A Designer Home or Courtyard Villa?

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

I need your help. What made you decide to buy a Courtyard Villa or your Designer Home? I love the low maintenance, and the courtyard of the Villa, but love the extra garage space and driveway space of a Designer. I love them both, but can't seem to decide on which one to pursue. HELP!:loco:

[DandyGirl]

The two car garage and golf cart garage were very important to us. The hubby needs space to fix and fiddle with things. It's his man cave!

[Debfrommaine]

Had the designer for a year and acquired a dog. Thus, we love our villa (been here since November) and large corner lot all private and fenced. We don't have lots of "stuff" so storage isn't an issue. Even if we didn't have the dog, we'd go w/a villa!

[jane032657]

We looked at lots of beautiful designer homes but found a new villa with a great view on two sides, only one wall on one side, tons of space for a large birdcage and then lots of space after that for grass for the two dogs. I love all the homes, I think whatever you choose, it will be wonderful!

[goingtothevillages]

We faced the same question - but decided on a courtyard villa in the new Mission Hills. We were fortunate and found one with a 2 car garage and over-sized yard. Just had all the grass taken up and replaced with rock and bark so that it will be as close to maintenance free as possible. Although we'll be here full-time (other than 1-2 week trips every once in awhile) I didn't want to spend my time and/or money doing yard work.

Hard decision because everyone has different things that are important to them - but before you decide, I'd check-out Mission Hills - may be just what you want. We've had several friends that own designer homes say if they had seen these when they were buying, they would have bought the courtyard villa rather than the designer home.

Good luck!!

[jblum315]

I love my designer. I have lots of stuff and need the room. But if I had a dog I would have bought a CYV for the dog's sake.

[jane032657]

I second Mission Hills! We bought there too, fell in love on first sight, just like when I met my husband!

[buggyone]

When my wife and I bought in The Villages our main requirement was a view. I did not want to look into someone's lanai. We looked at some nice CYVs and several Lantana designer homes. One Lantana was in Caroline overlooking the marsh area, one was in Glenbrook overlooking a preserve, and one was in Glenbrook on a golf course. We did a lot of searching possibilities and ended up on the golf course. The house is situated from the tee boxes so it is almost impossible to hit the house from the tees.

Most dog owners, I believe, choose CYVs.

I love our house and love The Villages.

[cmfjr]

We too had the say dilemma as I’m sure most who have and will be buying have. We opted for the villa for the reduced yard maintenance. The storage question is legitimate and one needs to decide how “much stuff” do they really need. I have sold almost all of my tools and other stuff that one accumulates over 30-40 years. Started fresh here and have not missed an item yet. If we need to have work done there are many well qualified craftsmen at reasonable costs. The one thing we did was get the largest lot possible with a CYV. This way there is a larger back yard for entertaining and we do not see our neighbors as most do in Designer homes with what I call “kissing lanais". Most are just too close and yes, on occasion, we hear our neighbors, we do not see them. Also, there is great interaction in the villa communities that one may not expect considering the walls. Finally, I do agree that the vast majority of the CYV owners and especially in our area do have dogs and the secure area works out great for them.
The real test is to spend time in both and that way you can have a better indication as to what will fit your needs today and do not forget about tomorrow!

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

Lots of great responses to consider. Thank you all. I do have a dilema that maybe you can help me with. I have two vehicles and was concerned if there was a problem in the CYV areas with parking one of my vehicles in front of my house on the street. I don't want to play musical cars everytime I need to use the one that is parked in the garage. All your thoughts and comments are appreciated! :wave:

[Barefoot]

Before we bought, we decided that for us, a lot with privacy was way more important than having a large home. We have two dogs and started out in a modest Courtyard Villa. I was concerned about feeling closed in, so we bought on a golf course with a low back wall. Three years later, yikes, we had a SUV and a golf cart and and bicycles and a motorcycle and roller blades, Christmas decorations, lawn care stuff, covers for the shrubs in case it freezes, etc.

