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-   -   Home improvements that aren't worth it (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/home-improvements-arent-worth-345725/)

Toymeister 11-28-2023 09:13 AM

Home improvements that aren't worth it
 
There are plenty of threads on upgrades that you should get on your new home. This isn't one of those threads.

Many of us bought a pre-owned home that we otherwise love but have upgrades that just aren't worth it.

My list includes:

Built in vacuum. While it is nice, it is I just don't use it that much as I thought I would. Even with a self storing hose. My wife doesn't vacuum much, she is indifferent.

Vented gas fireplace. It's nice for a few weeks this time of year but the cost could be better allocated elsewhere.

asianthree 11-28-2023 09:38 AM

Agree about the vacuum. Have robot that sweeps and mops. Don’t have to be home, and return to dock, charging, then resume vacuum and mop. Keep old vacuum to get dirt out of the multi track sliders

ElDiabloJoe 11-28-2023 01:50 PM

Agree with Central Vac. Disagree with fireplace because we like the ambience they give off when used.

I would put Crown Moulding on the list of useless upgrades. It makes a place look too formal, too "up north" and too "old people live here." Same with dark heavy furniture. I don't care how Thomasville, Ethan Allen, or custom it is, dark heavy furniture looks too "up north" too formal, and too "old people."

IMHO.

tophcfa 11-28-2023 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toymeister (Post 2277890)
There are plenty of threads on upgrades that you should get on your new home. This isn't one of those threads.

Many of us bought a pre-owned home that we otherwise love but have upgrades that just aren't worth it.

My list includes:

Built in vacuum. While it is nice, it is I just don't use it that much as I thought I would. Even with a self storing hose. My wife doesn't vacuum much, she is indifferent.

Vented gas fireplace. It's nice for a few weeks this time of year but the cost could be better allocated elsewhere.

Agree on both, especially the central vac. Those are difficult/costly to install on finished construction unless you have an unfinished basement, which Villages homes do not. The ambiance of the vented gas fireplace eventually wears off and doesn’t justify the expense. Plus, for a much cheaper price you can get an outdoor propane fire pit to occasionally scratch the itch of sitting by a fire.

Michael 61 11-28-2023 03:40 PM

I would maybe add “storm doors” - Everyone had them back in Colorado, not sure how important they are here in Florida.

mtdjed 11-28-2023 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael 61 (Post 2277993)
I would maybe add “storm doors” - Everyone had them back in Colorado, not sure how important they are here in Florida.

Screens on windows.

Palm Trees in Yards

Live oaks

Normal 11-28-2023 06:39 PM

Definitely Crown Molding
 
Crown molding and painted driveways for me. What a waste. They wanted 10k when we built our house for crown throughout.

shut the front door 11-28-2023 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe (Post 2277967)
Agree with Central Vac. Disagree with fireplace because we like the ambience they give off when used.

I would put Crown Moulding on the list of useless upgrades. It makes a place look too formal, too "up north" and too "old people live here." Same with dark heavy furniture. I don't care how Thomasville, Ethan Allen, or custom it is, dark heavy furniture looks too "up north" too formal, and too "old people."

IMHO.

Totally agree. I also have never understood all of the antiques here. When I moved here, I wanted fresh, light, FL decor. I also did some antique dealing back home and after researching, I learned that antiques sell down here for 10 cents on the dollar because so many bring them here and there is no market for them. I did keep a couple of european bars and I stripped down and painted to make them FL friendly. I used to pop into estate sales now and then and it was just sad how many formerly nice antiques were donated becuase nobody buys them here.

shut the front door 11-28-2023 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtdjed (Post 2278038)
Screens on windows.

Palm Trees in Yards

Live oaks

This is the time of year when many love to sleep with the windows open. You don't do that without screens.
I totally agree on the palm trees. I wish my neighbors would get rid of theirs.

