[bricknj]

Can I get some pro's and con's on Villa location, INSIDE SITE vs END. Thanks

[Ohiogirl]

I'll try.

We have an inside CYV with a 3 BR Bonita on it. Small back yard, typical. We were actually charged about 4-5,000 more at closing for the "lot premium." When I asked the agent what was premium about it she said that the 3 BR CYVs need a bigger lot than the 2 BR ones, so they charge for that.

There's a big premium for corner lots, depends probably on total sf. A Bonita/Foxwood sits deep, the Anna Maria/Stone(something), can't remember sits wide - backyard seems to have more space from lanai to wall, at least the couple I have seen. Don't know Cumberland/Granthams or the others. When I look around, seems like they most often put Anna Maria/Stone(whatevers) on the corner lots - not positive.

End units only have neighbor noise on 1 side, maybe a little more street noise, although we haven't found noise to be a problem. Could happen though, I would imagine. We are in a neighborhood with a fairly high villa wall in back and I have never heard a peep from any of the 3 yards behind us except at mowing time. Sometimes hear a bark or two from next door or the TV when the neighbors open/close their lanai slider. Don't know if they spend as much time on their lanai as we do, if any. Some people are just not lanai people.

End units can often have room for pools, also lots of space for additional landscaping, which can sometimes defeat on of the nice things about CYVs - less maintenance. Depends if you like to garden, do maintenance, hire it out, etc. It's my understanding that there are maintenance obligations for the landscaping along with outside villa wall that you cannot see from your lanai or backyard. Need to mulch, trim, etc. Looks nice when entering your CYV but you don't really see it where you spend your time.

If I had my druthers, I'd probably like the Bonita/Foxglove on a corner lot, but I wouldn't like the extra maintenance, much higher lot cost, and higher mowing cost (probably). I would like the possibilities for expanding outdoor living space, both adding a birdcage and backyard hardscaping/landscaping.

As far as I know, you still can't order your CYV on a particular lot, but maybe this has changed?

[Vinny]

Hi Brick, Oldbridge here. We bought and end corner CYV (Anna Maria model). The advantages are having only one nieghbor and lots of land. Aside from the privacy afforded by the land, I have enough land to put in a nice size pool or add a few extra rooms. My dogs also appreciate the extra room to run around. Huge patio that wraps around two sides of the house plus ample grass and many bushes to make it look like a lush tropical garden if you wish We do not feel closed in at all since we are on the end.

Cons: House costs more. Higher taxes. Higher Bond. Higher lawn maintenance cost. I am responsible for the upkeep of both sides of one very long wall at the end as well as the landscaping on the other side of it in addition to my side of the wall I share with three houses (that is how long the wall is).

Most of my 9 homes have been end units. I like the extra privacy, land and ease of selling that they afford me.

[bricknj]

Thank you for your info. We are coming down for the month of October and still can't decide if we want villa, designer, cottage or whatever. We will probably for now be 6 months in FL. and the other 6 in NJ. Been online looking at new, pre-owned and the recently reduced models and you can go crazy doing that. When we were down there last winter we decided we wanted to buy and that is our plan for October, just which to buy now. Thanks again. Jerry

[bricknj]

Vinny are you a fulltimer or part timer? Brick, NJ

[Vinny]

We also lived in Staten Islsnd for a long time. Just some more advice. If you move into a new section like Pennecamp you will find a younger crowd and no established cliques. Easier to make friends as everyone is new like you. As far as home choices, that is just personal preference as the homes are all interspersed throughout each Village. We are 59 and are among others near our age. Obviously if you move into an older area, the population will also be older. Factor that into your decision according to your preferences.

[Ohiogirl]

agree with everything Vinny said except that I don't think there is a higher bond on corner units (but I'm not sure). I thought all bonds for villas were the same in the same CDD?

[kentucky blue]

Originally Posted by bricknj

Thank you for your info. We are coming down for the month of October and still can't decide if we want villa, designer, cottage or whatever. We will probably for now be 6 months in FL. and the other 6 in NJ. Been online looking at new, pre-owned and the recently reduced models and you can go crazy doing that. When we were down there last winter we decided we wanted to buy and that is our plan for October, just which to buy now. Thanks again. Jerry

Just buy what you can afford, and lets you sleep at night.I wanted a house large enough, with privacy, , and could handle our large extended family.Sharon and i are closing end of September, we are going to every home in our cul-de- sac with a gift basket and introducing ourselves.If you want to make new friends, make the effort, don't sit on your a$$ at home expecting people to come knocking on your door.It should make no difference whether it's an old or new village,it's all about the people and how you interact .If you care, sooooooooooooooooooooo will they.

[jebartle]

Hi bricknj, welcome to TV...We live north of 466, and I always highly recommend that when looking at homes (we have been owners for 3 years), check out pre-owns in Lake County, NO bond...It is not age specific, and we have found many wonderful people, all ages...We live in the Village of LaZamora, a few homes for sale, when on market, they sell quickly..I know you will love paradise.

[Ohiogirl]

I've moved 22 times as an adult - wait, now make that 23 with hopefully my last move here.

It IS easier to make friends in a new neighborhood but like Kentucky said, make the effort. In TV, with most being retired, people just have more time to be friendly, plus I think TV attracts joiners/doers anyway, compared to some other retirement areas.

I also learned to knock on doors BEFORE making the offer in an older neighborhood - you can just get either a good or not so good feeling. Come 2 or 3 different times during the day and early evening and also talk to who's out and about in addition to knocking on doors. Ask about if the area has neighborhood get-togethers, activities such as informal golf leagues, occasional scrambles, etc.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl

agree with everything Vinny said except that I don't think there is a higher bond on corner units (but I'm not sure).

You're right. The bond is the same, not district-wide, but within the unit or villa of particular neighborhood. Here's a list of the "units".

http://www.districtgov.org/images/villages_neighborhoods.pdf

(You'll probably need to copy and paste the link.)

[Vinny]

1. My wife and I are full time residents.

2. As far as I know, I paid more for my Bond than the few people I know on my block unless $13K is normal. My contract listed my plot as a premier site.

[Ohiogirl]

13K is probably about right in your new CDD. The Hemingway area was close to 12K for villas, and my area (I think CDD 6 - why can't I remember this)? was just under 10K. I don't think it matters if it's a premier, or premium, lot.

[kfierle]

When I purchased my CYV I was told that the bond was figured on the density of the neighborhood and that all CYV had the same bond in the same neighborhood. I looked at corner sites and interior sites and the bond was the same for both.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by kfierle

When I purchased my CYV I was told that the bond was figured on the density of the neighborhood and that all CYV had the same bond in the same neighborhood. I looked at corner sites and interior sites and the bond was the same for both.

Well that makes me feel better.