Living in the modular villages homes

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

Can any residents in the Modular communities help me with the pros and cons of modular living? Some of the For Sale homes are so beautiful and affordable. Are the HOA fees the same, as well as your ammenities? Any info will help in our decision making for a permanent Villages home. Thanks :bowdown:

[nkrifats]

Can any residents in the Modular communities help me with the pros and cons of modular living? Some of the For Sale homes are so beautiful and affordable. Are the HOA fees the same, as well as your ammenities? Any info will help in our decision making for a permanent Villages home. Thanks :bowdown:

It is my understanding they are all the same.

[Pturner]

Can any residents in the Modular communities help me with the pros and cons of modular living? Some of the For Sale homes are so beautiful and affordable. Are the HOA fees the same, as well as your ammenities? Any info will help in our decision making for a permanent Villages home. Thanks :bowdown:

Hi Kevin & Josie,
Welcome to TOTV. There are no HOA fees in TV. The Amenities fees would be the same; however, there is no bonds on the homes in the modular section.

So... come on down to Lower Paradise!
:beer3:

[2BNTV]

Kevin & Josie:

If the modular homes are in the "Historic" section of TV, the landscaping would be mature and has no bond.

[linda_sears]

No bond and no yearly maint assessment which is another charge that is on your tax bill. Also, you typically have more room between homes and several of the original homes have been taken down and replaced with either site built homes or new manufactured homes. The only fee that is there is the ammenties fee.

Hope that helps!

[BaylorBear]

Can any residents in the Modular communities help me with the pros and cons of modular living? Some of the For Sale homes are so beautiful and affordable. Are the HOA fees the same, as well as your ammenities? Any info will help in our decision making for a permanent Villages home. Thanks :bowdown:

We have a home in the Historic Section and would not want to live anywhere else. Our property taxes are MUCH lower; same amenities fees; lots of beautiful mature trees; nice large lot and we have the most beautiful CC pool of all! We like it there very much!

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

Thanks for the info....all and any helps. We can't wait to come back again and visit more choices! I hope to visit the modulars this time. :gc:

[JohnM]

We have a home in the Historic Section and would not want to live anywhere else. Our property taxes are MUCH lower; same amenities fees;

I have heard (rumor) that items such as trash and basic cable are included in the fees (amenities or ?) in the historic section ... is this true? Are you in a CDD ... if yes, don't you have a CDD maintenance fee? If not, are you in Lady Lake and pay Lady Lake taxes?

[bkcunningham1]

The original homeowners who bought here on the historic side were given special deals that include free basic cable for life and free garbage collection. We all pay our monthly fee to the Villages Community Development District and are entitled to the same amenities that all residents are entitled to have and use.

We have recreation centers, a dog park, a fire department, a rescue squad, a police department, two pools with hot tubs, pools that stay open until 11 p.m. with lights, I can go on and on. I love it here on the historic side.

Residents of The Villages who live in Lake County (which is where the historic side is located - Orange Blossom Hills, Country Club Hills and Silver Lake...did I leave any out?) don't have bonds on our homes. We pay Lake County taxes and taxes for hospitals and schools and a long list of other taxes that are very confusing when you call to get it sorted out at tax time.

I agree with BaylorBear. This is paradise and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

[momesu]

For those of you that life in the historic side. How easy would it be for newcomer to fit in. One thing I've heard is that moving into the newer areas it is easier to fit in to community as friendships are already established in the older areas. Is this true? I will be moving form North East and know that, unfortunately, it can be harder to break into older established communities than into ones where everyone is new. I do not want to be the outsider, but like the idea of an established neighborhood. I know there re probably pros and cons to each.

Suzanne

[bkcunningham1]

Suzanne, we live on a cul-de-sac. All of our neighbors, except for one couple, are the original owners of their homes here on the historic side. They have welcomed us with open arms. We just moved here fulltime in March.

