PDA

View Full Version : DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?


darbyduff
08-18-2007, 11:44 PM
I'm looking at the new home prices and we found that the best price for the sq ft is the Villa's. (3 bdrm approx $200,000 ( block ) Inside laundry ..... I was so sure that the Jasmine (Designer) was the best for us but that price just went out of the ball park. (In March it was in our ball park) Please help out there!!!!

Any villa owners or others who have just purchased a Designer and bought around $200,000. I think the thing that we didn't like about the villas was they looked like townhomes.. No front lawns, they didn't look like "real" homes. It was a lot of homes in a small area. There was no individuality to any of them. And based on this web site - there may be a bit of a stigma to Villa owners. Give me your ideas.

Barefoot
08-19-2007, 12:03 AM
I agree that the Villa's don't have much "curb appeal". They do look "joined" like townhouses. The designers definitely look better from the street. I couldn't agree more. As a former real estate broker, I understand curb appeal. But then you don't live in the street!!

I think that the people who buy Villas do so because they are seeking a yard for their pets, plus perhaps a bit more privacy. I don't know the statistics, but I'd be willing to bet the majority of buyers of Villa's do so because of the fenced yard, which (it is my understanding), you're not allowed to have in any other model. Hey, Darbyduff, it all comes down to personal preference!

darbyduff
08-19-2007, 12:16 AM
And Barefoot.... That is really one of the considerations... Our dogs! Right now, early in the morning we open up the back door and let them run in the back yard..... doing their thing while we put the coffee on..... Then around 8:00 we put the leash's on and go for a walk.... But if we lived in a village home.... that would change... Big time. I think that's why I'm trying to talk myself into a Villa. And I'm sorry to all you Villa owners out there BUT..............They don't look cool at all! (i am soooo sorry... forgive me)

(Thank you Barefoot for stating the obvious!!!)

Barefoot
08-19-2007, 12:38 AM
Darbyduff, you need to get some sleep!!

You are right that Villa's don't look cool. I couldn't agree more, and my husband had the same problem with "no curb appeal".
We bought a villa for our two furry boys.

Think of this, you get up in the morning, make coffee, in your pj's. Wander out to the patio, with your dogs. What a great thing, to be able to enjoy your back yard with your pets, in your pjs's, no worry about other neighbours that may not enjoy your doggies.
You can also sunbathe nude (yeh, right).

Good luck with your decision, I'm sure your intuition will guide you.

villagerjudy
08-19-2007, 05:14 AM
All Villa neighborhoods are different so to the "Great Neighborhood Villas" I apologize. We had a villa first. Actually loved the house since it was a Model and decorated beautifully but......it didn't feel like the friendly village neighborhoods that we had seen. Probably 50% were rentals so we never knew who would be next door and there just seemed to be a lack of togetherness. We went looking....oh yes there is a furry friend. We found a house with almost a third of an acre back yard with a black fence behind us. We have an invisible fence and doggie doors. Love the neighborhood....have the privacy....dog safety. Keep looking and you will find the perfect place.

Avista
08-19-2007, 06:13 AM
Darbyduff, We live in a Villa and just love it. We wanted to get away from grass cutting etc. The little bit we have can be cut in 10 minutes with an electric mower. We were especially looking for a small back yard--but large enough for our dogs to exercise. As far as stigma goes--I may be naive, but I've never felt this. Our neighborhood is VERY friendly. Yes, they all look alike. That is a downside, but if you drive through the more mature areas with added landscaping, the look improves. I love the privacy. We all want something different. As for us, we only looked at Villa's. We have the Stoneybrook (block) it is the same as the Annamarie in the Vinyl siding. My house has a lot of tile--which I wanted. Our model has a kitchen nook--which we wanted. It also has a double sink in the master bath--another thing we wanted. Most of our neighbors are fulltime, some are snowbirds. We are a friendly group.

