[VApeople]

We have been looking at new houses on the internet. We like the Iris model with the 2.5 car garage, and we have noticed the prices vary from $280K to $420K. The main difference in the houses seems to be the shape of the lot, the ones with 'kissing lanais' being lower priced. We get the impression that some people must really prefer houses with no neighbors closely behind them, and are willing to pay much more for a house on a better lot.

For those of you in a house where you and your neighbors have 'kissing lanais', has that ever caused you a problem?

For those of you who paid more to have a larger lot, was it worth it?

[dbussone]

Although we have a neighbor behind and on one side, we found a corner lot to be very satisfactory. More room for our dog and for us. With the correct selection of shrubs, kissing lanais become non-existent. A corner lot costs more than an interior lot, but less than a golf or pond view. We love our home and location.

[bluedog103]

It was a big deal for us. Had we not found a lot like we have it would have been a deal breaker. We paid more for and oversized lot with privacy and it was well worth it. Even what TV considers oversized is tiny compared to most of the country but I don't have to smell the neighbor's cigar or have them listen to our conversations.
Planting shrubs along the rear of your property can help hide your neighbors property but the back yards of these homes are really tiny. With view blocking shrubs that back yard is pretty much non-existent.
That being said, some people claim to have no problem with very close neighbors. It's really a decision that only you can make. Only you know what's important to you.

[NotGolfer]

It's a subjective question. It depends on the neighbor and the individual. Our neighborhood has close homes and I've not heard anyone complain. Eventually many folks enclose their lanai's with windows and if their birdcard extends from there...it doesn't seem to matter.

[Sable99]

It was a big deal for me too! I love my lot! It was a tad oversized and I paid more for it in 2012. I was able to bump out my lanai 4 feet in depth. The neighbors behind me have a large pie shaped lot so we don't have kissing lanais. There is atleast 60 feet between us! The best part is they put in three beautiful palm trees between us and I don't have to do the work to maintain them.

I have an Iris too and rent it out in a long-term rental program. I can't wait to move into my beautiful home.

[Villager Joyce]

We have a kissing lanai. It was not a problem for us. We enclosed our lanai, but not because of neighbors. We did it to enlarge our living space.

[Cedwards38]

As far as seeing each other, it's actually more like "blowing a kiss" as they aren't usually that close, and plant a few ligustrum trees and you'll never know they are there.

If your neighbor is loud, you're gonna hear that from much more distance than the lanais are spaced.

But those in the forum are right when they say that it depends on what you can live with. If it freaks you out, don't do it.

[rjm1cc]

Part of the answer depends on your neighbor and they can change over time.
Consider - When they (or you) are having breakfast is your conversation disturbing your neighbor.
How about a radio or TV.
Maybe they are reading the paper and do not want to be disturbed but you both say hello to each other when you come out and start a conversation. etc. etc.
I think you need some distance between.
On the other hand you or your neighbor may not use the lanais.
Remember in real estate location, location, location.

[Debfrommaine]

We tried it and moved. Neighbors were quiet, etc., no issues there. We just like our privacy too much and got a corner lot villa. No regrets and has worked out well for our lifestyle.

Since you're asking the question, sounds like it could be a concern for you - smart to ask input from others so you can make an informed decision.

The Villages is great, IMO!

[Chatbrat]

The Lanais were not a problem. the problem we had was a person across the street who insisted on exercising in his garage @ 6:30 every morning-we could see him & hear his exercise music. solution-wrapped our Lanai with a non-invasive bamboo-we no longer see & hear this person.

More important than privacy is respect.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by VApeople

We have been looking at new houses on the internet. We like the Iris model with the 2.5 car garage, and we have noticed the prices vary from $280K to $420K. The main difference in the houses seems to be the shape of the lot, the ones with 'kissing lanais' being lower priced. We get the impression that some people must really prefer houses with no neighbors closely behind them, and are willing to pay much more for a house on a better lot.

For those of you in a house where you and your neighbors have 'kissing lanais', has that ever caused you a problem?

For those of you who paid more to have a larger lot, was it worth it?

OP, 98% of the time kissing lanai's are no problem. It hasn't been for us in two different houses in TV. You can absolutely landscape out your back door neighbor. The house we built on the golf course was great except for the price---we decided to downsize a bit.

[Boomer]

We have an interior lot backing up to a courtyard villa wall. The houses beside us are sited to allow as much privacy as possible on our small lots.

We did not want the responsibility and expense of a bigger lot.

We bought a pre-owned and I admit, that wall was the clincher for me.

But I think the real determiner of what works is the luck of the draw with neighbors. Ours are wonderful.

[JoMar]

All helps make the case for renting for a few months and find out. We did that, hated the kissing Lanai and bought a larger lot. When we rented about 4 years ago we asked what a water or golf course view would cost and was told the premium would be 40K. Well, smarty here said no way. We bought last year, the premium on our corner lot was 40K...me who hesitated...lost The premium on golf or water view today can be well into 6 digits.

[Carl in Tampa]

Originally Posted by JoMar

All helps make the case for renting for a few months and find out. We did that, hated the kissing Lanai and bought a larger lot. When we rented about 4 years ago we asked what a water or golf course view would cost and was told the premium would be 40K. Well, smarty here said no way. We bought last year, the premium on our corner lot was 40K...me who hesitated...lost The premium on golf or water view today can be well into 6 digits.

Both privacy for me and being shielded from the activity of neighbors are major considerations for me. We rented twice before making a purchase decision, and decided that "kissing lanai's" were unacceptable. TV noise and loud conversations can really spoil a tranquil evening.

The final decision was a house on the circle of a cul-de-sac, giving both extra space on each side of the house and a large, deep back yard. The down side of such a location is that you have a larger yard to maintain. The lawn mowing costs a bit more and the water bill is somewhat higher. (The lawn guys can't seem to understand that the larger back yard is compensated for by the smaller front yard.)

Your decision will depend somewhat on your lifestyle. If you expect to send a lot of time on the lanai, you might want to consider what a nuisance it would be to hear neighbors' TV and conversations.

Enjoy.

[mtdjed]

If you are asking questions regarding whether they are a problem, you should probably establish what your desires are. Why would you want a "kissing Lanai"? They are probably OK, but wouldn't you normally want a little room. If you pay more for a little space, it is for a reason.