patio villa vs. 2 bedroom courtyard villa

[angel222]

I have a friend looking to buy in TV and needs help deciding between the patio villas and a two bedroom courtyard villa. If anyone can comment on pros and cons of each, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

[cathyw]

There's some good info on these threads.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/villa-pros-cons-55700/

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/differences-between-villa-types-53535/

[justjim]

I have a friend looking to buy in TV and needs help deciding between the patio villas and a two bedroom courtyard villa. If anyone can comment on pros and cons of each, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

We had a patio villa (cabot cove) when we first moved to TV. Loved it and learn to really like the Lanai being in the front where you interact with neighbors. If your friend has a dog or just wants a little more privacy then the courtyard villa. If money is a major factor, the patio villa is somewhat cheaper. Less maintenance on either that has the vinyl siding.

[Barefoot]

It's all about a back yard. Courtyard Villas cost more but have a private back yard, and generally seem a bit larger and brighter. Great for pets. But Patio Villas are delightful and perfect for someone who doesn't need a yard. Excellent for Snowbirds or Singles. You do have a lanai in front.

[John_W]

We had made a plan like that, then everything changed. May 2011 we sold our home in Maryland in one day after listing it for sale. We had just left TV two weeks earlier on our LSV and had toured many models.

We picked out a Cabot Cove patio villa with white cabinets in Buttonwood for $140,000, and were hoping that someone wouldn't buy it before we could. With a $10,000 bond I figured for $150,000 we could be in the home free and clear.

When we had the contract, it was cash offer with no contingencies and the money was guarantee. I called my salesman from Maryland to put a deposit on the Cabot Cove. As I was talking to him on the phone, I started browsing the masonry CYV's on the homes for sale website. They only 8 CYV's listed, all were in Southern Star Villas in Tamarind Grove. They had four 2 BR Woodlawn's (now called a Durham). I noticed the price on them had been reduced from about $169K to about $163K, this caught my attention. While we were talking one those Woodlawn's was reduced again to $156,900. After my salesman confirmed the price, our whole plan changed and we bought that 2 BR masonry CVY.

Here's something you won't get with a patio villa, a privacy fenced backyard.

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/605/backyardt.jpg

Looking from my driveway down the street.

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/7303/streeteg.jpg

[Single Track]

I have a friend looking to buy in TV and needs help deciding between the patio villas and a two bedroom courtyard villa. If anyone can comment on pros and cons of each, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

I just bought a patio villa in one of the new villages. This past May and June I happened to rent a courtyard villa in Hemingway. As a single woman I felt so isolated and very much alone while in the house. I felt that every window faced a high white fence and I very rarely saw anyone in the neighborhood unless they were getting in or out of their car or golfcart. I am really looking forward to sitting on my patio out front and seeing something besides high white walls.
Of course if I were married, I might enjoy the privacy afforded the CYV but for now my preference would be for a patio villa. Good luck with your decision.

[asianthree]

I just bought a patio villa in one of the new villages. This past May and June I happened to rent a courtyard villa in Hemingway. As a single woman I felt so isolated and very much alone while in the house. I felt that every window faced a high white fence and I very rarely saw anyone in the neighborhood unless they were getting in or out of their car or golfcart. I am really looking forward to sitting on my patio out front and seeing something besides high white walls.
Of course if I were married, I might enjoy the privacy afforded the CYV but for now my preference would be for a patio villa. Good luck with your decision.

married and feel the same i love sitting on the front patio and seeing the world go by

[bonrich]

We had a CYV as our first home in TV. After about 18 months we sold it because of me. Yes, there is privacy, but as stated before, never get to see or meet neighbors easily. I could hear them talking somewhere on the other side of fence, but could not see them or easily have a "neighborly conversation". If you are on the short side of height, impossible. I did miss the opportunity see and greet neighbors and to enjoy the interaction of a "neighborhood".

[bargee]

We have lived in a Patio Villa for the past 12 years.We are very satisfied with it.We experienced living in a CYV and while very nice I felt isolated.I don't know why someone would say they only suit seasonal residents or single people however each to their own.

[Barefoot]

... Patio Villas are delightful, and perfect for someone who doesn't need a yard. Excellent for Snowbirds or Singles.


I don't know why someone would say they only suit seasonal residents or single people.

Sorry for the misunderstanding, I didn't mean to offend. I didn't say they only suit seasonal residents or single people! I think Patio Villas are an excellent option for anyone who doesn't require a back yard, and that includes couples and Frogs. I just thought that perhaps Snowbirds or Singles would want to avoid the cost and hassle of doing yard work.