Lil Dancer
08-19-2007, 06:45 AM
We used to have a patio villa but traded for a gardenia. The villa was more private - we had a nice front porch and couldn't hear neighbors, other than the dog across the street that barked all day long. The gardenia has a lanai on the back that faces our neighbor's lanai - we dont' like that. But we still have privacy in the front of the gardenia, so that is our quiet space. The villa neighborhood we were in did have a lot of rentals, so it wasn't as close knit as our new community. But I personally hated the look of the villas - reminded me of army barracks. Even withthe landscaping, etc., I couldn't get past the look of those things. We looked at the Jasmines' as well. My concern iwth them is the lack of light in the living room. There are no side windows, jusst your lanai door, and at certain times of day they seemed very dark. Our neighbors out back have one, and that's they're main complaint. But to compensate, they spend all they're time on they're lanai. So, there are pluses and minuses. We have more room in the gardenia than the villa, and the main thing is our garage is bigger. Hated fighting space concerns in the villa. sounds like the fenced in yard is nice for pets. We don't have one so that is not an issue for us. Good luck!

Frangyomory
08-19-2007, 06:48 AM
You really need to look around at a few Villa neighborhoods. I live in Cherry Vale in Tall Trees. Almost all of us have done landscaping to beautify our front and back yards. We look more individual now that we have been here for two years and our landscaping is maturing. I will grant you that some of the Courtyard Villa streets look like the barracks in MCRD San Diego but it is up to the owner to do the landscaping and change that. Suggest you drive through Tall Trees and along Cherry Vale Villas. You will be happily surprised. Lots of landscaping, trees, flowering bushes, river rocks, etc. to make this a unique neighborhood. I am sure there are other Villa neighborhoods that have done this as well.

I love my courtyard villa and our dog, Babe, really loves her backyard. We bought a corner lot and she can meander all around the house and enjoy herself. Of course, when you landscape, you have to keep it up and that makes our block and neighborhood look really great!
:bigthumbsup:

fraurauch
08-19-2007, 11:48 AM
We bought a Jasmine and I agree, they are too dark in the living room area. We have been thinking of adding sky lights. Anyone have any ideas on contractors who do this?

togabill
08-19-2007, 12:18 PM
Wow. We have lived in a courtyard villa for the past two years. Couldn't be happier about it and would never move. Great neighbors, group activities. Good luck in your search.

darbyduff
08-19-2007, 06:56 PM
Knew I could count on all of you. What I LOVED best about the Jasmine was the eat-in kitchen but didn't think about the darkness (And that matters to me) I understand you can not put in Skylites like I have in my home in Colorado. Just a round thingie which gives you a little bit of light. Right???

At first we were thinking about putting in an invisible fence for our 2 friends BUT boy did that get lambasted on this site. You would have thought we were going to Barbecue the dogs. Everyone came out of the woodwork to tell me how bad it was for the dogs...won't even touch that subject again!!!!

Will go to Tall Trees to look at what you guys have done! Great idea. We had Villas completely crossed off our radar but are revisiting that. Thanks guys!!

kar guy
08-19-2007, 07:29 PM
D D WE WILL ALSO BE PURCHASING A VILLA. FOR ONE WE HAVE 2 DOGS AND ALSO WE WANT THE PRIVACY. WHEN WE WERE DOWN TO TV IN APRIL AND RENTED A 3 BEDROOM RANCH FOR 6 DAYS EVERY TIME WE WENT INTO THE FLORIDA ROOM EVERYONE THAT HAD A RANCH HOME AROUND US WOULD LOOK OUT THEIR WINDOW TO SEE WHAT WE WERE DOING. NOT MY IDEA OF BEING BY MYSELF. TAKE CARE THE KAR GUY. SEE YOU WHEN WE GET THERE I HOPE.

bamafan
08-19-2007, 08:21 PM
D D Why don't you try renting a villa to try the lifestyle. Everytime we visited TV we rented a different type home. Go to www.****.com and look for The Villages for owner rentals. I think that when you get to TV you and husband will find most of everything that you want in a package that you can afford. It can and will drive you crazy. So much to choose from so little time. We did not get everything, but we remained flexible. We started out wanting a Villa, a Grantham, we stayed in one and decided there were some things that we did not like. The Gardenia was our first love and everytime we looked at something else we came back to it, which is what we bought. We decided that when we went down we would just know that this was home. After looking at a lot of homes we found our Gardenia, we had been looking at Jasmines. It will work out. God has a plan, St. Joseph worked didn't he. Bama

darbyduff
08-19-2007, 10:55 PM
Hey Bama -

Long time no hear.......!!!

As silly as this sounds - Can't rent. (I guess that's not right...) Maybe what I mean is...don't want to bring everything down including dining rm, bedrm set etc and either have to put everything in storage (if the rental has furniture or certainly have to move twice. We will be down from Sept 5th to the 9th. This is our 3rd time down there and I am glued to this site and the TV site so we really don't think we'll have too much trouble. Shoot... I slept with the floor plans after the first trip down there 2 years ago. And Bama- don't you think a woman knows when you walk into a home....You just know that that house is the one your meant to have..... That woman's intuition thingy thing!!