Fireboy talked me into a house with an extended garage. And this was a good thing because he retired in January, and now the garage is full of E-flyer planes. I still care more about a view than the size of the house. We opted for a small designer house on a golf course lot.

I miss the CYV, and our great neighbours, but we're very happy to have a large driveway that can park four cars. And Fireboy is a garage guy. We have Invisible Fencing for the dogs and it works like a charm. Plus we dog park them every day. Almost everyone on our street has a dog. So it's all good.

The only suggestion I have is to figure out your priorities ahead of time, because moving is expensive. Make a list of your top wants and be true to it. Don't listen to me, don't listen to anyone else. Just be true to your heart.

[Ohiogirl]

Lots of great responses to consider. Thank you all. I do have a dilema that maybe you can help me with. I have two vehicles and was concerned if there was a problem in the CYV areas with parking one of my vehicles in front of my house on the street. I don't want to play musical cars everytime I need to use the one that is parked in the garage. All your thoughts and comments are appreciated! :wave:

Unless you buy a CYV with a 2 car garage, or one that is on the "dead-end" corner, then yes, there is a problem parking a 2nd car in the street - there is no room in front of a typical CYV - you would be causing a problem for your neighbors. I'm not even sure it's allowed on a regular basis.

Owners are not allowed to park in the guest parking areas - those are for guests only. I'm sure that rule often gets overlooked but I think there would be complaints if someone parked there on a regular basis.

This said, are you sure you need 2 vehicles (cars)? Most here, whether in a designer or a CYV, have one car and one golf cart. Many others opt for a 2nd golf cart. Most don't find 2 cars necessary, but if you do, you would likely need to park the 2nd car in the driveway and do a lot of car/cart juggling. You probably could back the golf cart out without moving the driveway car depending on the size of the car and whether or not you are a good backer. Some aren't.

[ljones190]

Lots of great responses to consider. Thank you all. I do have a dilema that maybe you can help me with. I have two vehicles and was concerned if there was a problem in the CYV areas with parking one of my vehicles in front of my house on the street. I don't want to play musical cars everytime I need to use the one that is parked in the garage. All your thoughts and comments are appreciated! :wave:

Kevin and Josie

An option to consider is a designer home that backs up to a villa wall, best of both worlds for some. Just a thought.

[JohnN]

We chose a CYV on a corner lot, Avondale model has a yard and windows on boths sides and it's great. I understand the garage is smaller, but CYV neighborhoods have extra parking too, so you don't need to park on the street. It's a matter of priorities. We wanted some privacy and perhaps a pet in the future, so we wanted the wall.

Either way, you'll adapt and love what you get.

[JSR22]

Originally our plan was to buy a designer on a culdesac. We absolutely did not want kissing lanais. We realized the designer was not going to work because of our dogs and the lack of privacy. On our LSV last year we stayed in a CYV but did not the 1.5 garage and the size of the villa. The haciendas in Mission Hills have larger models and many with 2 car garages. They fit our needs. We will have 2 cars and one golf cart. Keeping a car in the driveway is not a problem for us since we have no problem driving either car. My suspicion is after a year we will be down to one car like a lot of people.

[swimdawg]

I had originally planned on a Designer home but after reading TOTV, it was recommended that if you have a dawg and will be a snowflake, a CYV would be the way to go. Guilty for both!

At my first visit, I told my sales rep that I would look at CYV's. I originally came for the Lifestyle Preview and was put up in a CYV. I walked in the CYV and knew almost instantly that it wasn't for me. I felt way too enclosed.

Back to Plan A ....look at Designer homes. I found the perfect lot and now have the perfect house. The dawg is used to being leashed and I have a lovely view.

I would recommend that you stay a few days in a CYV. You will know whether or not it's for you.

[Barefoot]

At my first visit, I told my sales rep that I would look at CYV's. I originally came for the Lifestyle Preview and was put up in a CYV. I walked in the CYV and knew almost instantly that it wasn't for me. I felt way too enclosed.