MrChip72 11-28-2023 07:22 PM

Robot lawn mower. I think my neighbors paid over $2000.

My neighbors lawn looks like crap. It cuts too short and sometimes misses spots, but they supposedly can't leave it normal height like everyone else since St Augustine grass is too thick that it can get stuck so it runs every couple of days. So you have the 3 adjoining lawns all the same height but theirs is 2" shorter.

I pay $80/month and my lawn looks normal and they run a trimmer around my landscaping beds each time they cut.

dhdallas 11-28-2023 10:26 PM

Lipstick on a pig!
 
All cosmetic upgrades. No matter what you do or how much you spend, your house will still be a cookie cutter copy of all the other houses & will still look pretty much the same as all the rest. You can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig.

Randall55 11-29-2023 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 2278080)
All cosmetic upgrades. No matter what you do or how much you spend, your house will still be a cookie cutter copy of all the other houses & will still look pretty much the same as all the rest. You can put lipstick on a pig but it's still a pig.

As a contractor, I have learned homes with neutral colors sell quickly. Homes with different color walls in each room, different types of flooring, mismatched cabinetry, mismatched tiles, and wall paper are difficut to sell.

Several Interior designers have taught me this rule of thumb: bring color into a room through fabric, art work, and accessories. Always keep walls and flooring neutral and the same color throughout the home.

I agree with Palm Trees. They need constant maintenance.

midiwiz 11-29-2023 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shut the front door (Post 2278044)
Totally agree. I also have never understood all of the antiques here. When I moved here, I wanted fresh, light, FL decor. I also did some antique dealing back home and after researching, I learned that antiques sell down here for 10 cents on the dollar because so many bring them here and there is no market for them. I did keep a couple of european bars and I stripped down and painted to make them FL friendly. I used to pop into estate sales now and then and it was just sad how many formerly nice antiques were donated becuase nobody buys them here.

way too funny. 'fresh FL decor' really there's no such thing. That 'trend' was set by the Northeasterners from watching TV LOL. As for antiques, that's up to the buyer, I've known a lot of people that hunt them down for specific reasons (some that mystify me) but mostly becuase they are built better than new items.

midiwiz 11-29-2023 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrChip72 (Post 2278059)
Robot lawn mower. I think my neighbors paid over $2000.

My neighbors lawn looks like crap. It cuts too short and sometimes misses spots, but they supposedly can't leave it normal height like everyone else since St Augustine grass is too thick that it can get stuck so it runs every couple of days. So you have the 3 adjoining lawns all the same height but theirs is 2" shorter.

I pay $80/month and my lawn looks normal and they run a trimmer around my landscaping beds each time they cut.

then I guess they don't understand the lawn....

midiwiz 11-29-2023 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2278041)
Crown molding and painted driveways for me. What a waste. They wanted 10k when we built our house for crown throughout.

crown is one thing, but the driveway that's different it's called protection.

midiwiz 11-29-2023 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toymeister (Post 2277890)
There are plenty of threads on upgrades that you should get on your new home. This isn't one of those threads.

Many of us bought a pre-owned home that we otherwise love but have upgrades that just aren't worth it.

My list includes:

Built in vacuum. While it is nice, it is I just don't use it that much as I thought I would. Even with a self storing hose. My wife doesn't vacuum much, she is indifferent.

Vented gas fireplace. It's nice for a few weeks this time of year but the cost could be better allocated elsewhere.

who does that???

Remembergoldenrule 11-29-2023 05:02 AM

Stacked stone landscaping, granite countertops, murals on walls, swimming pools in backyards

kendi 11-29-2023 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElDiabloJoe (Post 2277967)
Agree with Central Vac. Disagree with fireplace because we like the ambience they give off when used.

I would put Crown Moulding on the list of useless upgrades. It makes a place look too formal, too "up north" and too "old people live here." Same with dark heavy furniture. I don't care how Thomasville, Ethan Allen, or custom it is, dark heavy furniture looks too "up north" too formal, and too "old people."