But beware Villagers ........ Remember those dates above.....We will be the couple that is roving up and down the streets at all hours wandering around the outside of the new homes...and just down right acting very suspicious..... Don't call 911.....It's just us!!!!!!

bamafan
08-20-2007, 07:15 AM
You go Darby. We hope that you decide on Duval and we can be neighbors.

golfnut
08-20-2007, 07:25 AM
We have a Jasmine and put in a large solar tube above the kitchen sink which also lights up the dining room area. Solar tubes actually put out quite a lot of light. We also put a small one in the guest bath, what a difference. We used The Solar Guys and were very happy with their work.

bargee
08-20-2007, 08:45 AM
We have lived in a Patio Villa for the past seven years,and now I find we are stigmatized and looked down on,Wow live and learn.I didn't realize that The Villages had developed into an elitest society,what a shame.

bamafan
08-20-2007, 02:54 PM
My wife and I stayed in a Patio Villa last month in our preview visit. Wow, they were really nice. It was two bedrooms, both large. The two baths were really nice. I did not feel that anyone was looking down at me, while staying there, and I had the added stigma of being "JUST A RENTER" so it could have been really bad. You know on the golf course or at the pool no one knows where you live, all they know is you and how nice you can or cannot be.

darbyduff
08-20-2007, 06:22 PM
Bargee-

Who said you were beneath them...????? Bring em to me...!!! I'll take care of um!!!!! :verymad: :verymad:

No matter what we buy...I intend to tell everyone that I live next door to Nancy Lopez!!!!!! They don't have to know how far next door really is. I'll stick my pinkie out and they'll never know the difference!!!!! ::)

It's just to silly to comment on. Imagine at our ages being judged by our home!!! If your out there and that is your attitude...Shame on you. See if I have a party and invite you!!!!!! >:( >:(

kar guy
08-20-2007, 06:35 PM
YOU BETTER INVITE ME. I WILL BE ONE OF THOSE POOR VILLA PEOPLE ALSO. TAKE CARE THE KAR GUY

rsetterlund
08-20-2007, 07:04 PM
We are hoping that at our age we can get beyond this trivial stuff of where you live and how much you spent. Life is short and for many of us shorten than we wish. There are so many more important things. I know I have always concerned my self with the person and if I like them, not how much money they have.

Let's all live and enjoy each other's company.

Avista
08-20-2007, 07:39 PM
We are hoping that at our age we can get beyond this trivial stuff of where you live and how much you spent. Life is short and for many of us shorten than we wish. There are so many more important things. I know I have always concerned my self with the person and if I like them, not how much money they have.

Let's all live and enjoy each other's company.


A big AMEN to that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :agree: :agree: :agree:

darbyduff
08-20-2007, 11:23 PM
Hey Kar Guy and all others......Tomorrow is the appraisal....Remember, this could be sticky :dontknow:

He will be here 9:00 mdt so if you hear a loud ROAR coming from the Rocky Mt's, get the bubbly out!!!

PARTY.....PARTY....PARTY (It's 5:00 somewhere...) and hey Bama... it would be great living in Duval with you!!!!

bamafan
08-21-2007, 05:09 PM
Hey Darby D. Good Luck on the appraisal. I'm sure it will be just right. By the way can I come to the party?

darbyduff
08-21-2007, 05:52 PM
Ok Kar Guy, Bama, Karen, Donna, Nancy, and all others...

When the Appraiser left I asked him how things went and he either gave me the :bigthumbsup:, or he was picking his noise!!!!!!! The buyer was with me when he said that there were no problems so I'm taking that to the bank. I really hope I'm not disappointed because I packed over 20 boxes today just on this :bigthumbsup:!!!

We will know for sure by Thursday but I'm still saying my Novenas!!!!

Bama------ You are the party!!!!! Can't have one without you!!!!!!!

noleguy
08-21-2007, 07:51 PM
Good Luck to you Darby...no matter what you decide on when you arrive here all that matters is that you will be living in The Villages. You have arrived in heaven!!
When you drive by Amelia on Odell Circle, just give a wave.

