[Lynnelf]

So, how did you decide on what designer home model to buy? If you could do it again, would you choose the same model or a different one?

[zcaveman]

Why do you limit it to a designer model?

We looked at all of the available models in the brochures and selected the ones that would fit our needs and pocketbook. When we made my visit, we asked to see those that we were most likely to purchase. We quickly narrowed it down to one or two and decided on the house we liked

We have been here ten years and would never change our mind.

[angiefox10]

We loved the open floor plan, the 2 car and cart garage, his and her closets, (he knew that was the only way he could get some space and I'm not sharing) good sized lanai that we are expanding 4 feet and a sliding glass window from the master bedroom to the lanai. Loved that we could look out from the living room, dining room and bedroom onto the lanai.

[BeeGee]

We had to look at that first of all...don't want to have more house than we can afford. But we've spent a few years "studying" the floorplans of both cottage and designers and finally decided on one we love and when we were in TV in July, we toured the models, decided on one, but since we're not ready to build just yet, have an option II, in case pricing goes up or, worse case scenario, we don't get anywhere near what we want on our current home. Hubby will still be working from the home for year or two, so we needed an office, plus a guest room that would work for our out-of-town friends/family. The Cedar seemed to be the best fit, as the pocket door can be closed and it becomes a "guest suite" for them and hubby still has access to the office during their stay. Your needs may be different and I'm sure there will be a lot of different answers to this very good question. We're just waiting for that someone to buy our home!!!

[pooh]

It wasn't difficult, it wasn't easy. We changed our minds a few times, but decided on a Lantana. Initially looked at Courtyard Villas, but the garage was way too small and I wanted something more open. Then we thought about a Gardenia...rejected that because the room to be used as our office was too small. The Lantana had a large garage, a HUGE front bedroom (now our office and den) and the openess was just what I wanted. You have to realize all of these model decisions were made in a few days. We visited once for a couple of hours, came back a few days later and said, "Find us a house." Took a few months, but our sales rep found the right one in the right location.
Would I buy the same model again? Yup, only expanded!

[Cgirmo]

I too have not purchased yet, but after studying all the floor plans on long, cold, wintery nights up north I came to the conclusion as a single man that I wanted a concrete and stucco CYV, Beauragaurd model (sp). While visiting in July, guess what? I absolutely fell in love with the At Ease Cottage! Next decision..do I really want a yard? I was convinced the CYV was it because of Fido. I may just have to take him to the dog park! I am still a couple years away so time to think it over.

[Oren L Miller]

I used an Excel spreadsheet. Column A was minimum requirments. Square footage, closets, lanai, garage space etc. Column B was the nice to have requiremnts. Column C was the can't have list. Row 1 was the models and then you add up the checks for any house that didn't have a check in column C. Every model is nice. You just have to find the one that meets your needs the best. We are going to have one car and two carts. So two car and a cart garage would be a minimum. Happy hunting it really is fun.

[angiefox10]

Originally Posted by Oren L Miller

I used an Excel spreadsheet. Column A was minimum requirments. Square footage, closets, lanai, garage space etc. Column B was the nice to have requiremnts. Column C was the can't have list. Row 1 was the models and then you add up the checks for any house that didn't have a check in column C. Every model is nice. You just have to find the one that meets your needs the best. We are going to have one car and two carts. So two car and a cart garage would be a minimum. Happy hunting it really is fun.

YEP!!! You must have had a FUN Time figuring out what house you wanted to buy using a "spreadsheet!" I am laughing so hard reading this, I have tears running down my face, because it's so true! This REALLY is how YOU decided what house to buy.

But... Thanks to your "spreadsheets" we are able to go to TV and live our oiur golden years!!! I can't wait... and the two closets, open floor plan, and open floorspace doesn't hurt either....

[Yorio]

The first on our mind was to downsize from where we lived for over 35 years. We needed to get rid of "baggage". We could have gone with a Villa but decided on a Designer because we needed to keep some history of our existence. We didn't want to do a striptease act with our life. We needed to keep some historical furnitures but rest can be gotten rid of. So far so good.

[Posh 08]

We've decided to give the historical "stuff" to the kids and grand kids before we leave Virginia. It belongs in Virginia not in a "dead guy store" in Florida. With that said, we are starting over, turning the page, down sizing. This acre and a half with the mowing, corn growing, apple pickin, weed eatin..... well you get the idea. Wanted, small, easy to keep home, close to pool and street dancing.

[Yorio]

Posh 08. You are a brave soul. Some furnitures are like an old sweater with holes that one can not throw away. Guess I need to rethink

[graciegirl]

We have chosen twice. The first home was chosen to be close to the pool so we didn't have to clean one.

We chose a Camellia and filled it with cottagy, beachy,white furniture with sea colored walls and light colors. It was our snowbird home and we sold it furnished.

Now we have chosen again and this one is our year 'round home and is a little more staid and will have in it the stuff we liked from Ohio and I will try to make it feel like a good place to visit and chat and have something yummy to eat and good to drink and be a place that all of you that I have met here and cherish will want to return again and again.

And if you don't like it, please lie.

I really can't wait to move in.

BUT the closet isn't big enough.

Our Helene's mantra. You can't have everything you want.

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

We have chosen twice. The first home was chosen to be close to the pool so we didn't have to clean one.

We chose a Camellia and filled it with cottagy, beachy,white furniture with sea colored walls and light colors. It was our snowbird home.

Now we have chosen again and this one is our year 'round home and is a little more staid and will have in it the stuff we liked from Ohio and I will try to make it feel like a good place to visit and chat and have something yummy to eat and good to drink and be a place that all of you that I have met here and cherish will want to return again and again.

And if you don't like it, please lie.

I really can't wait to move in.

BUT the closet isn't big enough.

Our Helene's mantra. You can't have everything you want.

It sounds really good. Leave the history to the books IMHO except for old wine.

[ssmith]

Gracie, I am sure it will be wonderful!!!

[Debfrommaine]

Well, I've decided to try as many models as I can! We initially bought a beautiful stretch Whispering Pine in Bonita with lots of bells and whistles - we love all the features about it but the Anna Maria CYV in St. James caught my eye so I've talked the hubby (he's a very patient man) into trying that so we bought one last week. That being said the Whispering Pine is now for sale and we're on to our next home......knowing us we'll try a few more before it's all over - thankfully we like to move. Seems we just get a place how we like it and then start the process all over again! But, we make it a totally fun experience or we wouldn't keep buying and selling.