IMHO.

When in Rome……

paulajr 11-29-2023 07:05 AM

Wow!
 
I use my pool EVERY day all summer. I can have my coffee in the morning, cocktail in the evening, and know who has been in it..and how clean it is. When my pool was 86 degrees in the summer we took a temperature gun to the neighborhood pool…and it was 102 degrees. So totally disagree with that one.
Many of us actually cook here…so our upgraded kitchens are important!
So..the only one I agree with here is the murals!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remembergoldenrule (Post 2278102)
Stacked stone landscaping, granite countertops, murals on walls, swimming pools in backyards


kendi 11-29-2023 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shut the front door (Post 2278044)
Totally agree. I also have never understood all of the antiques here. When I moved here, I wanted fresh, light, FL decor. I also did some antique dealing back home and after researching, I learned that antiques sell down here for 10 cents on the dollar because so many bring them here and there is no market for them. I did keep a couple of european bars and I stripped down and painted to make them FL friendly. I used to pop into estate sales now and then and it was just sad how many formerly nice antiques were donated becuase nobody buys them here.

Exactly why I look for furniture down here for our condo up North. Furniture from our previous house was too large for the new condo so needed smaller items. Found a beautiful table and chairs for kitchen and they all fit in our vehicle for transport.

Nana2Teddy 11-29-2023 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulajr (Post 2278140)
I use my pool EVERY day all summer. I can have my coffee in the morning, cocktail in the evening, and know who has been in it..and how clean it is. When my pool was 86 degrees in the summer we took a temperature gun to the neighborhood pool…and it was 102 degrees. So totally disagree with that one.
Many of us actually cook here…so our upgraded kitchens are important!
So..the only one I agree with here is the murals!

Agree about pools! This year was our first summer here, and we were very disappointed to find out the pools were too hot to enjoy in Aug/Sept. Not refreshing at all. We aren’t winter swimmers, so now our swimming season has become quite short. Would definitely have a pool built if we had a pool-sized lot.

Nana2Teddy 11-29-2023 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2278041)
Crown molding and painted driveways for me. What a waste. They wanted 10k when we built our house for crown throughout.

Disagree about painted driveways if done tastefully with ARC approval. All of the painted driveways on my new-ish street look far better than the original driveways (including ours, which we will have painted eventually).

TheWarriors 11-29-2023 07:48 AM

It’s all relative to what you can afford.

ChicagoNative 11-29-2023 07:55 AM

Decorate and upgrade to what YOU like, not what some HGTV flavor-of-the-month trend says is “in”.

I got a kick out of “Fresh FL decor”. I think beachy-boaty themed homes in pastels are an absolute cliche, but to each their own.

Papa_lecki 11-29-2023 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remembergoldenrule (Post 2278102)
Stacked stone landscaping, granite countertops, murals on walls, swimming pools in backyards

In The Villages, pools are a good upgrade.

Granite countertops are becoming dated, quartz is the trend now, although it will change. But an upgrade to the kitchen is a great vestment, the kitchen is the first thing you see when you walk into a house.

garykoca427@gmail.com 11-29-2023 08:01 AM

Crown molding, and painted driveways. I like screens on the windows to get fresh air in the house.

MidWestIA 11-29-2023 08:06 AM

not do
 
Got with a painted driveway I would never pay for that BUT painted garage oh yah that's great

Topspinmo 11-29-2023 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midiwiz (Post 2278096)
crown is one thing, but the driveway that's different it's called protection.

Concrete don’t need no protection, now bricked driveway need fences :shrug:

Topspinmo 11-29-2023 08:12 AM

Granite countertops when nothing wrong with old ones. Tile floors, Loud, slick, and hard on bare feet.:cryin2:

Topspinmo 11-29-2023 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWarriors (Post 2278159)
It’s all relative to what you can afford.


