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.