RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

I am having a problem understanding some of the differences between a Ranch home and a Designer home of exactly the same square footage. To me they look the same.

Which floor plans do you feel is the best of all the home designs?

Hyacinth Bucket

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Good question I'd also like to see a good answer. Having just purchased a 3 Bd room ranch I have a very general idea. Being a snowbird I wanted a "reasonable" 2 car garage, a 3rd bedroom for spare hobby space and preferred the look of grass, non attached looking houses. Ranches and Designers filled those requirements but the Ranches are only at the lower end of the sq foot space and Designers can and do become larger.
The Ranches all pretty much look similar both inside and out (granted there are minor differences) . The Designers I believe are a min of $25K more then the same/similar ranch floor plan. But the Designers in general have more style on the outside along with a little more on the inside. I sure there are more specific differences. We were after more sq foot for our money and think the Ranch filled that requirement.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Although I haven't looked at recent floor plans, having built here in early '05, I will relate that my memory tells me several things (which may or may not be precisely current):

* Ranch homes are inevitably frame with siding
* Designer homes may also be frame with siding, but block & stucco are also available, and, to my way of thinking they're preferable (the block/stucco was +/- $3,000 more).
* Several things that I considered necessary when I selected a floor plan; perhaps these will influence your decisions.
** As open a kitchen as possible; that is, only counter space between the working area and the living/dining area.
** Laundry machines inside, not out in the garage.
** Lanai open on at least two sides (otherwise, the potential for being a hot pocket).
** Lanai preferrably accessible from master bedroom as well as living room. [The Cat has permanent access from the bedroom; I use the living area to access the lanai :) ]
** Lanai should not face west, if at all possible! (The narrow side of mine does, but a roll-up/down shade helps for the few days during the hottest season when sitting out might be impossible due to the direct sun)

In the end, I bought a Gardenia model, which I absolutely adore. It not only allows for good entertaining (I can work in the kitchen while my guests are partying, and we can still all party together), but feels so open. After 42+ years in what is now a 105-year-old three-story with basement house, I feel liberated!

Good luck!

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

The only designer and ranch I recall being the same were the Amarillo (Ranch) and the Azalea (Designer). Both are even very similar outside too as I recall (same front "porch" effect with the fence and all). Otherwise, the designer's seemed to be larger than the ranch homes (as stated above by dadspet).

I agree with dadspet that the designers have a little more in the way of "style" in their designs, and perhaps the standard lot runs a little larger too adding to the base price increase?

For ourselves, we wanted the block construction and that eliminated considering the ranches for us. In the end we decided between a block constructed villa and a designer. We went for the designer as we liked the open floor plan of the Gardenia the best.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Designers got their name from the time when you could modify ( change floor plan,stretch ), and select all your flooring,cabinets, etc. Now they are still called designers..but all are sold as spec/inventory homes...even the Premier homes are that way. Typically they have more upgrades than a ranch. Also some are block stucco, where Ranch homes are all vinyl.


THEY MADE A BIG MISTAKE I THINK

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

From the homes I viewed while visiting, I'm limiting my choices (and my budget dictates) to an Amarillo (ranch) or a Whispering Pine (designer). A Patio Villa feels just too confining for me. While I like privacy, I don't have pets that need an enclosed space (Courtyard Villa), and I prefer the openness a ranch or designer allows. Of course it's a personal choice, and you may want something totally different. I love the large open spaces of the new Whispering Pines (vs some older versions). The older version of the WP had a walled kitchen while the new models are open to the large living/dining spaces. It is a 2 bdrm w/den model (I also loved the French doors to the den :)). If I need to use the den as a bedroom for guests at any time, I'll use the raised queen size air mattress I have. Or, I may even purchase a sleeper sofa for the den. I haven't yet fully decided how I'll use that room. I'm currently thinking for the computer, a bookcase or two/reading room, and display of my Disney art/collection. However, it's much more likely I'll purchase an Amarillo...more financially practical since it has plenty of room for just me.

While I prefer the look of the cement block/stucco (CBS), I will select a sided home (unless I come into some cash or hit the lotto before I purchase). I just think it's more practical. The CBS homes need to be repainted, from what I've been told, perhaps every ~7 years. While I recognize the insurance is cheaper on a CBS home, I don't think insurance savings would cover the costs of re-paintings. I want my pension to be able to stand up to the inevitable inflation that we'll all face. I will have a mortgage and I don't want to be house poor.

