What options for a new designer home are 'a must have'
 

Hi,

I've purchased a lot in the new village of Fernandino. We'll be picking the house in July. Since we'll be renting it the first few years, we'll be building it with mostly basics. So far the only extras are the golf car garage, a 2 ft bump out to the back of the house, a 2 ft bump out to the lanai and window blinds. Does anyone have recommendations for 'a must have'. Something they didn't do and in retrospect wish they had added during the buiding. Or something they did add during building and are now so glad they did.

Any guidance is so much appreciated.

Thanks

I wish we had the bathtub in the guest bath made a shower...but may not be great for resale.

We also will be building in Fernandina this summer (205.96).
If you aren't putting in a summer kitchen at this time but plan to in the future, you should consider having it "plumbed" now for gas, electrics & plumbing.
My wife is considering a 3rd bathroom option for the Ivy model which obviously makes sense to do now rather than later.
Good luck with the plans.
Bob & Tracy

Make the footprint of the house as large as possible for the lot --

ask if there are any other bumps possible --you will not be sorry ---

Anything else you can add later ---

good luck

Bump the garage if possible. Much more storage.

I agree with Ragman. The garage is your only storage, as you have no basement, limited attic storage, and are unable to build a shed. Enlarge the garage as much as you can. The cabinets and shelves you install later will be a godsend.

Another thing that nice to expand is the lanai, as big as can, if you can.

I thought you can add a shed if it's attached and within the setbacks, am I incorrect?

Depends on your lot size.

My biggest regret is not having a golf cart garage!

Yes on the golf cart garage

Golf cart garage and walk in shower. And as large a lanai as possible.

Thanks everybody. So, I got the golf car garage, I'll definitely get all the bump out options, house, lanai, garage, etc., and plumb, electric for the outdoor kitchen for later. I wasn't planning on all the bump outs, but now I will. Also hadn't thought about the outdoor kitchen. So awesome info. :)

Do they do anything for multiple zones heating/cooling. I was thinking a zone for the bedroom and one for the rest of the house if they do that. That way we can keep the bedroom warm/cool at night and not heat/cool the rest of the house.

What's your lot width. My realtor guy said, you can add one later if your lot size width is 70' or more. The golf car garage was my number one thing. We lived in a golf community before and I didn't have one. I agree it's crucial if you still have two cars.

Depending on the lot size and house you can ask to move the house to one side or the other; if one side has less of a set back this will give you more room between houses or if you want to extend a pad outside your lanai for a grill and/or table, and best of all NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. Angle your tile if going all tile, a charge but avoids e bowling alley effect. Good luck on finding the perfect house for you.

What model r u building?

we're building the Whispering Pines. We spent a lot on the lot, so wanted to keep the house price as low as we can. With the bump outs, it'll be about 1800 sq ft.

Fernanadina
 

Which unit number in Fernandina? We're in 208

We're in 205, so not far. :)

We also are in Fernandina 205; lot 96.
Our design team meeting is mid June; probably an Ivy.
Some after-contract items can be more expensive and disruptive, so I would recommend getting as much done when doing the initial build. Obviously budget and personal tastes will rule.
Cheers,
Bob & Tracy

options for a new designer home
 

We were told to buy our own clothes washer and dryer. We bought a standard lot in Sanibel with a wall behind us for privacy. We also got the golf garage. We bought an Iris. In the master bedroom there are four windows. We took out the two side windows. We also took out the side kitchen window. Honestly why do they put 3 windows in the nook area? So we have the small window and the slider. We had The Villages install pull out draws in our top shelves in the kitchen. The top half shelf is a waste of space. Our designer suggested buying one particular style of tile. My husband loved the color but I did not. At the last minute I changed the color and it saved us $5,000. It is important to ask your designer person to take you out to look at several different styles of tile. I could not find anything I liked until we went to see a model which had the laminated counters we wanted to see. When we walked inside the house, I immediately like that tile even though I did not choose it from the beginning. We decided to go with several upgrades including granite for the kitchen counters. We did select laminated counters in the laundry and bathrooms. We choose the Iris as it has an extra space off the laundry room. So does the Lilac which is a frame house. We bought the block style. We can install more cabinets on one side and the other install a counter to fold clothes. We were even thinking of putting in a desk for our laptop too. We upgraded the carpets in the bedrooms. We were given credit for windows we took out. We decided to get our own vertical blinds for the kitchen and living room sliders. The rest of the house we bought the blinds. The Villages should begin building our home this week. They first told us it would take 65 to 70 days to build but it seems like they are going to do it in less than 59 days as our closing is July 11We bought the stainless steel kitchen appliance package because the microwave above the stove could not be changed at all if we wanted to do our own appliances. Every upgrade is included in how The Villages figures out our taxes. Good luck. Patti

Gas in TV ????? I had no idea that its available.

Rough cost
 

Hi All,

Will be coming down in July to buy Designer . Just wondering what the rough cost are for the Roman Shower, golf cart garage and appliance upgrade? Would help us greatly in pre planning and avoid on site SHOCK?

If you have a very large master bath set the shower up as a roll in. You just never know also its a great resale .

Lyle, does it really matter tho?

Doesn't the resale market remain strong and any home can be sold if priced at market?

What is the average time a house takes to sell here?

Someone told me but I forgot when the expected build out year was estimated, do you know?

Also what's your guess as the value increase 5% 10% ?

Estimated year(s) for build out.
 

I asked that question of just about every agent (both TV and MLS) when I attended open houses while in TV earlier this month. 2015 and 2016 were the years mentioned.

Had my design visits this week. we're signing our contract today. Wow, what a whirlwind. thanks everyone for all your suggestions. We'll be villagers in October. Yea

IMO any home purchased before the build out should appreciate in value after that time a/k/a a great investment to buy now.

We also have a Whispering Pine. Bump out all you can, you won't regret it. Our house is 1830 and we wish it could be a little larger but since we bought used there is no way. The previous owner extended the garage 4 feet and you cant believe how much difference that makes. He installed a garage full of cabinets and we have no problem with storage. Without them it would be an issue, even with the attic storage. If you can make the lanai a little wider you will appreciate it, I wish ours was a couple feet wider. You will enjoy the house.

So How Many Days To Closing?
 

You said "we'll be villagers in October." So I'm assuming you're closing in October? Do you mind giving the date? We have our design meeting in September...just trying to figure out from contract signing to closing how many days...

Thanks!

Depends upon the complexity of your add ons/stretches. But figure they start about ten days after you "sign" and it might take apx. 60 - 70 days to finish. Typically, the house is finished a couple weeks before the close date.

Make sure you have them install 2 towel racks in the master bath shower area

We finished design on August 1st and closing date is October 12th. Pretty fast.

My husband and I are building in 208 also. Birdsong Place. Our Design Meeting is Oct 11th.

Fernandina
 

We're on Mockingbird Ln just past the last bump out 84.

Looks like you will close just around the holidays end of Dec.

We design Thanksgiving week. Buying our appliances so we'll be shopping on Black Firday. :22yikes: