How did you decide on what model to buy?

[Lynnelf]

So, how did you decide on what designer home model to buy? If you could do it again, would you choose the same model or a different one?

[zcaveman]

Why do you limit it to a designer model?

We looked at all of the available models in the brochures and selected the ones that would fit our needs and pocketbook. When we made my visit, we asked to see those that we were most likely to purchase. We quickly narrowed it down to one or two and decided on the house we liked

We have been here ten years and would never change our mind.

[angiefox10]

We loved the open floor plan, the 2 car and cart garage, his and her closets, (he knew that was the only way he could get some space and I'm not sharing) good sized lanai that we are expanding 4 feet and a sliding glass window from the master bedroom to the lanai. Loved that we could look out from the living room, dining room and bedroom onto the lanai.

[BeeGee]

We had to look at that first of all...don't want to have more house than we can afford. But we've spent a few years "studying" the floorplans of both cottage and designers and finally decided on one we love and when we were in TV in July, we toured the models, decided on one, but since we're not ready to build just yet, have an option II, in case pricing goes up or, worse case scenario, we don't get anywhere near what we want on our current home. Hubby will still be working from the home for year or two, so we needed an office, plus a guest room that would work for our out-of-town friends/family. The Cedar seemed to be the best fit, as the pocket door can be closed and it becomes a "guest suite" for them and hubby still has access to the office during their stay. Your needs may be different and I'm sure there will be a lot of different answers to this very good question. We're just waiting for that someone to buy our home!!!

[pooh]

It wasn't difficult, it wasn't easy. We changed our minds a few times, but decided on a Lantana. Initially looked at Courtyard Villas, but the garage was way too small and I wanted something more open. Then we thought about a Gardenia...rejected that because the room to be used as our office was too small. The Lantana had a large garage, a HUGE front bedroom (now our office and den) and the openess was just what I wanted. You have to realize all of these model decisions were made in a few days. We visited once for a couple of hours, came back a few days later and said, "Find us a house." Took a few months, but our sales rep found the right one in the right location.
Would I buy the same model again? Yup, only expanded!

[Cgirmo]

I too have not purchased yet, but after studying all the floor plans on long, cold, wintery nights up north I came to the conclusion as a single man that I wanted a concrete and stucco CYV, Beauragaurd model (sp). While visiting in July, guess what? I absolutely fell in love with the At Ease Cottage! Next decision..do I really want a yard? I was convinced the CYV was it because of Fido. I may just have to take him to the dog park! I am still a couple years away so time to think it over.

[Oren L Miller]

I used an Excel spreadsheet. Column A was minimum requirments. Square footage, closets, lanai, garage space etc. Column B was the nice to have requiremnts. Column C was the can't have list. Row 1 was the models and then you add up the checks for any house that didn't have a check in column C. Every model is nice. You just have to find the one that meets your needs the best. We are going to have one car and two carts. So two car and a cart garage would be a minimum. Happy hunting it really is fun. :popcorn:

[angiefox10]

I used an Excel spreadsheet. Column A was minimum requirments. Square footage, closets, lanai, garage space etc. Column B was the nice to have requiremnts. Column C was the can't have list. Row 1 was the models and then you add up the checks for any house that didn't have a check in column C. Every model is nice. You just have to find the one that meets your needs the best. We are going to have one car and two carts. So two car and a cart garage would be a minimum. Happy hunting it really is fun. :popcorn:

YEP!!! You must have had a FUN Time figuring out what house you wanted to buy using a "spreadsheet!" I am laughing so hard reading this, I have tears running down my face, because it's so true! This REALLY is how YOU decided what house to buy.

But... Thanks to your "spreadsheets" we are able to go to TV and live our oiur golden years!!! :icon_wink: I can't wait... and the two closets, open floor plan, and open floorspace doesn't hurt either....

[Yorio]

The first on our mind was to downsize from where we lived for over 35 years. We needed to get rid of "baggage". We could have gone with a Villa but decided on a Designer because we needed to keep some history of our existence. We didn't want to do a striptease act with our life. We needed to keep some historical furnitures but rest can be gotten rid of. So far so good.