Barefoot
08-21-2007, 09:57 PM
Fabulous news Darby .. I know how badly you want this. You will have so much fun picking out your new home in TV. We'll be arriving in late October, perhaps we can go to the dog run at the same time. Looking forward to seeing you then.

darbyduff
08-21-2007, 10:23 PM
You know what guys.... I have met just the best people anywhere..... you guys. I don't want to leave anyone out on my "I love all of you" tour, but barefoot and noleguy.....Your on the top of my list of people to invite when we party.

Of course I'm taking a big chance if I invite all of you to my party...You could all be green little toads who have nothing better to do than to either land in cement or come up in the am in Jan's toilet......Oh heck....I think I'll take my chances :joke: :joke: :joke:

islandgal
08-22-2007, 04:35 AM
I have a Courtyard Villa and I love it - complete privacy and a large high walled-in backyard. I only close my shades on the one window that faces the street.
I don't think I would like to be looking into other houses on all sides. However, there are some downsides. You never know what is going on on the street side so it is not as easy to meet your neighbors as in other areas. The privacy for me is worth it.

darbyduff
08-22-2007, 07:35 PM
Thanks for your stories!!! They really help. Only thing to do now is get down there and visit the Villas. We did go into one the first time we were there. An older courtyard one by Spanish Springs that we were not impressed with! This maybe very different...We'll see...Thank you all!!!

darbyduff
08-22-2007, 09:00 PM
Hey Oshunluva!!

Great news for you!!!!! Your prayers have been answered!!! :#1: :#1:

Keep posting so I can follow you progress! We will indeed party together!!!

LindaManson
08-22-2007, 09:19 PM
Good Luck to you Darby...no matter what you decide on when you arrive here all that matters is that you will be living in The Villages.* You have arrived in heaven!!*
When you drive by Amelia on Odell Circle, just give a wave.


I agree whole heartedly!!!* :joke: I hear people complain about restrictions, But they are nothing I can't deal with.* We looked at the Villages for over One year before we actually moved and we Love it, Love it, Love it!!!!!!* We stayed for 3 months in a 3 bedroom courtyard, but bought a ranch home in DUVALL (YEA!!!) with a double garage and a golf cart garage.* Villas only had a car and 1/2 and I couldn't deal with that.* Duvall folks are really great and with most of us being newbies, it is nice not to have to break into an established neighborhood.* Lots of Great neighbors and we will be in the middle when the new Brownwood Town Center is built in the future.* Ya know..Someone has to live in Paradise and it might as well be all of us!* Welcome home and I know you will* love which every style and floorplan you pick.* Just remember, life is wonderful outside the home too!! It is always a Great Day in The Villages!! WELCOME!!

kar guy
08-23-2007, 09:02 AM
DD. WE WILL BE DOWN SUNDAY 9-16-07 TO RENT A COURTYARD 2/2 TILL WE FIND OUR NEW HOME. WE WILL BE LOOKING ALL OVER THE PLACE FOR THAT PERFECT VILLA. IF I AM IN YOUR TIME SCHEDULE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME. KAR GUY.

darbyduff
08-23-2007, 02:20 PM
Kar Guy -

When we go down Sept. 5th to purchase, we will be there only until the 9th. I'm sure we will find the right home in that time frame. Then we drive down 1 step ahead of the movers the end of September. I should have an address etc when we get home on the 9th. I will certainly make sure you have our address, phone number (we are getting cell phones (yeh, I know..We are the very last who don't have them yet) for the trip down. We will hook up no doubt about it!!!! Oh and Kar Guy....You and your wife can bring over a bottle of wine or a six pack and help us open boxes!!! :joke: :joke: (Oh come on, that sounds like fun, doesn't it!!!!) :bigthumbsup:

Don't laugh Bama, Donna, Karen, Nancy etc.....your invited too!!!! :beer2:

bamafan
08-23-2007, 05:00 PM
DD Better hold the beer, wine, and champagne in reserve until all boxes are unpacked. Would love to help you. I too will be down with a truck load (1 of 2 ) around Sept 24th, will be there for the week. :beer3: :beer2:

LTM: My home is in Duval on Day Lily Run, Does Duval have any type of website? When we were searching for a home we went by the pool and saw something on the bulletin board for the village of duval. Dumb me did not write it down, then a senior moment kicked in and I forgot the site. Is there something, directory, happenings, social gatherings.. Thanks :hot:

villages07
08-23-2007, 05:41 PM
Hey Bama buddy....

