Building in Village of Citrus Grove
 

I am looking to move to T.V. Currently, new sales are in Citrus Grove. I just put a deposit on a lot on danielson loop behind a retention pond in line with hole number 3 on the southern oaks golf course. After placing the deposit, I noticed that there was a light green area on the map which indicates non village property. It is located a little below hole number 5 on the golf course. I asked my salesman what will be put there. He keeps saying he is looking into it. Within two days, I must wire transfer my next check to him. I am concerned. I watched a drone video and it looks like the green area will be a power station. It seems to be about 1/4 mile away from my location on Danielson on loop. How dangerous is that. Will there be high towers which will be seen from my location? Also, wondering if I will hear noise from the tpke. And the new ezell rec center, something I did not see originally. If I cancel now, I would only lose $2500 versus $10,000. Please help!

OP we were down day before they went public. We walked all the sites that were on the course. Only a few you could hear a low drone from the turnpike. Except for the 2 unsold pie shape that backs to road, and the two lots that have what looks like a path between houses, we didn’t find anything about the lots we didn’t like. The views are great of the course, and sawgrass is just down the street. At this time there are only 5 lots not sold.
I didn’t notice the green space you are speaking of. Your rep should be able to go to your lot and zoom with you, as he walks the lot.
If your rep can’t answer, not sure if you can get an answer higher up.

Personally, I would run, not walk away from that deal. First of all, your realtor should have advised you by now for what purpose that property is designated or who owns it. It’s not brain surgery and if we have learned anything in our long lives it is not to buy next to or near vacant property. Who knows, maybe it will be a dog park! :MOJE_whot:

All he has to do is drive down there and look at it. We rode our bikes thru there on Sunday. The open space has some kind of nasty looking electric transformers or something like that, but nothing tall. They are planning to build houses very close to it. I don't think it would affect your new house on Danielson.


We rode our bikes along Danielson. The views of the new course are beautiful but some houses may be hit by wayward golf shots from hole #7. Yes, you will hear noise from the turnpike.

We will probably ride our bikes out there on Sunday so we can take some pictures and send them to you if you can describe exactly where your lot is.


In April 2016, we put down $10K to reserve a lot. When we got here in May, we had the option of changing to a different lot or using the money to buy an existing new home, commonly called a 'spec' home. We kept the lot we had reserved, saw a designer on July 9th to finalize our plans for a new house, and moved into the new house Oct 1.

At least that is how things worked five years ago.

I would find a person who knows how to use a Drone with a camera.

All the new areas I have seen have hidden underground power lines. Ours does too, it is ten years old and our first home here had hidden power lines fifteen years ago.

I would not be afraid of being hoodwinked. The sales reps can sell as many homes as they have time for. They don't have to slip one by anybody.

Any homes near it you can find on Trulia or Realtor.com and see images?

I think that’s a reach, Graciegirl, not to be diligent in your research because you wouldn’t be “hoodwinked”. We’ve both been here long enough to remember the stories of the train noise, sewer station aromas and retention ponds that are allowed to go back to nature and none of the future owners were advised of these issues prior to purchasing.

There is no "perfect" lot, all have compromises depending on your preferences.

The average Villager moves 3 times. The way prices are increasing, the financial risk is low if you find a location you like better 1+ year from now.

land in question belongs to Florida Power,

The utilities can do mostly what ever they want on their easements.

SECO recently added power distribution poles/lines after homes were sold in Chitty Chatty.

A large gasline clean out station is being built near the turnpike at Monarch Grove after homes were sold.

So there is risk if the area in question becomes a power distribution facility.

Also, consider whether or not you want to be on a golf course. 7 days a week, 365 from 7AM to 3 or 4PM, you will have people in your back yard. Make sure you are at a location “in between” 2 shots (i.e. not where a typical drive might land)

Train noise you say? Retention ponds going back to nature? Sewer station aromas.

Boy Howdy. I remember them. Folks back then had eyes, ears, and noses too. Wonder how Jan likes Plant City?

The new areas south of 44 have huge A frame power lines, front and center.Its difficult to find a new home without some sort of power line in plain view, trust me, we have been looking. But some people don't seem to mind them, we do.

Amazing that people pay huge amounts for lots and do not pay much attention to their surroundings when doing so.

Why would anyone want to build near an Interstate or huge power lines?

Would definitely pay more for a better location.

Citrus Grove
 

It appears that the back of your house (lanai) will face the Turnpike based on the description of your location. The Turnpike is on the opposite side of the golf course and you will definitely hear Turnpike noise. Your lot may have a pretty view of the golf course but the constant noise from the Turnpike would be a deal breaker for us.

We chose Bradford because it was far enough away from the turnpike that at least so far we've never heard it even late at night when things are quiet. We also weren't keen on power lines which we also avoided in Bradford. We're not on a pond, but otherwise the perfect spot for us.

The lot is not on the golf course. It’s in the middle of Danielson with the back of lot facing a retention pond. The cross street is near james street. At the end of Danielson I’d the golf course.

