[graciegirl]

We have bought two new houses in our almost four year adventure in The Villages.

The first had to be furnished completely because we were snowbirds and our old house did give up some extra stuff but we had to gather a whole household of things.

If you are a snowbird, than you will be duplicating most of the things you already own; silverware, dishes, small appliances, big appliances etc. furniture, TV's, porch furniture, EVERYTHING.

We carried many a load down in our van and pulling a trailer as it was easier to shop up North where we knew the stores.

How did you do it? Did you choose new or used stuff? Did you furnish your snowbird house or your year 'round house? How much do you think it cost? What would you change? What are you sorry you did? Did you choose white and Florida-y or traditional, not so beachy?

Do you have any direction for those about to embark on the journey...and to those about to do it, do you have any questions from those who have been through it?

[Cynbod]

We bought a new house last December. We went directly to Southern Lifestyles and purchased all new furniture and it was delivered and set up on the day we went to closing. It cost around 17,000.

I went online to Walmarts and ordered TVs, dishes, silverware, glasses coffee pot, that kind of thing and had it sent to Walmarts down there and picked it all up at the time of closing. This cost 1000. Really had the rental stuffed that day.

We had linens ordered from Macys and they went to a friends house before closing. I also ordered a washer/dryer from Home Depot and that came on our second visit in January. These were probably another 1500.

Over the year we have picked up quite a few decorating things for the house, replaced the carpet and have just made plans to extend the lanai.

As you can see we have spent plenty, but it has been worth it for us. We only get down every six weeks or so and about a month ago my 29 year old daughter took a job in the area and right now she is living in the house.

I would not have done anything differently. I love the house and soon I hope to be living in it a lot more.

[l2ridehd]

Excellent questions Gracie. I have furnished 3 homes in TV. Our personal home and two rental homes. We bought from many sources. Bargains and Treasures, Craig's List, private sales, and a few new pieces. We did two U-haul trucks and a trailer plus several pick up truck loads as it was easier to buy in Virginia then Florida. And I mean LOADS. We looked like the Beverly Hill Billy's driving South. I keep very accurate information on the rental homes and a good estimate for our home. Total complete everything for the rentals was about $6,000 each and that included new mattress's and box springs and HD TV's. Golf carts were on top of that. Our home was a little more. We have added a few pieces here and there to each home. Here are pictures for the rental homes.

www.************.com/2266

www.************.com/1690

Next will come a major challenge. What to do with everything when we sell our VA home next year. Not to much furniture will come with us, but a few pieces. However lots of tools, craft stuff, and kitchen stuff. Guess we will have a big garage sale once we become frogs. Have to have two, one in VA and one in FL. Either that or we will have to buy another home.

[njbchbum]

we bought a pre-owned snowbird nest on the historic side and i was able to research the purchase of furniture on-line after getting great tips from the folks on totv re where they shopped for their furniture and accessories. we bought new furniture for the bedrooms, living room and kitchenette; but were able to bring lanai furniture, dishes, silverware, pots and pans, televisions, clock radios and stuff from our home up north - had lots of stuff packed away in the basement that we were able to use. i have also picked up incidentals at some of the great yard sales in the villages - one of my favorite sports there!

we stayed in a local motel for a few days before closing and did all of our buying while we were there so that everything could be delivered on out day of closing. we furnished ala florida since we have a seashore victorian in jersey and a cabin in the woods in maine! prior to move in we also had arranged for house cleaning and cable installation during the week before closing with the permission of the home owner. it worked out so well that we were able to have friends over to warm our house the nite we moved in!

i would guess that we spent less than $5,000 on furnishings...so we were able to spend money on improvements last year such as new lanai windows and a screened-in carport - this year will be new flooring and next year we'll add a golf cart garage. all of that will up-date our nest and we figure it's a good investment for the future value of the house.

[natickdan]

Excellent post and one I believe will be helpful to those moving to TV.

As snow birds, we opted not to bring anything from our home in MA and purchased all new furniture, electronics and washer & dryer after we closed last January. After visiting most furniture stores around TV, we bought most of our new furniture from either Southern Lifestyle and Showcase Direct. We purchased three new TV's and other electronics from Amazon because of their pricing and they delivered directly to our home. Prior to closing, we purchased a new washer & dryer from Best Buy and arranged delivery for the day after we closed.

Many furniture stores around TV have room layouts of homes styles in TV and this is a big benefit when buying furniture. We found this next tidbit quite helpful... The Villages sales office will give you a CAD paper drawing of your floor plan with dimensions. My wife took this drawing to Staples, had it copied and laminated. This allowed us to carry it with us while shopping and mark it up as we explored furniture options.

If I had to do it all over again ( And I Don't ), I would have spent more time at the consignment shops to supplement what we needed. We have met a number of people in TV that purchased furniture from local consignment shops and in doing so, they got very nice furniture and saved money.

