Design center process starting soon and we would love some advice from you.
 

My wife and I are soon to start the design center process for a site in DeLuna. This stretch of sites has some unique new limitations on option choices. No double ovens or pot fillers and limited pool options etc. I think they are doing some new streamlined process by limiting options and stretches etc. The house is an IVY-10 now called a Warbler. There are some things we would probably have to do later after closings.

Any do's / don't or mentions you think would be good to know. Any thoughts on companies for a pool and hot tub later, or modifying a kitchen?

Recommendations on area furniture stores, closet organizing, and murphy bed shelving units?

Any area companies for mounting TV's? It looks like The Villages puts cable wires and plugs low on walls normally and not up high. Any suggestions on that and adding some wire networking?

I'm sure these questions have been asked over the years so I apologize for the repetition. I did some searches and some of it is aged., Thank you for your patience with this.

New Design Center process
 

Welcome to DeLuna. We purchased a lot and went through the process prior to the streamlined changes. Actually I think you are the first asking as I don’t think many know what they are yet. Items that we needed to consider are likely not applicable but would love to know what your options turn out to be. They have many decor choices available. We upgraded the master bath light to include a fan and heater, if that is possible and of interest.

The pool caused us pause. They gave us the choice of what type of heater and we had 30 minutes plus to decide. We had no idea and texted everyone we knew. I wish I had been able to think that through. Also give thought to if you want the pool to square off to a section of your home. We wanted it to square to the family room so had it moved that direction a bit.

Double check everything so you are comfortable. We found the closet sizes were important after the fact when we were planning what to take with us and if we would bring an extra dresser or something.

If you haven’t yet, consider hiring Don Wiley, a bargain and it feels like Christmas every time you see the new construction pictures. Goldwingnut.


We are lot 119-27 on Whittington Circle. Coming from Denver. You can see our home now on the drone videos. Moving in early October.

Ask if they can design a noise barrier so you can’t hear the turnpike traffic.

TV is out of the custom home building. Our friends were upset that the new designer plan may not allow stretch, or add on a room such as a pantry or office, or bath. Interior walls no longer can moved, so no enlargement of closet space, the most important item on their list

It’s so sad that your dream home may only be a dream, as TV design goes back to the cookie cutter plan. :rant-rave:

Thank you this is great info !

Oh no! Here we go again. LOL.

Jaytesdunn, I tried to reply and it did not work, I am trying again, my comments in blue:

My wife and I are soon to start the design center process for a site in DeLuna. This stretch of sites has some unique new limitations on option choices. No double ovens or pot fillers and limited pool options etc. I think they are doing some new streamlined process by limiting options and stretches etc. The house is an IVY-10 now called a Warbler. There are some things we would probably have to do later after closings. Make sure you get a full set of plans for your house (ours was 15 or16 pages), these has all of the info, except for plumbing. They will have info on load bearing walls if there are any. Also, arrange for construction photos, we got these and they have been very handy over the years, especially if I wanted to know if the studs were wood or metal. If the builder no longer offers this service ask a neighbor, may be a way to make a new friend.

Any do's / don't or mentions you think would be good to know. Any thoughts on companies for a pool and hot tub later, or modifying a kitchen? Many people have reported waits of a year to 18 months for a pool (from name vendors), so if they offer something close to what you want I would go with the pool installed with the house. As for the hot tub, we prefer the above ground type, much easier to maintain. As for the kitchen, make sure whatever you are planning to install or replace is IN STOCK, friends ended up waiting 6 months for new counter tops.

Recommendations on area furniture stores, closet organizing, and murphy bed shelving units? You can review this site and Nextdoor for recommendations, but the warrantees appear to be generally useless, and extended warrantees are worth even less.

