[rustyp]

Does anyone know "The Villages" official definition of Designer Vs Ranch home. I have been told numerious definitons such as
1 - three bedroom vs two
2 - stuco Vs siding
3 - block Vs stick

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by rustyp

Does anyone know "The Villages" official definition of Designer Vs Ranch home. I have been told numerious definitons such as
1 - three bedroom vs two
2 - stuco Vs siding
3 - block Vs stick

Some designers are about the same size as ranches which are in fact now called ...cottages. There are a few more finishing touches that come with designers.

[alemorkam]

There are no stucco ranches. I believe the official designation was when you
could built and design your own home. For instance and amarillo is a ranch and a bouganville is a designer with the same floor plan.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by rustyp

Does anyone know "The Villages" official definition of Designer Vs Ranch home. I have been told numerious definitons such as
1 - three bedroom vs two
2 - stuco Vs siding
3 - block Vs stick

None of those definitions are accurate. It's the layout. You can see the various layouts for each type of home here: The Villages - New Homes Gallery

You'll notice that they actually don't have any new 'ranch' homes.

[philnpat]

Ranch homes were recently replaced by "cottage" homes.
The Amarillo ranch is now called the "sunkissed" cottage.
Same home...different name.

[Ohiogirl]

and probably only some in this post.

Yes - "ranches" were replaced with "cottages." Ranches were always vinyl sided. Designers were are are sometimes stucco, sometimes vinyl. I think all designers have at least 2 car garages, some have that plus a golf car garage and a minority have 3 car garages. Same with ranches-cottages.

There used to be 2 and 3 bedroom "designers." Have only seen 3 bedroom recently. There are still 2 and 3 bedroom "cottages." Sq footage of the smallest designers are about equal to the larger "cottages," and as some said, at least one floor plan is the same.

The bonds for designers and ranches and cottages are the same. Based on density of neighborhood (think average lot sq footage).

No one asked, but I can see this coming, so I'll add:

Courtyard Villas (newer ones) are all either 2 or 3 bedroom, multiple floor plans. Nearer Spanish Springs, I believe there are a few one bedroom ones. Don't think they started building 3 br CYVs until they started building in the areas around Mulberry and Savannah regional rec centers.

Most CYVs have 1-1/2 car garages, although a minority have 2 car garages.

Some 3 BR CYVs have more sq footage than several of the smaller designers.

Patio villas are all 1 or 2 bedrooms, although I haven't seen any newer 1 bedroom ones. I believe all have 1-1/2 car garages.

Bonds for CYVs and patio villas, in the same development district, are the same.

Premiers are larger, now in their own neighborhoods, and have higher bonds. In some of the older neighborhoods in Spanish Springs, some of the premiers are mixed in to other neighborhoods, or a least a couple of blocks or street of them here and there, from what I have noticed - and I could be wrong on this one.

[borjo]

When we bought 8-9 years ago, the difference the salespeople told us was that with the designer you had more options to "change" the structure, move doorways, enlarge rooms etc. Therefore you actually had some input in designing your home. The ranchers were much more restricted, not many options for change.

[Ohiogirl]

when things were really hot, in 2006-07, don't think they were allowing any changes for a while in designers - slowed them down too much. Now I think they do allow changes in designers. Don't think they ever have in CYVs or patio villas. Not sure about cottages, but you are probably right. For now. . . .

[NotGolfer]

The Amarillo is the same floor plan of the Sunkissed, however is a bit larger and may have some updates on it depending on the house. I think it may have 2 walkin closets vs one in the master. It also may have a door in the guest bedroom out onto the lanai. We viewed one when looking for our house (Sunkissed) and it had ALL updates. Two sinks in the master bath, maybe granite for counter tops and more.

[eweissenbach]

One thing to consider when choosing between a designer or a cottage/ranch home is the neighborhood. Neighborhoods within a village will usually be either all patio villa - all cyv - all ranch - or all designer. If you choose a lower end designer, you will be surrounded by designer homes. If you choose an upper end cottage/ranch, you will be surrounded by cottage/ranch homes, etc. As you drive through various neighborhoods it will become obvious that, for the most part, designer neighborhoods have not only somewhat nicer homes, but often, nicer landscaping. There are two reasons in my opinion; 1. The designers are by and large more expensive, meaning a slightly more affluent demographic with more money to spend on landscaping. 2. As the price of homes increase, the proportion that are full-time, non-rental tend to increase, so a somewhat greater proportional pride of ownership. This is my theory from observation, and certainly would not be 100% true of all neighborhoods, but as a general rule, I would stand by it. We stayed this year in a designer neighborhood in Hemingway, and last year in a ranch neighborhood in Summerhill - while we enjoyed both, and could live in either neighborhood, the contrast was clear, with the Hemingway neighborhood appearing miles ahead of the Summerhill neighborhood in overall appearance. Just another thing to keep in mind.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

The Amarillo is the same floor plan of the Sunkissed, however is a bit larger and may have some updates on it depending on the house. I think it may have 2 walkin closets vs one in the master. It also may have a door in the guest bedroom out onto the lanai. We viewed one when looking for our house (Sunkissed) and it had ALL updates. Two sinks in the master bath, maybe granite for counter tops and more.

The Amarillo and the Sunkissed are the same floorplan. If the guest bedroom side is bumped back it allows for the 3rd bedroom to have a door into the side of the lanai. The "B bath option" has the hers and hers closets and the double vanity. I have seen a few with the single walk in closet and a double vanity as well. The Bougnavillia is the designer version of the Amarillo with slight upgrades in the finish, and inclusion in a designer neighborhood. They used to offer the bouganvillia with a Florida room, but now the Alamanda is the "amarillo with Fla. Room option and it is poured concrete (the only plan that currently is constructed that way). You may also see some azaleas on the pre owned market which is a block and stucco designer Amarillo. Some older homes with the Amarillo floorplan are called Stetson III. I have looked a lot!

[MLBellis]

My findings is what do you prefer?? Ranch/cottage have less living room space with bigger bedrooms and the Desighners have more living room space with smaller bedrooms (except master rooms, they are bigger)

[rustyp]

Well what I learned here so far is apparently there is no concrete definition of a Designer Vs Ranch unless we start talking about specific models by name. It appears to be a designation assigned by the builder. Within the last few years per the literature floating around there does seem to be a corelation to size but not 100%. Is there any difference in quality between the two classes?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by rustyp

Well what I learned here so far is apparently there is no concrete definition of a Designer Vs Ranch unless we start talking about specific models by name. It appears to be a designation assigned by the builder. Within the last few years per the literature floating around there does seem to be a corelation to size but not 100%. Is there any difference in quality between the two classes?

The big differences is in finishing inside. In a designer you get a little better grade of light fixtures, faucets, more choices, nicer cabinets.....things like that.

But...all you have to do to get all those specific differences is ask your sales person. If you don't have one ...do NOT be afraid. He/she won't latch on and pester you. You will only hear from them when you contact them or ask a question. They aren't the usual kind here.

[asianthree]

And don't forget the cost