[jimbo2012]

Another comparison is the patio villa v the cottages,

The patio villas are now about 140K to start and cottages start at 155K

[John_W]

Another comparison is the patio villa v the cottages,

The patio villas are now about 140K to start and cottages start at 155K

If you're only comparing via price it's not as close as you think. The patio villa bond is about $11,000 vs the cottage at about $21,000, that's $10,000 more you need to add to the cottage price. Also the patio villas unless on a corner lot are almost all right around the $140,000 range or less without a vaulted ceiling. On the otherhand, cottages might start at $155,000 but you'll almost see none at the price, more likely $165,000 to $185,000 is more like it. Also they are only building spec cottages, so your selection will be the same as a patio villa, it's whatever the builder wants to offer.

[jimbo2012]

John, there are two today at 156K. about 15 below 170K

Bond more, sure look at the size of the lot 40x60 v 60x90, that only adds $50 a month to the bond.

Plus you are getting 500 sq ft more house?

So say you get 500' for 20K more that's only $40 a sq ft????

Really less when you consider you're also getting 3000 sq ft MORE of land.

Just need to weight the options across a spread sheet and the patio villa doesn't always win.

We started with one in March then went to a cottage, but when they stopped custom we switched to a designer.

I did crunch the numbers hard.

[angel222]

Thanks so much everyone for all your comments...decisions are easier to make with information. My friends concerns also are that in a patio villa community she won't have any real neighbors if they are mostly rentals...does any patio villa community have more year round residents?

[mickey100]

We found there was a difference in noise level between the 2 types of villas. Our friends have a courtyard villa, and when their neighbors are out on their lanai talking in just normal voices, you can hear it very clearly on my friend's lanai. We used to own a patio villa, and it was always very quiet, we could not hear our neighbors due to the way the homes are set up and constructed. We landscaped the front yard with trees and larger shrubs, which made it seem very private visually as well.

[asianthree]

Thanks so much everyone for all your comments...decisions are easier to make with information. My friends concerns also are that in a patio villa community she won't have any real neighbors if they are mostly rentals...does any patio villa community have more year round residents?

we have 11 people on our street that are year round....3 come 6 months, some rentals and some snowbirds, but the rentals seem to have the same renters every year so you see the faces when they are there

[The Wooz]

Bought a new CYV in the Village of St. James in July. Love the privacy. Since all the neighbors have the same style, either 2 or 3 bedrooms, and for much the same reason, we all have a lot in common. Good luck in deciding and welcome to The Villages.

[Schaumburger]

I just bought a patio villa in one of the new villages. This past May and June I happened to rent a courtyard villa in Hemingway. As a single woman I felt so isolated and very much alone while in the house. I felt that every window faced a high white fence and I very rarely saw anyone in the neighborhood unless they were getting in or out of their car or golfcart. I am really looking forward to sitting on my patio out front and seeing something besides high white walls.
Of course if I were married, I might enjoy the privacy afforded the CYV but for now my preference would be for a patio villa. Good luck with your decision.

Single Track -- I think you were smart to rent a CYV for a couple of months for the experience. In the 3 times I have rented in TV, two have been patio villas and one has been a ranch. When I rent again in October, it will be another patio villa. As a wannabee, I think I should rent a CYV for the experience. I have been to several open houses in CYV's, and I also thought that I might feel isolated if I actually lived in a CYV. That will be my goal for 2013 -- rent a CYV to see how I like it. I did enjoy sitting on the lanais in the patio villas I rented and watching the neighbors go by. Just my 2 cents.

[asianthree]

everyone loves what they buy you need to try both out and see what fits for you

[ssmith]

We have mostly rented homes but did rent a CYV x1. My question for CYV owners: Do you find the parking to be an issue. Say it is a holiday and everyone has out of town family .... does parking become an issue? How about if you have a party with more than say 6 cars coming that park in over flow parking...how do you handle it? Just wondering....I see advantages an disadvantages to just about every home!

[George Bieniaszek]

We own a 2br CYV and love it for the following reasons:
1. private backyard that is completely fenced in (for pets)

2. lanai in the back for privacy. Never liked the lanai in the front of the house. You want to sit outside with a cup of coffee in your pajamas reading the newspaper or eating lunch or dinner without the entire neighborhood watching you.

3. First thing we did was to remove all the grass and landscape with more plants and stones. No lawn mowing or paying someone to mow.

Loved the look of concrete villas over frame and siding. Not that there is anything wrong with frame and siding, just a personal preference to the concrete look.