The deals are out there if you are patient. The previous owners initially tried to get $309K for the home, what they had into it, not a lot of bites and then got into a pinch with time and money, and I swooped in with cash offer.

When I buy I look at 100s of homes online, narrow that down to maybe 20-30 homes that I look at in person, and then make decisions. You need to be ready to make cash offers in order to get the best deals.

There is no way that buying new homes in Fenney is a better deal when you factor in zero bonds, lots of upgrades, and tons of amenities that exist now, not in the future.

Just don't get caught up with "keeping up with the Jone's". You can and will see neighbors spending over $10K for landscaping, small walls, decorative rocks, palms, fancy driveways (staining, stamping, pavers), etc. Sit back, relax and enjoy your new house, then make a decision on what you want to upgrade or change, you might be surprised how nice these houses are without all the added expense. I'd focus on enjoying all the amenities that TV has to offer. In my opinion, that's what TV is about.

I pulled out the carpet and tiled the house immediately since the matching tile was still around.
Took down all the blinds and installed shutters. Will sell the new / old blinds $10 each.
Removed the kitchen chandelier and installed a matching eyeball light. Chandelier $20
Enclosed the lanai, added a seperate A/C unit
Added a hot tub
Added lots of cabinets / built in wall units to the master bedroom, laundry room, kitchen.
Adding a pergola.

Spending the family inheritance on ME ! for my last home to be a great home for ME.

Smart man.


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[QUOTE=Wiotte;1521994]You don’t need to do anything. But if you feel the need to, wait at least one year. You’ll be amazed what you thought to be a good idea 6 months ago now feels like...what was I thinking ? Bottom line, keep your wallet closed until your wants become a real need.

Totally agree. First of all, I would make sure this is a house that you plan on staying in!!! Then I would make improvements that you want. I've seen some people who did improvements right away and then saw something they liked better several months later. Besides, not everyone has the same taste in decorating.

I personally would install a Nova water filtration system.

Initially, I would do what is necessary. IMHO

I'm just so happy to finally be here enjoying all that The Villages has to offer. For me, home improvements can wait. Taking it slowly, one thing at a time.

My reason for posting was we will have a home start up budget. After that we will be on a fixed income that may not support any upgrades. So if we don't budget for upgrades now, probably won't be able to do them later.

Thanks for the comments.



Thanks for the

If that's the case I would broaden the horizon to include improvements that save money and pay back in savings. It probably is best to start another thread if that interests you.

Other then window treatments you don’t need to do anything immediately.

It took us over a year to sell our Tampa house.
Put in window treatments, bought a washer & dryer,
and put in a Nova water filter.

Then over the year we added attic atairs, attic fan & insulation
And pullouts for kitchen & bath cabinets.

The one big thing we did before we moved in was doing a custom build in our master closet.

I am a carpet fan so still have the carpet and the appliances.

Actually a smart man, or woman, would buy a resale with tens of thousands in upgrades already done with bond paid instead of a bare bones new home with $30k unpaid bond. ;)

Way to go......spend it all.....after all, you earned it all.....the kids can sell your house after your gone and that will be there inheritance......enjoy yourself....

If any [emoji383]left over, treat oneself to a nice sports car.


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I agree. When you consider all costs, bond, required upgrades like blinds, attic stairs, washer and dryer, and you will eliminate that pine straw and landscape. Resale homes become a bargain.

I have done the analysis many times. I take the things I like and value them at about 50%, the things I have to change because I don't like them and what that will cost me, and the required items at about 75%, and adjust for the bond difference, resales are almost always a better deal. And you can make an offer below the listed price on a resale, on new the price is the price.

Everyone I talk to who has bought new ignores the fact that an offer can be made on a resale. They just compare listed price while they ignore the bond delta. Makes no sense to me. The only rational reason for buying new is if you just have to have a new home. Financially it makes no sense.