[Posh 08]

We've decided to give the historical "stuff" to the kids and grand kids before we leave Virginia. It belongs in Virginia not in a "dead guy store" in Florida. With that said, we are starting over, turning the page, down sizing. This acre and a half with the mowing, corn growing, apple pickin, weed eatin..... well you get the idea. Wanted, small, easy to keep home, close to pool and street dancing. :spoken:

[Yorio]

Posh 08. You are a brave soul. Some furnitures are like an old sweater with holes that one can not throw away. Guess I need to rethink:icon_wink:

[graciegirl]

We have chosen twice. The first home was chosen to be close to the pool so we didn't have to clean one.

We chose a Camellia and filled it with cottagy, beachy,white furniture with sea colored walls and light colors. It was our snowbird home and we sold it furnished.

Now we have chosen again and this one is our year 'round home and is a little more staid and will have in it the stuff we liked from Ohio and I will try to make it feel like a good place to visit and chat and have something yummy to eat and good to drink and be a place that all of you that I have met here and cherish will want to return again and again.

And if you don't like it, please lie.

I really can't wait to move in.

BUT the closet isn't big enough.

Our Helene's mantra. You can't have everything you want.

[Posh 08]

We have chosen twice. The first home was chosen to be close to the pool so we didn't have to clean one.

We chose a Camellia and filled it with cottagy, beachy,white furniture with sea colored walls and light colors. It was our snowbird home.

Now we have chosen again and this one is our year 'round home and is a little more staid and will have in it the stuff we liked from Ohio and I will try to make it feel like a good place to visit and chat and have something yummy to eat and good to drink and be a place that all of you that I have met here and cherish will want to return again and again.

And if you don't like it, please lie.

I really can't wait to move in.

BUT the closet isn't big enough.

Our Helene's mantra. You can't have everything you want.

It sounds really good. Leave the history to the books IMHO except for old wine.

[ssmith]

Gracie, I am sure it will be wonderful!!!

[Debfrommaine]

Well, I've decided to try as many models as I can! We initially bought a beautiful stretch Whispering Pine in Bonita with lots of bells and whistles - we love all the features about it but the Anna Maria CYV in St. James caught my eye so I've talked the hubby (he's a very patient man) into trying that so we bought one last week. That being said the Whispering Pine is now for sale and we're on to our next home......knowing us we'll try a few more before it's all over - thankfully we like to move. Seems we just get a place how we like it and then start the process all over again! But, we make it a totally fun experience or we wouldn't keep buying and selling. :laugh:

[getdul981]

Well, I've decided to try as many models as I can! We initially bought a beautiful stretch Whispering Pine in Bonita with lots of bells and whistles - we love all the features about it but the Anna Maria CYV in St. James caught my eye so I've talked the hubby (he's a very patient man) into trying that so we bought one last week. That being said the Whispering Pine is now for sale and we're on to our next home......knowing us we'll try a few more before it's all over - thankfully we like to move. Seems we just get a place how we like it and then start the process all over again! But, we make it a totally fun experience or we wouldn't keep buying and selling. :laugh:

Deb - kinda sounds like us. We bought a Begonia in Pennecamp last year and within a month will be moving to St. James to our new Lily. Just a little bit more room and a little larger lot. Hopefully, not a lot more maintenance. Our Begonia is going to be listed with the realtors after we move.

[LittleDog]

Boy you guys sure put a lot of thought into your decisions. We hadn't planned on buying when we came for a visit with friends. We kind of liked what we saw and contacted a realtor to see what was available. We bought a Whispering Pine in 3 days. My wife basically wanted 2 things. The first was a closed kitchen because there are times when she lets housekeeping go in the kitchen :oops: Another thing that she wanted was to be close to water. We're 2 houses from a retention pond so I guess that qualifies as water. Not a requirement but the model that we purchased had a den which makes a great computer room with one wall for bookcases. Also this house was in our price range but we hadn't sold our house yet in NJ. However, our house in NJ sold for more than we figured (this was 2005 - a different housing market) so we could have purchased a more expensive house. However, what with improvements we have been very happy with our purchase. As it turns out if you're a golfer this is a great location just being 3 minutes in a golf cart from Cane Garden and with all those exec. courses within easy driving distance.

