Cottage Home Buyers

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

You've purchased a Cottage home. Would you please share what model you chose and why? What do you like or dislike about your Cottage home. What feature about your choice satisfies you the most? As always, thanks for your replies! :ho:

[zcaveman]

I bought a ranch - the Amarillo which has been morphed into the cottage Sun-kissed model. So I guess I can comment.

I have lived in this house for 11 years and like some people I have no desire to upgrade or downgrade or move to a different area. I am very happy with the layout and am very happy with the house itself. I do understand that there are less options in the cottage model than there were in the ranch model. I also heard through the TOTV grapevine that you cannot build your own version of a cottage. You might want to check on this.

However, I think that TV will build different versions of the same model so that you can get what most of what you want in the cottage model to suit you.

Just a suggestion: if you opt for a cottage, try and match the cottage model with a ranch model and have your Realtor take you through a few of the resales to get an idea of the options that are available. Then if you decide on a new house you at least have an idea of what new cottages you would want to look at to make sure that they have some of the options that you decided on.

I hope that was not clear as mud.

Happy hunting!!

Z

[jackiedew]

We bought a cottage home - At Ease with open kitchen - and absolutely love it. We especially like that the lanai is on the side of the house, and that we have an oversized two-car garage plus golf cart garage. The interior of the house itself is very roomy, the master bedroom is large and the walk in closet is, too. The only feature that we wish this house had was a wider entrance door area but we are going to paint the exterior of the door the same color as the shutters and add shutters to the rest of the windows. We think by adding color to the front door will add some needed "character". We added a storm door with roll down screen at the upper portion - allows sunshine through the glass or fresh air through the screen depending upon what the weather is. We love sitting on the lanai and being able to see the road and other houses and say hi to neighbors as they pass by.

I do know that At Ease has a model with a wider entrance but the lanai is on the back of the house but we wouldn't trade the side lanai for a wider entrance.

[Boudicca]

We too have an At Ease cottage and love it, along with the side lanai and birdcage. We did make one structural change after we moved in (with appropriate permits). We removed the back kitchen window wall (with window), and replaced it with French doors, adding a raised cement patio 7' wide and 12' through the doors. We added the little picket fence (allowed) and a two seater swing. The French door "alley way" space, is the only area to get sunshine in the winter months. This area also allows us to walk across to visit wit neighbors. I'd have really liked to have replaced the tub with a walk through shower, but perhaps at a later date.

[Shimpy]

Another "At Ease" here in Buttonwood. We chose this model because of the eat in kitchen, large walk in closet in master bedroom and double sinks in master bath. My only mistake was not having a golf cart garage. By the way, the attic access in the garage gives you a hugh storage space. We added a pull down ladder and floored the space up there and have more room than we need for our stuff.

[LvmyPug2]

Hmmm....seems to be a pattern here. We too are very happy with our At Ease. We love, love, love our side lanai and birdcage which was extended to 32 ft. It has plenty of room for a conversation area, a dining area and a grilling area. I like the open kitchen with the eat in space and the volume ceilings give the house a very open/airy feel. The master bedroom easily accommodates our king bed and furniture. Our garage was extended 4 ft and with the golf cart garage DH has plenty of storage space and an area for his workbench. We stacked our W/D and added a storage cabinet in the laundry room which gave me extra storage for my crafts. The only thing I don't like is the laminate countertops so we have decided to replace them with granite in a year or two.

I must confess, when we first bought this house, I was a bit worried that I would have a problem downsizing from a 3800 sf home to one this size but I don't miss the big house at all....especially on cleaning day!

[NotGolfer]

We're in the Sun Kissed....built back in '08 so not sure how it compares to the one, named that now. We bought it because the price was good and we liked the lay-out. It could have had more storage, but we added some of that once we were in. We down-sized on purpose---the house up north was twice as large and hard to keep up. We like everything on one level and feel as we grow older that this model will be easier to manage. Why have a big house in this season of life??

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

We appreciate everyone's comments to our post. We have enjoyed reading each and everyone of them. We have gained lots of good information to consider when choosing a model that will suit our future needs. We look forward to any others that may share their home buying experiences with us. We appreciate all the information given and have gained usefull knowledge from each one. .... Thanks! :thumbup:

[mulligan]

FYI, cottages are no longer being built "custom". They will be built on "spec", and sold as is just like the villas. This changed about 2 weeks ago.

[ssmith]

Anyone have any thoughts on these 2?

[jimbo2012]

We were all set to go on the Sunkist, but when they stopped custom we switched our thinking to the Bouganvilla compare floor plans.

The cost differential in not that much but the investment value is.

On the spec builts the old base cost is kinda hidden, try to find one now at 165K, I think the lowest today is 170K, but go to 195K

The Bouganvilla is 183K, and you select everything. (at 3.5% off that cost is lower today about 177K)

Ask others about this comparison & see if it makes sense to U.

[Schaumburger]

FYI, cottages are no longer being built "custom". They will be built on "spec", and sold as is just like the villas. This changed about 2 weeks ago.

That is right -- I looked at several model cottages in Sanibel when I was in TV last month, and the agent who showed me the cottages told me this.

[Boudicca]

forgot to add that we also installed stacked washer drier to save space. We added a tension rod between the units and the wall, and I hang damp laundry there after its had a short tumble dry.

[Flopshot]

Been reading these posts with great interest. We're one of the last buyers of a custom cottage home. We're building an At Ease in Fernandina. Our design appt is tomorrow and Tuesday, so we're really asking this question at the 11th hour. But, does anyone have any tips/recommendations for getting through the design visit with TV? PS We've owned in TV for a couple of years, so we're not newbies. But this is our first experience with the building and design process.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

We were all set to go on the Sunkist, but when they stopped custom we switched our thinking to the Bouganvilla compare floor plans.

