that sells them.

Our house had some common options, like a golf cart garage and an expanded lanai, so we knew we wanted those.

We knew what type of cabinets we wanted by looking at model homes.

When it came to choosing carpet and tile colors, my mind went blank because they all looked the same. Fortunately, my wife came through and made some great choices.

We did not like granite for the countertops and thought we wanted Corian instead, but our designer Nicole said that a large sink would be more expensive with Corian. She pointed out that we could get beautiful porcelain counters with a large sink for just a few hundred dollars more than Corian, so we took it. We are thrilled with our choices.

[Packer Fan]

So I have some questions - how do you know what the house will cost when you buy the lot? How do you know if you can do the bumpouts you want? Do the prices come out similar to the pre-built homes that are for sale? It seems so backward - I would want to design my house completely, then wait for the right lot to come open. My concern would be that the house and lot together would turn out to be way over my budget, and you are already locked into the lot..... Comments?

[Dan9871]

So I have some questions - how do you know what the house will cost when you buy the lot??

When you purchase a lot you sign an agreement to build a house of a minimum value within a year. The minimum depends on lot/area etc... The Villages determines that. The actual cost of the house depends on what you choose to put into it and you will not know that until the design is done.

[asianthree]

So I have some questions - how do you know what the house will cost when you buy the lot? How do you know if you can do the bumpouts you want? Do the prices come out similar to the pre-built homes that are for sale? It seems so backward - I would want to design my house completely, then wait for the right lot to come open. My concern would be that the house and lot together would turn out to be way over my budget, and you are already locked into the lot..... Comments?

When working with your rep most know what model they want, a golf cart garage, bump house, garage, lanai. VLS have the knowledge of what property will allow those items, and if you want to add a pool later they have the knowledge of those lots too. Then when you meet with design team your lot can accommodate your wants and needs. I do know couple of people that changed their model and had to find a different lot. As for cost I would think most have met with a financial guy or have the cash on hand to make their dream come true

[HIgolfers]

You should have an idea of what floor plan and what bumpouts you want before selecting a lot. As for how many days to design a home, we were coming in to TV from a distance and were told 5 days. We pretty much knew what we wanted and our part only took a day and a half but then all the plans had to go to the Architect, which took 2 days (one of those was a SUnday so maybe that was why) and by time we got the contract to sign it was the fifth day.

[CFrance]

We spent a very enjoyable day and a half.

Of course, we were very prepared. We drove around and looked at different houses, so when she asked what color we wanted for the house, trim, and roof, we just said the same as the house at a certain address.

We had spent hours walking around looking at the type of front lights, so we knew what we wanted.

We knew in advance that we did not want a roman shower, vertical blinds, an oven, or a refrigerator. We later got the refrigerator and oven much cheaper at Best Buy, and we got ADO-wraps instead of vertical blinds at another store that sells them.

Our house had some common options, like a golf cart garage and an expanded lanai, so we knew we wanted those.

We knew what type of cabinets we wanted by looking at model homes.

When it came to choosing carpet and tile colors, my mind went blank because they all looked the same. Fortunately, my wife came through and made some great choices.

We did not like granite for the countertops and thought we wanted Corian instead, but our designer Nicole said that a large sink would be more expensive with Corian. She pointed out that we could get beautiful porcelain counters with a large sink for just a few hundred dollars more than Corian, so we took it. We are thrilled with our choices.
What is a porcelain counter? Is that the same as marble?

[CFrance]

What is a porcelain counter? Is that the same as marble?
Never mind! I just Googled porcelain countertops and am intrigued. Did you find a trusted installer?

[VApeople]

Never mind! I just Googled porcelain countertops and am intrigued. Did you find a trusted installer?

Actually ours is quartz, not porcelain. I get these fancy things confused.

[VApeople]

So I have some questions - how do you know what the house will cost when you buy the lot?

We had no idea what the house would cost when we put down a deposit to hold the lot.

When we first met with our realtor, he gave us a sheet that had the basic price for every style of house with no options.

After working with our designer, we added about $60K in options.

[Packer Fan]

When you purchase a lot you sign an agreement to build a house of a minimum value within a year. The minimum depends on lot/area etc... The Villages determines that. The actual cost of the house depends on what you choose to put into it and you will not know that until the design is done.

You have a YEAR to build? Really? Wow. Cool. So do they do 10% down of the price of the lot plus the minimum home value to hold it or what?

[Packer Fan]

We had no idea what the house would cost when we put down a deposit to hold the lot.

When we first met with our realtor, he gave us a sheet that had the basic price for every style of house with no options.

After working with our designer, we added about $60K in options.

Any chance you could list the base prices? Or at least the base for an Iris, Lilly, Lantana, Jasmine, and Laurel Oak :)

Knowing these will change over time of course, but it really helps.

[VApeople]

Any chance you could list the base prices? Or at least the base for an Iris, Lilly, Lantana, Jasmine, and Laurel Oak

When we met with our realtor three years ago, the base price for an Iris was $258K and the Laurel Oak was $286K.

Since the Laurel Oak was only 10% higher than an Iris but had about 20% more living space, we chose the Laurel Oak.

