Price Increase/Decrease??
 

Am I the only one who noticed there appears to be another price increase on new models and a substantial decrease on the cost of building a Lantana??

When we were looking at homes in 2008 you could buy a Lantana on an interior lot with no golf cart garage for about 279K. I remember that price as being the lowest anyway. Our neighbors who captured the stick version next door to us with partial view of golf course, no granite, no interior kicks and linoleum floor and a golf cart garage paid 325k in 2008. I always thought that was a find for a new Lantana then. How much are they now?

It is SO hard to figure the price out on spec homes because they all are different and some have blinds and laundry appliances and granite and other upgrades and some do not.

Just added. I just went to thevillages.com and there are 15 Lantanas listed under new spec homes and they range from 227K to 336K. So it doesn't appear there has been any increase at all since we looked at them in 2008. In fact many appear less expensive.

PLEASE KNOW I DON'T work for the developer. I just like to keep aware of the cost of homes here.

Not sure about the Lantana...but I could swear the Ivy jumped $6K. When we designed in September, I think the base was either $269K or $270K...

While my first thought is "great, now I have a little equity" it makes me think how unaffordable some of the homes are becoming...that some people will get "priced out" of being able to retire here or will have to scale back their house plans...

I am guessing that it will be trending the same everywhere. Houses are selling better than they were in Ohio a year ago according to our realtor back there whose husband is keeping his job.

(inside joke for Virtual Geezer)

I will see how much Ivys are selling for on that site.

There is only one brand new Ivy spec home listed and it is 445K but it's size is an amazing 2500 square feet which is as large as some Premiers. I didn't check to see if it was a view lot. I would like to see that house, I imagine it is a wowser.

I went back to look again. It is just being built and is a view lot and has a pool. Here's the number VNH#: 214057

I have a Gardenia so I have followed the pricing since we decided that was the model we wanted. The Gardenia went up $2400 since the last increase 11/26. The change on 11/26 looked like a decrease but if you compare the floorplans to the month before, they took out the column and arch between the kitchen and dining room in the standard model. If you see a decrease in the base price of a model, you might check to see if something changed on the standard model.
Changes in the Gardenia pricing:
5/1/2012 $220,800 (represents a 3% increase from April)
8/3/2012 $221,800
9/4/2012 $222,600
10/3/2012 $223,200
11/1/2012 $224,300
11/26/2012 $224,200(removed column and arch from standard)
1/4/2013 $226,600 about 5.7% increase since last April

Lantana base price dropped over $11,000.

I had an Oleander built in 2004. I just loved the large kitchen it offered. Now I understand they don't even build that style anymore because of the low demand for "an enclosed kitchen."

Changed the floorplan too
 

It looks like they changed the standard floorplan also. Added a entry way closet, moved the HVAC and WH to the room off the garage entry, changed the built in pantry in the kitchen to a cabinet pantry, made the living/dining 3" less in width and added the 3" to the kitchen/nook. Maybe other changes too.

Roni. I didn't READ your first post carefully. YOU ARE RIGHT of course!!!!

I really like the Lantana model. Expecially like the size of second and third bedroom and the front bedroom can be used as a family room/den/ hide your everyday living stuff place.

All of these appear to be less than when we were looking in 2008.

I wish the moderators would have a HOUSE forum for us people who are intrigued with homes and interiors of homes. I love to see the way different models are configured....and I love how each owner makes their model home to THEM.

:agree:

The changes for the HVAC and water heater were made across the board when they opened the new models. When we designed in mid-November (prior to the December release of new models), there was an entry closet and no separate pantry closet, but a pantry cabinet. Other than the 3" changes you mentioned, I can't figure it out. I have a call into my sales agent.

Never met the gentleman, but Lyle Gant the realtor has been the keeper of TV floor plans for years. I think he knows the complete history of every home model built here. Since the moderator has deemed him an expert, perhaps Mr Gant would respond to questions like the one in this OP.

I like to follow along on house prices and designs too, but I can't picture all the models and then what common 'kicks' and revisions look like. If Mr. Gant would put up a model graphic in response to someone's question, then describe changes, we could all learn a lot and have fun at the same time. Bet if you asked him he'd like the idea as much as the moderator will like HOUSE.

(I was an educator - you just got homework)

We purchased a Mandevilla, which I believe is a version of the Oleander. Having a large, separate kitchen with an eating nook and a center island was a big attraction for us. I am not sure why people prefer the open plan? Our living room and dining room (and large foyer with a closet) provide adequate open space. The kitchen has a pass-through to the dining room and a clear view of (and 2nd door to) the L-shaped lanai, so it seems open enough.

I really love the design! Different strokes for different folks!

When we purchased our Sanibel model in Feb. 2012 the base price was $403,000.
It is now $414,500 and the MBR bath tub is now an option.
They also removed 2 of the 4 windows in the Master Bedroom and squared off the corner walls where those 2 windows were located.
1K price appreciation per month. Still worth it to be here in TV.
Wait until the build out is done!