DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

I'm looking at the new home prices and we found that the best price for the sq ft is the Villa's. (3 bdrm approx $200,000 ( block ) Inside laundry ..... I was so sure that the Jasmine (Designer) was the best for us but that price just went out of the ball park. (In March it was in our ball park) Please help out there!!!!

Any villa owners or others who have just purchased a Designer and bought around $200,000. I think the thing that we didn't like about the villas was they looked like townhomes.. No front lawns, they didn't look like "real" homes. It was a lot of homes in a small area. There was no individuality to any of them. And based on this web site - there may be a bit of a stigma to Villa owners. Give me your ideas.

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

I agree that the Villa's don't have much "curb appeal". They do look "joined" like townhouses. The designers definitely look better from the street. I couldn't agree more. As a former real estate broker, I understand curb appeal. But then you don't live in the street!!

I think that the people who buy Villas do so because they are seeking a yard for their pets, plus perhaps a bit more privacy. I don't know the statistics, but I'd be willing to bet the majority of buyers of Villa's do so because of the fenced yard, which (it is my understanding), you're not allowed to have in any other model. Hey, Darbyduff, it all comes down to personal preference!

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And Barefoot.... That is really one of the considerations... Our dogs! Right now, early in the morning we open up the back door and let them run in the back yard..... doing their thing while we put the coffee on..... Then around 8:00 we put the leash's on and go for a walk.... But if we lived in a village home.... that would change... Big time. I think that's why I'm trying to talk myself into a Villa. And I'm sorry to all you Villa owners out there BUT..............They don't look cool at all! (i am soooo sorry... forgive me)

(Thank you Barefoot for stating the obvious!!!)

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Darbyduff, you need to get some sleep!!

You are right that Villa's don't look cool. I couldn't agree more, and my husband had the same problem with "no curb appeal".
We bought a villa for our two furry boys.

Think of this, you get up in the morning, make coffee, in your pj's. Wander out to the patio, with your dogs. What a great thing, to be able to enjoy your back yard with your pets, in your pjs's, no worry about other neighbours that may not enjoy your doggies.
You can also sunbathe nude (yeh, right).

Good luck with your decision, I'm sure your intuition will guide you.

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All Villa neighborhoods are different so to the "Great Neighborhood Villas" I apologize. We had a villa first. Actually loved the house since it was a Model and decorated beautifully but......it didn't feel like the friendly village neighborhoods that we had seen. Probably 50% were rentals so we never knew who would be next door and there just seemed to be a lack of togetherness. We went looking....oh yes there is a furry friend. We found a house with almost a third of an acre back yard with a black fence behind us. We have an invisible fence and doggie doors. Love the neighborhood....have the privacy....dog safety. Keep looking and you will find the perfect place.

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Darbyduff, We live in a Villa and just love it. We wanted to get away from grass cutting etc. The little bit we have can be cut in 10 minutes with an electric mower. We were especially looking for a small back yard--but large enough for our dogs to exercise. As far as stigma goes--I may be naive, but I've never felt this. Our neighborhood is VERY friendly. Yes, they all look alike. That is a downside, but if you drive through the more mature areas with added landscaping, the look improves. I love the privacy. We all want something different. As for us, we only looked at Villa's. We have the Stoneybrook (block) it is the same as the Annamarie in the Vinyl siding. My house has a lot of tile--which I wanted. Our model has a kitchen nook--which we wanted. It also has a double sink in the master bath--another thing we wanted. Most of our neighbors are fulltime, some are snowbirds. We are a friendly group.

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We used to have a patio villa but traded for a gardenia. The villa was more private - we had a nice front porch and couldn't hear neighbors, other than the dog across the street that barked all day long. The gardenia has a lanai on the back that faces our neighbor's lanai - we dont' like that. But we still have privacy in the front of the gardenia, so that is our quiet space. The villa neighborhood we were in did have a lot of rentals, so it wasn't as close knit as our new community. But I personally hated the look of the villas - reminded me of army barracks. Even withthe landscaping, etc., I couldn't get past the look of those things. We looked at the Jasmines' as well. My concern iwth them is the lack of light in the living room. There are no side windows, jusst your lanai door, and at certain times of day they seemed very dark. Our neighbors out back have one, and that's they're main complaint. But to compensate, they spend all they're time on they're lanai. So, there are pluses and minuses. We have more room in the gardenia than the villa, and the main thing is our garage is bigger. Hated fighting space concerns in the villa. sounds like the fenced in yard is nice for pets. We don't have one so that is not an issue for us. Good luck!