Some people do feel too enclosed in a "normal" CYV - I felt the same way as Swimdawg, too enclosed. You might want to consider a CYV on a view lot, where the back fence is only a few feet high.

[graciegirl]

When I asked this question four years ago, someone answered, get as much space as you can comfortably afford...particularly in your garage. It is not only your garage, but your basement and your extra storage.

[jimbo2012]

In considering the models in out quest to find the right abode for for us we tried to keep in perspective what we're trying to accomplish.

I have a 2800' home in NY now, toooooo big toooo much maintenance on over 1 acre( U know a sit down mower).

I want to chill out and and play but not play on my home.

The CYV is like being enclosed in city walls, I'm not letting my dog out to run, an alligator may be waiting I know its remote but it can happen, also why would I spend money based on a pet (I love my dog to know end but....I'll keep him on a long leash).

We are focusing on a patio villa or a cottage "sand dollar"

2 bedrooms are more than enough, in fact I would take 1/1 if the resale didn't hurt it so bad.

My 3 kids & 7 grand kids may visit once a year so should i spend 20-50K extra for that?

I can put them up in an hotel for many years for a lot less.

So when the right one comes along between now and the fall I'll buy.

But I'll buy a retirement home not a home to raise my kids, been there done that.



.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

So many good points. We're not going to buy large enough for the what if's that visit. It's so true that you need to find the right fit for your lifestyle as you age. I really don't want to deal with a lot of lawn maintenance again. The designers are small enough to handle. I've had enough of the treed 1/2 acre to deal with plus snow. I guess it really comes down to how much space do you want to house your stuff? Or, would you rather get rid of the stuff, and find a home large enough for your daily lifestyle. My wife has no problem moving with just a suit case in hand. I'm still parting with my 30 years of treasures as we speak. It's been tough, but I feel like I'm shedding each time something goes out the door...I start to feel lighter and closer to our move. At least I know that we are getting near the day of deciding which home and where. It's always good to talk to others and get their viewpoints and their experiences. Advice is always welcome. :wave:

[jimbo2012]

We're starting to sell stuff on ebay and Craigs list, over the next few months we hope to cut down on what we move to FL

[jane032657]

I am on my fifth bag tonight or things going to the thrift shop. We are downsizing like crazy before our villa move. When I stayed at our new home in TV a few weeks ago, I had an air mattress, two camping chairs, and a stack of boxed flooring that I sat on at the kitchen island. I had nothing to cook with. I bought some juice and yogurt and canned cold coffee and vodka and tonic, and ate out for my meals the rest of the time. I lived with almost nothing except the clothes and accessories and few towels, etc I brought that I needed for my daily needs. It was great, I missed nothing and even was lent a golf cart from one of the salespeople at the LSL Villages Golf Cart Store. We have so much here in Seattle, and yet I could not think of anything special I wanted with me. Maybe some things to cook with, sit on, and glassess and dishes, but I even bought paper plates and cups. Free yourself, it is good for the soul! Villa or home, you cannot take all your possessions with you and if they are boxed up now, they probably are not coming out later when you move!

[BrendaD]

I had a designer home under contract to build but then I saw CYV at Mission Hills and the water view. The layout was very similar to the Designer. It has a large two car garage that had been stretched so no issue with vehicles and a workbench! Only part time now but LOVE the decision I made. You must contact Brian Arango,Brian.Arango@thevillages.com, who helped me do the switch all by e-mail, floor plans and pictures. I closed without even laying eyes on the house itself. It worked because he understood just want I needed. No regrets

[jane032657]

Love it, I think we have four votes for Mission Hills! I know we are thrilled that we bought there, and with changing the lanai to a Florida room and adding a big birdcage, we have plenty of room for the two of us and it can be tolerable for short term visitors, which is all we would want anyway!!!

