No more custom builds!!!

[dotti105]

We have until Dec 2 for our design appt and have planned to do it the weekend before Thanksgiving. My sales rep has been watching the open dates for us as they are made available.
She just told me that as of today they are only setting design appts for Mondays and Tuesdays. They are ending designer custom homes. All spec homes from here on out, it sounds like. No longer any weekend appts.
WOW!! Just made it under the wire!! I feel so fortunate!!!

[SpicyCajunPugs]

There has been so much different info coming from multiple sources and sales reps that it is crazy trying to help others who want to make plans for a custom lot and home. I would say that everyone may have to settle for one of the current available lots, ones that in the future don't sell, or plan on buying a spec or existing home. We feel lucky that we took the plunge as we would have never found both the lot, model, stretches and other changes that we wanted without having to pay a huge amount after the fact. The Villages, like any smart and profitable business, will make changes to make the most profit and to ease the burden of design appointments...that is not a problem, but reality and fact, so prepare for your future and specific desires accordingly.

[cquick]

Good thing we built our Holly when we did, since we did add some handicap-accessible changes, including a doorway in the middle bedroom to the master bath. Guess we wouldn't be Villagers if they wouldn't have accommodated us.
:(

[Love2cruise]

Good thing we built our Holly when we did, since we did add some handicap-accessible changes, including a doorway in the middle bedroom to the master bath. Guess we wouldn't be Villagers if they wouldn't have accommodated us.
:(

It amazes me that they don't make all the spec home handicap accessible.

[SpicyCajunPugs]

It amazes me that they don't make all the spec home handicap accessible.

I agree with that, at least with one bathroom, as some other things could be customized easier but the bath would be almost impossible

[cquick]

It amazes me that they don't make all the spec home handicap accessible.

Actually, the Holly is the accessible model....larger width on doors, lots of pocket doors, the kitchen is large enough to manouver a scooter or wheelchair around, the master shower is big enough to accommodate a shower chair, etc. Huge master bedroom with double doors.

we did add a door because our situation is a little unusual. but otherwise, we are very happy with our home.

[graciegirl]

There has been so much different info coming from multiple sources and sales reps that it is crazy trying to help others who want to make plans for a custom lot and home. I would say that everyone may have to settle for one of the current available lots, ones that in the future don't sell, or plan on buying a spec or existing home. We feel lucky that we took the plunge as we would have never found both the lot, model, stretches and other changes that we wanted without having to pay a huge amount after the fact. The Villages, like any smart and profitable business, will make changes to make the most profit and to ease the burden of design appointments...that is not a problem, but reality and fact, so prepare for your future and specific desires accordingly.

I don't know if they make more profit on spec homes but it is easier for them. When we bought our first new home here in 2008, they were only building and selling spec homes, BUT the choices in those homes were amazing. There were bumps and extensions and choices of views and upgrades or lack of upgrades and these things made some homes very affordable and some much more expensive. It was pretty close to customizing and the finishing touches were done by their design staff so there wasn't any uglies going on.

We paid $229 for a Camellia with back privacy that bordered on Odell center and it came with a standard refrigerator, no ice maker, no granite, no stainless steel appliances and tile and carpet and the pillars. Our next door neighbors on the same day bought a Lantana with a golf course view with linoleum and carpet, no granite, a HUGE lot for $325. It too was a spec home. We were gonna upgrade the stuff we wanted but got too busy with other stuff.

We loved it for four years and were talked out of it by posters on this forum and built our present year round home here but didn't have time for the design team and just had them build one exactly like the furnished model at the time.

We also again got the benefit of their great designers and we could see what we were getting and have again been very pleased.

I don't work for the Morses. I don't know the Morses. I am old and we have had homes built for us many times in our lives and some were custom.

This is the best experience by far.

I don't think that you should panic if you can't do a custom build. Many people are living happily in homes that Gary built. I think Jack is history.:pepper2:
This Is the House That Jack Built4http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Randolph_Caldecott_illustration2.jpg/220px-Randolph_Caldecott_illustration2.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Randolph_Caldecott_illustration2.jpg)

[Happinow]

I agree, Gracie. The only thing that should be top priority is the lot. The house you can customize as you choose. As for the finishes, I know most don't agree, but I think the basic materials used on the cabinets have come a long way. I actually like it. I don't know what it is. Its the formica type stuff? The carpet seems to have gone down hill, as the latest carpet is very cheaply manufactured. Our neighbor had it in their new home and it was the first thing to go. It is not as tightly woven as the older carpet they used. For the most part, these homes are very comfortable to live in even as a spec home. I do wonder why they are choosing to move this project along and not build custom anymore? Seems they should keep the same rules until the build out. They must have a greater plan and I'm awaiting anxiously!