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You really need to look around at a few Villa neighborhoods. I live in Cherry Vale in Tall Trees. Almost all of us have done landscaping to beautify our front and back yards. We look more individual now that we have been here for two years and our landscaping is maturing. I will grant you that some of the Courtyard Villa streets look like the barracks in MCRD San Diego but it is up to the owner to do the landscaping and change that. Suggest you drive through Tall Trees and along Cherry Vale Villas. You will be happily surprised. Lots of landscaping, trees, flowering bushes, river rocks, etc. to make this a unique neighborhood. I am sure there are other Villa neighborhoods that have done this as well.

I love my courtyard villa and our dog, Babe, really loves her backyard. We bought a corner lot and she can meander all around the house and enjoy herself. Of course, when you landscape, you have to keep it up and that makes our block and neighborhood look really great!
:bigthumbsup:

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

We bought a Jasmine and I agree, they are too dark in the living room area. We have been thinking of adding sky lights. Anyone have any ideas on contractors who do this?

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Wow. We have lived in a courtyard villa for the past two years. Couldn't be happier about it and would never move. Great neighbors, group activities. Good luck in your search.

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

Knew I could count on all of you. What I LOVED best about the Jasmine was the eat-in kitchen but didn't think about the darkness (And that matters to me) I understand you can not put in Skylites like I have in my home in Colorado. Just a round thingie which gives you a little bit of light. Right???

At first we were thinking about putting in an invisible fence for our 2 friends BUT boy did that get lambasted on this site. You would have thought we were going to Barbecue the dogs. Everyone came out of the woodwork to tell me how bad it was for the dogs...won't even touch that subject again!!!!

Will go to Tall Trees to look at what you guys have done! Great idea. We had Villas completely crossed off our radar but are revisiting that. Thanks guys!!

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D D WE WILL ALSO BE PURCHASING A VILLA. FOR ONE WE HAVE 2 DOGS AND ALSO WE WANT THE PRIVACY. WHEN WE WERE DOWN TO TV IN APRIL AND RENTED A 3 BEDROOM RANCH FOR 6 DAYS EVERY TIME WE WENT INTO THE FLORIDA ROOM EVERYONE THAT HAD A RANCH HOME AROUND US WOULD LOOK OUT THEIR WINDOW TO SEE WHAT WE WERE DOING. NOT MY IDEA OF BEING BY MYSELF. TAKE CARE THE KAR GUY. SEE YOU WHEN WE GET THERE I HOPE.

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

D D Why don't you try renting a villa to try the lifestyle. Everytime we visited TV we rented a different type home. Go to www.****.com and look for The Villages for owner rentals. I think that when you get to TV you and husband will find most of everything that you want in a package that you can afford. It can and will drive you crazy. So much to choose from so little time. We did not get everything, but we remained flexible. We started out wanting a Villa, a Grantham, we stayed in one and decided there were some things that we did not like. The Gardenia was our first love and everytime we looked at something else we came back to it, which is what we bought. We decided that when we went down we would just know that this was home. After looking at a lot of homes we found our Gardenia, we had been looking at Jasmines. It will work out. God has a plan, St. Joseph worked didn't he. Bama

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Hey Bama -

Long time no hear.......!!!

As silly as this sounds - Can't rent. (I guess that's not right...) Maybe what I mean is...don't want to bring everything down including dining rm, bedrm set etc and either have to put everything in storage (if the rental has furniture or certainly have to move twice. We will be down from Sept 5th to the 9th. This is our 3rd time down there and I am glued to this site and the TV site so we really don't think we'll have too much trouble. Shoot... I slept with the floor plans after the first trip down there 2 years ago. And Bama- don't you think a woman knows when you walk into a home....You just know that that house is the one your meant to have..... That woman's intuition thingy thing!!

