[Chrusan]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I was already featured on an episode of the newcomers when I first moved here a few months ago - they mentioned they would like to come back and see my place after all my renovations, so stay tuned ….. 😀

I remember that video and that you promised to return when your home was done. Can’t wait! Continued health and happiness.

[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by davephan

Several additional things to consider:

Is the lawn and shrub irrigation system working properly? Oftentimes, too few zones and too few heads are originally installed. The irrigation controller might also be obsolete. I recommend replacing the old technology irrigation controller with a 12 or 16 zone Orbit B-Hyve system. You can find them at Lowe’s, Home Depot, and other sources. The Orbit B-Hyve controller is easily programmed and monitored from your cellphone from anywhere. The Orbit B-Hyve controller also automatically puts the system into automatic rain delay based on the forecast. Our Florida home had a lousy old technology irrigation controller, which I replaced right away.

Does your home have mostly LED lighting? Our Florida home had incandescent lighting with 21 incandescent only light dimmers. I replaced the light dimmers with Lutron Caseta light dimmers that can accept most lights, including incandescent and LED lights. I then replaced the incandescent lights with LED lights, which draw a fraction of the electricity.

I also replaced the obsolete mechanical timers for the outside lighting with Lutron Caseta dimmers or interrupter switches, depending if a neutral wire was available. The interrupter requires a neutral wire, the dimmer does not require the neutral wire. The Lutron Caseta switches can be controlled, monitored, and programmed with your cellphone from anywhere. The outdoor lights can be programmed to turn on at sunset and off at sunrise. They are programmed one time. The lights then follow the sunset and sunrise times perfectly throughout the year as the sunset and sunrise times change. It even follows the daylight savings time and standard time changes perfectly. The sunset and sunrise times are programmed to your zip code. That system totally automates your outdoor lighting.

Another thing is your security system. A security system is important! You never want to be in a situation where an intruder is in your house and attacking you as you are in bed, trying to wake up. You could be injured, tortured, or killed. An alarm system will alert you to the situation and most likely the intruder will run away. Intruders don’t want to be shot by armed homeowners, or arrested by the police. A good place to start is the Alarm System Store on the Internet. The DSC Neo system is a good security system. You can self monitor or have central station monitoring, or both. Security system companies like ADT are a total ripoff, charging you $30 to $40 a month for monitoring. ADT also locks you into a 3 year contract that automatically renews if you forget to cancel it. Good alarm monitoring should cost about $140 a year.

A whole house generator is also a very nice thing to have. We planned on having a generator in our Florida home before moving to Florida. We signed the contract for a 24 KW natural gas automatic starting whole house electric generator. It automatically starts with 30 seconds of a power outage. During hurricane Ian, our generator ran for 29 hours continuously, and powered everything in the house, including the two heat pump air conditioners. If you don’t have natural gas service, then you’ll need to have a large propane tank installed, which will add a few thousand dollars to the cost. Our generator took 10 months of waiting for the installation and cost about $14,000. You might be able to use a gasoline generator. But dealing with gasoline storage isn’t safe, and refilling your gasoline generator with 80 mph hurricane winds blowing debris around that could injure or kill you isn’t safe either. Gasoline generators are also targets for criminals to steal, unless you lock them In security cages.

Modern thermostats like the Ecobee is a good idea. You can control and monitor the thermostat with your cellphone from anywhere.

Camera systems are also a good idea. That builds on the them of knowing what’s going on at your home when you are away from your home.

Those automation and safety items will increase your peace of mind, save money in the long run, and increase your safety.

Sounds like you have lots of high tech options going on but regarding the generator, you say it ran for 29 hours during hurricane Ian. We never even lost power, are you in The Villages?

[westernrider75]

Originally Posted by JRcorvette

All good up-grades and most everyone does them. I would not spend the money on Solar Tubes in the bathrooms. With LED lighting you could leave the lights on 24/7 for 25 years and never spend that much money. Lighting rods is a toss up but it is quite expensive.

Good Luch…

We absolutely love our solar tubes and they were very reasonable IMO.

From the posts I’ve seen, lightning rods are in the $1500 range, still on the fence about them and I wish State Farm would give a discount for installation but at this time they do not.

[pikeselectric]

Originally Posted by Chrusan

I remember that video and that you promised to return when your home was done. Can’t wait! Continued health and happiness.