My husband is the fill in for the foursome for golf every Wednesday. One neighbor is a snowbird and has gone back north for the summer so he fit into the man's slot perfectly. (We know he'll be out when the man comes home to Florida and we've laughed about how my husband will get kicked out of the group.) I've been invited to play as a foursome several times. We've lunched together and are becoming true friends with the immediate neighbors.

We swim every night. We have been welcomed by the regulars at the pool and are planning to join clubs with some of the people we've met at the pool. We were just invited to a birthday party for one of the pool group tonight.

It has been a true blessing. We've been accepted and have accepted people we've met here on the historic side into our hearts and lives. It never ceases to amaze me the generosity, laughter and love that we've found with these old-timers here.

[njbchbum]

there are a couple of things that we do not have on the historic side...roundabouts and traffic!

our villages are not complicated by grocery stores, department stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and other businesses that the general public seeks. but we have the conveniences of our executive golf course, our country club and its golf course and restaurant, a doggie park, a gas station, quick mart, and most important, a full service post office! we are an enclave unto ourselves! ;) and yet, everything greater than that which we might need is just a quick golf cart ride away! and the convenience for weekend yard sailing is super! depending on the prevailing zephyrs, on any given nite we can hear the entertainment from spanish springs town square while enjoying our lanai!

'though our villages are referred to as the historic side, a poster here once referred to us as the legacy villages. it seems that more and more heirs are moving into the properties of their parents/grandparents or selling them to folks who are younger than our founding residents.

i don't know if i could be as happy in another village...happy - surely...as happy - ???

[thistrucksforyou]

I have rented on the so called historic side 4 times....My wife and I are going to buy but we are not sure were , so we rent in different villages to experiance the pros and cons of each...We have enjoyed each and every village that we have stayed in, but I would say the people in the historic side seem to be more friendly then elswhere....Why .....don't know, maybe they are older and more relaxed ....But no matter where you stay you will love the people and life style there....I will be full time someday and even though i don't wish my life away i look forward to makeing the move and makeing those new friends..

[Schaumburger]

I have rented on the so called historic side 4 times....My wife and I are going to buy but we are not sure were , so we rent in different villages to experiance the pros and cons of each...We have enjoyed each and every village that we have stayed in, but I would say the people in the historic side seem to be more friendly then elswhere....Why .....don't know, maybe they are older and more relaxed ....But no matter where you stay you will love the people and life style there....I will be full time someday and even though i don't wish my life away i look forward to makeing the move and makeing those new friends..

Renting in different villages if one has the time before buying is a very good idea!

[De Lis]

My only question is: Will they hold up to a tornado? Will they hold up better than a wood home or a stucco home? Seriously. The rest of the comments, however, sound wonderful!

[The Shadow]

Renting in different villages if one has the time before buying is a very good idea!

Or one could rent in one village for one month and visit different swimming pools every day. :gc:
Start in the historical area and work your way down. The first thing you will notice is the further south you go the younger the residents. You will find at least one Village pool where people from one geographic area of the U.S. seem to have come together and that geographic area is famous for its citizens being sarcastic and rude.

When on a pool tour do not stay on the deck get in the water and talk to people. The people that are all wet are EZ to talk to. Plus a lot can be learned about people in the area just by listening to conversations between the people.

It’s all about the people not the Village the way I see it.

[BaylorBear]

I have heard (rumor) that items such as trash and basic cable are included in the fees (amenities or ?) in the historic section ... is this true? Are you in a CDD ... if yes, don't you have a CDD maintenance fee? If not, are you in Lady Lake and pay Lady Lake taxes?

Sorry for not answering your post sooner, JohnM!! We are in Lady Lake and yes, trash and basic cable are included. You see, my husband's parents lived here for 20+ years. They have both since passed away, and we were grandfathered in on the same deal they had.

[BaylorBear]

My only question is: Will they hold up to a tornado? Will they hold up better than a wood home or a stucco home? Seriously. The rest of the comments, however, sound wonderful!

