New Home Construction
 

We were visiting TV and looking at homes recently. I was wondering why they were still building loads of homes with vinyl siding and popcorn ceiling. Those ceilings went out of style in the 70's. All the other communities we looked at were CBS and had Textured Ceilings. Is the quality really that good or are they just trying to make a few dollars more and hope you don’t notice because you are caught up in a Disneyland frame of mind.

Re: New Home Construction
 

Several threads on here regarding The Villages and other communities and what you get for the money. If you want more house for the $$, there are several communities nearby.
If you want the golfcart lifestyle and the many many activities, you'll pay a premium at TV but get all that.

If you don't want the vinyl siding and popcorn ceilings, you can cerrtainly get that too.
Just depends on your price points and budget.

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Actually most of the new construction is not CBS but the newer style of concrete with cement finish.

Isn't that correct?

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My home just finished the end of August is concrete block and stucco with the popcorn ceilings. Hate the ceilings, but they came with the house.

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At the risk of sounding ignorant (iggorant?), what is a "popcorn ceiling"? Is this the typical ceiling in Villages homes? And if not, then what is? Thanks!

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As far as I know, there is a choice between vinyl and CBS in many of the home styles. In general, CBS costs more than vinyl on the same floorplan. Patio villas, ranches and some of the Courtyard villas and some Designers are vinyl. The Savannah villas, other designers and premiers are CBS.

As far as the ceilings go, never having had a house with popcorn ceilings before, I had no idea they went out with the 70's. I don't mind them at all, although the thought did cross my mind that if they need repair it could prove difficult to hide any work.

I don't know anyone who bought in TV without doing a reasonable amount of analysis. They are not buying a bobble-head Mickey to put on their shelf at home, so I think your insinuation that we (the folks who've already shelled out lots of money to own in TV) did so while we were in some euphoric "Disney state of mind" is inappropriate to say the least.

I bought into the lifestyle, and knew all along that I could get a house somewhere else for less (or somewhere else for more). Maybe I did pay some premium for getting a house in TV over another location in Central FL. I certainly could have bought something in the woods near Oklawaha for less. And on the beach in Naples? Probably would have cost a nickle or two more. But I did so happily, as I don't know of anywhere else like TV. Popcorn ceilings and vinyl siding aside, isn't real estate all about Location, Location, Location?

Maybe you'd be happier in another retirement community where you didn't feel like you are being ripped off?

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Steve, its great that you were a good consumer, and well educated before your bought. But I've run into people who do get caught up by the sales pitch or "Disneyland frame of mind" as it were, and almost blindly make a purchase without thinking about the consequences or other options available to them.

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POPCORN.. Cheaper and does not require any craftsmanship

Vinyl - Cheap and fast construction..BUT has r11 in the walls CBS = R5 insulation

Stoncrest and Del Webb Spruce creek have mostly CBS or Frame Stucco homes.. much nicer to the eye......... All Ceilings are finished too.

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I loved my stucco courtyard villa and now I love my vinyl ranch home---I just plain LOVE The Villages no matter which kind of house I live in.

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Donna Lee Amen ! :hot: :hot:

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Donna

And you are one of the reasons TV is able to build these inexpensive homes with popcorn ceilings. Remember you are caught up in the(Disneyland frame of mind)

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(Disneyland frame of mind)
No Disney World frame of mind. I don't really think much of Disneyland. I love it!!!!!!!!

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I love my new vinyl home.
I will admit I would have prefered CSB but I could not find the house I wanted in CSB in my price range. So, I compromised and now I have a home that is similar to the old florida cottage style. Perfect!! :#1:

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Steve,
You said it very well. Yes, you CAN live in a retirement community for less, but what have you got? A nice house on ONE golf course and ONE resturant with minimal animities.

When me move to TV ( and we are as soon as this house sells), I don't plan on being home that much anyway--way too much to see and do!

Popcorn ceillings can be removed if its that much of a bother.

As for the Disneyland (World) concept--if this is how you see TV and think those who are there "bought" into it, maybe this isn't the place for some folks. Everyone I have met on this site seems very intellegent and researched their options well and make the Right choice FOR THEM. I feel I've worked hard and now is the time to play, so I'm with them (or soon will be)

I'll get off the soap box now.

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It seems like some folks are just trolling out here, spoiling for a fight. I'm with you Peggy, the choice is personal, and I've made mine. If TV doesn't have the things you want, or it's priced wrong, or you resent the feeling that the place is like an adult Disneyworld, go someplace else!

:bigthumbsup:

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;D


Steve;
Amen. Could not have said it better. The trolls are out.