To top it all off when we returned to NJ in Feb. after the purchase we found 18" of snow. :cus:

[Yorio]

Read somewhere that many people in TV move three times. First time they purchase either a Villa or Ranch, then move on to a Designer when they feel comfortable becoming a Frog. They may make the last move to a house overlooking the golf course or lake. Any of you living in a Premier homes near Lake Miona? If you had downsized to those homes, you must have been living in a castle before.:icon_wink:

[tainsley]

We stayed in a Stoneybrook CYV our first lifestyle visit. We loved the floor plan and square footage was perfect. We are downsizing from 3000 sf and have to get rid of stuff...alot of stuff. When we came down in July we looked at many preowned designer models but kept coming back to CYVs because we liked the privacy they offer. We ended up with an Arlington on a corner site. Perfect size, although my hubby would have liked a larger garage...gotta get rid of even more stuff. But it was the outdoor space we both loved. We are finding that the more stuff we get rid of the better we feel! We let the kids have whatever they wanted...they took mostly pictures, family videos. Our memories are in our heads, hearts and pictures...our other stuff is going to charity. And now we get to come to our new place in TV and start all over again making new memories (and new furniture). Instead of being an old married couple we feel like we are on a new adventure. Life was always good...but it is even better now! :)

[Mikitv]

After doing a few previews and looking at a lot of models we decided on a Bridgeport. There are three of us in the house and the extra half bath is a nice feature. Love the kitchen with it's desk area, just wish the laundry room was a little bigger. We really do not like the jack and jill bathroom with the other two bedrooms but we have learned to live with it.

[angiefox10]

After doing a few previews and looking at a lot of models we decided on a Bridgeport. There are three of us in the house and the extra half bath is a nice feature. Love the kitchen with it's desk area, just wish the laundry room was a little bigger. We really do not like the jack and jill bathroom with the other two bedrooms but we have learned to live with it.


Interesting point about the bathrooms. I hadn't noticed. I can see pros and cons with depending on how the bedrooms are being used. Thanks for the information!

[Hummingbird]

We like the Bridgeport and the Holly in the designer homes. We picked the "Holly" because of the large walk in closets, (Good place for my sewing machine) large kitchen with island. I would prefer to have the bathtub and shower in the main bathroom but it's not possible with this home plan. can't have it all :-). The bathtub will have to go in the guest bathroom.
We are still waiting for the realtor to call and tell us he's found a lot that will fit our designer home with extended lanai, 2 ft. stretch and golf cart garage.

We haven't sold our home here in NH yet but we're looking forward to living in TV .

[Lynnelf]

Well, I know I'm looking at a designer home because we reserved our lot over in Sanibel in a designer neighborhood. The models we really liked were the Zinnia, with a second master suite (we plan on having lots of company) the Holly, with the great kitchen, and the Elm with the guest bathroom opening onto the lanai (great for parties.) But, on the other hand, do I really want to be cooking in the kitchen a lot (Holly)? Do we want the company to be too cozy so that they wear out their welcome (Zinnia)? and if I buy the Elm for parties, I'll need the formal dining room which the Elm doesn't have. Back to square one. Seriously though, how often do you use your formal dining area? So much to think about while I'm waiting for my house to sell.:icon_wink:

[mtdjed]

Look at your needs and desires.

One or two cars? Golf ****.

Size, Bedrooms. How much company?

Back to back with other homes, cul de sac, pond or golf view.

Location, Location etc

Availability.

Lanai open or enclosed, Usability.

We bought in Caroline at Lake Sumter on a cul de sac, Have two cars and a golf ****. Lanai was only 9 feet wide ( Had to enlarge to 15 feet to be comfortable). Love the location, neighbors, and house. We moved from a 3600 square foot colonial with a full walk up attic and basement. Now have 2000 sq ft without attic and basement. We have adjusted and downsized.

[RichieLion]

Me, I didn't care that much. My only requirement was a laundry room big enough for a couple of litter boxes for my beloved cats. (seriously :))

I was ready to buy whatever my wife fell in love with because she wasn't "in love" with The Villages and I was. So, I didn't care what we moved into, as long as we did.

Her critieria; Front entrance into a hallway and not into the living room, open floor plan, no "kissing lanai" and his and hers closets in the master. So, we bought a lovely Camillia on a corner lot with no neighbor behind, and I spent more than I planned (naturally:))

I wouldn't change a thing.

