[Dilligas]

Originally Posted by PleaseBeKind

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.

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.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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.

5 acres or so lots on the horse farm for mansion on the hill. But, wouldn’t be worried about electricity bill.

[dtennent]

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!

[PleaseBeKind]

Originally Posted by queasy27

Maybe the OP has already priced out those items.

Yes, you are correct! Very insightful. Thank you for being so understanding.

[New Englander]

Originally Posted by asianthree

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.

My thoughts exactly....

[PleaseBeKind]

Originally Posted by charmed59

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

Thank you so much for your comments. Best wishes.

[PleaseBeKind]

Originally Posted by Dilligas

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.

Thank you for the info. Good to know that agent can get costs from owner. Zillow and TV listings never show these costs. Best wishes.

[Pamelah]

A 3600 sq’ Premier Home with a pool for $300,000?!? Sign me up. A strange original inquiry unless he has no idea of housing costs. If he knows the price of a 3600sq’ home with pool and is ok with that, why the worry about a maid or electric bill?

[PleaseBeKind]

Originally Posted by Lilaphoto@aol.com

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!

Thank you for the info and insights. Best wishes.

[chrssyb40@aol.com]

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.).

[PleaseBeKind]

Originally Posted by Davelinda91

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

Thanks for the info. My detailed budget does include a similar amount like your "Happy Hour". Best wishes.

[PleaseBeKind]

Originally Posted by chrssyb40@aol.com

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.).

Thank you for the info. Yes, I agree so my detailed budget has similar non frequent recurring items like you mentioned. Best wishes.

[PleaseBeKind]

Originally Posted by dtennent

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!

Thank your for your comments. Yes, I agree "kissing" lanais are not for us. Thanks.

[PleaseBeKind]

Thank you so very much for answering my questions in such nice detail. Best wishes.

[PleaseBeKind]

Originally Posted by Bridget Eichaker

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

I'm not worried about a budget. Have done one almost my entire career and it really helps me manage my finances successfully. Best wishes.