[BobKat1]

I read in another thread that the Ranch series of new construction homes has been discontinued. Any confirmation of this and, any word as to whether or not something will take the place of them? Thanks...

[elevatorman]

They now are building cottages. See them here.

http://www.thevillages.com/homes/gal...tage-homes.asp

They are in the $130--$150 range and are about the same as the ranch homes. Just a name change

[TomW]

They have also taken many of the features out of the ranch series to create the cottage series. Base models are, well..., pretty base. Slab doors, not even the cheap plastic blinds, etc. A challenge is to find the point where it is better to stop upgrading say a Sun Kissed model (former stripped out Amarillo A plan) and move to an Allamanda designer (former Amarillo B plan in block/concrete). The base model Sun Kissed starts at $156,900 on a $0 premium lot.

[BobKat1]

Originally Posted by TomW

They have also taken many of the features out of the ranch series to create the cottage series. Base models are, well..., pretty base. Slab doors, not even the cheap plastic blinds, etc. A challenge is to find the point where it is better to stop upgrading say a Sun Kissed model (former stripped out Amarillo A plan) and move to an Allamanda designer (former Amarillo B plan in block/concrete). The base model Sun Kissed starts at $156,900 on a $0 premium lot.

Thanks for the information. It sounds like you've done some research on the subject. Good point on the Sun Kissed vs. Allamanda.

[GERALDINE]

Originally Posted by BobKat1

Thanks for the information. It sounds like you've done some research on the subject. Good point on the Sun Kissed vs. Allamanda.

Originally Posted by BobKat1

I read in another thread that the Ranch series of new construction homes has been discontinued. Any confirmation of this and, any word as to whether or not something will take the place of them? Thanks...

Yes, it's true.

[downeaster]

Stetson to Amarillo to Sun Kissed. A rose by any other name etc, etc.

Beware of the advertised square footage. Looks like some advertising uses "under roof" and not "climate controlled".

[bluedog103]

The Bougainvillea is the designer version of the Amarillo. Goes for about $179,500 on zero premium lot. The Allamanda is the designer block and stucco version of the Amarillo. Comes with a sun room, thus the increased square footage. I think that one starts around $185,000. The ranch line seemed to be very popular because of the added bells and whistles. Seemed like a nice line of homes between the cottages and the designers.

we have a ranch and it is great; came with some nice features, and did not need nickel and dime upgrades. roomy, airy, and well laid out. wish that we had a florida room also, but is fine without it. got a good value.

[downeaster]

This was told to me by our salesman, the late Sam Browne. Sam had been with "The Family" for a long time. It seems they were selling mobile homes and two bedroom "ranches". Sam was turning away people who wanted a three bedroom "ranch". He mentioned to management it would be nice if they would make a three bedroom model available. Their answer "design one". He did, they liked it and the Stetson was born.
Just prior to our purchase it was renamed Amarillo. Now they are "cottages" and called Sun Kissed. It would seem they are moving away from the Texas influence. Either term is appropriate but I like "cottage". However, "ranches" will be part of The Villages vocabulary for a long time.

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by downeaster

This was told to me by our salesman, the late Sam Browne. Sam had been with "The Family" for a long time. It seems they were selling mobile homes and two bedroom "ranches". Sam was turning away people who wanted a three bedroom "ranch". He mentioned to management it would be nice if they would make a three bedroom model available. Their answer "design one". He did, they liked it and the Stetson was born.
Just prior to our purchase it was renamed Amarillo. Now they are "cottages" and called Sun Kissed. It would seem they are moving away from the Texas influence. Either term is appropriate but I like "cottage". However, "ranches" will be part of The Villages vocabulary for a long time.

We moved here in Feb. 2004 as soon as our Amarillo was completed. Since we moved here from Amarillo, TX that's just what I tell people ... from Amarillo to Amarillo. No surprise to anyone that we did it in the southwest theme. We love our house, our location, and TV! Summerhill was the last village north of 466 and we could still pick our own colors, floor coverings, etc. at that time. I really love that we had so much say in it. That just seems to add the personal touch, too. You're right about the Texas influence. The majority of the homes in Texas (especially West Texas) are ranch style for a very practical purpose because of the high winds there on pretty much a daily basis year round. It was always a great day for golf when our winds were below 15 mph because most days 15 was the low end and gusts usually anywhere from 30-40 at least. Ranches just withstood those winds better.

[bluedog103]

Very interesting dillywho. Thanks for sharing. I never had any idea where the name ranch home came from and that it had a reason behind it.
Wow, just 5 short years. Seems like yesterday in many ways and seems like an eternity in others. I'm sure you've seem many changes in that short span of time.