We still have projects we want to complete this winter, but we are getting there....albeit slowly.

Best of luck!

[Debfrommaine]

Agree, useful topic to discuss.

We are on our second home in 17 months. Did not bring furniture from Maine -opted to pay $22 for a 4 day or so ad in the local paper stating we were looking for gently used, newer furniture and some 25 calls in 3 days we got the job done! We hired a local mover to pick everything up in one shot and ended up with beautiful pieces. This was also the time when Southern Lifestyle had their "clearance" room - snagged a Hooker king bedframe for under $130 and bureau and matching end tables for near that. If one has the patience and time, great way to do furnish a place - gently used is the way to go.

[marybb]

///

[marybb]

Bought everything new, and had a ball doing it. Lary and I also did a lot of shopping up north, for the very reason you stated. We knew all the stores and the Best deals. Funny how I just love shopping for bargains.

[jebartle]

We have sold every house we owned, FURNISHED.....Every home was a different style, A-Frame, Tudor, Traditional and now Spanish...Our Village home is a pre-own that required new kitchen, granite and stainless appliances....Furniture was purchased in NC (Furniture capital of the nation), Window treatments made in NC and brought with us also...Have bought accessories here in TV....TOTV is a great source for finding that perfect something also.....Only thing left, looking for that perfect golf game, Ha!

[goingtothevillages]

CONSIGNMENT SHOPS - great idea - hadn't thought of them. New to TV and the area - anyone know where some of the better ones are?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by goingtothevillages

CONSIGNMENT SHOPS - great idea - hadn't thought of them. New to TV and the area - anyone know where some of the better ones are?

I run down to Bargains and Treasures at least three times a week. This week we found a beautiful big 14" leaded glass vase for $28. (I thought I had brought my vases along...) And two nice 30" tall wooden file cabinets that can double as tables for the office...each under $50.

Everything I have found there is in good condition (I don't think they will accept yucky stuff on consignment) and I was interested in a tropical looking lamp for the lanai but they pointed out a flaw in the shade.
They are on 466 past the High School, same side of the street, just past the railroad track but if you get to 301 where the fruit stand is, you have gone too far.

It is owned by nice folks and they get in about ten loads a day, I am told...and obviously sell it too. I have sold things there too. There is another store that Skyguy and his wife like too near the intersection of 466A and 441 that is nice too. Skyguy will come on and tell you the name. I have forgotten it.

[goingtothevillages]

Tks Graciegirl - I'm new to all of this but have noted that you're one that all of us can count on to give good (and frequent) advice - thanks again and keep up the good work!!!! We all appreciate it!!!!

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

There is another store that Skyguy and his wife like too near the intersection of 466A and 441 that is nice too. Skyguy will come on and tell you the name. I have forgotten it.

Gracie, your wish is my command... (up to a point)

There are actually two stores in Fruitland Park near the end of 466A... Neerlee New and The Furnature Barn. Neeerlee New has a website - http://site.neerleenewfurnishings.com/

We went to both a number of times as their inventory has a pretty fast turnover. Between the two we got our living room set, dining room table, chairs and buffet, master bedroom set, a desk for the den and other misc. items. We did also buy a china closet from Bargans and Treasurers.

The few other things obtained, we got new, like a Lazyboy recliner and entertainment center from Whites Furnature in Summerfield and a king size mattress, box spring and head & footboard from the Sleep Center.

[CarGuys]

I will be looking for that previously loved Dinning room Set and Hutch.

My grandkids are now continuing the tradition of learning to eat at and enjoy family dinner with our old set. Mom and Dad are happy

Ruth and I are looking. Gracie if you visit it's paper plates on the counter top for awhile!

I did not know about the Treasures place?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by CarGuys

I will be looking for that previously loved Dinning room Set and Hutch.

My grandkids are now continuing the tradition of learning to eat at and enjoy family dinner with our old set. Mom and Dad are happy

Ruth and I are looking. Gracie if you visit it's paper plates on the counter top for awhile!

I did not know about the Treasures place?

When we were there yesterday there must have been.........30 sets or more of tables and chairs...which will be different next time we go. I am always kidding them about the dance you have to do there...the side step. Their guys are always carrying stuff in....or out. You can't just stand in the aisles and look...someone is always going somewhere with stuff. I bought a really pretty picture for our bathroom yesterday...double matted under glass of a cottage near the water with sailboats...$25, about 20X24 and not used, new with the corner protecters still on it. When we were furnishing our house in Hadley I found the very kitchen table and chairs that I had looked at new at a furniture store in Cincinnati there, used but mint condition for a fraction of what I would have paid for it. Now there are some things you wouldn't like but other things that are really, really terrific bargains......and treasures.

P.S. We bought our bar stools there.