[graciegirl]

When the view lots were released for our village they all sold in two hours. We weren't ready to act because we had two properties. When we sold them, rather quickly, thank goodness, we had the choice of the three lots remaining. I am happy with our lot and so are my two cabinmates.

Most people love their choice and their village. BUT no matter what it is, here or anywhere, there will always be the disenchanted.

It is just human nature.

Now with these newfangled things like internet forums we can hear just HOW disenchanted these anonymous folks are. Yep we can.

And the same people are always down about something or mad about something or think someone is putting something over on them. Then there are the deleriously stupid happy like me.

It takes all kinds.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

Just wanted to thank all for all the info. Now it looks like we are leaning towards a CYV. I love the designers, but would love to have rock gardens and no grass. THANKS

[jane032657]

New ones going up for sale at the Haciendas at Mission Hills, on the view side down Avecilla there is one for sale at the $320 range (much less than the others on the view side) and it is because the lots are smaller and I am not sure about how the full view is as I am not there. The one I saw on line for sale in a Wyndham, one of the most popular view side models, and is almost 1800 sq ft. Maybe you want to look at it or the others being built beside it! Also other new ones not on the view side which I am sure are much less and gorgeous!

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

New ones going up for sale at the Haciendas at Mission Hills, on the view side down Avecilla there is one for sale at the $320 range (much less than the others on the view side) and it is because the lots are smaller and I am not sure about how the full view is as I am not there. The one I saw on line for sale in a Wyndham, one of the most popular view side models, and is almost 1800 sq ft. Maybe you want to look at it or the others being built beside it! Also other new ones not on the view side which I am sure are much less and gorgeous!

THANKS, we're currently Craiglisting, donating, and giving away our 30 years of stuff.:a040: It's looking good. Wanted to have very little when we show our house, and make the move. We now look at an item and say, "do we reallly want to move it?" The answer is nope. I'm anxious to see the new ones in Mission Hills.

[Golfer in Sanibel]

The two car garage and golf cart garage were very important to us. The hubby needs space to fix and fiddle with things. It's his man cave!

Me too. Plus, most of the CYVs have the laundry in the garage. I need that space for my toys and Cherie doesn't want to be in a hot/cold garage while shoveling laundry in and out.

If you get the CYVs with inside laundry, they are about the same price as designers. CYVs have their advantages, though. You just have to decide which is best for you. We rented a CYV in January to see how we liked it. You might try that, too.

You'll want to consider location as well.

[jane032657]

Our laundry is in its own room in our CYV at the Haciendas at Mission Hills. The garage has a utility sink tucked in the corner.

[BmoreGal]

I don't see it listed on the website.

Thanks!

[BmoreGal]

I don't see it on the webisite.

Thanks

[jane032657]

There is no more map of the Haciendas. You have to go to homes for sale, then newest released, I think there are 32 or 34. Go to page 4 of new homes released. It is there. PM me if you cannot find it.

[BmoreGal]

thanks for the info. I did see the CYV on the website

[Russ_Boston]

I agree with the rent option. We tried 5 different homes and styles via renting before we bought. Ended up wanting our own pool/birdcage so needed to find a designer lot to suit. Very happy here in Buttonwood.

[hulahips]

Wow it is a touch decision!! The downside of the villas are no storage (not that designer has alot but more) the garage (important to my husband) and driveway (husband didn't like) The good side is less maintenance (if you have concrete) Also wall to look at instead of another lanai.

We decided on designer and love it.!! We have nice driveway and what I really love is we have a COAT closet!! Wow and believe me I have coats from rain coats to sweaters to winter, spring and fall jackets. Who says you dont' need coats here?? ha

Friends of ours who live in courtyard hate it because their neighbors own a dog and let it bark outside all day. Thats a problem for them.

Lot to think about but enjoy making the decision!! I do like some courtyards especially the anna maria and bonita. From woman's perspective don't like washer/dryer in garage either. Most important, always remember your sun direction. Do you want sun on lanai or shade?? good luck