[Quixote]

This from friends who, though settled in TV for a few years, still go to open houses to see what’s out there and to get ideas. How’s this for an endorsement to buy only a resale and never new construction?

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Promise me you will go down and look over the new homes which are being shown every day in the new areas. I want you to squeeze the outside siding on the new homes being built. It is like squeezing cardboard. The Villages is the only builder using this newer material in Florida. It feels like you move into a cardboard home.

We know someone who bought a new patio villa and paid $145[000] plus a bond of $20[000] in Saint James. It is a square box, The other day we went into a beautiful two-bedroom Designer home with a floor plan never seen by us. It was in Hacienda East, a charming, lushly landscaped area near Hacienda [Hills] Restaurant. The house had a load of extras, including a gorgeous new kitchen, pavers in the driveway, heavy landscaping and a bumped out lanai. Both bathrooms were big. The home was listed at $151[000] with no bond. The house was sold while we were there because a couple were going to fill out papers. The price was around $143[000] at sale.

I thought of this woman we know who bought this hideous brand new piece of **** for more money when she could have had this gorgeous Designer. For a moment, I actually thought of buying it and renting it out; it was that beautiful. The older areas in Hacienda East and nearby are beautiful streets with mostly older Designer homes. We try to look at homes now which pop up in older areas that we never saw….

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Not everybody wants the same thing. Some will want to buy new for various reasons. Some will want a resale for various reasons.

If everybody wanted the same thing in cars, for example, we'd all still be driving Model Ts!

Bill

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Quixote

This from friends who, though settled in TV for a few years, still go to open houses to see what’s out there and to get ideas. How’s this for an endorsement to buy only a resale and never new construction?

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Promise me you will go down and look over the new homes which are being shown every day in the new areas. I want you to squeeze the outside siding on the new homes being built. It is like squeezing cardboard. The Villages is the only builder using this newer material in Florida. It feels like you move into a cardboard home.

We know someone who bought a new patio villa and paid $145[000] plus a bond of $20[000] in Saint James. It is a square box, The other day we went into a beautiful two-bedroom Designer home with a floor plan never seen by us. It was in Hacienda East, a charming, lushly landscaped area near Hacienda [Hills] Restaurant. The house had a load of extras, including a gorgeous new kitchen, pavers in the driveway, heavy landscaping and a bumped out lanai. Both bathrooms were big. The home was listed at $151[000] with no bond. The house was sold while we were there because a couple were going to fill out papers. The price was around $143[000] at sale.

I thought of this woman we know who bought this hideous brand new piece of **** for more money when she could have had this gorgeous Designer. For a moment, I actually thought of buying it and renting it out; it was that beautiful. The older areas in Hacienda East and nearby are beautiful streets with mostly older Designer homes. We try to look at homes now which pop up in older areas that we never saw….

I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the siding and with your teminology "hideous brand new piece of ****".

If buying a resale is what you want then fine, there are MANY valid reasons for doing so; lower bond, added extras, window treatments, lovely painted interiors, sometimes a lower price and mature landscaping just to name a few. New homes and resales of the same genre are not far apart in price. Some new ones are less expensive than their previously loved counterparts. It is all up to the individual. But why snipe at the way they are built????

I love my "hideous brand new piece of ****"

To make a point, any valid point, diplomacy is more useful, my friend.

[justjim]

When you buy a home in TV, you are buying a lifestyle----Resale or new depends on your preference.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by justjim

When you buy a home in TV, you are buying a lifestyle----Resale or new depends on your preference.

And pocketbook.

[jimbo2012]

I disagree in some ways

• Depending on year built, hurricane wind speed standards.
• Insulation is better on newer
• AC and appliance are more energy efficient including windows.
• termite treatment is better pre-construction
• Can't get full sink hole insurance

building codes have changed.

[hdh1470]

I think to each their own.But you can get some good deals.Bonds have more then doubled in last 6 years,Maint.also has doubled.And if you find someone hungry to sell you may save 40k or more on a 230k house.In our case thought we would get new but made offer on 5 yr old hse.Did not think they would take but did.The cheapest we could have built was about 47k more.The bond was about 12 k of that. So for us it was a no brainer plus it was furnished.

[senior citizen]

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[JimPete]

I'm not sure what siding you are talking about. We just moved into our cottage in St. James and it has vinyl siding. The same vinyl siding that was on our last house in Va. It was 10 years old and looked the same as it did when we bought it.

Could you be a little more specific about the siding?

As far as buying new, let me add that when you buy new you are moving into a neighborhood where most of your neighbors are at the same point of their new life. In older areas there is a chance your neighbors may be a little too set in their ways. It could take longer to make close friends.

Just a thought.

Jim

[senior citizen]

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[hotrodgirl]

Quixote, I think your post was meant to be your opinion. But many living in TV have chosen their homes carefully, having done due diligence, and basing their decisions on what is right for them. I came down to look last May with no preconceived notions about what I may find. I looked at spec homes, pre-owned and lots to build on. I knew the basic model I wanted after touring through many models and resales, and in the end decided to build. It was the right decision for me, but not for everyone. That is the nice thing about living there. Generally people are happy with their choices and glad to be living the lifestyle. I do however have to agree with Jimbo on part of his post. The building codes have changed since they first started building there. For example, the roofing, concrete, etc. Structurally, I think almost all the homes are sound, though. I also stayed in Creekside Landing and found my model home to be quite nice! Didn't notice the siding particularly, but it is concrete underneath which seems the important aspect to me. Just my opinion, not passing judgment...

[Bonny]

Oh my, we have built 2 hideous pieces of **** since we moved here. LOL Back in the day of high prices, we looked at buying a bigger house in Santiago. Couldn't touch a Lantana resale for under $350,000 and that didn't include what we would have paid to redecorate, plus they had many things we didn't like. When the prices dropped, we built a new home in BonnyBrook with lots of upgrades, pool, landscape etc. for $250,000. Great deal. I love my hideous piece of **** !!

[senior citizen]

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[Yankee Quilter]

It is all personal opinion, in my humble opinion! We have owned 8 houses and the last 3 have been new construction. We find it easier, and sometimes less expensive, to start from new to improve, than to recreate. I mentioned resales of DH but he is the handyman and he says new ... Therefore new it is. Sure hope it is soon!
I also agree with the quality of some of the improvements .... I always learn from you guys ... Thanks

[senior citizen]

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