Building in village of citrus grove
 

The lot is not on the golf course. It’s in the middle of Danielson and at the middle of pond with the back of lot facing a retention pond. The cross street is near james street. At the end of Danielson, is the golf course. The only lots available large enough to hold a three car garage, with a view, not on a corner, or near electrical towers, we’re in citrus grove. We’ve been looking since October. There was Always an issue, such as towers in back yard, cart path practically in the back yard, kissing lanais, too close to rec centers, etc.

There are hundreds if not thousands of homes down here that do not have a view of a power line. Look a little harder they are all over the place. Start with Fenney, the most populous of all villages and the only power lines are on 468 which only a hand full of the hundreds of homes here can see, same goes for DeSoto and most of McClure, on the other side of the Turnpike there are Bradford, Hawkins, and parts of St. Catherine, the south side of Linden and West side of Monarch Grove also come to mind.

You should be ready to hear turnpike noise and watch the traffic.

salespeople have a way of avoiding questions that will impact sales. Take Coleman prison for instance. I asked salespeople about the rumor of a prison near Fenney and I was told....what prison? I don't know anything about a prison. And there was the quarry that no one mentioned....blasting constantly. Buyer Beware!!

The poles were swapped with newer, more capable poles. There were none “added.”

Don’t rely on your salesman. The Villages consistently takes the position that researching the ownership, zoning and potential use of private property abutting The Villages is the responsibility of the prospective home owner. You’d better crank up your own research on your question.

Buyer beware if you are buying undeveloped lots.

I think that is a very good lot.

When we rode by there on Sunday, we saw another couple in a golf cart driving over that lot, so people are sure out there looking around.

The retention pond is a little odd because it appears to be divided by a strip of dirt in the middle. We thought that was only temporary and would be removed, but it looked like there were shrubs being planted in the dirt area.

If we go out there tomorrow, we will look at it more carefully and take a picture.

4 car garage
 

We have been looking for a while now. First for a spec home. Then for lots. The big problem for us is finding a lot/home with a 3 or 4 car garage or a lot that will hold that size garage. We don’t want a corner lot, or a kissing lanai, and we want a view. Very tough combination to find. We liked Hawkins and fenney but we just missed the boat on fenney. Lots were mostly sold when we first came down to look. At the time Hawkins was available we were still look for spec homes. Now that we realized we have to build, citrus grove is the only area in the near future, with lots large enough to hold a 3 or 4 car garage.

Do yourself a favor, and visit your lot at night to experience the noise from the turnpike. You will find the noise is much more noticeable at night, when other ambient daytime noises are not present. In particular, stand in the area where your lanai will be. It would be a shame to feel like you couldn't sit on your lanai at night if the noise is too bothersome. Also, you should be able to transfer your deposit to another lot if you change your mind.

That is so nice of you to offer. How would you send me pics. My lot is at the middle of Danielson, near the cross street of James road. the back of lot faces the retention pond. I am worried sick about this. The $10k is due on Tuesday. I’m worried about noise from sawgrass, noise from the highway, and potential power lines at the new power substation below hole 5 on the golf course., which I didn’t know about when we picked the lot). This is all so new to me. First time I’m buying my own home. I didn’t realize I could look at the surrounding areas on a map on t.v. Website. Just recently discovered that. I’m a real rube.

sinkholes
 

You should get a H O insurance quote , and ask about a separate policy for sinkhole insurance. I know for a fact that retention ponds are susceptible to spontaneously draining, Sinkhole insurance is not available in many sections of the Villages because of this. Also the Developer will not fix a sinkhole even tho the sales tour will imply the that he will.

I did a simple Google search for "The Villages, FLorida" then oriented the map and zoomed in on the Citrus Grove location. Just East of the WVLG radio tower (end of Albatross) is a little marker that says, "Southern Oaks Substation."

Hope whatever you decide is good for you & yours.

Not if you want a 3 car garage, view site, and room for a pool. We have been looking for a year for those two items, so far 3 homes came on the market, 2 with marvelous power lines out you back door.

We’ve been in that area twice in the last week and I’m familiar with the location of your lot - I think your fears are probably unfounded.

You’re nowhere near close enough to Sawgrass to hear significant noise from there, plus when build-out is complete in that area I think there will be a lot of homes between you and noise from Sawgrass.

There is a large existing electrical substation southeast of hole 5 and Merhottein Loop but it is a long way from your lot and you will not be able to see it from anywhere on your lot.

Re: turnpike noise - I spent some time yesterday on lot 39 at the western end of Danielson next to the tee boxes for hole 8. From that lot there are a few gaps in the golf course and berm where you can see vehicles on the turnpike. I didn’t think the noise was a problem and it probably won’t be noticeable at all indoors - but the caveat has to be that every person has their own sensitivity (or lack of) to noises. With your lot being further away and the outside rear facing NNW, I don’t think it will be an issue, but that’s just my $0.02.

Good luck and be happy with whatever you decide.