I love seeing sunsets, so I think that means I want a West exposure on the lanai. I'm not sure of this, however. I'm confused on which exposure would best allow viewing sunsets from the lanai. Typically, it would be facing West, but some other posts I've read here have confused me on which exposure would best serve me. Maybe someone on-line can educate me on this.

[color=purple]

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

If you go to http://www.lylesellsfla.com he has a link to a page with many of the current and some earlier layouts on it. Great info as you ar looking around. Also, his web site will indicate how long a pre-owned home has been on the market.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

The Designer Bouganvilla and the Amarillo Ranch have identical floor plans and contain 1392 sq ft under air. The Amarillo is the top for the ranch and Bouganvilla is the entry for the designer homes. The ceiling in the great room is slightly different in the Bouganvilla which gives it the appearance of being larger. The Designer Wisteria and then the Designer Whispering Pine are from 100 to 200 sq ft larger than the Amarillo and both lovely styles. The older version of the Whispering Pine had the washer and dryer located in the garage but some of the newer models place them in an indoor laundry area.

When you are ready to purchase you should really take your time and have the real estate person show you many styles so you can make an informed decision. Sometimes it seems they only show you what they think you might like. You really don't know unless you see all of the styles in your price range.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Happy Villager - thank you. I do not think I would have noticed the ceilings, if you did not point it out.

captain1202 I went to the site. It is amazing how much info is out there.

Appreciate all of the input I have received.

Thanks.

HB

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

For Bestmickey. You will be happier if you have an East facing lanai, my friend. Unless you enjoy roasting in the afternoons and evenings, East is the direction in which to head. With the East you get to watch the sunrise and the shade in the afternoons and evenings. With the West you get the shade in the mornings and heat in the afternoons and evenings. Get the West heading and you will soon be in the market for large awnings or shades, or converting your lanai into an enclosed sunroom. And, keep in mind if you get a lanai heading West and have someone backing to your house, you will never see the sunset anyways. Word to the wise, my friend.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

If you're facing East you will get sun in the afternoon. If you want to cook outside or sit out for a drink in the afternoon, it will be very hot. Facing west you get sun in the morning but nice breezes and shadow in the afternoon. Thank you for reminding me. This will be important as we start looking at homes in TV.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

For pili. I assume you are referring to the front of your house facing West. The lanai should be facing East, the front of the house facing West. Rising in the East, setting in the West............. :dontknow: :welcome:

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Thanks Cliff....soooo many things to consider. I'm hoping I'll be able to afford a home on a corner lot. When I was visiting my sister, with her corner lot we could view the sunset from the lanai.

On the other hand, I suppose I could just go on a drive in the evenings I really want to catch the sunsets. I loved the hill country near the Havana Golf Course, and the course itself was just beautiful! (I'm not referring to the course as a golfer, just someone who drove the roads near it.) I could drive over there in my golf cart and pull over to the side any old time I desire.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Hi Cliff,

That was a good point about which direction the lanai should face. I would have thought automatically it should face west, so that we could see the sunset.

Micky, I guess if we do not get a corner lot, we will be joining on your search for the perfect place to see the sunset.

Golf courses are definitely a great place to go.

Thanks,

Hyacinth Bucket

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

You DEFINITELY do NOT want a West facing Lanai...no matter what style you buy!! The summer sun and heat is oppressive and you will not be happy...trust me on this one!! Also, I'd reconsider the corner lot. There's soooooo much traffic everywhere in TV now and even more during the winter months coming up...PLUS...the dog walkers LOVE the corner lots for their little "poopers". Also, a corner lot means more landscaping, more mowing, and both of those equal more work or money spent for someone else to do it. The Amarillo Ranch comes in 4 different models. Ours happens to be 1527 sq.ft. which mean we have a Florida Room...don't get one without it...AND we have vaulted ceilings AND ALL the UPGRADES of the Designer version, called a Bougainvilla...which costs $30K more!!! I'm serious!!! We have friends who have a Designer Bouganvilla...with NO Florida Room and they paid $30K more for their home than we did for our upgraded Amarillo and we purchased within weeks of each other. The "basic" Amarillo has flat ceilings, flat doors, no trim around doors, and cheapest of everything. I can tell you that TVs does not put a lot of quality time or "stuff" into any of their houses...so I'd plan on buying a good pre-owned one (about 2 yrs. old) where someone else has done all the work and spent all the money upgrading that you'll have to do if you buy new. We've put over $10K of extras and upgrades into our home since we moved in!!!