The cost differential in not that much but the investment value is.

On the spec builts the old base cost is kinda hidden, try to find one now at 165K, I think the lowest today is 170K, but go to 195K

The Bouganvilla is 183K, and you select everything. (at 3.5% off that cost is lower today about 177K)

Ask others about this comparison & see if it makes sense to U.

Good idea to check out the designers too! Has anyone purchased a Hammock model or a Sun Kissed model? Love to hear from you.

[Penguin]

Anyone have any thoughts on these 2?

I have a seabreeze 2 car with golf cart garage. I like the 3 bedroom, the open floorplan and a big garage for the cars.The price was right too. I felt I did'nt need a 5k square foot home on a golf course. Heck all I plan to do is sleep there. :)

[rhredd1654]

I built a Sandcastle, which is a 2/2 with a den. Use the den for computer/exercise room. Also had a pocket door installed to give privacy to the "guest" quarters. I'm a single, but have lots of visitors. Works out great. Only change I would make is a larger garage.

[asianthree]

we are looking at 2 preowned cottage with 12x something lanai thats what has caught our eye

[NotGolfer]

I would wish for an extra closet...large one...for hanging coats/jackets (yes we need these here) and keeping items we don't want to put in the attic. I'm thinking the heat in attics might eventually ruin some items. Sometimes one has to live in a house for awhile to realize what they miss. What I miss wouldn't make me want to make a move however, so we'll "bloom where we're planted" and they take us away to "the home".

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

After reading all the responses, and looking at the floor plans, I've found all of the models have their differences, but would be happy in any of them. As Penguin said, I don't need a big home if all I plan on doing there is sleeping!:thumbup:

[Down Sized]

I have an About Time Cottage. I REALLY REALLY like it. It also has a raised side lanai. :pepper2:

[Paperboy]

We moved into a new Tuckett in 11/11; 3/2. We loved the lanai off the kitchen (have it extended w/a bird cage), it's on the side of the house. The majotity of the my neighbors have kiss'N lanai's (on the rear of the house) facing each other. I LUV the privacy!

[Paperboy]

[QUOTE=Paperboy;529942]We moved into a new Tuckett in 11/11; 3/2. We loved the lanai off the kitchen (have it extended w/a bird cage), it's on the side of the house. The majotity of the my neighbors have kiss'N lanai's (on the rear of the house) facing each other. I LUV the privacy!!!! No need to add xtra landscaping bushes, etc.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

I have an About Time Cottage. I REALLY REALLY like it. It also has a raised side lanai. :pepper2:

What is an About Time Cottage? :shrug:

[Whitewater]

Anyone have any thoughts on these 2?
We have the Hammock and LOVE it. Our neighbors have the Seabreeze and chose it because they wanted an office in the front. Both are great choices. I love the openness and floor plan of the Hammock. We were lucky to find one with an extended lanai. BIG difference. Only thing that we wish we had is a pocket door in hallway leading to two bedroom, bath and laundry room. Heard that they were doing that now in models.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

We have the Hammock and LOVE it. Our neighbors have the Seabreeze and chose it because they wanted an office in the front. Both are great choices. I love the openness and floor plan of the Hammock. We were lucky to find one with an extended lanai. BIG difference. Only thing that we wish we had is a pocket door in hallway leading to two bedroom, bath and laundry room. Heard that they were doing that now in models.

Can you fit two cars in your garage? The floor plan of the garage shows that it is open with no HVAC, Washer & dryer. Looks like a good choice for an unobstructed garage. Thanks

[Bmorris111]

Can you fit two cars in your garage? The floor plan of the garage shows that it is open with no HVAC, Washer & dryer. Looks like a good choice for an unobstructed garage. Thanks

I'll second the Hammock for the open feel. We close on Friday!!! Can't wait.:beer3:

The garage is a two car without any obstructions. Then stretch it in the front and side and you should have plenty of room for cabinets, work bench, etc.

[eweissenbach]

Everybody loves the plan they bought - that is human nature. The Stetson II, Amarillo, SunKissed plan is the single most popular plan in the Villages, based on units that exist. It is an excellent plan with virtually no wasted space. All the house plans are good, and fit various peoples preferences and needs. You need to assess what it is that you need and want and look for the plan that most closely meets those criteria.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

I'll second the Hammock for the open feel. We close on Friday!!! Can't wait.:beer3:

The garage is a two car without any obstructions. Then stretch it in the front and side and you should have plenty of room for cabinets, work bench, etc.

Living your dream starts Friday...Enjoy your new chapter! :a040: :popcorn: :clap2: :MOJE_whot: :thumbup:

[Tweety Bird]

We too have an At Ease cottage and love it, along with the side lanai and birdcage. We did make one structural change after we moved in (with appropriate permits). We removed the back kitchen window wall (with window), and replaced it with French doors, adding a raised cement patio 7' wide and 12' through the doors. We added the little picket fence (allowed) and a two seater swing. The French door "alley way" space, is the only area to get sunshine in the winter months. This area also allows us to walk across to visit wit neighbors. I'd have really liked to have replaced the tub with a walk through shower, but perhaps at a later date.

I would LOVE to see pictures of what you did. Sounds so creative. We also have an AT EASE and LOVE it. The side lanai faces a large corner lot and gives us a lovely view and privacy because of the distance. The large bedroom is a plus in this house.

[kb8tpw]

I was looking at cottages that are available on the TV site yesterday and realized that our cottage is no longer offered. Do any of those of you that keep up with that sort of thing know what replaced a Sun Castle? It is a 2/2/Den configuration. Don't plan to buy another, mine is on a corner lot and enough for me to maintain.... Just curious.... Thx