Is the Turnpike Barrier Fee listed as a standard charge?

It is my understanding that many of the new restrictions on new build customization has to do with the developer transitioning to tilt wall construction. Initially, they were only using this method on Villas. But, it makes sense that the developer would move into the tilt walls for all new construction. There will be limitations, at least initially, for exterior walls based on the forms they use to make the walls. This was not a big deal on block & stucco or stick built homes. However, this should not impact the movement of interior walls. If they are telling you that interior walls cannot be shifted around, that is indeed a new limitation.

Just wanted to echo what Laura mentioned. Previous things like stretches and moving interior walls sound like are no more, or are at least limited to pre-set options. I have a lot of advice from our "custom build" from our home in Deluna, but it sounds like most of it would no longer be applicable.

Have the pool built with the house. Your yard will not be dug up later for a few months to a year. You won’t have to move irrigation and landscaping and rip out screens. All extra cost. Go with solar heat for pool. It’s great. Stretch garage if possible. We stretched ours 4 feet deeper and it makes a huge difference. Good luck.

during the design process you will be brought into me galaxy which does the wiring for the 5g internet i strongly recommend them for hanging your tvs and deciding where on the wall you want your amounts for the internet and the ethernet they'll guide you through it

Make sure they are putting in quality flooring so you are not replacing it in the first five years. If they are putting in vinyl it should be at a minimum 20 mil wear layer, and 6mm thick.

I also would recommend a variable speed AC compressor. It will last longer, save energy and provide excellent humidity control and air quality. Otherwise you will have that hot blast of air every time the fan kicks on. Also it helps if you decide to install a backup generator.

And of course do your research on any recommendation.

Just to double check on this....is it no longer possible to stretch any external walls? How about the garage and lanai? Finally...how about 10' walls, are those still possible? Thanks :)

Joe

1. Build the pool during construction so it will be ready to be used by closing.

2. Skip the landscaping option, do it after closing.

3. Every single modification/addition must be clearly defined and should be able to stand by its own.

4. Put forward all that you ever wanted in your Dream Home, they will tell you which ones can’t be done.

Good luck!

Only stretches for the Warbler (formerly IVY-10) is a back stretch for master bedroom and lanai and to the front garage

Wow, ok. Gotta say those deluna lots looked pretty attractive but it’s really a shame you can’t go crazy with mods anymore :(

Joe

We bought a house with a pool, then a number of years later added a spa. If you have a choice and can afford a spa, order a pool-spa with your new home. I used our spa every single night! It was great on those chilly winter nights.

Riase ceilings, expand where possible
 

My friend buit on Deluna and was able to extend the back of her home enabling a larger bathroom with roman shower, a larger bedroom, living room and lanai. She also raised ceiling heights in several rooms giving them a much larger appearance. The cost for these changes was very fair considering the impact they had on her homes' appearance and funtionality. Also be sure you know where you want wall, floor and ceiling electric outets in home, on lanai, in garage, and have buider install them. Make sure there is a window in/near shower or else it will be very dark. Good Luck!

We are also having a Warbler built. Whittington Circle, lot 26. Just signed the papers a couple weeks ago.

Get comfortable with buying a “million dollar fixer upper”. Villages appliance, window treatment, and lighting offerings are limited. Don’t get mad at your designer, they are just the messenger.

I brought a three page Wish List to our design meeting. It helped focus the discussion and made us comfortable that we were getting what we wanted.

Your designer can’t really answer questions like “should we get carpeting?” But they can comment on trends. And they will say hardly anyone gets carpet anymore.

Pencil corners (the rounded corners) on drywall look awesome. Highly recommended.

I thought the house price was reasonable. Pool prices have gone up. Pool and spa now running $120-140k. If The Villages does your pool, it’s done at closing. Aftermarket pool waits are running 1-2 years.

The TV receptacle is called out on the plan from the floor to the bottom of the outlet plate. I put my plate at 72" from the floor for a TV that has the top edge 82" from the floor. The TV is tipped downward, so there is more of a wall gap near the top of the TV for plugs and wires.

Our home designer was a pleasure to work with and made the process fun. I hope you have a similar experience.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

Was this recently as in the last few weeks? Because I think they "streamlined" the process...eliminating a lot of options

It used to be pretty nice....widen the house a couple of feet here, extend the garage and lanai there, raise the walls a couple of feet.

We put an outlet on our light pole out front, it really helps with christmas lights. Put one in the master closet too...thinking it was for an iron but who actually uses an iron these days? LOL. Can lights in the living room are kinda nice too and pretty cheap.


Joe

Unbelievable! What good is a design center if you can’t design? You are probably falling victim to the prefabricated cookie-cutter preformed walls idea. They kicked it off in Chitty Chatty and there seems to be no turning back. We see them using this almost everywhere now.