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

In response to the Designer's being named Designers because you could design your own home......back then you could also design Ranches and Villas. The biggest differences between the two are that Designers can be either block or sided, and Ranches are all sided, and some "extras" in the Ranchers come as standard features in Designers. Only a few of the models overlap in the two types of homes.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Hi JKP,

How do I find out what the "extras" are in a house? I have looked at more than 500 homes on line. They all seem to have the same kitchen lighting fixture, I do not know if I saw one with a flat roof or not. I notice a difference in the refrigerator and cabinets though.

I never thought about what you said about the corner lot. I had wanted a corner lot, because I am used to having a lot of wide open space.

The more I learn, it seems, I keep going back to the drawing board - so to speak. I noticed the priced differential between the Ranch and Designer home and could not figure out what the difference was, other than price.

Thanks for all the good info - appreciate it.

Hyacinth Bucket

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

I have read a lot of developer bashing and feel a need to give my input. The Villages is the "BEST" retirement community in the United States and I wouldn't live anywhere else!
As for the homes and what some say are cheap attributes, I don't agree. You have to remember TV builds homes for all price ranges. Yes some of the homes have the flat ceilings or the plain cabinets, etc. For some people that is all they could afford to purchase and without that option they wouldn't be able to own a home here. The home my husband and I purchased is an Amarillo that had all the upgrades such as the 6 panel colonial doors in all the rooms, the pocket door to the guest area, double sinks in the master bath, oak kitchen cabinets with the crown molding, shutters on all the exterior windows, etc. We have also done upgrades adding granite counters in the kitchen and both bathrooms, we enclosed the lanai and front porch, pavers in the driveway, curbing around the landscape etc. And you know what folks, some people would consider this home not enough for them! I've said it before and I'll say it again, it doesn't matter what type home you own because we all live the life of a millionaire when you can call TV home.
Buy what you can afford and please BE HAPPY!

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Hi Happy Villagers,

Thank you for letting me know what some of the "extras" are.

If you feel okay about it, can you give me an idea of what it cost to enclose a lanai? I also liked the Bird Cage (?) extensions that I have seen on some of the lanais.

I did not realize pocket doors and some of the other items you mentioned were "extras."

Thanks for the input.

Hyacinth Bucket

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Hyacinth,

Not sure I recall if you've been house shopping at TV yet but I would advise that if not, you come down and set aside several days for "tire kicking". Gwt "Dickie" to drive you around and look at new, pre-owned (villages resales) and pre-owned MLS properties. We looked at over 30 properties in all of the above categories. The pros and cons quickly become apparent and the "cream" rises to the top.

Sometimes something as simple as the "volume" ceilings make or break a certain house or design. For example, after renting for a week and having house guests as well, we found the living room in the ranches to be a little too small for us. BUT, we looked at a couple of ranches owned by single folks and the layout was fine.

And, of course, don't forget the "white designer slimline phone".

It just boils down to your personal preferences and you may not really understand what they all are until you look at a number of properties...IMHO.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

HB - Regarding birdcage estimates, I've read several times that $25/sq. foot is a reasonable estimate. Can be more/less depending on what's done. I'm not sure about finishing out the lanai.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

I am confused :dontknow: :dontknow:...If as we were told by our real estate agent back in April, homes can not be released for sale until finished then how can you have "extras"...If what we were told is true, then, by the time you see the house, it would be to late to add extras. Unless they build houses with and without the extras already...
??? ??? ???

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Hi Bella,

From what I understand at one time owners could customize their home before it was built. It appears that at this time they no longer offer this as an option.

I do not know if that means on the new homes if they all have the same design, appliances, cabinets etc.

That is all I know at this time.

Hyacinth Bucket

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

"Extras" are options on top of a standard package. At one time, you could visit TV and spend a week at the "Street of Dreams" (now the Southern Lifestyles store at Lake Sumter), and pick out all the options you wanted in your house. What TV did, presumably to save cost by getting economies of scale on their purchases, was to eliminate the option of custom designing homes and started building with popular sets of options. I would imagine they'd save a penny or two if they could order 10,000 yds of carpet at a deep volume discount, then sell it to you in your pre-built home as an upgrade. Many houses come now with ceramic, upgraded lights, extra elec outlets, pocket doors, all of which are listed as options on the receipt you get at closing.
Another advantage to the builder is they don't have to fix mistakes. "I said I wanted brown carpeting, you put in beige" complaints go away. Now it's take it or leave it when you see the already built house.
We had the option of buying one and picking everything out, but we opted for one built already. I wanted a few things the house had, and it had a few more things I'm glad I got.
I jsut can't wait to get there! It's a great place!