Hi Chrusan! We are happy you had this done with us. Our promotion is 10% OFF right now for surge protection installations. We are the lowest in the area, even before this promotion, for this product - Casandra Pike's Electric 352-748-6251

[Jerry F2]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Hi—

I know I have some followers here who are interested in what a new buyer may do their home after moving in, so here is an update of my journey to date:

I’m moving right along with my home upgrades (purchased a brand new patio villa in December)

What I have already done:
- Purchased Washer/Dryer
- Purchased entire household of new furniture / TV
- Installed glass doors in Master Bathroom
- Installed NOVA water system
- Extended concrete patio area on side of home and added wrap-around Birdcage
- Added gutters, with two buried drains
- Ripped out rolled vinyl flooring and carpet and replaced with vinyl planking and upgraded floorboards to 5”
- Epoxy’d Garage floor
- Purchased new golf cart
- Bought new car (traded in older vehicle)

What I have pending (estimates in, contractors hired, work to be completed between now and end of summer):
- Landscaping and brickwork
- Epoxy of birdcage
- Paint driveway and walkway
- Install glass insert to front door
- Paint entire interior of house / Install crown molding
- Replace kitchen and bathroom counters with quartz and replace all sinks with “drop-in” sinks / Also upgrade all faucets
- Install backsplash
- Install pantry “pull-outs” in all pantry shelves
- Install shelving in laundry closet
- Redesign and upgrade shelving in both bedroom closet.
- Custom frame all art work.

Still to do (probably fall of this year):
- Purchase storage cabinets for garage
- Buy new set of golf clubs
- Purchase E- Bike
- Install Pendant light fixtures along with ambient lighting in kitchen
- Replace cheap-looking sliding door blinds with some sort of upgrade
- Install a surge-protector

On-fence (not sure or not at this point):
- Install a lightning rod
- Install plantation shutters
- Rip out master shower and put in tile.
- Put in a “smart’ doorbell.
- Installing solar tubing in ceiling of both windowless bathrooms
- Upgrade ceiling fans
- Install a TV on wall in bedroom

I realize I’m doing a lot more than the average new buyer, but I really want to make this house “my own”.

Hopefully others will find my list of upgrades helpful, and something to consider when buying a home for the first time in The Villages.

I appreciate all the messages I receive, especially from those who are currently outside of The Villages, but are very interested in possibly making this your future retirement home.

Life is good here - but managing all these projects has been an almost full time job (but a fun one) - but hopefully all will settle down later this year.

Watch Jerry & Linda "The Newcomers" Utube....The $400,000 dollar fixer upper

[GpaVader]

Sorry if this is a duplicate, I didn't read all of the postings... Your home is not a fixer upper. This is more like redecorating or upgrading your purchase. I bought a car, I want to put a better car stereo in. I want to put new wheels on.... The reality is that you don't have to fix anything you are making it more to your taste and getting all the bells and whistles on it you would have put on originally if you built it. That is not a Fixer-Upper.

[psjordan]

I usually just lurk here, but wanted to chime in on this one. We bought 18 months ago, and like (I'd guess) 99% of TV buyers after staying here and researching we had a list of what we wanted, including location, style/age of house, upgrades already done, amount of bond paid, etc.

I am not sure why posters here tend to question whether any OP went through the above thought process before buying? Do people really have dozens of new neighbors who say "darn, I wish I had thought of where the stores/power lines/noise/etc. were before I bought this house"? Or "holy cow, I did not realize the outstanding bond was THAT much"? Or for that matter - when doing upgrades - do people have neighbors who dislike their "setup" but decide to do a dozen upgrades anyways? Of COURSE you've thought this through and are happy enough to tackle your list with your current house.

Anyways, it's clear you have a home you love and wish to make it your own. After looking at dozens of houses, we were lucky to find pre-owned with the vast majority of what we wanted - but of course the remaining wish-list items we have since addressed added up to big bucks. But we knew that before we purchased.

If our neighborhood "vibe" did not match our desires, we would have been happy enough but would not have done further upgrades. But our neighborhood is great. Do we expect to "get our money back" on our upgrades should we decide to sell? Likely not, at least not a huge percent if we sell in the next five years. We DO however get enjoyment and use out of the improvements in the meantime, which is why we spent the money.