Tony

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Am I missing something? I just don't get the comment about "trolling ". I agree that all of us in these forums have obviously done our homework, and are asking the right questions. But I remember, a year or so ago, talking to a couple who had never been to The Villages, came on the Lifestyle Preveiw, got caught up in the "sales pitch", and bought a designer home. They were laughing about, wondering how they did such a thing, but so far they were happy with the decision. I think its like condo buying - lots of people buy those without doing any research, etc. Not something I'd do, but those people are out there. No need to get offended about Disney world remarks - to some people this is Disney world and they like it! Hopefully these forums are a place where we can all express our different opinions. :)

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Oops, I meant to say condo time shares, not condo buying..... :)

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Along with my vinyl and popcorn I got ........... ;D

golf courses (that's plural)

swimming pools ( plural again...)

recreation centers ( my choice again)

free nightly entertainment

2 but soon to be 3 town centers

even a couple of playgrounds!!!!!!

Need I go on? ::) ::)

Re: New Home Construction
 

My point exactly. Where else has as much as TV has to offer. We've looked, nothing comes close. If there are such other places, don't keep it a secret.

Even here in lil' Delaware, there are people, when you mention TV, they say they wouln't want to live there.

"To each their own".

::)

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Pop corn will some day come lose and begin to seperate from the dry wall if knock down as they call it is done right is drywall compound and becomes part of the cieling much less chance of falling off. Concrete block is more sound proof and has a better thermal resistantance even though your R rating may be lower.

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May be but in my life life time ? NOT !

Steve

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I’ve built homes for a living and from a professional standpoint many of the homes in TV are not build well. For those that think different where was there quality control when over 1,000 home had the siding put on wrong. Yes 1,000. I would play it safe, if your 1-year Warranty isn’t up hire an inspector to take a look, and then call TV for repairs while the home is still covered. As for those popcorn ceiling I won’t even go there.

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Just had to comment, I don't live in TV yet, about 4 more years. But I live in Deltona, ( 60 miles east) in a 30 year old home with popcorn ceilings. Yes it is 70's, but they haven't fallen down yet.(but they do need painting again) And yes I have vinyl siding, without any problems. And about 4 years ago I put vinyl on my sons home to cover up the rotted semiwood (t111). I don't see why vinyl and popcorn would be a problem.

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gowens1

Many of the popcorn ceilings from the 70's have asbestos in them, could be a big problem come time to sell.

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I would definitely test for the asbestos. We had the same problem in my last house. I wanted to remove it and we had a bit tested and came back positive. Ended up painting over it and calling it a day. Downside was we had to then give that info when we sold the house and it hurt us a lot and lost many potential buyers....

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If interested you can purchase a test kit on amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Lab-Inc-As.../dp/B000DZDSII

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I have noticed even the $125,000 Villas now have Hand Trowelled Ceilings instead of that out dated pop corn stuff. I guess as soon as the market slowed they had to give buyers a little more.

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Popcorn ceilings do a great job of hiding the seams and imperfections from showing with the shadows and stuff and thats it. Many homes just showing flat ceilings can easily show the taped seams and joint compound if not done correctly.

My preference on the ceilings/walls is a process they do in Arizona thats done what I heard is called a wet trowel. It is flat compound that has different designs coming off the trowel and drys on top of the drywall. Painted it comes up very nice and the corners of walls are rounded not squared and easier to maintain without having those constant specs of square edges with compound and paint chips showing up every time you knock something into the edge.

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To be honest when we were in TV visiting and house hunting I was having too much fun to worry about siding and ceilings that much. We're not likely to go for vinyl siding as I'm not keen on it and much prefer CBS in addition I'm not convinced of the sturdiness of vinyl in the face of high winds but if it were a choice between living in TV or not well I'll suck it up and live with vinyl. Popcorn ceilings, YUCK but again it's the lifestyle I'm buying so again I'd have to say I'd put up with them. As a result of that unless we find the perfect home right away we'll rent until we find the home of our dreams, 024

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The vynal siding problem is not as bad as many people think. I would get a good inspection done before I bought a house and get it on record if there is a problem. The Villages most likely would not sell to you if you had a list of problems at closing. I believe they will take care of most problems. Remember you get more with sugar than you do with vinegar. I was in the building business for 25 years and I find the villages do a very good job.
drd

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Everybody that is interested in more info on how houses are inspected and code info should read the article in todays Sun on page C1.
drd

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I had issues with my siding up here in Duval,mostly not properly nailed space wise, some places had a nail only every 48 inches, also had to have proper channels installed which were omitted originally.
Had my builder check it and it was completely removed and reapplied correctly,had few other issues after the reinstall and those were addressed as well.
I'm completely satisfied with the actions taken and the issues as far as I'm concerned was addressed. :beer2:
I must add that several homes here were done 4 or 5 times,my neighbor behind my house was one,but they continued to work to finally get it right.

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DR, is that the same article that is in today's (12-11-07) on line edition of the Daily SUN?

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Dicky

Yes I believe it is
drd