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Hi Steve,

Thank you for the clarity re: upgrades.

What were the extras that came with your house that you are now very happy that you have.

If you are new to looking at the villages it helps if you know there has been a change in policy when buying a new home. The options that were once available are now no longer available.

Have a good day.

Hyacinth

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Hyacinth:

I've been in my custom-built Designer since Feb '05. I had a ball building and decorating in the manner described by SteveFromNY.

When TV decided to eliminate that option of purchasing, I thought they'd made a very bad marketing decision, but probably a good bottom-line one. I was led to believe, though, that they seriously considered what all of us who had built under the program had chosen, and incorporated many of our choices into their "spec" built houses. Such as, a certain percentage having wood floors rather than tile or carpet, a certain percentage having such-and-such-style cabinets (upgrades from "standard"), etc.

Whether they actually did that or not, I really don't know. However, I do now know that it will undoubtedly be well worth your while to really, really and carefully, carefully, study what you think you want, to demand of your agent to see every option incorporating what you want, etc.

Many of my neighbors, all but a couple of whom built just as I did approx. three years ago, have already decided they needed changes, upgrades, whatever. Yes, the costs are on them, but they're making their new and probably last home just as they want it! It's a matter of being prepared to do so, I guess!

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

I am learning so much from everyone on this site - It will be a totally different visit when we go in December...We will be so much more prepared with questions...

Thanks Everyone! :bigthumbsup:

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Hi,

Bella, it is amazing the number of choices you have and the pros and cons of some of the choices. What I thought I originally wanted in a home in TV, I now realize that the negatives outweigh the value.

From all the responses that have I have read from this query, I will now save approximately $25,000. Besides saving the money, I have learned that I would have been very unhappy with my decision.

Swinrfla - I was curious to know how they are changing there homes. If you can, please let me know.

Hyacinth Bucket

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Hyacinth,
There were a LOT of options in my house - pages of them! I think they added about $30K to the base price of the house. The carpet was an upgrade, there is ceramic tile in the halls, the kitchen and baths that match. The cabinets and appliances were upgraded. There were ceiling fans, extra electric outlets, upgraded light fixtures, wider driveway, better front door, 12 ft wide sliders that open past the walls, attic floor and light over the garage, venetian blinds, and pocket doors (my single favorite). The pocket doors allow the 2nd BR, Den and bath to be completely separated from the rest of the house. Great for when folks visit - the MBR is on the opposite side and everyone has lots of privacy. It's the Gardenia model with plenty of room for us. We wanted concrete block and an open kitchen and were considering the Gardenia, Azelea and Grantham (a court yard villa). At the end of the day, the Gardenia won out because of the entry hallway and the hall into the MBR. I didn't like walking into the LR from outside or going from the K-LR-DR into the bedroom directly. All personal choices!
Rest assured there are homes there for sale that will meet your needs!

Steve

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

[quote=Hyacinth Bucket ]
Hi Happy Villagers,

Thank you for letting me know what some of the "extras" are.

If you feel okay about it, can you give me an idea of what it cost to enclose a lanai? I also liked the Bird Cage (?) extensions that I have seen on some of the lanais.

I did not realize pocket doors and some of the other items you mentioned were "extras."

Thanks for the input.


Hi Hyacinth, we had our lanai enclosed back in 2005 and it was around $3500. My husband tiled the floor himself so that was just material cost. I have no idea on the cost for the bird cage because we don't have one. We just had the front porch enclosed and that was $2400 which was way more expensive than the lanai considering the size being so much smaller. We also had a ceiling fan installed on our front porch and now can use both the lanai and porch to sit on. We get the sun in the front in the morning and on the lanai in the afternoons so we have the best of both worlds.

When we purchased our home you picked out a prebuilt model and purchased as is with no choice of options. We were shown approximately 12 new homes and we picked the one that had the most important options for us. For example I knew I did not want tile in my shower because of the upkeep connected with it and we definitely wanted the cathedral ceilings. There were slightly more than $25,000 worth of improvements on the home we chose and we lucked out because the corner homesite was reduced $10,000. You will be shown the the same style home and all will have a different purchase price because they will have different improvements built in to the cost.