But beware Villagers ........ Remember those dates above.....We will be the couple that is roving up and down the streets at all hours wandering around the outside of the new homes...and just down right acting very suspicious..... Don't call 911.....It's just us!!!!!!

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You go Darby. We hope that you decide on Duval and we can be neighbors.

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

We have a Jasmine and put in a large solar tube above the kitchen sink which also lights up the dining room area. Solar tubes actually put out quite a lot of light. We also put a small one in the guest bath, what a difference. We used The Solar Guys and were very happy with their work.

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We have lived in a Patio Villa for the past seven years,and now I find we are stigmatized and looked down on,Wow live and learn.I didn't realize that The Villages had developed into an elitest society,what a shame.

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

My wife and I stayed in a Patio Villa last month in our preview visit. Wow, they were really nice. It was two bedrooms, both large. The two baths were really nice. I did not feel that anyone was looking down at me, while staying there, and I had the added stigma of being "JUST A RENTER" so it could have been really bad. You know on the golf course or at the pool no one knows where you live, all they know is you and how nice you can or cannot be.

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

Bargee-

Who said you were beneath them...????? Bring em to me...!!! I'll take care of um!!!!! :verymad: :verymad:

No matter what we buy...I intend to tell everyone that I live next door to Nancy Lopez!!!!!! They don't have to know how far next door really is. I'll stick my pinkie out and they'll never know the difference!!!!! ::)

It's just to silly to comment on. Imagine at our ages being judged by our home!!! If your out there and that is your attitude...Shame on you. See if I have a party and invite you!!!!!! >:( >:(

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

YOU BETTER INVITE ME. I WILL BE ONE OF THOSE POOR VILLA PEOPLE ALSO. TAKE CARE THE KAR GUY

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

We are hoping that at our age we can get beyond this trivial stuff of where you live and how much you spent. Life is short and for many of us shorten than we wish. There are so many more important things. I know I have always concerned my self with the person and if I like them, not how much money they have.

Let's all live and enjoy each other's company.

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A big AMEN to that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :agree: :agree: :agree:

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Hey Kar Guy and all others......Tomorrow is the appraisal....Remember, this could be sticky :dontknow:

He will be here 9:00 mdt so if you hear a loud ROAR coming from the Rocky Mt's, get the bubbly out!!!

PARTY.....PARTY....PARTY (It's 5:00 somewhere...) and hey Bama... it would be great living in Duval with you!!!!

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

Hey Darby D. Good Luck on the appraisal. I'm sure it will be just right. By the way can I come to the party?

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Ok Kar Guy, Bama, Karen, Donna, Nancy, and all others...

When the Appraiser left I asked him how things went and he either gave me the :bigthumbsup:, or he was picking his noise!!!!!!! The buyer was with me when he said that there were no problems so I'm taking that to the bank. I really hope I'm not disappointed because I packed over 20 boxes today just on this :bigthumbsup:!!!

We will know for sure by Thursday but I'm still saying my Novenas!!!!

Bama------ You are the party!!!!! Can't have one without you!!!!!!!

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

Good Luck to you Darby...no matter what you decide on when you arrive here all that matters is that you will be living in The Villages. You have arrived in heaven!!
When you drive by Amelia on Odell Circle, just give a wave.

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

Fabulous news Darby .. I know how badly you want this. You will have so much fun picking out your new home in TV. We'll be arriving in late October, perhaps we can go to the dog run at the same time. Looking forward to seeing you then.

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

You know what guys.... I have met just the best people anywhere..... you guys. I don't want to leave anyone out on my "I love all of you" tour, but barefoot and noleguy.....Your on the top of my list of people to invite when we party.

