The value of most upgrades depends on who wants them. We have a central vac that we had installed when we built the home. We think its great. The big advantage is for people with allergies. This is our second home with a central vac. We notice a significant difference.

it doesn't??? that's just too funny.

Yes, I'm aware old folks purchase in The Villages. I'm one of them. Having said that, I prefer a home that has a younger vibe to it. That includes clean lines at the ceilings......hence, no crown molding. That is just my opinion. Happy for those who love crown molding and have it in their homes.

There ya go. Reminds me of my childhood home.

I just completed quite a few upgrades to my new home, and several people recommended I install crown molding - glad now I didn’t. I have a minimalist /modern decor, and I like the “clean”, “straight lines”. Crown molding would have clashed in my modern looking home - but I enjoy crown molding in remodeled, older homes, where it fits in with the architectural design of the home.

There ya go. Reminds me of my childhood home. LOL.

And.......plastic slip covers on the sofa.

If you were into swimming, you still wouldn't want a back yard pool. How many laps can you swim in a backyard pool.......maybe 2 1/2? Backyard pools are not meant for swimming. Bobbing in a floating device with a cocktail in hand.....now that's a different ballgame. THAT I could go for. LOL.

While I might not want a pool, I certainly would consider a swim spa. Just float or get some swimming exercise.

I have heard those referred to as "spools" for Spa-pools.

What's funny? If you paint a concrete driveway, you need to protect the paint with a sealer, and then reseal it every few years or so. But, bare concrete needs no paint or protection.

I swim laps in our backyard pool. Lots of reversals, but 6/7 strokes each for 30 minutes is a good workout for me. Also do other exercises that are done in place. When exercises are done sit under the falls and let tne water massage relax those muscles. Then, we float, read and relax.
And, just because we aren't seen as one passes by doesn't mean we don't use it.

To Who??? You ??? The people who have them think it’s worth it .

I was into swimming would get one of these, don’t have dig no holes. :jester:

Aruba Swim Spa Hot Tub

.5%.

So, can you show test results or you just blowing smoke?

I think it’s personal preference. While I wouldn’t have a central vac I like cosmetic upgrades such as crown moulding and nice landscaping. Some people do go overboard though. I just like what I like and put certain things in for me, not to increase the value of the home.

We’re a fairly new village (DeLuna) and most homes have 2 car + golf cart garages, and lots of newbies, including us, cleaned out their junk before moving here so we all came with minimum stuff. We’ve been here a year and still have empty cupboards and closets even though we’re completely unpacked, and we don’t need to use our attic. We also have just one car and one cart, but looking at getting a 2nd cart eventually.

My Grandfather was a supervisor of 3 shifts of painters in a large steel mill. He often stated, "NEVER paint concrete"!

Glad I read this thread, having recently bought a new home in Lake Denham. I was on the fence on driveway painting. I like the look but don't want to deal with it once it starts chipping.

Regarding pools that's definitely a personal opinion. I put in a pool up here in Massachusetts. I love love love it. I only have a few months of pool weather and even then, few days we can actually be in the pool. But we love the ambiance of sitting around the pool in summer evenings. We love the look of the pool in the yard, sipping a cocktail in the pool with friends. Those are things you aren't doing at the neighborhood pools.

Regarding upkeep costs, with our salt water generator I haven't spent more than $100/year on chemicals. It's as easy as can be. With a birdcage we won't even need to vacuum it or skim it that much. Once I'm down there full time I will be putting a lot of $$ into a pool.

I guess for this thread it all depends on if you are talking about upgrades that make you happy or upgrades that will make you money on a resale. These are completely exclusive issues.

There are special "paints" actually more of a stain that are made for concrete. We had ours done over 8 years ago, NEVER sealed, and it still looks great. The coating has not failed, any chips were due to the concrete failing. The reason we did the "painting" was due to the staining for the driveway from the rain coming off the roof. You have to use the correct products. Feel free to send a PM if you would like more info.

I just looked that up. THAT would be wonderful in a back yard if one likes to swim. What a great idea!

I like nice landscaping. But, I NEVER use the automatic dishwasher.

There is a really cool device available called a swimpro that can be found at superswim.com. It’s a tether system that allows the swimmer to swim forever without going anywhere. The user never has to turn at a wall. It’s a flexible fiberglass pole that goes into the pool deck that has a rope attached to the top of the pole and a belt on the other end. The swimmer puts on the belt and just swims and swims. The faster one swims, the more the fiberglass pole bends. Our pool is 12 x 24 feet and has more than enough room to use the devise. I use it almost daily to supplement my lap swimming at the various sports pools. There is nothing like a quick half hour swim before golfing to loosen up the muscles, or a nice moonlight swim before bed. Unlike an endless pool device or a swim spa, the swimpro only costs about $250, last virtually forever, has zero maintenance, and uses no electricity. Also, unlike swimming against a current, where the swimmer has to maintain a constant speed, the user can vary their effort as much as desired. I wish I had better pictures, but the two attached pictures give a decent idea of the system. In one picture I am swimming backstroke while being watched by the absolute best lifeguard ever (ya gotta love border collies). The other picture shows the swimpro in the pool deck at the end of the pool. Swim on : )

Our pool is 28’ so very short. But two very good options, I try to swim 2-4 miles per day. You can have swim jets which you can swim until your heart’s content. Never reaching the end.

Cheaper option, is swim trainer. Belt with bungee like cords that attach side of pool, creating an V. Doesn’t effect arm or leg movement.

Only thing missing is the flip, since you basically stay within 3’ area. The harder you swim, the more you pull on the cords. Great tool for endurance. Use same electronic device to keep track of “laps”. Nothing like a quiet swim without waiting for a lane

I'm really curious: Which sports pools and what times of the day are you able to find lap lanes (with lane ropes)?

That is super impressive. I am on pace to swim about 400 miles this year and I thought that was a lot. At 2-4 miles per day, say you average 3, that’s well over 1,000 miles per year. Good for you, it’s the greatest low impact full body exercise out there. Swim on : )

It’s not easy, but I have a system that doesn’t limit me to one pool. My life is scheduled around the weekly sports pool schedule in the Recreation News insert in the Daily Sun each Thursday. I juggle the rest of our daily activities (golf, bike riding, walking the dog, etc…) around my best swim option each day of the week. I have a couple days each week I can go to Mulberry and La Hacienda, and one day each week at Colony Cottage and Lake Miona, and usually weekends at Laurel Manor. Things should get better in my area now that the High School finally has their own pool and is no longer monopolizing all week nights at Laurel Manor. By extensive trial and error I have identified the best options each day of the week that work within our schedule. My wife has come to accept that if dinner hours are the best option on a given day, she will be playing a round of executive golf that evening and we will be eating late. I have swam at every sports pool in the Villages and found that getting a lane at Everglades or Ezell are the most difficult. I am not one to swim early in the morning, so I can’t speak of the ability to get a lane then. In general, I find it’s much more difficult to get a lane when daylight savings ends and pool closing time comes much earlier, which coincides with busy season. The easiest time to get a lane is when the temperature drops below about 55 degrees out. The colder it gets, the less crowded the pools are. I love having the whole pool to myself in January when it’s 40 degrees out. It’s a little cold getting out of the pool, but we’ll worth it. Swim on : )

How about some heavy dark drapes with cornices + plastic covers over the couch!!! Perhaps include a greeter dogs that is all over you upon entry that you have to pretend you enjoy the attention from the dog.

You're saying that a person's pet is a home improvement that is not worth it - to a temporary, occassional visitor?????