[graciegirl]

I agree, Gracie. The only thing that should be top priority is the lot. The house you can customize as you choose. As for the finishes, I know most don't agree, but I think the basic materials used on the cabinets have come a long way. I actually like it. I don't know what it is. Its the formica type stuff? The carpet seems to have gone down hill, as the latest carpet is very cheaply manufactured. Our neighbor had it in their new home and it was the first thing to go. It is not as tightly woven as the older carpet they used. For the most part, these homes are very comfortable to live in even as a spec home. I do wonder why they are choosing to move this project along and not build custom anymore? Seems they should keep the same rules until the build out. They must have a greater plan and I'm awaiting anxiously!

You do realize that customizing...this stint anyway, has just been "in" for just about three years? They go in and out of allowing custom choices from buyers I think based on how much traffic they have and what their excellent work force can handle without adding new untrained workers. They move like an choreographed ballet when building a home. Amazing to watch.

I know I speak like I work for them, but I am just a very satisfied villager. That is not for you Happinow but for that girl who is always saying mean stuff.

[KathieI]

You do realize that customizing...this stint anyway, has just been "in" for just about three years? They go in and out of allowing custom choices from buyers I think based on how much traffic they have and what their excellent work force can handle without adding new untrained workers. They move like an choreographed ballet when building a home. Amazing to watch.

I know I speak like I work for them, but I am just a very satisfied villager. That is not for you Happinow but for that girl who is always saying mean stuff.

I was going to post the same thing. When we were looking, back in '07 and '08, there were no custom homes being built, they were all spec houses. I bought one and I love it to death and have been making it custom to my liking over the years. Knowing me, if I was to build custom, I would be driving those workers and designers crazy changing my mind all the time, so this way, I bought what I liked and am making it KATHIE'S house...

[gomoho]

Well now I did not know that custom was a recent happening. Guess that makes sense - when the market was down they made changes to accommodate more buyers. Yep, they are a well oiled machine. Hats off to their quick response to market conditions.

[KathieI]

As Gracie said, it goes "in" and "out" over the years. When I was looking in '08, I looked at several designer homes around Hacienda CC that were custom builds back when they were built. They were beautiful and I was so jealous that I could do that, but like I said, I'm so happy with what I bought.

[Birdie Dreamer]

.... The carpet seems to have gone down hill, as the latest carpet is very cheaply manufactured....

Having recently gone through our design meeting and getting close to our close date, I do not necessarily agree with this opinion. I think there may be several grades of carpet based on the package chosen. We were given specific product information on the carpet and my wife did the due diligence. What we are getting is a good quality carpet ( based on the reviews and data we found ). I am sure there are other grades that may not meet the same standards.

[billethkid]

a function of supply and demand.
We know from friends who have purchased spec homes here that TV did a very good job of optioning up the homes to address what most "custom" choices were in the past. For sure the have a large, detailed data base of what people have chosen over the years.

So in some respects they are doing many future buyers a favor by eliminating the customozing sessions of the past.

Speaking from experience, we customized our premier home, only to have a major expansion of lanai, bird cage, pool, etc two years after build completion.

Additionally in our premier village, I do not think there is one single home over the past 10 years that has not had some sort of remodeling/expansion.

And add to that, some that were expanded/remodeled and sold.....the new buyers, almost 100% have the house repainted, expanted/remodeled.

So in the unlikely event you don't get one exactly the configuration you want.....you can after market get it done....probably not a lot more expensive than new build.

The only aspect of spec homes, in the past, was the demand was so high TV used a lottery type system. And when your name came up and matched what you were looking for you would be called and given 24-72 hours to say yes or no.....I would not like that!!

btk

[borjo]

Back in 2004 we built a custom rancher. I suppose it cycles depending on demand.

[borjo]

Come to think of it, we were one of the last 10 to be able to build custom back in 2004 before they went all spec for a while.

[SpicyCajunPugs]

I agree with Gracie and several posters that there are many nice spec homes that would meet many people's needs, and no, I do not think they are charging more for spec homes. But the problem my husband and I saw is that most of the designers, especially on oversized lots, are being built with very expensive upgrades such as granite, tile, upgraded cabinets, etc. We also had specific wants for the color of the home, roof and interior, as well as wanting a corner cul de sac lot. We even wanted a specific model to accommodate our furnishings in the living room, which could never be changed easily from one model to another. We had very specific wants and needs based on our past experiences and desires, so for us, it would have been ridiculously expensive to remodel or tear out and replace these things to suit our color and style preferences. For us, we aren't picky or spoiled by any means, but after settling over the years and moving many times into houses that were not just right for our tastes and needs, we really needed to build ours to our desires this time. Others it is not a big deal, but I am sure there must be some that feel the same way since there seems to be some dissatisfaction with the possible ending of design and custom builds.