When we met with the designer, we asked her to leave out the desk in the laundry room and the island in the kitchen, and we got a credit for those deletions.

[gomsiepop]

We met with design on Wednesday and we signed the contract a week later on a Thursday. One day was spent designing our pool. We started out with a Laurel Oak and decided to go with a modified Ivy. The reason I say modified Ivy is because we utilized the size of the fourth bedroom and incorporated storage space with a half bath on the lanai, an enlarged master bedroom with an additional walk-in closet, a butler's pantry, a larger secondary bedroom and more. We wound up with a three-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath Ivy. The sky is the limit with the home we never dreamed we would one day own. We will close on our home in August and can't wait for that to happen. The process of design was exhausting for me and without the guidance of our design person our dream home would never have come to be. Traci was amazing!

[Chi-Town]

We met with design on Wednesday and we signed the contract a week later on a Thursday. One day was spent designing our pool. We started out with a Laurel Oak and decided to go with a modified Ivy. The reason I say modified Ivy is because we utilized the size of the fourth bedroom and incorporated storage space with a half bath on the lanai, an enlarged master bedroom with an additional walk-in closet, a butler's pantry, a larger secondary bedroom and more. We wound up with a three-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath Ivy. The sky is the limit with the home we never dreamed we would one day own. We will close on our home in August and can't wait for that to happen. The process of design was exhausting for me and without the guidance of our design person our dream home would never have come to be. Traci was amazing!

Sounds like your hard work paid off in transforming your house into a dream home. Good going.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[VApeople]

We met with design on Wednesday and we signed the contract a week later on a Thursday. One day was spent designing our pool. We started out with a Laurel Oak and decided to go with a modified Ivy. The reason I say modified Ivy is because we utilized the size of the fourth bedroom and incorporated storage space with a half bath on the lanai, an enlarged master bedroom with an additional walk-in closet, a butler's pantry, a larger secondary bedroom and more. We wound up with a three-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath Ivy. The sky is the limit with the home we never dreamed we would one day own. We will close on our home in August and can't wait for that to happen. The process of design was exhausting for me and without the guidance of our design person our dream home would never have come to be. Traci was amazing!

Wow, your experience was a lot different than ours. We mainly just chose the options we wanted and did some minor tweaking to the basis floor plan, but it sounds like you actually DESIGNED your house.

We hope you like your new house.

[Hurrikane]

One day was spent designing our pool. We started out with a Laurel Oak and decided to go with a modified Ivy. The reason I say modified Ivy is because we utilized the size of the fourth bedroom and incorporated storage space with a half bath on the lanai, an enlarged master bedroom with an additional walk-in closet, a butler's pantry, a larger secondary bedroom and more. We wound up with a three-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath Ivy



We are going with an Ivy too and also need that under A/C extra storage and have thought about more closet space and another half bath. If we are going to add one thinking a splash pool or cocktail pool nothing too big and all the sales agent could say is a small pool would fit.

Congrats on your dream home sounds terrific!

[meriboo]

Anyone know the base price for a Mossy Oak?

[VApeople]

Anyone know the base price for a Mossy Oak?

One of or neighbors in Osceola Hills bought a new Mossy Oak last year for $270K. Before their house was built, the lot was on sale for $5K.

I don't know how many upgrades came with the house.

[Dond1959]

You only have 90 days from signing lot contract to design, then about 90 days to build (they give you a closing date at the end of design). You should know the model you want to build BEFORE buying the lot. That way your agent and design team will let you know if your model fits on a specific lot. Initially design said our model would not fit on our lot, but our agent tilted the house slightly and showed it would fit with a golf cart garage and bumping out 2 guest bedrooms. So know the model, golf cart garage, and any bump outs before buying lot. Then your agent can show you lots that will fit what you want. The design is a multi day process that requires about 12 hours or so, depending on how long it takes you to decide. We spent Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning doing most of the work. A few hours on Wednesday looking at finishes we were using in various completed homes. And then Friday looking at final drawings and signing the contract. We probably spent about 10% more than we wanted due to the upgrades we wanted (countertops, flooring, lighting, bump outs and lanai extension).

[MrExcite721]

You only have 90 days from signing lot contract to design, then about 90 days to build (they give you a closing date at the end of design)

We just signed the lot contract on 6/12/19, its now 120 days until design meeting !!

[Altavia]

We just signed the lot contract on 6/12/19, its now 120 days until design meeting !!

Signed on 6/6 for an Iris on a lot in Monarch Grove, 108 days until design. So maybe synchronized when they plan to build out that street?

Wish there was a way to review at least some of the choices prior to the meeting.

Looking through Iris homes online and saving photos of things/colors I like.

[Dond1959]

I guess design is stacked up if they are now giving 120 days from purchase to design. The more you can do upfront on what you want in the house the easier the design process will be.

[meriboo]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I just finished my design meet. Never building a house before or really thinking about little decisions that have to be made, at times it was overwhelming but basically it was fun. Excited to start the build July 22 and will have occupancy October 21

Thanks everyone for your input. I just finished my design meet. Nerve-racking at times but overall a fun great experience. Looking forward to the final product. Build starts July 22 occupancy October 21. I see light at the end of the tunnel!