[Carla B]

It was very hard at the time to pay extra for a golf course view, but so glad my husband insisted. Going on eight years and very content...saved the expense of moving.

[VApeople]

You all have given very good answers to all of the other questions we have answered, but your responses to this topic have been even better. Your comments have helped us decide what we are going to do and you have brought up issues that we had not considered. We simply cannot express how helpful your posts have been and we thank you all very much. Bob and Suzanne

[rjn5656]

Not a problem unless your neighbor has a dog.

[KathieI]

Boy, did I learn the hard way. My first house was a Lantana backing up to a beautiful pond, therefore, no one behind me and very quiet. I always wanted a CYV for my dogs so they could have space to run so I gave up the view and bought a corner lot CYV. Worse mistake of my life.

People behind me (which are small designer homes) are so close to my wall and I can hear everything, and they in turn can here me too. They have complained bitterly even if the dogs bark for a minute so I have confined the dogs to the lanai to keep peace with the neighbors.

Also, now that the weather is cooler, I have been opening my windows and have discovered that many of the neighbors are smokers and sit in their backyards and smoke away. It is intolerable for me and I have to shut the windows and put on the a/c.

My opinion, pay the extra money and get a little more space between neighbors and you'll be very happy.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by KathieI

Boy, did I learn the hard way. My first house was a Lantana backing up to a beautiful pond, therefore, no one behind me and very quiet. I always wanted a CYV for my dogs so they could have space to run so I gave up the view and bought a corner lot CYV. Worse mistake of my life.

People behind me (which are small designer homes) are so close to my wall and I can hear everything, and they in turn can here me too. They have complained bitterly even if the dogs bark for a minute so I have confined the dogs to the lanai to keep peace with the neighbors.

Also, now that the weather is cooler, I have been opening my windows and have discovered that many of the neighbors are smokers and sit in their backyards and smoke away. It is intolerable for me and I have to shut the windows and put on the a/c.

My opinion, pay the extra money and get a little more space between neighbors and you'll be very happy.

Hindsight is always 20/20. If you had it do over, would you have kept the Lantana and just drop in an invisible fence for the dogs? Something for anyone else to contemplate rather than moving. (No, I do not work for an invisible fence company)

[rubicon]

There was no question for us but that we wanted a home on golf course. We have a home on a championship golf course with a lanai and birdcage. We often cook outdoor but we seldom if ever really use the lanai . It fits our needs and is located on a secluded cul de sac. The prize is our neighbors so many genuine caring and fun loving human beings.

[KathieI]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Hindsight is always 20/20. If you had it do over, would you have kept the Lantana and just drop in an invisible fence for the dogs? Something for anyone else to contemplate rather than moving. (No, I do not work for an invisible fence company)

Yep, you're right. I wish I could go back in time, definitely would NOT give up that house and view for the CYV. I thought about the invisible fence but our pond was large and people told me to be concerned about gators, although I lived there 7 years and never saw a gator. I certainly miss all the ducks and birds. This was probably one of the worse decisions I have ever made in my life and I've made many that were good. As they say, it is what it is.......

[justjim]

Originally Posted by KathieI

Yep, you're right. I wish I could go back in time, definitely would NOT give up that house and view for the CYV. I thought about the invisible fence but our pond was large and people told me to be concerned about gators, although I lived there 7 years and never saw a gator. I certainly miss all the ducks and birds. This was probably one of the worse decisions I have ever made in my life and I've made many that were good. As they say, it is what it is.......

We all have made mistakes and sometimes some of us have "Seller's remorse". We are on our fourth property in TV. I know----moving is a hassle (and lots of work) but property sells quickly in TV if its priced just slightly below market. Life is short..............just a thought.

[asianthree]

hard for someone to tell you what's going to be the perfect house for you. We always wanted a courtyard villa and on our fourth trip our sales person put us in a courtyard villa for a week. The noise from people talking the dog barking and the televisions on the lanais drove us nuts. That's the reason why we chose not to buy a courtyard villa I really think the inside of the house can stay the same but it's the outside that will make the difference as to your surroundings. Just remember people 2.5 times when they live in the villages.

[Carla B]

I'll reiterate...it was very hard to pay the g.c. premium. But it's the best decision re real estate we ever made. The view is gorgeous. The golfers don't bother us and they can't hit our house. With the double-paned windows, we don't even hear them. They are not interested in looking at us, and we are not interested in moving ('till we have to).

[JoMar]

And that's why they build many models on many lots......everyone has their preferences and their budgets......choose carefully and take your time, it's important.

[Greg Nelson]

Yesterday I went pond fishing along Legacy close to the golf course. There are maybe 8 homes facing the pond and someone towards the middle had loud music going that I could hear easily. no bueno! Our rental on 4th hole of Lopez is really unique. No neighbors on three sides. The one neighbor has a pool and is a rental. They have a solar heated pool that never gets very warm and is rented to a family with noisy kids always in the pool. BUT, we cannot hear them from our unit. Again yesterday we took in several new units way south on open house. You can buy brand new for less than used! But way to close together for us..just saying..We'd buy the unique unit we reside in if the owner hadn't raised the price from last year by $50,000!!

[bovelsky]

I have an IRIS with a kissing Lanai and it is no issue for me. However, I did not care at all about the Lanai and I almost never use it. Depending on you neighbors it could be a noise issue if you want to use it alot. Visually it is not an issue because lanscaping can take care of it. The real differences in price you are seeing are view lots on ponds or golf courses. You an pay as much as 170k premium for the lot for the same house. So the question you have to answer is it the view and outdoor living that are important to you or is it the house. Fortunately here at the villages you have many choices and your neighbors will likely be great in a 300k house or a 600k house so just decide how important the outdoor living at your house is to you. Also do not forget we have so many outdoor activities here that do not need to happen at your house. We have pools, rec centers, clubs , and parks which tend to keep the time at home at a minimum.

[dpscmsgt]

We have a small lot on purpose for several reasons: 1. Hate grass; smaller lot means less grass to water and mow. Grass is a jobs program for people in in Florida. Most of us pay someone to maintain our landscape. When we upgraded our landscape we got rid of as much grass as we were allowed to and replaced it with colorful plants, shrubs and trees. 2. This is our 7th house on 43 years of marriage. In the past we spent a lot of money adding a pool and other things that we never really used. Getting smaller lot insured that we would never be tempted to put in a pool or a big bird cage that we would never use. If you drive around your will see all the people who have pools and/or big birdcages but you rarely see anybody use them. Our neighbors are quiet and friendly and with the right landscaping privacy is not a problem.

[Greg Nelson]

The real problem with this unit is the small garage. Not enough room for my beloved tbird and a golf cart. We're looking at adding a cart barn...but that costs over $20,000!