We bought a spec in Gilchrist and I couldn't have done
a better job then whoever designed it.
Loved all the finishes - I would not have changed a thing!

The design team designs the specs. Same team that sees what buyers like use popular choices and colors. That is why there is something fir everyone

I agree the Spec homes are great.
Just surprised that they are limiting the number of lots for custom Designer homes to be built.
I guess it is just the time of year. Maybe they will ramp it up when the busy season arrives. Or perhaps it is a way to sell/close quicker.
We have 6 months from deposit date to design date. If a spec is purchased the time frame is very compressed. All the design choices are already made and deposit to closing is much shorter. Which equals more closings in less time.
Good for business!
I am just glad that I have the option to make my own design mistakes, Haha!

No, not overly so.

From my view point, the main issue wi a spec home is that one doesn't have the opportunity to customize the home based on personal tastes, wants, and needs. Buyers who have that ability to customize a new build home might- note: might- design a home that ultimately increases in value more quickly.

A village resident looking to "build" a new ome would want the ability to add, delete, or revise features in that home based on what their live-in experiences in their current home. A first time buyer (who has never rented in TV) wouldn't have that frame of reference. Consequently, those buyers won't miss what they never had.

You can always modify any home more than you might think.

Also spec homes on larger lots give you even more possibilities

Unit 230 in Collier just opened. It also appears to be all specs

All I can say is if any of this is true I'm sitting here in a 5 year old designer hearing cha-ching, cha-ching. It is a welcome sound after taking a beating in the last real estate transaction. Will any of this cha-ching benefit me??? only psychologically 'cause I believe I am recouping some of my prior loss and have no plans on going anywhere. After all it's all paper wealth isn't it??? real estate, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, even cold hard cash 'cause I suppose at any moment the dollar could be seriously devalued.

Makes sense. Personally I was happy to find a house I liked that was already standing when my last house sold in 7 days. Would I like to get ridof the carpet - sure and I will at some point. Beyond that I'm a happy camper.

No new lots going up as yet. There is still a good mixture of lots in the first Collier section. They will be going all spec fairly soon (we understand). Contact a sale person asap if you want to build.

I spoke with our agent yesterday (7/30) and he pretty much assured me that there will be further build lots released in the not too distant future. The Build Program has not ended, new lots will be released.

I would not count on anything at all unless it is in an iron clad contract with very specific clauses that can have no ambiguous interpretations. There was a new post tonight that just said she had until December, but her rep said they have cut design appointments to just Monday and Tuesdays and they will only be releasing specs. The lots available now may be all you have left to choose from, and only for a short time or specs will be built on them also. I learned the hard way when we were promised many things by a sales rep who left the Villages real estate shortly after our design appointment quite mysteriously....most of his "promises" and "guarantees" were not fulfilled. I am concerned that SMills (my friend Sharon) keeps getting verbal but not written guarantees from her rep (quote: he pretty much assured me), etc...Please don't count on anything at this point, as the Villages will do or change whatever is in their best interests like any other profitable business, so make plans and dreams accordingly

Good advice!!!!
If you want to design your home. You better get your name on a contract ASAP!

Bruce and I hope that works out for you, but I wouldn't wait that long to pick a lot from what I have heard...good luck

If you take a drive down 44 heading east out of Brownwood, it is about 5 miles (I hit my odometer) of cleared land waiting for construction. All belonging to the Villages, because there is a Village sign facing you when heading west toward the community. There will be many more houses by the looks of it....anyone hear the scuttlebutt on that area? We are new to Gilchrist....still getting lost around here!

There seem to be many questions about design meetings, custom construction, etc.
FYI: We learned today, definitively, that there are openings for design meetings as early as October 22.