[Ohiogirl]

But I think our CYV Bonita is my 14th house. Have gotten pretty good at narrowing things down. First consideration is budget, then # of bedrooms, then laundry inside or in garage. Size of garage to us not a huge consideration, since we knew we would only be moving (eventually) with 1 car. That it also accommodates 2 golf carts was a nice surprise as we never thought about that initially. I have had maybe 4 houses either down south or in California that did not have basements, and knew I could adjust to less "stuff." As others have stated, that's very freeing.

In our price range, and because we wanted 3 bedrooms, choices at the time (2006) were a small designer on a "kissing lanai" lot, a ranch (now cottage), or CYV villas. The 1400 plus sf of our model seems bigger than other homes of similar size we looked at elsewhere. Doesn't feel like an apartment because of windows on all sides. Customizing the closets was a tremendous help also. We also love the privacy. Wish the lanai was bigger and may add a birdcage.

Wish there were plans with the stove/range facing the living area, but still haven't come across those, at least in our price range.

We are really happy with our choice for us. We have a dog and small grandchildren also, and our grandkids are still multiplying. Can't tell you how much we enjoy the private courtyard, especially because the long patio side, where we grill and entertain, is on the east, or shady side in the afternoon/evening.

[Avista]

Five years ago we selected a Stoneybrook/Annamaria. We
like the privacy. We have a large bedroom window and wake up looking out at our private lawn and garden. Rarely close the blinds. I too like coming into an entry and not directly into the living room. Also, we have two little dogs and only considered courtyard villas.

[notlongnow]

This is an interesting thread to me.

I posted a thread about convincing my wife that TV is a good place for us.
One of the main sticking points, other than leaving our previous life behind, leaving family and moving from Texas where she was born, is she is a avid gardener. We live on an acre now and all of it is gardened by her. I mow, not going to miss that!
When we visited my parents there and sit out in the lania she comments on how there is not enough area for her to garden.
That being said, which areas and plans offer the most gardening opportunity?
This will be a major plus to our discussions.
We also have a large dog that loves outdoors so some kind of yard would be nice.
What should I look at?
I know this is a little off of the discussion but it really pertains to my situation.
Thanks
EB

[Ohiogirl]

There are different sizes and setups of corner lots in CYV neighborhoods, so don't think you've seen them when you've only looked at 1 or 2 corner CYVs. No restrictions on what you can plant in your private backyard, and it's easy to enjoy it all - in your pajamas, if you want!

I like to garden, and thought I would like a corner lot, but now that I'm retired and living there (so far as an 8 month snowbird), I found out that my smaller lot (still bigger than some) is plenty for me to handle, but probably once it's established could do it. Just not enough room for my citrus orchard! (But you can grow Meyer lemons in pots, and possibly Persian limes - I'll keep you posted on that one).

We spent part of last winter digging around our walls/fence/lanai, so perhaps I'm just a little burned out. I will still be tweaking things, however (moving things around, trying different plants in different places, finding room for some new favorites, etc).

[angiefox10]

This is an interesting thread to me.

I posted a thread about convincing my wife that TV is a good place for us.
One of the main sticking points, other than leaving our previous life behind, leaving family and moving from Texas where she was born, is she is a avid gardener. We live on an acre now and all of it is gardened by her. I mow, not going to miss that!
When we visited my parents there and sit out in the lania she comments on how there is not enough area for her to garden.
That being said, which areas and plans offer the most gardening opportunity?
This will be a major plus to our discussions.
We also have a large dog that loves outdoors so some kind of yard would be nice.
What should I look at?
I know this is a little off of the discussion but it really pertains to my situation.
Thanks
EB

We live on 3/4 acres now up north and the lot we bought in The Villages is larger then that in the Designer lots (so I'm told) . Also on another thread someone told about how they had a very large birdcage, with a spot at the end for their dogs to do their "business." That's our plan for our dogs. On another note, as we were looking for "pre-owned" homes at one time we saw several that had the birdcage over grass for their dogs with a doggie door. Just things to consider if one of the villas doesn't appeal to her. :)

[graciegirl]

Ohiogirl is right.

And it will be a different gardening situation here than up North. We can garden for four or so months up North and probably ten here in Central Florida...PLUS all of the OTHER myriad fun things to do weren't calling up North either. So she may not have quite as much time for gardening as she did.