A number of us enjoy walking our dogs on the shady paths under the trees in the grove of laurel oaks and cedars that surrounds a rather large transformer station. This is right next to the dog park with the brand new pavilion. (You can see at the left of the photo below the white pavilion on the map, with the small yard for smaller dogs and the big yard for big dogs off leash.) I can hear the hum of the transformers while am on those paths, but I can’t hear it on the other side of the trees. A quarter mile distance should not be a problem. Freeway noise can carry a lot farther. You should go listen. At least, from a quarter mile away, you shouldn’t hear it inside with the windows closed.

I live on the 14th fairway at Tierra del Sol, and the cart path is within thirty feet of my property line. It hasn’t been a problem. The carts on the cart path make no more noise than the carts going by on the street, and those aren’t a problem.

Due Dilligents
 

I honestly don't understand how anyone would or should purchase a home site without a
total investigation. Example, the purchase of a home should include at least 3 visits of some length of time. The potential home should be investigated at night for noises and security, during the day for noises, surroundings, nearness to stores, banks, etc., Also prices as related to prices of homes in the area and many many other things. When we decided to buy in the The Villages we rented for a month just to get the lay of the land, we then rented the next year for 2 months to determine the best location. We then watched the real estate sales and which made the best sense, a new or pre owned. After this we picked out a location and waited for a home in that area to come up for sale. One did which we really liked and it was then that we locked up a sale. That was about 13-14 years ago and we could not be happier with the choice. It is perfected located and the value was better than we guessed. Net: Buying a home is a major investment and deserves many months of planning, studying and investigating before any decision. In my opinion I would forfeit the $2,500 and start over. :ho:

I agree, if there is at least a street or 2 homes between you and road noise, the sound is substantially reduced.

There are very few totally "quiet" lots in the Villages, or anywhere populated.

Look at Google Maps... there is something called Southern Oaks Substation on it. You seem to be far enough away that it won't affect you. Also, you can switch your money to another lot, so you don't lose your money unless you back away from The Villages altogether. At least that is what we were told earlier this year. As for turnpike noise, did you not go to the lot personally?

Baloney. Noise from roadways travel hundreds of feet and a couple of houses will not mitigate it. I used to be on a planning board when issues like this came up in developments. You would need hundreds of feet of thick evergreen trees to make any mitigation noticeable and the turnpike is 24/7. Remember, the developer does not seem to have a problem selling but that does not mean you will not have a problem on a resale.

You definitely have to be on your game around here when searching for a lot. We almost bought in Hawkins in October but the lot just wasn’t perfect and after returning home our agent found our perfect lot in St Catherine - preserve view, room for a pool, no power lines. We are grateful that he was able to get it at the exact moment it went on sale. The Villages has so much land that my personal opinion is that if you aren’t 100% certain, you should wait. We are so glad we did. If you aren’t confident in your agent, find a new one. Good luck!

All of us who moved here from another area felt sick about things at some point.

Like I said in an earlier post, we also put down $10K in advance to reserve a lot. We were told we could either keep that lot, change to a different lot, or use the money to buy a spec home.

To be honest, if you really need a 3 or 4 car garage, maybe you need to throw some stuff out. Possessions can get in the way of you enjoying your life. Either you throw it out or your kids will throw it out.

We will try to post pictures tomorrow.

Golfgal. Let me put your mind at ease having gone through the same experience over the past 18 months. I tracked houses and lots from January 2019 deciding on an area in Marsh Bend which was to be released during the year. We booked a lifestyle in January 2019 and flights at the end of October 2019. The lots came and went and when we got out to see the land there were only a few left. We weren't 100% sure but put down our $2,500..on a $250k premium LOT. We returned to the UK and put down the balancing $10k a week later. HERES THE THING - YOU CAN change your lot once for free (double check this still applies). We knew we had 90 days to complete designs (check the timing) and that there would be other locations coming available in the coming months. We flew out in March 2020 and went from MCO straight to our lot - the surrounding area had built up and we realised we had made a monumental mistake!!!!

DeLuna had sites, one in particular was fabulous, and Chitty Chatty had just been released - and was pretty much sold out. We decided to change lots to one costing $170k in Chitty Chatty.

Our home got built, Covid struck, the borders were closed and a year later we have as yet to be allowed into the USA to actually see our completed home. We decided to rent it out rather than leave it empty. Have a look on Facebook to see if there is a residents group yet, and if not set one up for Citrus Grove (I did this for Chitty Chatty). The group now has over 250 neighbours registered and they have organised events and parties (check out Chitty Chatty on You Tube). I have yet to meet a single neighbour in the person - yet count them as some of my cosest friends. One mows my lawn, another is helping with my US taxes. Residents have looked out for my home

So returning to your concern. Check that you can move lots, put down your deposit and then take your time to go have a proper look at the site. Check out videos from Gold Wing Nuts, Papa Pinapple, Expoloring The Villages - all of whom have done VERY informative videos of the area. I wish you every success - feel free to PM me.

If you are that concerned it definitely would be better to pass on this lot and wait for one that doesn't have all the potential problems you have heard about and are concerned with. The Villages is always expanding and another new area will open up, probably within 6 months. You could also look at some of the already developed areas. The cost of a new bond alone would probably pay for completely renovating an existing property. While scarce there are some older homes with the amenities/features you are looking for plus you won't have to drive 10 miles to do your shopping.