[shcisamax]

Originally Posted by paulascorpio

Hi everyone....I'm new to TOTV and will move to TV early in 2014. I'm so excited to finally have retirement in my near future!
How did you purchase your lot in TV and know that the model you picked with the stretches you requested would fit?
Myself and a friend both purchased lots last month and both lots will not fit either of the models we chose. We were informed after we put a deposit on the lots. Now, we have to wait for 210 to release. What did your sales person do to help you since, you cannot deal with the design team or even ask them questions until your Design appointment.
Thanks for your help.....

If you are moving for early 2014, you have plenty of time to wait for them to release a new section with lots. In the meantime, if you know the model you want and how much you want to stretch it, tell your rep now that he is to look for a lot that will accommodate that. You will have to be ready to jump because there are lots of other potential TVers who will be ready to pull the trigger. The lot size secret is out.

To give you an idea: I just happened to be here the day unit 208 opened looking at pre owns and then models. I told the rep that I could see us in a particular model, stretched, etc. on the golf course and we went back to the office to look for lots. My rep told me at 3 p.m. that they would release the lots at 5 p.m. and we were standing on the golf course at 3:15. I walked up and down and said I want this one and will take this as a second choice and this as a third. There were others marching or driving back and forth as well. I was really quite shocked. We sped to the office and put in the information and submitted it as the clock hit 5. We secured my first choice and unbelievably by 5:15p.m., there were two other buyers in line who had put in a bid for our lot as their first choice.
I tell that story so you will understand that premium lots...ones that will accommodate those stretches, are highly sought after and you have to be ready to snag it when it comes available. But if you know what your requirements are, and you trust your rep, you can get this done. The reps know in advance, not much in advance but definitely in advance (my rep was rather behind on this since he had only done preowns), the lots will be released. So get ready to take a really fast trip.

[jimbo2012]

Agree, but a big lot need not be a golf view, my rep knew two days before, had the site map one day before, picked two lots, had cell phone pics early AM, confirmed 9:30 day it was released.

Had first lot in that section because we had very rep that was aggressive enough to get what we wanted, what I was looking for is very limited in orientation, she had compass with her.

We were very happy to take them to dinner last month, that's a real rep that earns their money.

I think as soon as the first indication is seen that you're not getting the type of help you need switch horses, there are 175+ reps but only a handful that R great.

Any rep can walk a buyer into spec home and write an order, but we are talking custom built which for most will be our last one make it as near perfect as you can.

[shcisamax]

[QUOTE=jimbo2012;579506]

1) Agree, but a big lot need not be a golf view,
2) my rep knew two days before, had the site map one day before, picked two lots, had cell phone pics early AM, confirmed 9:30 day it was released.



1) I was referring to premium lots whatever they may be. The fact is, with the overwhelming response to stretching, people are standing in line for the larger lots..whether GC or cul-de-sac or corners.

2)Jimbo is correct that you can do this through video and cell phone photos, etc. but you really really really need to trust your rep. Mine would have been a total failure. Maybe since Jimbo's rep knows the drill, switch out now.

[paulascorpio]

I told him that I want to build the Lantana with a 2 foot stretch to the rear and 2 foot side stretch in the kitchen and 4 foot to the garage. I did read on TOTV that someone had also done a center stretch but, I cannot get an answer on that. My friend also went through all his stretches with the sales rep and he was told the lot they purchased would fit and then after the deposit was made and the "supposed design team" confirmed that it would fit, they received a call two weeks later that it would not fit on their cul de sac due to easements. I picked my lot and then was told it would not fit front to back. Now we are asking if these same stretches will fit any of the supposed open lots in 210 and we cannot get any information. Not on the basic rectangular lots (those are self-explanatory) but if they would fit on certain cul de sacs lots. I've also asked about speaking with the design team and I've been told: that is when you're ready! I know we are not moving until 2014 but with all the craziness trying to get a a large lot I'm concerned I will not find one. Also, after purchasing one lot, I don't want to have to keep driving up to find one! I'd like to put a deposit down and call it a day......and know, where I'll be living now that I've made the decision and the initial deposit to move to TV. Thank you for all the information so far! Love reading all the posts.....it makes me feel like I am almost there!!

[aljetmet]

Originally Posted by paulascorpio

Hi everyone....I'm new to TOTV and will move to TV early in 2014. I'm so excited to finally have retirement in my near future!
How did you purchase your lot in TV and know that the model you picked with the stretches you requested would fit?
Myself and a friend both purchased lots last month and both lots will not fit either of the models we chose. We were informed after we put a deposit on the lots. Now, we have to wait for 210 to release. What did your sales person do to help you since, you cannot deal with the design team or even ask them questions until your Design appointment.
Thanks for your help.....

You really don't need the design team to chose a model or/and lot. (Unless you plan to my extensive changes to the layout of the model). I'm very surprised an agent would let you buy a lot that the model you want does not fit. I guess you and your friend fell in love with lots before you fell in love with a model. Unfortunately in my book that was not a good idea...

So that's the bad news. Since you have about a year to make a final a decision you can right what is wrong.

1> You should know that you can change a lot without penalty as long as you begin the build within 90 days. However the issue is getting an appointment with a design specialist in time. If you think your agent let you down by all means make a change.

2> You may change your mind about the model house you like. Most people do make a change. My wife and I have changed three times so we are building our 4th choice that we eliminated at the very beginning. As mentioned before possible stretches are key in the process. The value the stretches give are well worth the extra cost as they are not that expensive.