There are big lots in places like The Village of Harmeswood, but there are restrictions on planting. I haven't heard of anyone getting called on any of them but they might if they, say, put in six rows of corn or something like that.

Almost everyone is growing something to eat and a variety of beautiful annual AND perennial flowers in their yard. Like Bill n Brillo said the other day, they are selling annuals right now at Lowes and Home Depot...in SEPTEMBER.

She will love all the new growing experiences here.

[cquick]

We like the Bridgeport and the Holly in the designer homes. We picked the "Holly" because of the large walk in closets, (Good place for my sewing machine) large kitchen with island. I would prefer to have the bathtub and shower in the main bathroom but it's not possible with this home plan. can't have it all :-). The bathtub will have to go in the guest bathroom.
We are still waiting for the realtor to call and tell us he's found a lot that will fit our designer home with extended lanai, 2 ft. stretch and golf cart garage.

We haven't sold our home here in NH yet but we're looking forward to living in TV .

We are also trying to decide. Our agent found a lot in the "new" part of Sanibel that will accomodate a Holly with stretches and the golf cart garage. We have "almost" decided on either the Holly or the Zinnia. I like the Lanai on the Zinnia and the bigger bedroom in the front of the house. But I like the kitchen in the Holly......can't combine them, so.....I'd better decide!

[hedoman]

It wasn't we selecting it.....IT selected US! You just know......

:a040: :a040: :a040: :a040:

[Lynnelf]

We are also trying to decide. Our agent found a lot in the "new" part of Sanibel that will accomodate a Holly with stretches and the golf cart garage. We have "almost" decided on either the Holly or the Zinnia. I like the Lanai on the Zinnia and the bigger bedroom in the front of the house. But I like the kitchen in the Holly......can't combine them, so.....I'd better decide!
This describes my dilemma too. Holly or Zinnia for the exact reasons you describe. At this point, if the house here in PA doesn't sell soon and we have to drop the price again, finances might rule the Holly or Zinnia out.:sad: We also reserved our lot in the new section of Sanibel. We are on Twisted Oak Way, right by the country club. Where are you?

[aljetmet]

After doing a few previews and looking at a lot of models we decided on a Bridgeport. There are three of us in the house and the extra half bath is a nice feature. Love the kitchen with it's desk area, just wish the laundry room was a little bigger. We really do not like the jack and jill bathroom with the other two bedrooms but we have learned to live with it.

Interestingly the house we like is not available. :cus:
It's a cross between the Bridgeport and the Holly.

Basically take the Bridgeport but squareoff the dining room and master as the Holly has it. We're not fans of the Jack and Jill either so lose the half bath and keep the 2nd and 3rd bedroom and guest bath of the Holly.

Love the tray ceilings the Bridgeport has.

Well we've only viewed the plans. Can't wait to see it all in person.

If it was up to my wife alone we would buy the Begonia or Gardenia.

So it will be real interesting what we'll buy!!

[aljetmet]

We like the Bridgeport and the Holly in the designer homes. We picked the "Holly" because of the large walk in closets, (Good place for my sewing machine) large kitchen with island. I would prefer to have the bathtub and shower in the main bathroom but it's not possible with this home plan. can't have it all :-). The bathtub will have to go in the guest bathroom.
We are still waiting for the realtor to call and tell us he's found a lot that will fit our designer home with extended lanai, 2 ft. stretch and golf cart garage.

We haven't sold our home here in NH yet but we're looking forward to living in TV .

Curious. Which side of the house are you putting in the 2 foot stretch. I'm guessing the back.

[batman911]

Has anyone calculated the cost of stretching a designer versus buying a premier to get more space? We are considering a Gardenia or Williamsburg but do not want too much house but do want a large lot. The standard size Gardenia seems a little small.

[aljetmet]

You can stretch the Gardenia I think on all four sides. I would definitley stretch the living room and 2nd and 3rd bedroom side by 2 feet. Not too expensive...I think you would obviously need a large lot to accomodate especially if you add the golf cart garage and side expansion.

[Hummingbird]

Curious. Which side of the house are you putting in the 2 foot stretch. I'm guessing the back.
Haven't been on TOTV for awhile, sorry it took so long to answer your question. The 2 ft stretch would be in the back of the house along with the 4 ft. stretch for the lanai.and a golf cart garage. It's not easy to find a lot that will fit all that, we always come up a few inches shy and then it's back to the drawing board :-(.

