[Beatit]

We are not sure whether or not to build. In order to figure cost of a new build
were you provided a list of standard design features and options available with estimated costs prior to your selection process with the design people?

We would appreciate any information.

[bonrich]

Pick a realtor, and we do recommend Brian Dees. We sat down with Brian and prior to that we had a couple of models in mind. He can, or I would imagine any realtor associated with The Villages can work up an approximate purchase price for you, putting in different building options into those models.
We learned quite a bit from those informal sessions to what our cost could be. Also can tell you approximate monthly costs, taxes, etc based on that model to build and maintain.

[Happinow]

when you tour the models with your sales person, they will tell you the base price of the model home as it sits. They do not know, to my knowledge, what any upgrade would cost. Your designer would know that and you don't meet with him/her until you purchase. Maybe if you asked your sales person if you could meet with the designer to talk upgrades and costs they may let you.

[The Village Girl]

Originally Posted by bonrich

Pick a realtor, and we do recommend Brian Dees. We sat down with Brian and prior to that we had a couple of models in mind. He can, or I would imagine any realtor associated with The Villages can work up an approximate purchase price for you, putting in different building options into those models.
We learned quite a bit from those informal sessions to what our cost could be. Also can tell you approximate monthly costs, taxes, etc based on that model to build and maintain.

I agree with bonrich, your realtor can give you an approximate cost to build before you start the process. Many people never even see the design team and the realtor goes through the process with you.

[aljetmet]

We're coming in April and I'll sit with my sales agent and know what the major options cost before we buy the lot. You need to make sure that the stretches you want will fit on the lot you choose.

Two years ago, we were given the starting price of the house we liked by our agent.
When we added an option our agent told us the revised price of the house .
We kept on adding options and getting the cost of the house. At the end we knew the cost of each option.

[rothbear]

Is there not any lists anywhere as to what can be done to each model and what the costs are without having to sit down with an agent?

We visited TV for the first time 2 weeks ago and picked out the model that we like, but if what we want to do is going to be too much money we will have to rethink everything. We can't move down until hubby retires in 1.5 years and we sell our house in SC, but are considering getting a lot this fall and waiting to build, but need to know what we are going to do in order to know what size lot to get. I really don't want to waste the agents or our time with hours and hours of "designing" a house if we aren't able to make it work. Plus I would like to know ahead of time what is and isn't available on a certain model.

Thanks! I look forward to reading everything on her, although it may take me days and days. Such a lot of information that is greatly appreciated.

[keithwand]

We just got back from TV this AM after spending 6 days; 3 of which were picking stuff out.

There is no list.

You pick what you want, get the price and start deducting what you don't need which in our case was a $6,000 front door and sidelights.

A standard door will do just fine thank you.

[aljetmet]

Originally Posted by rothbear

Is there not any lists anywhere as to what can be done to each model and what the costs are without having to sit down with an agent?

We visited TV for the first time 2 weeks ago and picked out the model that we like, but if what we want to do is going to be too much money we will have to rethink everything. We can't move down until hubby retires in 1.5 years and we sell our house in SC, but are considering getting a lot this fall and waiting to build, but need to know what we are going to do in order to know what size lot to get. I really don't want to waste the agents or our time with hours and hours of "designing" a house if we aren't able to make it work. Plus I would like to know ahead of time what is and isn't available on a certain model.

Thanks! I look forward to reading everything on her, although it may take me days and days. Such a lot of information that is greatly appreciated.

You are not wasting the agents time to price out the major options of a house

cost of stretches
golf cart garage
expanding the lania
tile on the diagonal
granite
SS appliances
a jetted tub in the master bathroom.
a pool
an outside kitchen
a bird cage

etc. etc.
(if you think something would be expensive just ask)

Now a days it does seem that you have a ton of options but the ones I listed I'm sure are the most costly

They have a computer and it's real quick to get you the numbers.

They want you to be happy and have your mouth watering so they can sell you. Let them do their job!!

I will next month when we pick out our lot!

Good luck!

[rothbear]

Thanks for the replies! I guess the biggest thing we need to know is what types of "stretches" are even available. We really liked the Lily with the addition of a golf cart garage, but might consider the Iris or Lilac if we could stretch out the bedroom side of the house since they already have a golf cart garage in the plan. Although I really, really like that bay window in the front of the Lily!! We do realize that these will probably require an upgrade in lot size, which of course would also up the cost factor. Really not a whole lot of other upgrades except for possibly a larger lanai, if that is available.

I really wish they would put together at least a list of upgrades to consider ahead of time. I know that there are some builders that don't really do a lot of upgrades or customizations and it would be nice to know ahead of time what is available. We talked about a few things with the sales agent but not everything.

Thanks again!

[applesoffh]

not every option or upgrade is available on every model, which is what we learned when we met with our designer in November.

Another thing to take into consideration is your lot...extra $$$ to have a wall in back, be on a corner, cul de sac, golf course, etc. All lots are not created equal. We built a Lilac - stretched the lanai as much as we could but lost out on an additional 2' because of less than an inch. If I'm not mistaken, stretches must be made in 2' increments.

[applesoffh]

Originally Posted by rothbear

Thanks for the replies! I guess the biggest thing we need to know is what types of "stretches" are even available. We really liked the Lily with the addition of a golf cart garage, but might consider the Iris or Lilac if we could stretch out the bedroom side of the house since they already have a golf cart garage in the plan. Although I really, really like that bay window in the front of the Lily!! We do realize that these will probably require an upgrade in lot size, which of course would also up the cost factor. Really not a whole lot of other upgrades except for possibly a larger lanai, if that is available.

I really wish they would put together at least a list of upgrades to consider ahead of time. I know that there are some builders that don't really do a lot of upgrades or customizations and it would be nice to know ahead of time what is available. We talked about a few things with the sales agent but not everything.

Thanks again!

The stretches you want depend on the size of your lot...period. we stretched our lanai as much as we could...and missed an additional 2' stretch by less than an inch...because of the lot size.

[rothbear]

Originally Posted by applesoffh

The stretches you want depend on the size of your lot...period. we stretched our lanai as much as we could...and missed an additional 2' stretch by less than an inch...because of the lot size.

Oh no! That would be frustrating. Yes I realize that we would probably need a bigger lot, especially if we want to add the golf cart garage to the Lily, but the good thing is that we don't want on a golf course or corner. Cul-de-sac would be nice but those are apparently a huge cost upgrade. I guess we will just have to wait until this fall and plan to spend several days there on a stay. Thank you!

[Realitybreak]

Originally Posted by rothbear

Oh no! That would be frustrating. Yes I realize that we would probably need a bigger lot, especially if we want to add the golf cart garage to the Lily, but the good thing is that we don't want on a golf course or corner. Cul-de-sac would be nice but those are apparently a huge cost upgrade. I guess we will just have to wait until this fall and plan to spend several days there on a stay. Thank you!

If you are looking at adding stretches to the Lilly, you may want to look at the Lantana. The Lantana has a similiar layout and is a little larger. The standard linia is bigger and the standard garage is bigger on the Lantana