[createquilts]

We are here for our lifestyle visit and everyone has been wonderful to us. We are going to go for a lot and have heard two views perhaps others here can comment on.
One is to not worry about the house, you aren't going to spend a lot of time in it. Come for the lifestyle and don' worry as long as you meet your basic needs.
the other is to get your dream house, bump out the garage or lanai or bedrooms if it suits you
Of course, money often makes the decision for you and like many we do have limitations. What input do you have on these views? What has been your experience either way?
By the way, I never get up during the night but we are so excited! We love it here- this is our second visit.

[gmcneill]

I believe that the house is hugely important. You will spend a lot of time in it, more than you might expect. Even if the time you spend is sleeping, planning the activities of the day/week, or entertaining. You need to enjoy the features of the home you select.

So, I say stay within- or maybe an inch or two just outside of- your limitations but purchase the house/floor plan that feels the most comfortable to you and your personal lifestyle.

If you are able to, expand your home's footprint as much as you can afford
and what the homesite permits. Bedrooms, lanai, garage, golf cart garage...whatever!

Splurge on buying extra space first, not "stuff". You can always purchase upgraded furnishings, counters, appliances, etc. sometime down the road but you cannot (usually) buy extra space!

[graciegirl]

I am a supporter of buying as much interior space with as much lanai privacy as you can COMFORTABLY afford. Remember, your garage is your basement.

but I also believe that any home here puts you into a wonderful new world of fun.

Welcome and hugs.

[asianthree]

I agree we bought small for vacations but we know when we come full time that 1.5 garage is not going to cut it

[JoeC1947]

Our house choose us!

[shcisamax]

Ditto on the purchasing the most space you can. As for out door areas, if you are used to an apartment in a city, a smaller outside space may cut it. You just need to go to different models and sit in them. Go out and feel what a villa feels like versus a designer. At some point, you will "know".

Gracie is right. The garage is the basement.

[Jim 9922]

You can't get a "too big" garage. Man cave, carts, extra storage, for all the toys, lawn stuff if you are going to do all the gardening, etc. We found a great garage with a nice home attached to it.

[keithwand]

Originally Posted by createquilts

We are here for our lifestyle visit and everyone has been wonderful to us. We are going to go for a lot and have heard two views perhaps others here can comment on.
One is to not worry about the house, you aren't going to spend a lot of time in it. Come for the lifestyle and don' worry as long as you meet your basic needs.
the other is to get your dream house, bump out the garage or lanai or bedrooms if it suits you
Of course, money often makes the decision for you and like many we do have limitations. What input do you have on these views? What has been your experience either way?
By the way, I never get up during the night but we are so excited! We love it here- this is our second visit.

You will spend more time in your house than you think.

It reminds me of cruising and our friends say "I'll never be in my room so why do I need a window?" then they they spend more time in their room than we do with a balcony.

Go for the house you want.

[hotrodgirl]

I also recently purchased a lot (Gilchrist) and will be down for my design meeting in September. Thanks to SO many on this forum, I have decided to expand my living space and lanai, and also the garage. I definitely want a birdcage in the back, however the inside space is priority right now. So the other will wait a year or so until I can comfortably add it. I would rather put my money into expanding where I can, and upgrading inside first. The lanai will be just dandy for a year or two, then an easier expansion with the addition of outdoor space. Find the model you like, or the basic floor plan and ask your agent help you to specify where you can stretch or bump! I think you will appreciate it down the line! And welcome!! Best of luck finding and building your dream home!

[eweissenbach]

If you think you will want bump outs, expanded lanai, golf car or three car garage, pool - any or all, you will need to purchase a lot that is large enough to accomodate the things you want. You can sometimes buy a corner lot that will accomodate lots of expansion without breaking the bank.

[Whitewater]

We came to purchase a lot. We already knew the house that we wanted. Things that were important to us were 1.) Privacy (our home backs up to a villa wall) 2.) Direction (where do you want the sun in the am and pm? We wanted our lanai to be in the shade in the afternoon) 3.) Storage (a golf cart garage. )

We found the perfect house with everything plus things that we did not think of: An extended lanai - lanai in villa behind us is off to the side so we don't hear them - walking distance to the mail and pool - great neighbors. Bought-moved-and are loving it.

Good luck

[rjm1cc]

I think there is a lot of trading up in houses so to avoid that I would make sure I had enough space to start out with. The garage seems to be a big problem so make sure it meets your needs. Do you need a room for a hobby or an office? I would error on getting a house a little to large than small.

[Yorio]

I share comments about spending more time at home. Yes, there are so many activities and clubs but eventually, you'll be resting at home more. You won't be entertaining often so you don't need a big place but a homey quiet place where you can read, have a cocktail or two and chill out. Since we like music and dancing, initially we went to the two market squares but these days we hardly go in the evening. If you look at the homes in the evening, you'll notice quite a few homes with TV on and watching. Yes, many do have big TVs.

[hulababy]

ok just my opinion. Although you will be busy there may come a time when your home more and you certainly want to enjoy your home. Storage is a huge consideration. Many homes don't have much. You may be happy with extra room in golf cart garage because someday you may not be able to climb up and down the crawl space we do have. Most important - sun direction on your lanai if you want to sit outside. I love outdoors and want shade on the lanai. Think about that. Where will you entertain? Kitchen or more outdoors? Look at neighbors homes. Are they too close? Can they hear you on your lanai?? If you have nice view, can you lose it?? Can they add a pool in their yard? Look all around. do you like being on road or the quiet of a cul-de-sac. If you have small rooms you might want to stretch them. Once furniture is in, everything appears smaller. Stretch while you can. It will save money in long run. Moving can be at a huge expense. New bond, new fees, etc..Do it right first time. think it all out. and enjoy it. It's so much fun building your new home or selecting it!! And it's definitely fun living here. ENJOY!!

[createquilts]

Thanks. I think we need to move here in a rental after our house sells, this is too big of a decision for us to make in a few days. Of course, if our budget was unlimited it would be a piece of cake, but we have to work within a budget like most people We love the sunflower best of all, but if something came on the market that met our needs we would go for it. So it's back home soon but after a week here I feel like we have a pretty good feel for things. I will say all the info here really helped us know what questions to ask. So thanks.