De Lis, I've had conventional homes damaged by tornados and hurricanes in my lifetime; I've lived in a manufactured/modular home that was within 2 blocks of a tornado here in Austin, TX and not a shingle was ruffled. Our home in Silver Lake has been through 6-8 hurricanes over the years with absolutely no damage to the home. We did lose a palm tree from our front yard, but no damage to home. Plain truth is, if any home/building is a direct hit by a tornado, it's a goner!

[JohnM]

We are in Lady Lake and yes, trash and basic cable are included. You see, my husband's parents lived here for 20+ years. They have both since passed away, and we were grandfathered in on the same deal they had.

Thanks for your reply ... if you sell, will the new owner also be grandfathered in?

[ssmith]

One feature I do not like is the golf cart bridge. I do not live there, but as we were exploring, I drove over the bridge and one lady was walking on the bridge and as she crested the hill YIKES! Well, she was ok; but it sure scared me! I would rec that one go over that bridge and check that out. Like all places in TV it is a give and take of what you want and it does sound like there are many advantages to living in that area.

[Ohiogirl]

I have only been over the golf cart bridge once or twice - but I thought it was less scary than the Morse Rd. bridge, which I use a lot. Hopefully the walker was facing the traffic - if she wasn't, maybe that was the problem?

[BaylorBear]

Thanks for your reply ... if you sell, will the new owner also be grandfathered in?

I can't really answer that question for you, as we inherited the home, we didn't buy it.

[R&M-FATH]

What about your energy bills for your AC? Are your homes like modulars/trailers in the Northeast where they become unbearable to be inside in the summer because of the heat?

[BaylorBear]

What about your energy bills for your AC? Are your homes like modulars/trailers in the Northeast where they become unbearable to be inside in the summer because of the heat?

Ours is most comfortable and insulated to a faretheewell! Very low AC bills. Averaged out over a year it comes to about $75 per month. Our utility bills in Texas are 3-4 times as high because rates in Austin, TX are over the moon!

We are just counting the days (579) until we can be FROGS!!!:thumbup:

[pauld315]

Which of the villages there is the newest, Orange Blossom or Country Club?

[Russ_Boston]

where people from one geographic area of the U.S. seem to have come together and that geographic area is famous for its citizens being sarcastic and rude.

Yes, I'm sarcastic. Rude? Not unless you don't agree with me:)

C'mon Shadow!

[Harry Gilbert]

I have to ask. Are the homes in question modular or mobile homes?

There is a huge difference in build quality and materials used.

Modular homes are stick built homes that are assembled in a factory setting and transported to the home site in sections for final assembly.

Mobile homes are trailers with two or more pieces bolted together to make a larger home (double wide).

Personally I would rather have a modular than an onsite stick built home. They are built out of the weather to more exact tolerances. Plus the framing has to be built stronger to handle the transport

[bkcunningham1]

I have to ask. Are the homes in question modular or mobile homes?

There is a huge difference in build quality and materials used.

Modular homes are stick built homes that are assembled in a factory setting and transported to the home site in sections for final assembly.

Mobile homes are trailers with two or more pieces bolted together to make a larger home (double wide).

Personally I would rather have a modular than an onsite stick built home. They are built out of the weather to more exact tolerances. Plus the framing has to be built stronger to handle the transport

It doesn't matter if you buy a $1 million home or a pre-owned home on the historic side of TV, they are all built at the same plant by the same companies and crews. They are all, as you say, factory built and controlled by TV.

The historic side village of Silver Lake started as actual mobile homes. Then came Orange Blossom and Country Club Hills which are a combination of double-wide manufactured homes and stick built or slab homes. All built by the same crews with the same materials. The only difference is the slab.

If you haven't been here, the thing you have to keep in mind is TV isn't and wasn't a typical mobile home park. The homes on the historic side have large yards and are actual neighborhoods in subdivision type settings. It isn't and wasn't a trailer park. The homes were built by TV and placed on large lots with beautiful landscaping. The amenities were just starting at this time.

The majority of homes, whether single-wide, double wide or stick/site built on the historic side have carports, golf cart garages, screened lanais, Florida rooms...some even have swimming pools. Some are sitting on beautiful lakes and golf courses.

