Good point. We recently purchased a preowned cyv. Fully updated, new roof and HVAC, extended lanai, low maintenance yard, landscaping complete, screened-in entry, stretched rooms plus more goodies. Bond paid.

Since you are not in a hurry, pay attention to the preowned. There are some great buys. For us, It was nice to move into a home where everything was done. When you buy new, you will have to make upgrades increasing your cost of the home sufficiently. Something to think about...

Will take longer than two years to build everything including shopping. Appreciation of homes not guaranteed. Still building along 466A and Brownwood here 10 years.

Please follow your instincts. Yes, the building of both towns will be complete in 2 years. However, you can't force a business to lease a space. You said it yourself: "it is hard to believe. "

I did some math when I looked at lots in Moultrie Creek. During my visit, 300 homes were sold in Middleton. A typical family of 4 equals 1200 residents. If you owned a business would you want to pay an expensive lease for a small population?

How long will it take to get 1000 homes sold? 2000? That would make the population between 4 and 8 thousand. For a business, those are not good numbers. Especially when that population ranges from newborn to fifties. (up to eighties if you include Villagers.) What business could you start with that range of age? Probably around 10,000 homes sold will start to attract business.

It is going to be MANY YEARS before Middleton reaches full merchant capacity. One poster stated it has been 10 years for Brownwood, and it is still not complete.

Eastport will be different. The population is large enough to attract business. Even so, it will probably take years. Some big box stores are just arriving on 466. Spanish Springs was built 30 years ago. Why did it take them so long? Population!

How old are? Are you willing to wait 10 years? Only you can answer that question. When your gut tells you something is off, it probably is.

Welcome
 

Hope you greatly enjoy your choice! Avoid larger mistakes like lanai views. The front of the home I’m sure will be nice, but the back is where it’s all at. You may not be able to add cabinets in your kitchen, but you can put in 48 inch uppers throughout! Taller cabinets create a lot more room.

Also don’t forget, taxes are based on the initial sale price. If you can deal with stock items at first and upgrade counters, fans etc. later, I would. You are currently looking at between 10,000 and 11,000 dollars a year in costs for bond/taxes at current tax rates. That doesn't include amenities and utilities.

Exciting times, for sure!
If I may ask, what activities are you most looking forward to when you spend time in TV? How do they specifically relate to the village you have chosen?
How close are you to retiring and moving in full time?

Who lead you to the understanding that your property will appreciate? Folks who bought 5 years ago saw great appreciation. Those who bought 12-18 months ago, I'm not so sure about.

What activities you are most interested in, and when you plan on using your Villages home for long periods of time, should be considered. Things like rec centers, pickleball, pools will be there for you. Other things may take longer than a sales agent is likely to have you believe. If golf is a priority, you might have to wait a bit before that catches up. Likewise the squares and the commercial enterprises that make the squares worth the trip.

BTW, where are you coming from?

Decision after a few days? Typical mistake of many. Check TV and the area out at least a year and spend time here each of the 4 seasons and then decide.

way too far south in my opinion. 2 years? don't think so. So so many pre-owned houses for sale down in the southern area. Wonder why? Because people are finally realizing that they have to travel to far to get to civilization, golf courses, big box stores, bonds are extremely high, taxes double ( county and village). Keep looking.

No shopping, no doctors, no gas stations, no golf, no recreational facilities, etc.
Look north my friend, look north.

Congrats
 

Congrats on your new home! We live in Bradford, which is just south of Chitty Chatty. I was talking to someone who has had 5 houses here in TV and is building in Moultrie Creek too! She has been here 20 years and is very knowledgeable. She said with each move (started in Spanish Springs, moved south each time) there were tons of nay- sayers who said why would she move way down there, there was nothing there, north was better, etc. She said she just bought realizing that TV does a fantastic job in every area and she loves building a new home! She loves new and their beds have changed. No doubt you will love your area. By the way, you will be near Middleton, and it is fun to see the high school sports and plays there! I love the idea of your stretches (bigger is better) and I’d build a 2.5-3 car garage if possible. We love the bike and walking trails that are in our area - they are unique to all of the areas south of 44. I do think all of TV is done very well. You will love being a part of a new neighborhood too. You’ll be close to the turnpike exit and easier getting back and forth to the airport. Sounds like you’ve made a great decision!

Excellent Choice! Congratulations
 

Congratulations Coop63.

Great choice! You will be super happy building there, building new and picking your model and appointments. Beckylou152 is absolutely correct. TV does any amazing job of developing and creating areas for a superb experience. We have been coming to TV for 2 years. Looking for the right model/lot. Patience is absolutely essential if you are looking for something that fits your goals and desires. They have enough land to build for the next 20 years so dont jump at the first lot. When we started looking, they were still building homes in Richmond!!!!!!! Look at it now. If you look at the pattern, every town square has gotten better. Eastport will be amazing. Yes, new builds are "less" expensive than pre-owned. You need to deal with construction for the next two years but you will be rewarded nicely for it. My friends purchased in Lake Denham just 30 days ago. Same home now in Moultrie Creek is going for 40k more!!! Moultrie Creek will be a PRIME location because of how close it is to Eastport. Find the model you like first. Stretch it all that you can, and add the most garages you can. Build it to the appointments of your choice from the start and move in super happy. Taxes are not based on purchase price. Counties tax on the assessed value of the land mostly and then on the "building" by square footage. Once you pick a model, go searching for the perfect lot. In my opinion, and of course my taste, find a premium lot. Water, golf, preserve etc. That is what locks in your appreciation not even considering your day to day view!!!!!

Exciting times! I too still work and decided to move here pre Retirement full time. This is the place to be. Eastport will be the premiere fun square. Let's enjoy! Good luck and congratulations again!

Make sure lanai and bedrooms are not west facing. Get three car garage or figure space for bikes and two golf cars and however many regular cars you will have.

Building your retirement home next to the federal prison? Why why why? No stores nothing will be built.....trust me.

This brings up a question; is there a time frame for when a lot is purchased and how long the owner has to actually start construction on a house?

It's fascinating how much effort folks who live South of 44, put into justifying their choice of location.

Anyone who takes a 30 minute drive through the South, can see it's nothing like the "original Villages".

If that's not enough, just talk with some of folks who bought in the South, based on the Developer's promise that the "connection" to the rest of TV, was imminent.

... or the golfers who've waited for the influx of new Championship Golf Courses to be built in the South, but instead have been saddled with nothing but Southern Oaks ... an airport, with flags stuck in the ground.

... or the folks who waited patiently for the "new Town Square" and ended up with Sawgrass, where the only reasonable place to get a meal, is a catering truck.

I hear they do have nice walking trails and Pitch & Putt golf courses !

So much for the "active lifestyle" and Developer promises.

After you build the lot, you have 30 days to have the design appointment. I recently built in Lake Denham. The house was finished 4 months after the design appointment.

Coop63 - I built essentially the same house as you are planning! This is my second Villages home. The first was a Mossy Oak, but essentially the same floor plan, without the stretches. I was able to stretch the master bedroom in my Dove home by 2 feet, which has made a huge difference. I also combined the master bedroom windows into one, which I much prefer. My one slight regret was not making the garage into a 3 car, but I had maxed out my budget.

The view lots are the ones that that will appreciate the most. Pay special attention to the direction of the backyard. I hated my northeast facing lanai in my previous home. I have a south facing lanai now and much prefer it.