For the record, because someone finds the villages less than perfect doesn't mean they don't enjoy living here. Many people love the Villages in spite of its flaws. Can we do without the hostile "love it or leave it" refrain?

Number cruncher here. OK I just purchased a preowned. As I looked at houses I compared the same plan that was new construction adjusted for the lot premium or lack of it and then added the cost of the improvements the owner had made and deducted the depreciation on the appliances, heat and air etc. Many of the pre-owned on the market are sitting have been listed for many months because the price they are at is not in line with what it can be replicated for new. At least 12 of those I looked at had been purchased less than 24 months ago had a birdcage added and put back on the market for 75 to 100 thousand more than the original investment plus the improvements. That is not addressing the issue of the developers increase in what they are listing them at. I think the prices are a little high right now and will probably readjust over time. I don't think they will go down much in the long run. But if you look at those north of or close to 466 the price per square foot is much lower, because they feel in a lot of cases that they need a facelift and have been decorated in questionable taste. As with most markets if a house is priced to match its competition it will sell.

This could help explain the slowing of sales if true that sink hole insurance is not available on a resale. Who would buy a home in a sink hole prone area and not want to have insurance?

That was a change state wide, and we all have catastrophic.

Villages building many cottage houses on the historic side. I have been observing construction of one which is now about 70% complete.
concrete slab construction - pipes are not sleeved
2 x 4 roof truss on 24 inch center - 1/2 inch flake board over truss with aluminum H clips between truss
2 X 4 wood exterior wall - 1/2 flake board
Double pane aluminum frame windows - I inch thick - only the bottom opens - no tilt
1/2 pvc water supply lines everywhere
1/2 drywall walls - 5/8 drywall ceiling
6 inch fiberglass insulation ceiling - without paper backing
4 inch fiberglass insulation exterior walls - with paper backing
contractor grade fiberglass tub and shower
interior wall metal studs
pressure treated wood if in contact with concrete - no barrier
every piece of wood sprayed for termites from floor to about 3 foot level
fiberglass coated wood front entry door

Thoughtful post.

Wouldn't you say that they are built to the local code?

Of course they are - The Villages couldn't get a C/O if not.

Sure catastrophic, but that's is not what I'm talking about.

It's partial damage that's repairable that you can't get coverage on!

Ok but what's your point?

none - just providing facts

One has to remember that local and state building codes are the "MINIMUM" requirements. As a plumbing contractor if I had my choice I would use pex water pipe instead of cpvc; protect all piping going through concrete with a sleeve or wrap (maybe termites have something to do with this); water supply distribution would be 3/4" or 1", with 1/2" only supplying one fixture; acrylic or tile instead of fiberglass bath and/or shower units; and use 1/4-turn brass instead of plastic push-on water supply stops.

What surprises me is the use of 4" exterior walls and only 6" of insulation in the the ceiling. Is the proceeding normal in Florida or is that the minimum required by the building code? Up here in the Great White North, ceilings have to be R44 which is about 14" of insulation, exterior walls have to be R19 which is 6" of insulation, and slabs must also be insulated. Obviously the climate is different in Florida than it is in Minnesota :cold:, but I wonder why 50% less insulation is required in the ceiling.

@pivo: That 319,000 was purchased in 2011 for $265,000...so are you saying that The Villages is slipping in value? I don't think you mean that. Right?

Our ceiling is R-30. the cpvc is 3/4"

1" on 3-4 baths larger homes

Agree with the poster who remarked that the current batch of retirees are more in tune to (in my case) The Eagles, The Who, Chicago, James Taylor, etc and so forth than Lawrence Welk...change the song!