There is a lot of great info on TOTV. My recommendation is to search for things you need to know and keep up with the forum. I'm glad I have.

Lastly the best way to search is to you use google as follows:

Talkofthevillages Forum "search term" ie "electric golf carts"


Good luck!

[jimbo2012]

So you only need a 92 by 64 lot if I follow you, that's easy to find.

As far as the ctr strech yes it was done but costly construction and lot wise.

Your friend had an inept rep if that happened.

I can look at a lot plan with set backs and see it in a minute.

I think you are wasting your efforts on 210, consider them sold, look to 211 or others.

As to speaking to the design grou[p, no you can not, but your rep absolute can mine did several times took a day or two for answer but I have until mid Dec for my build.

I just asked about adding a witches hat on my model because it wasn't done before, I now have all the design specs on it took two days and found it can be done, I have it all drawn up as possible plan.

I think your rep is treating you like a mushroom, IN the dark.



You need to make your concerns known by loud and clear demands for info.

Your spending 300K

[paulascorpio]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

So you only need a 92 by 64 lot if I follow you, that's easy to find.

As far as the ctr strech yes it was done but costly construction and lot wise.

Your friend had an inept rep if that happened.

I can look at a lot plan with set backs and see it in a minute.

I think you are wasting your efforts on 210, consider them sold, look to 211 or others.

As to speaking to the design grou[p, no you can not, but your rep absolute can mine did several times took a day or two for answer but I have until mid Dec for my build.

I just asked about adding a witches hat on my model because it wasn't done before, I now have all the design specs on it took two days and found it can be done, I have it all drawn up as possible plan.

I think your rep is treating you like a mushroom, IN the dark.



You need to make your concerns known by loud and clear demands for info.

Your spending 300K

First......LOVE the shirt!! Secondly, thanks for the information and I appreciate ALL the information from the board!! Have a great day in the Villages and "Wish, I was there!"

[graciegirl]

Too all people thinking of buying and building. There is NO rush. Plenty of opportunity to wait and get what you want. There will be thousands and thousands of homes built before they are done building....(And THAT is my guess) Your poor sales rep is NOT a mind reader and you can't have every home on every lot. Look before you leap so I don't have to read that you are unhappy.

The sales reps have ten lined up behind you and don't need to keep you in the dark about anything. They DON'T KNOW until it happens, all they can do is repeat rumors on this and that. Our wonderful sales rep, Jim McLaughlin would laugh and say..."You know more than I do, Gracie because of TOTV....I didn't, but I heard rumors. AND that is what they are until the powers that be say WHAT is happening.

You can buy ahead of time (before you can use the home) and then be happy or not and sell and move, or you can wait to buy until you can retire or snow bird...and then be happy or not and sell and move, you can buy a resale, a new home, or you can wait to leap like many of us have done, until our other real estate is sold and we feel comfortable with our due diligence, research, asking questions, touring the place, seeing lots of new homes and resales, studying the floor plans the known options (they can change at any minute) and all of the possibilities. One thing this forum has to offer is a lot of opinions, advice, speculation and attitudes and a bit of solid information.

We bought a new spec home in 2008 in Hadley, a Camellia, we were completely satisfied with it and the neighborhood and love the friends we made there. Last year we built in a new neighborhood, our Frog house and we loved the process and it was the best and easiest build we have ever done.

I am satisfied. More than satisfied...and a huge fan of this place and the whole process... We have built many homes over time and bought four new ones too.

Disclaimer...I don't work for the Morses, or have ever laid eyes on any of them.

I am a senior citizen, living with the love of my life and very happy here in Lower Paradise.

[Saxprof]

These posts have been excellent! Thoughtful and extremely informative! We are the typical newbies... put $ down on one lot, then switching to another... so many choices, so little time... The ideal lot is possible, but it does take work (and some dumb-luck timing) to nail it down. We are now looking at drawing scenarios (cutting and pasting house plots on lots)... QUESTION COMING: Our agent gave us an option to stretch master bedroom to rear by 2'... Is a 4'4" stretch to rear master bedroom possible? (Yes, we have just asked agent that, but are soooo anxious, we thought we would ask our TOTV friends as well!)... Thanks Gracie et all, you are wonderful... and we are soooo looking forward to being TVers very soon... And yes, the lot has space for the master bed to rear stretch (looks like 6' or more)...

[jimbo2012]

if it has 6' to the setback sure, what model?

[Saxprof]

Begonia...

[jimbo2012]

simple stretch, will U include pushing out the lanai as well?

U should.

But that will be a very large mbd, like 18 x 18 or 325'

My guess $2K w/o lanai, 4-5K with the lanai

But I would push the lanai to the limit of 6'

[Saxprof]

The lanai cannot be stretched more than 2'... (the lot has a curve)... However, the master bedroom does have lots of room at rear... We are thinking to add as much stretch to the master at rear and "give" that stretch to the closets...(not master bath)...

[jimbo2012]

Ok gottcha, but you can add a lot of closet if you move the mbd entry eliminate that small hallway converting that into closet also.

What about putting the door to mbd in the dinning room/lanai corner, that is done in Cedar see

You may be able to extend the lanai perhaps not straight across but dog leg a bit????

[Saxprof]

Jumbo! You are brilliant! You can add lanai stretch without adding to the entire lanai? If so we could put a killer 4'4" for at least half of the lanai! We are super pumped (if possible)... Nah, we're super pumped anyway this works!