[alanmcdonald]

We have the home and will be visiting off and on until the big move to The Villages in September 2015.

We've already done or in the process of some of the most common "improvements":
coated garage floor
installed attic stairs
lights in all ceiling fans
replaced "builder beige" carpet with hardwood
sealed lanai floor
golf cart

Will have TVs mounted, but that has to wait until after the move.

If you had 1-3 other "to-dos" before moving in what would you recommend?

[olgreeneyes]

Solar light tubes

[vlm790]

custom closets

[2BNTV]

Buy furniture.

[Lovey2]

water system (Pegasus...Robert, 352-748-7873)
custom closets (hanging rack in laundry room)
pull the pine needles up and get rock (even if you don't do a full blown landscape now)

[gomoho]

granite and stainless

[OBXNana]

We just purchased and will take our time thinking how to making it "ours". We won't be living there for 3 years and don't want to jump into anything at this moment.

What is a must is remove carpet in the living area and it's a shame because it's brand new. Possibly, enclose the lanai for more of an open feel. Do something with the cookie cutter landscaping may be a near future decision.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by OBXNana

We just purchased and will take our time thinking how to making it "ours". We won't be living there for 3 years and don't want to jump into anything at this moment.

What is a must is remove carpet in the living area and it's a shame because it's brand new. Possibly, enclose the lanai for more of an open feel. Do something with the cookie cutter landscaping may be a near future decision.

If your house is new. It is AMAZING how the landscaping grows into something beautiful and lush and dramatic in a couple of years. We are so pleased with what the builder gave us in this home AND at our first house in Hadley.


AND in answer to the question of "What would you do to a new Villages home?". I would put in it ONLY things I loved, we loved, and if I needed to buy a new thing, I would search until I found the most beautiful new thing we could afford. I would use ONLY my favorite colors and Sweeties, and I would try to make it the most beautiful and comfortable and welcoming place I had ever lived in. I would put in it personal things and pictures that always made me smile and blink back tears of good memories.


My advice. Take your time. Savor. Enjoy the process.

[alanmcdonald]

We have seen them and don't like them. Thanks anyway.

[alanmcdonald]

Originally Posted by olgreeneyes

Solar light tubes

We have seen them and don't like them. Thanks anyway.

[alanmcdonald]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

Buy furniture.

Done, thanks.

[alanmcdonald]

Originally Posted by vlm790

custom closets

That's what we are thinking.

[slipcovers]

Don't do rocks. That is not landscaping, it is hardscaping. Ugliest thing I have ever seen. Cant imagine how hard it would be to get rid of them. Definitely no curb appeal. JMO

[FloridaShrimp]

We bought an older home and wanted to put in some necessary items and then something to "dress it up" and make it different.
Necessary: custom closets, additional storage for the utility room, plantation shutters, AC for the enclosed lanai, pull down ladder for the garage, replace vinyl tile floors with wood and porcelain tile
For the icing on the cake: replaced 2 sets of sliding glass doors with French doors that have the mini blinds between the glass, replaced Formica counters in kitchen and bathrooms with granite, changed all light fixtures and redid the shower
You are wise to do it before you move in.

[Bob McKeever]

I would consider radiant heat barrier in the attic and on the garage door. Reduces the temps by about 30 degrees. The garage now matches the outside temp instead of acting like a blast furnace. Best thing we did in our CYV. Check the SECO web site for details and discounts.