Any area companies for mounting TV's? It looks like The Villages puts cable wires and plugs low on walls normally and not up high. Any suggestions on that and adding some wire networking? If you are sure what wall you want the TV on, have the cable and electrical boxes installed around 4 feet off the floor. There are a couple of small firms that are very good at mounting the TVs, I did my own (75” model). I am surprised if the builder is installing any telephone or internet cabling as everything I have seen is based on a wireless design with the router in the kitchen area. Be sure to consider where you want the equipment installed, countertop or above the cabinets and have the wiring arranged for this. Also these need to be reset periodically.
I saw a post that mentioned a sound barrier; I have no idea where you are located with regard to the turnpike, but be aware there have been discussion about widening it. We occasionally hear the train whistle about 1 to 2 miles away when the wind is blowing the correct direction.

I'm sure these questions have been asked over the years so I apologize for the repetition. I did some searches and some of it is aged., Thank you for your patience with this.

WE (my wife) modified the heck out of the IVY 10. While not sure of the new restrictions, I would definitely add a second closet in the master, along with making sure the Lanai is stretched to the kitchen end of the house. The second closet shares a wall with the lanai wall, with our lanai (with stretches) being 30x16. His and hers closets prevent a lot of ugly discussions esp in Oscar and Felix situations. Stretch as much as possible to give extra room to living room, dining room and kitchen. Not sure why you cant do double ovens. We credited out the standard appliances, and had detailed measurements and electric requirements for the two non Samsung oven types that were installed right after closing. Just a few ideas

That’s a shame. You’d think after spending millions on a new design center that they would be expanding the available options.

No TP noise on Whittington Circle.

We bought a newly built house, we looked into getting a lot but found a house we loved. Didn’t need any extras. As for furniture we went with City furniture. Some don’t like them but we loved them and the price was right. As for tv’s we gave ours on tv stands as a posed to on the wall.

Drive around and look at other houses. Find one that has the color roof, outside, and trim that you like.

The designer will ask what color you want for the outside, trim, and roof. Just give them to address of the house you like.

Concrete is cheap. If you want any expansions of concrete, now is the time to do it. As for landscaping I would not take any knowing I would most likely upgrade it later myself. Colors, have your lineup in place in the event you cannot get your first choice. If you find homes online, note their address and the design team can look up their paint schemes. Basic interior paint is garbage. To upgrade the Villages charged quite a bit. I would look at doing later via myself or others. I am not aware that the Villages will no longer customize. The stretches and modifications we wanted were reasonably priced. Each design may have its quirks.

Do your homework and have a plan. Think ahead of the items that could go wrong (i.e. I love this countertop but it is backordered). Have a fall back plan for every aspect. I came in with a folder of information and data.

If you are considering a pool, do it now. T&D will get it in before closing.
Otherwise, you’re looking at it not starting the pool for 18 months.

Why would somebody pay for a custom-built home, if they can’t get custom home options?

Is the Turnpike Barrier Fee listed as a standard charge?

It is my understanding that many of the new restrictions on new build customization has to do with the developer transitioning to tilt wall construction. Initially, they were only using this method on Villas. But, it makes sense that the developer would move into the tilt walls for all new construction. There will be limitations, at least initially, for exterior walls based on the forms they use to make the walls. This was not a big deal on block & stucco or stick built homes. However, this should not impact the movement of interior walls. If they are telling you that interior walls cannot be shifted around, that is indeed a new limitation.

Just wanted to echo what Laura mentioned. Previous things like stretches and moving interior walls sound like are no more, or are at least limited to pre-set options. I have a lot of advice from our "custom build" from our home in Deluna, but it sounds like most of it would no longer be applicable.

Have the pool built with the house. Your yard will not be dug up later for a few months to a year. You won’t have to move irrigation and landscaping and rip out screens. All extra cost. Go with solar heat for pool. It’s great. Stretch garage if possible. We stretched ours 4 feet deeper and it makes a huge difference. Good luck.

during the design process you will be brought into me galaxy which does the wiring for the 5g internet i strongly recommend them for hanging your tvs and deciding where on the wall you want your amounts for the internet and the ethernet they'll guide you through it

Make sure they are putting in quality flooring so you are not replacing it in the first five years. If they are putting in vinyl it should be at a minimum 20 mil wear layer, and 6mm thick.

I also would recommend a variable speed AC compressor. It will last longer, save energy and provide excellent humidity control and air quality. Otherwise you will have that hot blast of air every time the fan kicks on. Also it helps if you decide to install a backup generator.

