[jdsl1998]

I wonder what renovations and wall removals can and are done to home in TV. Have you seen ones you would recomend or not recomend? Thanks,deb

[zcaveman]

Let me give this a shot.

As for outside modifications, everything must go through the Architectural Review Board. Basically any renovation/alteration you make to the outside of the house must be within the guidelines of the review Board. They had a good article in one of the Thursday Villages Recreation News section.

From the website (http://www.districtgov.org/slcdd/archreview.asp):

The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) is responsible for approving any and all alterations, changes or modifications to the property and home as built by the developer. This requirement for prior approval includes but is not limited to: porch or patio enclosures, canopies, awnings, garage screens, additional concrete, coloring of walks, landscaping and driveways and modifications to previously approved plans. An application with a set of plans must be submitted and approval granted before work is started.

Any modification must look like it was originally installed by the Villages. For example, if you have a slab in the back and you want to build an lanai, your lanai will end up looking like every lanai on your home model type. If you think you want a family room but want to do it later - do it now. It is cheaper to buy a house with the family room than to add one. One of the neighbors wanted a golf cart garage but there was not enough room so he had the house built as far as possible to the left hand edge of the property. He then added the golf cart garage on his own at additional expense. Another neighbor added a golf cart garage to his Amarillo. He put it on the insode wall of the garage (where the courtyard is). He had to add a false roof to make it look like one of the designer models that had the golf cart garage on the inside instead of the outside wall of the garage.

As far as inside, you can do what you want. As long as you get the required permits - if they are necessary.

[jdsl1998]

Thanks Z. I was wondering more about innovative ideas people may have seen inside. We are coming down to TV next Friday for our second visit. We are bringing our youngest son and going on College visits. We hope to relocate to TV when he is done with school, he is in his senior year. When we visited TV last year, I fell in love with the Whispering Pine units. I have since wondered if anyone had removed the wall between the den and the bedroom. Also, I wondered if anyone else has seen neat remodels or rooms used for something else than originally planned. Keep your weather great and we'll be with you soon.
I can't seem to find a way to put our picture on here but I'm determined to get it on soon.

[Bryant]

I purchased the Wispering Pine in 2004. A few things I wish I had done were to make the lanai larger (it is 20x9). 9 ft. isn't wide enough for a decent size table and chairs. Put a pocket door when entering the spare bedroom and bath area. Don't know if you can look for these upgrades when purchasing new. It is my understanding that the Wispering Pine is now made with an "open" kitchen. The older version (mine) is a closed kitchen. Also, the overall square footage on the newer design is larger than the older version. Otherwise, I love the Wispering Pine. Good luck.