Here's your neighborhood website:

http://villageofduval.googlepages.com/

Happy surfing!!!

Your Sabal Chase Pool Pal

bamafan
08-23-2007, 08:34 PM
Hey 07 Thats the site thanks. I sent you an email the other day about grass mowing. Did you get it? Everything is going great. This time next week all is closed and we become an official villagers. Can't wait.

golfnut
08-23-2007, 08:43 PM
Bama, then you will be Village People!

darbyduff
08-23-2007, 11:55 PM
Oh VillageNut.... I want to be a Village People tooo. Can I ....pretty please???? :joke:

Seriously- Wouldn't it be fun to all get together. What ever happened to Jan's idea??? Let's try to get this going! A party... Maybe at Katie Belle's or one of the Squares!!!

rsetterlund
08-27-2007, 11:52 AM
Okay, I am a little confussed. I have been looking at MLS listings on the internet. I found some villas that appeared to not have the privacy fence and then I found what looked like ranches with the fence. What is what? I thought the villas were the only houses that had a private backyard and that all villas had private backyards?

Can someone please explain this?

kar guy
08-27-2007, 12:08 PM
DD... KEEP IN MIND THAT WE ARE FIRST "VILLA" PEOPLE. NEXT WE ARE "VILLAGE" PEOPLE. WHICH MAKES US THE "VILLAGE VILLA" PEOPLE. ANYWAY, YOU GET MY DRIFT.. KAR GUY

golfnut
08-27-2007, 01:21 PM
Patio villas do not have the privacy fences.

eujaynia
08-27-2007, 03:19 PM
Oh, I see a new band forming, here! LOL Maybe everyone can dress up for whatever the profession was/is. I think my 'geek' costume wouldn't be too hard to come up with. hehehe ::)

Ya'll are a hoot!

LG
08-27-2007, 03:28 PM
Okay, I am a little confussed. I have been looking at MLS listings on the internet. I found some villas that appeared to not have the privacy fence and then I found what looked like ranches with the fence. What is what? I thought the villas were the only houses that had a private backyard and that all villas had private backyards?

Can someone please explain this?


WHAT YOU SAW ARE cOURTYARD vILLAS AND THEY DO HAVE A FENCE AROUND THEM OR A PARTIAL FENCE AND GOLF COURSE VIEW

Barefoot
08-27-2007, 06:02 PM
Okay, I am a little confussed. I have been looking at MLS listings on the internet. I found some villas that appeared to not have the privacy fence and then I found what looked like ranches with the fence. What is what? I thought the villas were the only houses that had a private backyard and that all villas had private backyards?

Can someone please explain this?


I can understand your confusion. :dontknow:
Patio Villas have white picket fences in front of them. They don't have a fenced backyard.
Courtyard Villas have an enclosed courtyard as their side/back lawn. They come in both frame and stucco. As LG pointed out, some CVs have a partial fence if they have a Preserve or Golf View.
Any dwelling, Ranch and Patio Villa included, could possibly have a fence in back if it happens to back on a Courtyard Villa .. you would be backing to their fence. (But no fence down the sides).

Yes, I do understand your confusion!! Once you've looked at 132 listings (as probably most of us have), you'll see the difference. Good luck! ;D

darbyduff
08-27-2007, 06:48 PM
Hey Kar Guy and all others in the band!

(Hand's over the head) and to the tune Y M C A

V I L L A.......................

Ok... Y'all get the idea. (there I go speaking southern again!!)

Just heard from our Realtor .. He is 99.9% sure that by this Thursday at 3:00, We will be homeless!!!!!
(We will be passing the hat in the Squares!!!)

All the i's haven't been dotted yet but it looks like my packing 42 boxes (at last count) was not in vain! Believe me, at 3:30 MDT you will a yell that will register a 5.7 on the Richter scale!!!!

Now all that's left is to find the place to hold the party down in TV.........

Hey Kar Guy... Can a Villa hold all our boxes?????

HEHAW!!!

