[Jim1mack]

If we’re not sleeping, eating or watching TV at night we’re on our lanai. We have a pool, large yard that looks out to the yards of six of our back yard neighbors all well landscaped. It’s a park like setting. We also have a a three raised bed garden. Go for a large yard with a nice view and a pool for the ambiance. Golf cart garage for sure. 10+ years and loving it.

[BlueStarAirlines]

We were unwilling to compromise on house, lanai size, and wanted a water view so we waited until we could get a lot and build the house and lanai that we wanted. As others have pointed out, you can always expand the lanai if you have the room, but if that is an option then just consider adjusting your price range now. We spend a lot of time on our lanai and were unwilling to sacrifice on the size or the view when we sat on it.

One thing you CANNOT compromise on is your garage size. You will regret it immediately if you do.

[kimgarwel12@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Craig Vernon

As we search for our forever home in TV a glaring problem has developed in our price range 400-450k. If I like the house size the outdoor space, meaning the lanai and patio, is small or non-existent. If I like the outdoor space the home is smaller than we would like. Which is of higher value to full time residents? House square footage or Lanai and patio space? Question2. Can we get by with His/Her cars and a golf cart without a golf cart garage?

We bought a 3/2 patio villa with a full 2-car garage and a golf cart garage (1 car and a golf cart), no lanai. We figured we could add a lanai after purchase. Not so fast!! Remember that 5-ft easement restriction?? Yep!! All around our house, every side. Runs right down the middle of the patio. Not even a bird cage is allowed. We could do an unscreened pergola, but that's it. We toyed with the idea of buying a courtyard villa with a screened lanai but with interest rates as high as they are and bonds out of control, we decided against it. Our house ticks all the boxes except for the lanai. Then we talked to others who say a simple screened lanai isn't enough. Furniture gets wet when it rains/blows, so they have to add windows. With that comes the need for AC because it's like a sauna with the windows closed. The only way we'd spend that much time out on a lanai would be if we had a TV out there.....and that wouldn't happen on a simple screened lanai. Soooo, after long consideration, we put in a remote-controlled awning for shade and called it good. We sit out on the patio occasionally and grill almost every night, but we really don't "need" the lanai. Would we still like to have one? Yes, but all things considered, we're good as is!! We're getting more out of the 2-car garage and separate golf cart garage at this point than a lanai.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Craig Vernon

As we search for our forever home in TV a glaring problem has developed in our price range 400-450k. If I like the house size the outdoor space, meaning the lanai and patio, is small or non-existent. If I like the outdoor space the home is smaller than we would like. Which is of higher value to full time residents? House square footage or Lanai and patio space? Question2. Can we get by with His/Her cars and a golf cart without a golf cart garage?

IMO probably not going find house with those requirement for that budget? If you do you better jump on it quick. I seen some CYVs corner lot or on golf course sell for that with 1 1/2 car garages few with two car garages on smaller lot. Even patio villas are close to 300K or more very few or have 2 car garage. I sure you can find house with two cart plus golf cart garage but it going to be on crackerjack lot probably. For you requirements IMO budget needs another 100K. This not 2012.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by Jim1mack

If we’re not sleeping, eating or watching TV at night we’re on our lanai. We have a pool, large yard that looks out to the yards of six of our back yard neighbors all well landscaped. It’s a park like setting. We also have a a three raised bed garden. Go for a large yard with a nice view and a pool for the ambiance. Golf cart garage for sure. 10+ years and loving it.

Agree with this - we spend a lot of time in our lanai/birdcage.
Will you have many guests (kids or friends)? If so, you’ll want a large outdoor space. Visitors from the north want to be outside when in FLA.

[Justputt]

Originally Posted by Craig Vernon

As we search for our forever home in TV a glaring problem has developed in our price range 400-450k. If I like the house size the outdoor space, meaning the lanai and patio, is small or non-existent. If I like the outdoor space the home is smaller than we would like. Which is of higher value to full time residents? House square footage or Lanai and patio space? Question2. Can we get by with His/Her cars and a golf cart without a golf cart garage?

Space, Space, Space. These homes have ZERO real storage! IMO, build! Get what you want on a lot you want. Stretch the garage in all directions to the max and pick a roofline that allows the most storage above, since these places are where you'll end up putting storage. The TV garages are much smaller than they appear because the doors are smaller, so in proportion they look okay. Golf cart garage is a must if you have two cars. These garages aren't big enough without it.