Your published experiences will help more than one reader. So thanks for posting.

Go for it, enjoy it, seems you enjoy the upgrade process and I hope you can sit back and enjoy the end results even more.

[wolfie]

We chose view first we looked in new and old areas, we did not like the new area, house were to close and the bond was high. we kept looking until we found the view, house is lantana, took out the center wall made all sliding doors now see the whole view, low taxes no bond, close to everything, best decision, we made

[Goinghiway]

I seldom reply, but really, buying a new house and immediately renovating?? Some people have too much money....And....doing it in the wrong spot....he could get the same house, closer to more amenities, established location, for have the price.....Good luck being closer to Eastport..

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by psjordan

I usually just lurk here, but wanted to chime in on this one. We bought 18 months ago, and like (I'd guess) 99% of TV buyers after staying here and researching we had a list of what we wanted, including location, style/age of house, upgrades already done, amount of bond paid, etc.

I am not sure why posters here tend to question whether any OP went through the above thought process before buying? Do people really have dozens of new neighbors who say "darn, I wish I had thought of where the stores/power lines/noise/etc. were before I bought this house"? Or "holy cow, I did not realize the outstanding bond was THAT much"? Or for that matter - when doing upgrades - do people have neighbors who dislike their "setup" but decide to do a dozen upgrades anyways? Of COURSE you've thought this through and are happy enough to tackle your list with your current house.

Anyways, it's clear you have a home you love and wish to make it your own. After looking at dozens of houses, we were lucky to find pre-owned with the vast majority of what we wanted - but of course the remaining wish-list items we have since addressed added up to big bucks. But we knew that before we purchased.

If our neighborhood "vibe" did not match our desires, we would have been happy enough but would not have done further upgrades. But our neighborhood is great. Do we expect to "get our money back" on our upgrades should we decide to sell? Likely not, at least not a huge percent if we sell in the next five years. We DO however get enjoyment and use out of the improvements in the meantime, which is why we spent the money.

Your published experiences will help more than one reader. So thanks for posting.

Go for it, enjoy it, seems you enjoy the upgrade process and I hope you can sit back and enjoy the end results even more.

Thank you for better articulating where I am coming from - you are spot on! I did a ton of homework and research prior to buying where I did. If I was unhappy with my home or location, I would not be doing the upgrades on my house. Sure, there are things I’d change (like maybe having less short-term rentals in my neighborhood), but I absolutely love where I live, and have begun to get close with many of my neighbors, who are now good friends. Honestly, thinking about resale and getting my money back on my upgrades is NOT my primary consideration. This is my retirement home. I worked long and hard (like most TV retirees) for many, many years, and I am now in the position where I can customize my home to my liking. I plan to stay put as long as I can where I’m at (I Know, I’ve heard the average villager moves three times). I just got through with a major down-size when I moved here, and I find having less “things” to be liberating and refreshing. The size of my villa is perfect for me - I can’t see myself wanting “more” house, and wanting to move in the future.

I’m just sharing my journey here, realizing everyone is different, and respecting and celebrating different decisions that others make. Hey, we’re all retired, so let’s enjoy ourselves and create homes where we will be happy.

[kingofbeer]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Hi—

I know I have some followers here who are interested in what a new buyer may do their home after moving in, so here is an update of my journey to date:

I’m moving right along with my home upgrades (purchased a brand new patio villa in December)

What I have already done:
- Purchased Washer/Dryer
- Purchased entire household of new furniture / TV
- Installed glass doors in Master Bathroom
- Installed NOVA water system
- Extended concrete patio area on side of home and added wrap-around Birdcage
- Added gutters, with two buried drains
- Ripped out rolled vinyl flooring and carpet and replaced with vinyl planking and upgraded floorboards to 5”
- Epoxy’d Garage floor
- Purchased new golf cart
- Bought new car (traded in older vehicle)

What I have pending (estimates in, contractors hired, work to be completed between now and end of summer):
- Landscaping and brickwork
- Epoxy of birdcage
- Paint driveway and walkway
- Install glass insert to front door
- Paint entire interior of house / Install crown molding
- Replace kitchen and bathroom counters with quartz and replace all sinks with “drop-in” sinks / Also upgrade all faucets
- Install backsplash
- Install pantry “pull-outs” in all pantry shelves
- Install shelving in laundry closet
- Redesign and upgrade shelving in both bedroom closet.
- Custom frame all art work.