It will be an exciting adventure when you get ready to purchase. Take a pen and pad with you to write down the particulars for each home you view. It can get confusing trying to remember what each house had and where it was located and the cost too. I wish you all the best and :welcome: to TV.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Hyacinth:
One couple took up their carpeting and put down wood-laminate. They also did some painting inside, but used their own labor for that.
Another couple has just taken up carpeting and put down tile.
Virtually everybody (16 homes on the street) have spent a fair amount of bucks on upgraded landscaping.
One couple expanded their lanai, added floor space as well as birdcaging.
Several have tiled the lanai - and I'm seriously considering doing so.
There was a crew here the other day resurfacing one couple's cabinets!

I have no clue as to how much any body paid! Figured it isn't my business, but I will ask those who tiled their lanai who did it and how much it cost!

Most of these projects strike me as a little soon after the house was built - and we all built-to-order - but folks' tastes do change, after all! The first house on the street was completed in late August 2004.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

All these replies and suggestions have been unbelievably helpful and although we are probably several months away from becoming Villagers, I have been printing the comments that are important for us and am building a file with all this information. TOTV is just the BEST and I just couldn't imagine being without it. Thanks "our" Hyacinth for starting this thread, and everyone for participating so vigorously.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Here's another site for real estate in TV.
www.lylesellsfla.com
He lists the homes in TV with their original price, current price, and number of days on the market.

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

There are lots of interesting responses to this topic. I hope you are able to see the thread running through them all which should tell you that, not too many years ago, we had an opportunity to have a home built here to our exact specifications after spending three or four days with a Village home designer. In order to make a few more bucks, and take this wonderful design ability away from the prospective homeowner, they now build homes and say "Take it or leave it. Someone will buy it." Happy Villager can tell you how wonderful it is here but take it all with a grain of salt. Her expectations may not be as high as some of us. If you have been here for 5+ years, you had a taste of the good life. People coming in now are being led to the traugh and told to feed. I am much happier here in my designer home than I was in New England shoveling snow and trying to find the money to buy winter heating oil. But, in New England, I did not feel like I was dealing with the "Company Store". After a while you realize that the Villages has fingers in every facet of your daily life. They build the homes. They decide on how much you pay to enjoy life here. They own the bank that loans you money and fights to get your savings. They raise the prices of golf at their whim and try to convince you that you need the increase in prices. They charge so much for leases that business owners come and go regularly because they can't make enough money to pay their leases. Lots of things going on here that "snowbirds" and "prospective owners" will never realize until they put their money on the line and BUY. After a year or two, the new buyers can sit back and complain like the rest of us while we enjoy this little bit of paradise. Bella, did you play at Melody Hills?

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Cliff...
Very interesting response to this. I guess you have to weigh the good against the bad...
We have not lived in RI for 20+ years and I do not play golf, but my husband has played there on occasion when we go back to visit...

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Bella that was a very nice way of putting it - weigh the good against the bad. Some people can view TV realistically with positive outlooks and some obviously with negative outlooks. I stand behind my comment that TV is the "BEST" retirement community in the United States. If anyone knows of another I wonder why they are still living here?

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Hi,

If you go to the site that Beady suggested, and I forgot about, www.lylesellsfla.com

you need to click on Special Listings in the top left hand corner of the web page. That takes you to a page where you will see a variety of places to buy homes in.

Go to Villages and on the right hand side click in the price range you are looking for.

Have fun looking.

Hyacinth

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

I was led to believe that the smallest ranch is about the same size as the patio villa. However, I'm not clear on the relationship between the ranches and the designer homes. I too have seen some ranches that are the same square footage as the smallest designer home (bouganvillea?). But are there ranches that are bigger than this smallest designer home? It can indeed be pretty confusing.... Thanks for input!

Re: RANCH VS DESIGNER HOMES and Floor Plans
 

Good point, Happy Villager.
In my opinion, there is NO perfect place to live. One has to find what works best for them. Hubby has always wanted to live in FL. I told him he needed to find a reason for me to go there. After visiting TV last Oct--that was it!! Believe me, we have looked into other retirement communties and none have what TV has to offer--and with higher fees.

BTW there are other places that build a home and sell "as is"