Or keep up with jones.:)

Topspinmo 11-29-2023 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy (Post 2278153)
Disagree about painted driveways if done tastefully with ARC approval. All of the painted driveways on my new-ish street look far better than the original driveways (including ours, which we will have painted eventually).

Love when some paint their driveways then won’t park on them or run security tape to keep vehicles off. Like they do with brick driveways. Like neighbors want put up with that.

retiredguy123 11-29-2023 08:20 AM

In terms of resale value, I don't think any upgrades are worth it because you will not recover the cost. If you are lucky, you will get back half of what you paid. I haven't done a single upgrade to my house. But when I sell it, I will price it correctly, and I think it will sell very quickly because it will be the lowest price in the neighborhood. In hindsight, I wish I had replaced the flooring before I moved in. Also, if you replace the flooring, I recommend using the same flooring throughout the house, and no carpet.

When you buy a house, make sure that it has a 2-car garage and a golf cart garage. That is something that is difficult to upgrade. There are some 3-bedroom houses in my neighborhood that have a 1.5-car garage. Those people are constantly juggling their vehicles.

oldtimes 11-29-2023 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChicagoNative (Post 2278164)
Decorate and upgrade to what YOU like, not what some HGTV flavor-of-the-month trend says is “in”.

I got a kick out of “Fresh FL decor”. I think beachy-boaty themed homes in pastels are an absolute cliche, but to each their own.

Totally agree.

dolphin 11-29-2023 08:30 AM

Do it after much cheaper

retiredguy123 11-29-2023 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midiwiz (Post 2278096)
crown is one thing, but the driveway that's different it's called protection.

Protection from what? My bare concrete driveway and patios look as good as new.

sallyg 11-29-2023 08:38 AM

Tiny backyard "swimming" pools.

mrf0151 11-29-2023 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy (Post 2278150)
Agree about pools! This year was our first summer here, and we were very disappointed to find out the pools were too hot to enjoy in Aug/Sept. Not refreshing at all. We aren’t winter swimmers, so now our swimming season has become quite short. Would definitely have a pool built if we had a pool-sized lot.

When it comes to pools the things to consider are the expensive upkeep and when you go to sell the house, your size of potential buyers is much smaller as the majority of buyers do not want a home pool.

JSR22 11-29-2023 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrf0151 (Post 2278202)
When it comes to pools the things to consider are the expensive upkeep and when you go to sell the house, your size of potential buyers is much smaller as the majority of buyers do not want a home pool.

I would not live here without a pool in my yard. We only pay $135 a month for cleaning and chemicals. Not expensive. The demand for resale pool homes is very large. My home is not on the market and I have had offers.
I am very happy with the crown moulding no carpeting, paver driveway and walkway and our palm trees. I feel my house looks finished. I find the plain cement driveways to be an eyesore.

Pennyt 11-29-2023 09:18 AM

Upgrades
 
When we looked at homes in TV, we saw so many had not been updated. They looked old and tired. We quickly looked past those and eventually bought a new home that we added things to after the sale. We love our crown molding as it makes the living areas look finished. We put in closet organizer shelving and enclosed our lanai to make a sunroom for additional square footage. Haven't regretted any of that. Each year we do some kind of upgrade to our house to keep it current. Last year we took out all the carpeting and installed hardwood flooring so now all floors are hard surface. We've freshened our landscaping twice over the 12 years we've lived here. Not all the upgrades will increase the price of the house, BUT it will make our house more competitive in the marketplace. (I was a realtor for many years)

Wondering 11-29-2023 09:26 AM

I have had central vac with hide away hose since 2009 and love it. Four years ago I bought two robotic vacs because I have rescue dogs, I only have area rugs and use the robotic vac every other day and love them. I still use the central vac on occasion. I also have had a non vented propane fireplace since 2009 and love it on mornings like today to take the chill out of the air. I would do both again. That's my experience and I am a bachelor!


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