Still to do (probably fall of this year):
- Purchase storage cabinets for garage
- Buy new set of golf clubs
- Purchase E- Bike
- Install Pendant light fixtures along with ambient lighting in kitchen
- Replace cheap-looking sliding door blinds with some sort of upgrade
- Install a surge-protector

On-fence (not sure or not at this point):
- Install a lightning rod
- Install plantation shutters
- Rip out master shower and put in tile.
- Put in a “smart’ doorbell.
- Installing solar tubing in ceiling of both windowless bathrooms
- Upgrade ceiling fans
- Install a TV on wall in bedroom

I realize I’m doing a lot more than the average new buyer, but I really want to make this house “my own”.

Hopefully others will find my list of upgrades helpful, and something to consider when buying a home for the first time in The Villages.

I appreciate all the messages I receive, especially from those who are currently outside of The Villages, but are very interested in possibly making this your future retirement home.

Life is good here - but managing all these projects has been an almost full time job (but a fun one) - but hopefully all will settle down later this year.

What does this have to do with the improvements in your home?
- Purchased new golf cart
- Bought new car (traded in older vehicle)
- Buy new set of golf clubs
- Purchase E- Bike

You purchased the home and now are adding in all these improvements to make yourself happy. Personally, I would buy a new home that already has the quartz and better flooring installed, so I don't have to deal with contractors and the mess.

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by kingofbeer

What does this have to do with the improvements in your home?
- Purchased new golf cart
- Bought new car (traded in older vehicle)
- Buy new set of golf clubs
- Purchase E- Bike

You purchased the home and now are adding in all these improvements to make yourself happy. Personally, I would buy a new home that already has the quartz and better flooring installed, so I don't have to deal with contractors and the mess.

Hi- appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to read and reply to my thread - Yeah, those few items are not House-specific, but I decided to include to be helpful to those outside of TV, to consider to add to their total over-all budget, if they fit their circumstances.

It took me six attempts to land a house in Richmond. Of course, I would have preferred to have had flooring and counters to match what I wanted, but that was not possible for me. One did not have the luxury of being selective and taking their their time to find the perfect home when new houses were selling in Richmond. Almost every new house sold within two hours of being listed. If I hadn’t been as fortunate to have landed my current home, I would not have been able to have secured a new home in Richmond, which is something I really wanted. I knew, I was going to have to budget for some contractor work as a compromise, and I was OK with that.

Sounds like, something you would not have done, so that’s OK. We all have different desires and wants when it comes to our own houses - no “one way’ is the right way - I’m very happy with my decision, and I am happy for you with the decisions you have made, though they may not be my own. 😀

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by JRcorvette

All good up-grades and most everyone does them. I would not spend the money on Solar Tubes in the bathrooms. With LED lighting you could leave the lights on 24/7 for 25 years and never spend that much money. Lighting rods is a toss up but it is quite expensive.

Good Luch…

We love our solar tubes in the bathroom that has no window, and the laundry room. There’s tax credits too when you have them install the solar night light with them.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by RCJ61

What a great Thread. Except maybe the negative view of The southern areas. We just bought a new Designer home in Newell. We thought long and hard about the decision. We liked the newer area because it was less congested and more open. Kinda off the beaten path.
As for your list, we checked off a few of them ourselves.

- Purchased Washer/Dryer
- Purchased entire household of new furniture
- We had the driveway, walk, and Lani painted. (very Happy with that)

Our house came, with wood floors, Granite countertops.

We are not moving in full time till the end of the year. When we get there we plan on Painting the interior and doing crown moulding also.
Landscaping and a golf cart.

Good Luck with your List, it's quite a lot.

RCJ

Wow, did the Villages just start using wood floors and granite? Neither were used just a few months ago in DeLuna, Richmond, and St Johns, the villages built just before Newell. They were doing wood-look tile and wood plank look vinyl flooring, but not real wood. And the counters were either laminate (Formica) or quartz, not granite. Interesting. I would’ve loved granite.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Thanks for responding. Curious as to why I will “most likely grow out of my home in a few years?”

Yeah, that comment puzzled me too. There are some really grumpy, unhappy people here. 🙄