And of course do your research on any recommendation.

Just to double check on this....is it no longer possible to stretch any external walls? How about the garage and lanai? Finally...how about 10' walls, are those still possible? Thanks :)

Joe

1. Build the pool during construction so it will be ready to be used by closing.

2. Skip the landscaping option, do it after closing.

3. Every single modification/addition must be clearly defined and should be able to stand by its own.

4. Put forward all that you ever wanted in your Dream Home, they will tell you which ones can’t be done.

Good luck!

Only stretches for the Warbler (formerly IVY-10) is a back stretch for master bedroom and lanai and to the front garage

Wow, ok. Gotta say those deluna lots looked pretty attractive but it’s really a shame you can’t go crazy with mods anymore :(

Joe

We bought a house with a pool, then a number of years later added a spa. If you have a choice and can afford a spa, order a pool-spa with your new home. I used our spa every single night! It was great on those chilly winter nights.

Riase ceilings, expand where possible
 

My friend buit on Deluna and was able to extend the back of her home enabling a larger bathroom with roman shower, a larger bedroom, living room and lanai. She also raised ceiling heights in several rooms giving them a much larger appearance. The cost for these changes was very fair considering the impact they had on her homes' appearance and funtionality. Also be sure you know where you want wall, floor and ceiling electric outets in home, on lanai, in garage, and have buider install them. Make sure there is a window in/near shower or else it will be very dark. Good Luck!

We are also having a Warbler built. Whittington Circle, lot 26. Just signed the papers a couple weeks ago.

Get comfortable with buying a “million dollar fixer upper”. Villages appliance, window treatment, and lighting offerings are limited. Don’t get mad at your designer, they are just the messenger.

I brought a three page Wish List to our design meeting. It helped focus the discussion and made us comfortable that we were getting what we wanted.

Your designer can’t really answer questions like “should we get carpeting?” But they can comment on trends. And they will say hardly anyone gets carpet anymore.

Pencil corners (the rounded corners) on drywall look awesome. Highly recommended.

I thought the house price was reasonable. Pool prices have gone up. Pool and spa now running $120-140k. If The Villages does your pool, it’s done at closing. Aftermarket pool waits are running 1-2 years.

The TV receptacle is called out on the plan from the floor to the bottom of the outlet plate. I put my plate at 72" from the floor for a TV that has the top edge 82" from the floor. The TV is tipped downward, so there is more of a wall gap near the top of the TV for plugs and wires.

Our home designer was a pleasure to work with and made the process fun. I hope you have a similar experience.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

Was this recently as in the last few weeks? Because I think they "streamlined" the process...eliminating a lot of options

It used to be pretty nice....widen the house a couple of feet here, extend the garage and lanai there, raise the walls a couple of feet.

We put an outlet on our light pole out front, it really helps with christmas lights. Put one in the master closet too...thinking it was for an iron but who actually uses an iron these days? LOL. Can lights in the living room are kinda nice too and pretty cheap.


Joe

Unbelievable! What good is a design center if you can’t design? You are probably falling victim to the prefabricated cookie-cutter preformed walls idea. They kicked it off in Chitty Chatty and there seems to be no turning back. We see them using this almost everywhere now.

Oh my......

TP noise
 

I've never found toilet paper to be particularly noisy.

no noise at all on Whittington circle. No noise at all?

Ask if they will include ear plugs so you can deal with the Turn Pike Traffic noise that you did not imagine could be so loud on some days and quiet on others.

If you are building a new home, you can have the TV and electrical outlets put anywhere you want. Same with most other things. I had TV outlets put on several walls. The ones I don't use, I hang a picture over. That way I am free to change my decor and location of my TV any time I want.

My wife and I just finished the process, and I'd be glad to share our experience with you. Send your contact info to rogo1947@aol.com and I'll contact you right away.

For rooms such as bathrooms or laundry room with no windows consider adding a row of glass blocks at the top of the wall. If you do this with the master bath you will get some light in the bedroom but I would still do it.