Barefoot
08-27-2007, 08:47 PM
DarbyD ... Great news, I've never been so happy to see someone homeless. Good luck with finding the perfect Villa!

ripwho
08-27-2007, 09:33 PM
DD - I'll keep my fingers crossed too that your closing is a piece of cake! I'll be interested in your villa search. I was pretty sure I wanted to go ranch but this villa talk is interesting... I wasnt too sure about the models - all my VLS agent showed me were pretty much the same (very much contiguous rooms (although I did like the lanai accesible by LR and MBR in the model I saw.. any model advice? (ps - Only 42 boxes? That's not bad... I had a working colleague of mine that relocated up from LI to Western NY when we did.. he had 309 boxes...)

bogart
08-27-2007, 10:29 PM
Hey, Darby

Give me a shout (V I L L A to the tune of Y M C A) Thursday at 3:01 pm. I'll be on the front porch in Louisville, CO and I'm sure I'll be able to hear you all the way from Aurora 'cause you will be so HAPPY! :hot:

Since you've been studying The Villages properties along with many others on this site, perhaps you or someone can explain the difference between volume, vaulted, hand trowelled, knockdown and cathedral ceilings? When we purchased our villa last February, we definitely wanted high ceilings ----- I think we bought a vaulted ceiling but now I'm wondering :dontknow: Guess it really doesn't matter --- I'm sure we'll enjoy our little villa with the _____________ ceiling when we stay for the first time in our very own place in October.

By the way, Darby, if you need a golf cart to drive during your stay, let me know as ours is sitting in our garage needing a good charge. It might help make your decision on gas vs electric easier if you can drive an electric one around. If you end up in Hadley, it's important to be able to travel the distances without pushing.

kar guy
08-28-2007, 08:27 AM
DD..... MAKE SURE YOU LET US ALL KNOW WHERE YOU END UP. WHICH VILLA, WHICH DESIGN AND WHICH VILLAGE. AS I MENTIONED WE WILL BE IN THE 16TH OF SEPT. AND BY THEN YOU WILL HAVE BOUGHT(LUCKY YOU). WOULD THAT BE A TRIP IF WE ENDED UP NEIGHBORS? KEEP US INFORMED ON YOUR PROGRESS. WE HAVE ALREADY PACKED 223 BOXES OF ____ TO BRING DOWN IN OUR PODS. TAKE CARE.. KAR GUY.

marygalexa
08-28-2007, 04:30 PM
Gee - I am so glad we all like different things - what a boring place if we all liked the same things. We don't have a pet so that wasn't my motivation when we bought a 3 bedroom courtyard villa. It was PRIVACY! I'm a social person most of the time but when I'm in the mood I love to be able to shut the door and lock the world out. In our villa backyard I can sit outside in my "jammies" drink my morning coffee and not worry about grossing anybody out. When our villa was being rebuilt after the tornado damage last winter, we rented a designer home and every time I sat down on the lanai with friends I felt like I had to whisper or I'd bother the neighbor.

Yes, the garage is small and there is not a lot of room to save stuff but I'm too busy having fun to clean a bigger place and keeping the space down helps me monitor my urge to "collect" everything I don't need!

As for friendliness - maybe it is because we survived the tornado together -but even though several are snowbirds - our villa neighbors are better than family. I have never lived in a friendlier or nicer community. I love living in the Villages but the best thing about living here for me is the wonderful relationships I have with my villa neighbors!

I guess we each have to weigh what is most important and then pick the ones that are highest on your priority list! The great thing is - no matter where in the Villages - it's a great place to live!

kar guy
08-28-2007, 04:40 PM
MARYGALEXA, THAT WAS ONE GREAT REPLY. YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU SAID. I BELIEVE YOUR FEELINGS HIT MOST OF US THAT WANT TO BE OR ARE ALREADY IN TV. THANKS ALOT THE KAR GUY

bamafan
08-28-2007, 05:05 PM
Hey D D You are becoming quite the Southern Lady. I'm so glad that everything is going so smoooooth for you all (southern slang). I am suprised that you have so few boxes I thought I was going to need a box cutter to help you unpack. I will be listening for your yell here in Birmingham as I too will be making some noise or doing a jig. Thursday is our day. We become official VILLAGE PEOPLE and homeowners once again. :hot: :2excited:


Bogart: Is your cart electric? If so would you buy elcetric or gas if you had it to do over? I really like the quiet of electric, but am concerned about the distances travelled.

coach
08-28-2007, 05:37 PM
Re the Gas or Electric cart:
My wife & I have one of each. We bought a 4 passenger gas Yamaha first and later an electric two passenger. We almost always ride in the electric because it is so quiet and has no fumes. Our gas model is a 2000 and we have been told than newer ones don't smell as bad, but ours does. We live in Tall Trees and go everywhere all day long on a battery charge. Like someone said earlier, if you charge it at night it has a full charge every morning and it has never run out of power. I will add that running lights at night pulls a great deal of battery life but not enough to worry me.