[casita37]

I too have not purchased yet, but after studying all the floor plans on long, cold, wintery nights up north I came to the conclusion as a single man that I wanted a concrete and stucco CYV, Beauragaurd model (sp). While visiting in July, guess what? I absolutely fell in love with the At Ease Cottage! Next decision..do I really want a yard? I was convinced the CYV was it because of Fido. I may just have to take him to the dog park! I am still a couple years away so time to think it over.


We are in the same situation with our dog and cat. We originally thought CYV for that reason, however, I really want a house, so we are now looking at houses with yards large enough to add a substantial birdcage, with the plan to leave most of it grassy. That brings up a question...I know there are guidelines and set back, etc., but do people get turned down for a bircage because the neighbors done want it, or something like that?

[GTTPF]

We loved the open floor plan, the 2 car and cart garage, his and her closets, (he knew that was the only way he could get some space and I'm not sharing) good sized lanai that we are expanding 4 feet and a sliding glass window from the master bedroom to the lanai. Loved that we could look out from the living room, dining room and bedroom onto the lanai.

Angie: We also decided on the Begonia, We liked the lay out alot. The new Begonias do not have the sliders going into the lanai. We like the wall space better than with the sliders. The size of the other bedrooms at first was a minus. Now we believe it is a plus. Maybe our company won't stay so long. LOL! :1rotfl: We are building the house for the two of us. Not for company although they are welcome. The living areas are a nice size and layout fits us. Two of our friends from home are also building Begonias for the same reasons. We didn't want to go into a premier. We want to downsize and have less cleaning and maintaince. So we can have more time for FUN! :thumbup:

[swimdawg]

Curious.

It was the Iris hands down. Went thru all the models online before arriving in TV......listed the pros and cons of each house....Iris won. Loved how open it is....and location of rooms. Stretched garage and lanai.....great house.

.......BUT.......

That is not why I am responding......it is Aljetmet's avatar.....OMG.......What a little cutie!...(and big cutie, too!). You both look so happy! If I am ever depressed, I'm going directly to this avatar....how can you help but smile while looking at it! :)

[jebartle]

Walked into the courtyard, never made it into the house, the ole' boy says, I'll take it!....Realtor said "Would you like to see the house", ole boy says, OK!...Needless to say we LOVED the courtyard....giggle

[lincap]

Interestingly the house we like is not available. :cus:
It's a cross between the Bridgeport and the Holly.

Basically take the Bridgeport but squareoff the dining room and master as the Holly has it. We're not fans of the Jack and Jill either so lose the half bath and keep the 2nd and 3rd bedroom and guest bath of the Holly.

Love the tray ceilings the Bridgeport has.

Well we've only viewed the plans. Can't wait to see it all in person.

If it was up to my wife alone we would buy the Begonia or Gardenia.

So it will be real interesting what we'll buy!!

We built what we call the "Hollyport"(our name for the house - there is not officially a model with that name). It is a cross between the Bridgeport and the Holly. We have the Bridgeport angled back windows in the dining and bedroom but the Holly layout for bedrooms #2 and #3. No 1/2 bath. We also stretched 2 feet in front and did a stretch of 4-8-4 in the back. Lanai ended up 15 x 18 feet. We also were able to put the 2nd side lite at the front door (like the Holly, the Bridgeport has only one sidelite). We liked something in every model but choose the one were we liked the most things and the fewest negatives.

[angiefox10]

Angie: We also decided on the Begonia, We liked the lay out alot. The new Begonias do not have the sliders going into the lanai. We like the wall space better than with the sliders. The size of the other bedrooms at first was a minus. Now we believe it is a plus. Maybe our company won't stay so long. LOL! :1rotfl: We are building the house for the two of us. Not for company although they are welcome. The living areas are a nice size and layout fits us. Two of our friends from home are also building Begonias for the same reasons. We didn't want to go into a premier. We want to downsize and have less cleaning and maintaince. So we can have more time for FUN! :thumbup:

We saw the slider from the bedroom to the lanai wasn't shown in the new models so we asked our sales rep. She checked on it for us and told us it was still an option.