Bungalow or Cabana?
 

Any advantages or disadvantages for purchase of Bungalow over Cabana?....or the other way around? There doesn't seem to be much of a cost difference. I know that I want a CYV because of my dog, but just can't decide on a Bungalow or Cabana.....I like the "Charlotte", but also like the "Bonifay".

They are both the same, each floorplan has two different names depending on the veneer. In the masonry construction before it was a Charlotte it was a Foxglove until about ten months ago, the 'Foxgloves' usually sell out first in each villa community. You have a pantry in the kitchen whereas in the other 3 BR, use to be called a Broadmoor I don't know the new name, it has no pantry or as my neighbor does, he uses the linen closet in the hall. Also you have space in the laundry to put a second refrigerator instead out in the hot garage, the Broadmoor didn't have that space. The only negative is the sliding door in the MB takes up a wall that you'll need for a dresser. We got around that by placing the headboard on a different wall than as shown in the model, this way we could set up our dresser and chest without blocking the sliding door.

There is usually a $7,000 to $10,000 difference between the vinyl version and the solid poured concrete stucco version. I know that with our masonry version my very loud surround system cannot be heard outside, it's very soundproof, and our electric bills run about $92 a month, we can't turn out A/C below 81 degrees or it gets too cold. Also, I think over time the masonry homes don't show age and weathering as much as the vinyl versions. Drive though some of the older villa communities north of CR 466 and take a look.

Thanks John, You have re-affirmed my decision.

Does the masonry home need painting after awhile? Thanks.

Yes stucco CYV need repainting. Especially prone is any color with a red hue. Ours is peanut color. The southern exposure is beginning to fade after 4 years.

Any idea what a paint job costs?

The newer vinyl siding does not fade like the older ones. Lower UV sensitivity.

Our courtyard villa neighborhood was hit badly when the tornado went through here in 2007. The villas are block, not vinyl. There was a lot of damage, but not the damage seen with vinyl homes. Many vinyl homes were demolished to the foundation. Our first home here in The Villages was vinyl, but after being hit by a tornado, we would never recommend vinyl.

Of course, hopefully, the chances are quite slim that another tornado would go through The Villages.

names of villages
 

I hope you don't mind if I ask - Which villages were hit? Which are block and which are vinyl? Thanks.

Betty

I just built my new home in TV. One of my biggest decisions was stucco or vinyl. I went for stucco after I talked to a frieind. Her late husband was a home inspector in Florida and he said that vinyl is much more prone to termites. He said even if you are vigilant with your termite protection that it didn't mean your neighbors were -- even in TV. She said his recommendation was that you if could afford it -- go stucco.

Hi Betty,

To answer your question about where the tornado went, it came through Sunset Pointe, Sable Chase, tore apart Mallory Hill Country Club and then went through The Village of Mallory Square.

A lot of block homes had severe damage, also, but the vinyl were the worst. We saw areas where a vinyl house was next to a block house, and the block definitely held up better. It's a little more costly, but after having been through a tornado, we would always choose block.

When you asked which are block and which are vinyl, I wasn't sure if you meant which neighborhoods or how to tell the difference. The block are going to be stucco, and the frame will have vinyl siding. I'm sorry if that didn't answer your question. I wasn't quite sure what you were asking.

Thank you for your reply. I am trying to find out the name of the neighborhoods which were damaged. No matter if they were block or if they were vinyl. I thought the tornadeo went through the Village of Caroline and I was trying to find out the names of the VILLA neighborhoods which suffered damage. I hope this is clearer now. When I say names, I mean like Elizabeth villas etc.

Betty

At the time, we lived in the Hampton Villas. They sustained a lot of damage. It did do damage in the Village of Caroline, but I'm sorry I don't know specifically which villa neighborhoods.

Well to be fair, there were major building code updates on all building after 2002,

History

1979: 118-128 mph

1997: 118-125 mph

2001: 117-130 mph

2010: 150-160 mph

So the damage report in '07 would be mitigated on a home built to the '10 code.

But these are hurricane winds not tornado obviously.

Anyone buying a resale should be mindful of the build date.
I think a home built to the 2010+ code a safer buy.

There is a major difference going from 130mph to 160mph.

I don't see the big benefit in a concrete home over stick built the roof of either in the same wind is coming off.

In the case of a hurricane you have plenty of time to get away,
in a tornado it's about 6-10 minutes to get safe.

For less than the build difference you can install an in home safe room.

I don't think you're personal safety is better in either without a roof you're toast.

.