Buggies Unlimited has great accessories for your cart. One must Have is a propane heater for winter. Some nights get cold when you head out to the square.

I enjoy everyones post. Keep it up.

Coach

darbyduff
08-28-2007, 06:12 PM
Hey Guys! HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! (Sorry, I had to shout to be heard by all of you!!)

42 boxes was just the start!!!!!!!!!! Today I would say we're entering the 60 zone!!!! Bama...... we will need those box cutters (aren't you sweet......!!!) Hey you heard her guys........she said she would help me unpack!!!!!!!! :clap2: :2cool:

309 boxes???? HOLEY :edit: :edit:!!!!!

Kar Guy - Wouldn't it be keen, jelly bean if we did live ANYWHERE near each other??? Of course with the rest of you...let's see... Bama, Bamafan, Az2fla,Bogart,ripwho,barefoot,golf nut,coach,eujaynia,villages 07..... I can't wait to meet all of you!!!!!

For all of you that already livin the good life. My husband and I will be staying at the Cottages at Lake Sumpter Landing from Sept 5th - Sept 9th. I'm certain we will be be bopping in the Square Sept 5th, or 6th (at least) I'd love to meet some of you. Who's up for that??????? Say around 6:00???

bogart
08-28-2007, 06:31 PM
Hi, Bama ---

We purchased a courtyard villa in Winifred right before we left to return to Colorado the end of Feb so we've never lived in it. Originally, we were ready to close on a villa that was destroyed by the tornado so we had to hustle to find another place before we left.

We purchased a turnkey villa with electric cart (our first villa was turnkey with a gas cart) but have not used it yet. We were excited about getting the gas cart but then had to shift to an electric and I think we will like it as well or better. We'll know more when we return Oct 19th and live in our own villa for the first time.................counting the days :2excited:

bamafan
08-28-2007, 06:46 PM
Bogart, Let me know how you like the electric. I drove a new Yamaha The Drive gas model and it was like driving my car. It rode great and was rather quiet, however I feel that after a while it may get a little noiser. The electric on the other hand is quiet, but how faaaar can you go???? We rented a gas yamaha in July and we drove it everywhere, without any worry. Thanks Bama

darbyduff
08-28-2007, 07:22 PM
We were thinking about a gas cart just because of the miles we would be able to take it with out worrying
about losing a charge and having to push it home (or something like that) I know Jan swears by his electric, others swear by their gas. We want to purchase 2 carts. (Yeah I know....and we're looking at a Villa??) We think we will be taking off in different directions at times and don't want to take the car. (Anyone else have that same situation???) I want a new cart and my husband said he would be fine with a used one. I know there was a thread here that talked about the different kinds of carts but now that we are almost ready to buy, I don't want to look for it. (I'm lazy right now)

The other reason for the gas cart is the cost of a new battery my husband says he will have to buy every two years ......

Bogart - I think we would love to take you up on your offer while we're down there!!!! Bogart - I don't care what Kar Guy says about you....YOU ROCK! :#1: :joke: We would be happy to rent it from you.......Just name your price and the who, what and wheres. If you would rather, my E-mail is:

darbyduff11@hotmail.com

villages07
08-28-2007, 07:47 PM
Hey DD.... since you were the early heart and soul of this board, I'm sure a lot of people would like to meet you when you're down. Pick a day and a time (in the evening) at a notable spot at Lake Sumter Landing (in front of the sales center, at Urban Flats, etc) and see who shows up. I will try to make it.

You'll like the cottages .... they are very spacious and a great location. Enjoy.

Villages07

Barefoot
08-28-2007, 10:56 PM
DD, we stayed at a cottage, very plush, we loved our Preview in March! We had a great complimentary dinner at Katie Belles. I'll be able to hear all you guys rocking on in September up here in Canada!! I'm jealous. We arrive at the end of October and by then DD will have bought her perfect Villa and be moving in and will be having a fab Housewarming Party! So we'll get to meet everyone then. Looking forward to it!

darbyduff
08-28-2007, 11:35 PM
OK...I'm afraid we will all get buried in this thread so I will start a new one regarding our tete-a-tate in the Square!!!!