Of course I'm taking a big chance if I invite all of you to my party...You could all be green little toads who have nothing better to do than to either land in cement or come up in the am in Jan's toilet......Oh heck....I think I'll take my chances :joke: :joke: :joke:

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

I have a Courtyard Villa and I love it - complete privacy and a large high walled-in backyard. I only close my shades on the one window that faces the street.
I don't think I would like to be looking into other houses on all sides. However, there are some downsides. You never know what is going on on the street side so it is not as easy to meet your neighbors as in other areas. The privacy for me is worth it.

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

Thanks for your stories!!! They really help. Only thing to do now is get down there and visit the Villas. We did go into one the first time we were there. An older courtyard one by Spanish Springs that we were not impressed with! This maybe very different...We'll see...Thank you all!!!

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

Hey Oshunluva!!

Great news for you!!!!! Your prayers have been answered!!! :#1: :#1:

Keep posting so I can follow you progress! We will indeed party together!!!

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I agree whole heartedly!!!* :joke: I hear people complain about restrictions, But they are nothing I can't deal with.* We looked at the Villages for over One year before we actually moved and we Love it, Love it, Love it!!!!!!* We stayed for 3 months in a 3 bedroom courtyard, but bought a ranch home in DUVALL (YEA!!!) with a double garage and a golf cart garage.* Villas only had a car and 1/2 and I couldn't deal with that.* Duvall folks are really great and with most of us being newbies, it is nice not to have to break into an established neighborhood.* Lots of Great neighbors and we will be in the middle when the new Brownwood Town Center is built in the future.* Ya know..Someone has to live in Paradise and it might as well be all of us!* Welcome home and I know you will* love which every style and floorplan you pick.* Just remember, life is wonderful outside the home too!! It is always a Great Day in The Villages!! WELCOME!!

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DD. WE WILL BE DOWN SUNDAY 9-16-07 TO RENT A COURTYARD 2/2 TILL WE FIND OUR NEW HOME. WE WILL BE LOOKING ALL OVER THE PLACE FOR THAT PERFECT VILLA. IF I AM IN YOUR TIME SCHEDULE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME. KAR GUY.

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Kar Guy -

When we go down Sept. 5th to purchase, we will be there only until the 9th. I'm sure we will find the right home in that time frame. Then we drive down 1 step ahead of the movers the end of September. I should have an address etc when we get home on the 9th. I will certainly make sure you have our address, phone number (we are getting cell phones (yeh, I know..We are the very last who don't have them yet) for the trip down. We will hook up no doubt about it!!!! Oh and Kar Guy....You and your wife can bring over a bottle of wine or a six pack and help us open boxes!!! :joke: :joke: (Oh come on, that sounds like fun, doesn't it!!!!) :bigthumbsup:

Don't laugh Bama, Donna, Karen, Nancy etc.....your invited too!!!! :beer2:

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DD Better hold the beer, wine, and champagne in reserve until all boxes are unpacked. Would love to help you. I too will be down with a truck load (1 of 2 ) around Sept 24th, will be there for the week. :beer3: :beer2:

LTM: My home is in Duval on Day Lily Run, Does Duval have any type of website? When we were searching for a home we went by the pool and saw something on the bulletin board for the village of duval. Dumb me did not write it down, then a senior moment kicked in and I forgot the site. Is there something, directory, happenings, social gatherings.. Thanks :hot:

Re: DO I REALLY WANT A VILLA?
 

Hey Bama buddy....

Here's your neighborhood website:

http://villageofduval.googlepages.com/

Happy surfing!!!

Your Sabal Chase Pool Pal

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Hey 07 Thats the site thanks. I sent you an email the other day about grass mowing. Did you get it? Everything is going great. This time next week all is closed and we become an official villagers. Can't wait.

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Bama, then you will be Village People!

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Oh VillageNut.... I want to be a Village People tooo. Can I ....pretty please???? :joke:

Seriously- Wouldn't it be fun to all get together. What ever happened to Jan's idea??? Let's try to get this going! A party... Maybe at Katie Belle's or one of the Squares!!!

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Okay, I am a little confussed. I have been looking at MLS listings on the internet. I found some villas that appeared to not have the privacy fence and then I found what looked like ranches with the fence. What is what? I thought the villas were the only houses that had a private backyard and that all villas had private backyards?

Can someone please explain this?