Originally Posted by PleaseBeKind (Post 1801097)

Trying to create a budget before buying in TV. Have read many posts about living expenses but trying to get a little more clarity. Hope to purchase or build a Premier home with a pool, Grandview or Kings Bay, approximately 3600 sq.ft. Hoping to better estimate cost of electricity for a similar sized home and also maid service costs. Thanks in advance for helping me with this. Best wishes.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 1801140)

If the house is all electric, your electric bill will be a little less than $200 per month. Maid service will cost about $80-100 per cleaning. But, as far as I know, you cannot build a Premier house in The Villages unless you can find a vacant lot that someone bought, but never built on. I would check with an experienced Villages agent about that possibility.

Originally Posted by queasy27 (Post 1801192)

Maybe the OP has already priced out those items.

Originally Posted by asianthree (Post 1801200)

So much for friendly. If you don’t ask questions that posters like you will be ridiculed, and assume you are not bright enough to evaluate your own financial ability.

Sorry OP. We looked at 3 premier homes with pools, and solar panels. The seco bills For home came to around $235. A month. Of course you have no idea what the temp was kept at for home or pool. Homes had 12 foot and higher ceilings. We did find a premier home we loved, it did back to a road, with a view. We did bid on it, but owner pulled off market, when the home they were buying fell through in Pine Hills.

Problem with the 3 homes was they were interior lots, and not what we were looking for. As stated at this time there does not seem to be any new premier areas, but maybe down the road.

Are far as maid services, are you looking for routine weekly cleaning, or someone to come in daily for light cleaning, cooking, and basic laundry.

Originally Posted by charmed59 (Post 1801429)

We have a similar premier home and these costs are inline with what we are paying.

Originally Posted by Dilligas (Post 1801456)

If you are looking for premier home, you currently can not build, so would need a resale. Have your TV sales agent obtain the expenses from the owner. Don’t forget irrigation water....with our heat and if the home has zoysia that was used in southern half of TV, and size of lawn, could run $200+. Don’t just accept the published cost of living the brochure has listed, it will be higher. Then lawn care, fertilizers, & bugs $200-$300/ month. Cleaning $150+ per time for that size.

Originally Posted by Lilaphoto@aol.com (Post 1801365)

I would suggest that you rent a home first with less sq footage. We thought for sure that we needed 3,600 ft house and a housekeeper at least once a week. Just like back home. Well, we are in a 2,000 sq ft home and a housekeeper once every two weeks and I am not sure we need anything more. I was totally surprised. Especially if you have a large pool area. They are not building Premier homes anymore but you can get Premier features on a new home. I.e. 10’ ceilings for your lanai. My fantastic housekeeper charges by footage. I only pay her $100 a visit. She would charge more than that for a larger home. Don’t forget the pool maintenance cost. Please be sure you understand your bond payments. It’s different here in The Villages. Many places have the contractors pay for the infrastructure ... not here. You are paying for that! Good luck. You will love it here! Welcome in advance!

Originally Posted by Davelinda91 (Post 1801430)

It’s not cheap! Depending on where you buy. Wildwood has city taxes as well as county 2000 sq ft all in taxes and Bond(25-38K) could run as high as $7k per year. Amenities $300, electric $250, gas $100, house insurance with sink hole protection $250, car insurance $200. Trail fee, priority golf $100 And finally ...
Happy Hour $600 per month! Live life large

Originally Posted by chrssyb40@aol.com (Post 1801538)

You may also want to factor line items in your annual cost analysis all items that will need to be replaced once they've reached their useful life (roof, interior and exterior painting, washer, dryer, pumps, golf carts, etc.).

Originally Posted by dtennent (Post 1801480)

In addition to costs, I hope you are thinking about the non budget items. 1) For us, having a lanai that did not look into the lanai of someone else was very important. Such lots are more expensive but if you are buying a premier home, then initial purchase price isn't your top priority. 2) Think about storage. (Perhaps you are since you are looking at 3600 sq ft) There are no basements here so your storage is above ground. Can build storage into spare bedrooms or in the garage- just think about it. 3) The garage - We have a stretched Lantana with a deeper garage (2 car plus golf) but I still wish we had more room.

Good luck with your search and have fun!

Originally Posted by Bridget Eichaker (Post 1801345)

Amazing post, why are u worried about a budget for a 3600 sq ft home. I clean my own home it’s fairly easy