As TV grew, double-wide manufactured homes were built by TV. There were about five or six floor plans. That is the exact same way the new homes are built now except they are stick built/site built and on a slab. There are a limited number of floor plans that are duplicated over and over and the materials, cabinets, et al come from the same place with the same crews and builders.

There are still some of the original single-wide mobile homes in Silver Lake. The cheapest home going now is $50,000. The reason for the price is the value of the lot. These homes are being sold and the new owners are either building new homes or putting in modular homes. These replacement homes are coming from outside builders and manufactuers.

If you cross the golf cart bridge from the historic side to Spanish Springs, that is where the first build-out happened. Some of the homes in the villages around Spanish Springs town square are double-wides. These villages are a combination of double wides and stick built. As you move out into the newer areas, the double wides are no longer built. The homes are all regular stick/site built homes. All manufactured at the same plant and by the same builders with the same limited number of floor plans.

It is an amazing and fascinating enterprise. You have to see it to believe it. Paradise.

[Russ_Boston]

As you move out into the newer areas, the double wides are no longer built. The homes are all regular stick/site built homes. All manufactured at the same plant and by the same builders with the same limited number of floor plans.

I think you need to elaborate further. At last count there are:

2 Patio Villa models
19 Courtyard Villas
8 Cottage styles
22 Designer models
8 Premier models

59 choices. I wouldn't call that "Limited" unless you meant limited expansion and alteration options. All are site built with strict quality control.

If you'd like to see the roster click here: http://www.thevillages.com/homes/buildNew.asp

[bkcunningham1]

All I'm saying Russ, is you can't bring in your own builder or contractor and build a home by your own design. TV gives you a limited number of choices of designs; be it a courtyard villa, a cottage style, a patio villa, designer or premier. Lovely and plentiful choices but you can't draw up your own blueprints and have your own general contractor select materials and build your home.

Regardless of what you pay or where you build your home in TV, you are buying the lifestyle. To me, it is worth every penny.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

All I'm saying Russ, is you can't bring in your own builder or contractor and build a home by your own design. TV gives you a limited number of choices of designs; be it a courtyard villa, a cottage style, a patio villa, designer or premier. Lovely and plentiful choices but you can't draw up your own blueprints and have your own general contractor select materials and build your home.

Regardless of what you pay or where you build your home in TV, you are buying the lifestyle. To me, it is worth every penny.

bk, I believe what you're stating is correct when applied to the new lots and the associated new builds. But on the historic side, it seems that the "out with the old and in with the new" construction doesn't have that same restriction, at least from what I've observed. Ex.: There is a new home being built (might be done by now) on Paradise, just south of the Boone gate, I believe. It didn't seem like it was being constructed in the same fashion as any other home I've seen in TV, from both an appearance and a construction methodology standpoint.

Seems like there might be more leeway on those types of "new builds".

Bill :)

[bkcunningham1]

bk, I believe what you're stating is correct when applied to the new lots and the associated new builds. But on the historic side, it seems that the "out with the old and in with the new" construction doesn't have that same restriction, at least from what I've observed. Ex.: There is a new home being built (might be done by now) on Paradise, just south of the Boone gate, I believe. It didn't seem like it was being constructed in the same fashion as any other home I've seen in TV, from both an appearance and a construction methodology standpoint.

Seems like there might be more leeway on those types of "new builds".

Bill :)

I think so too, Bill. The restrictions seem to be only with building code and setbacks. From my understanding, that particular home is being completed by the homeowners. Construction has stopped because the owners aren't in TV for the summer.

There is another home on Aloha on the lake that is beautiful. A huge home that the owners had built themselves when they razed an older home.

[Russ_Boston]

This might also happen outside of the Historic side many years from now. It will be some time though.

BK - I just wanted to clarify the situation since the original poster may not be as familiar with the process as we are. Thanks.

[bkcunningham1]

Oh, you are welcome Russ. Thank you for clarifying my remarks. Have a great Fourth of July weekend everyone.