[gighilton]

Originally Posted by Craig Vernon

As we search for our forever home in TV a glaring problem has developed in our price range 400-450k. If I like the house size the outdoor space, meaning the lanai and patio, is small or non-existent. If I like the outdoor space the home is smaller than we would like. Which is of higher value to full time residents? House square footage or Lanai and patio space? Question2. Can we get by with His/Her cars and a golf cart without a golf cart garage?

I have had three homes at The Villages, and have not experienced your issue. Perhaps you contact Cheryl McDaniel at The Villages Real Estate. I am sure she can help with this.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

In a very short time, when one of our cars died, we found we didn’t need 2 cars. A 2 car garage is big enough for our SUV and 2 carts, plus a lawn mower and power washer.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by G.R.I.T.S.

In a very short time, when one of our cars died, we found we didn’t need 2 cars. A 2 car garage is big enough for our SUV and 2 carts, plus a lawn mower and power washer.

It takes time to adjust. Up north two cars is a necessity for us, in the Villages we barely need one car, but definitely require more than one golf cart.

[FloridaGuy66]

We have one car and a golf cart with a two car garage. We use the space the golf cart sits in also for storage in a couple big shelving units and a locker. There's really no other practical space to store things that are needed on an ongoing basis. It's not practical to go up to the attic everyday.

If we had two cars and an additional golf cart garage, I still doubt we would be parking the second car into the second spot as we still need the extra storage for things like bikes, lawnmower, tools, etc.

Many of my neighbors just gave up and park one or both of their cars in the driveway.

[FrostyBear]

Originally Posted by Craig Vernon

As we search for our forever home in TV a glaring problem has developed in our price range 400-450k. If I like the house size the outdoor space, meaning the lanai and patio, is small or non-existent. If I like the outdoor space the home is smaller than we would like. Which is of higher value to full time residents? House square footage or Lanai and patio space? Question2. Can we get by with His/Her cars and a golf cart without a golf cart garage?

Keep looking, what you’re looking for is out there.

I was in the same predicament when I was looking for a home in TV. I eventually found a 2000 sq ft home with a golf cart garage and a lanai that is on its way to be my man cave. My budget was the same as yours and I had enough to enclose the lanai to stay within my budget. The prices have dropped a little since I bought my home last year so I believe it’s out there. Patience is the key, it took us about six months looking online almost everyday to find our house and lot that fit our wants.

Good luck in your search

[opinionist]

I consider an adjacent golf cart garage essential, not because I have a golf cart, but because space is needed to park two full-size cars and have room to get out of the car. I love the lanai because it has the feel of the outdoors without the bugs of the outdoors. I have never used the patio because if I want some sunshine, I will take a walk.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

In my opinion, no. You need a separate golf cart garage. It will make it easier to park the golf cart, but, more importantly, you need it for resale value. When you sell your house, a lot of people will reject it because it doesn't have a golf cart garage.

One of our criteria for our forever home in The Villages was a golf cart garage. It was a MUST!!! Well, needless to say, we purchased a home without a golf cart garage.

The garage has a nice "bump out" on one side. We use the bump out area to have tall built in cabinets for storage. Invaluable!!!

With two cars, we also have a long enough drive way to park one car and be able to maneuver the golf cart in and out of the garage with ease.

These are the two reasons we settled for a home without the golf cart garage. It is possible and doable.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

In my opinion, no. You need a separate golf cart garage. It will make it easier to park the golf cart, but, more importantly, you need it for resale value. When you sell your house, a lot of people will reject it because it doesn't have a golf cart garage.

And most of the 2 car garages in TV are smaller than most other garages.

[jimmy o]

Originally Posted by Craig Vernon

As we search for our forever home in TV a glaring problem has developed in our price range 400-450k. If I like the house size the outdoor space, meaning the lanai and patio, is small or non-existent. If I like the outdoor space the home is smaller than we would like. Which is of higher value to full time residents? House square footage or Lanai and patio space? Question2. Can we get by with His/Her cars and a golf cart without a golf cart garage?

My wife and I each had our separate cars up North. Moving here we knew that we would not need a third means of transportation. So we sold one car before moving here. Came here and picked up our golf cart. Now we have one car and one golf cart. If we need another means of transportation we will buy another golf cart, We know our situation and definitely do not need or want another car, but many times consider another cart. We only have a two car garage and that is plenty for us. If we get another cart still no problem, 2nd cart would fit nicely in our garage. That said, yes, it would still be nice to have a golf cart garage. But how much stuff do we really need, our two car is plenty. If we get crowded, we will get rid some some more useless stuff.