[patfla06]

There has been some debate about golf course lots being worth the money.
A lot of people talk about "if you can afford it, do it."

I really don't think affordability is the main issue.

One of the benefits of "right sizing" is many of us do not want to
spend what we can "afford."
We are leaving bigger, more expensive houses where a significant
"Nest egg" has been tied up. And one of the positives is that we DO NOT want
to spend a large portion of that on our retirement home.

So in some cases it is truly a matter of wanting a nice house that works
But where we can bank a size able amount and still be happy with our choice.

I'm not against golf course lots or spending $ on other important things,
Just that it isn't always affordability.

Just some thoughts as we wait to sell our house and move to T.V.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I agree completely. I could have afforded a better house, but I would have had less in my retirement account which is not too big to begin with.
I have to admit I look at all the nice houses here and sometimes wish I had one, but I'm very comfortable in my little house.

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by patfla06

There has been some debate about golf course lots being worth the money.
A lot of people talk about "if you can afford it, do it."

I really don't think affordability is the main issue.

One of the benefits of "right sizing" is many of us do not want to
spend what we can "afford."
We are leaving bigger, more expensive houses where a significant
"Nest egg" has been tied up. And one of the positives is that we DO NOT want
to spend a large portion of that on our retirement home.

So in some cases it is truly a matter of wanting a nice house that works
But where we can bank a size able amount and still be happy with our choice.

I'm not against golf course lots or spending $ on other important things,
Just that it isn't always affordability.

Just some thoughts as we wait to sell our house and move to T.V.

I agree. It is what is important to you.

[sjdjmd]

Enough is never enough for some. If you've had a larger house, it is somewhat humbling to downsize after working all those years for "bigger and better" even though it makes sense financially to do so. I admit I like liquidity so at this stage in our lives so I think I'll take downsize.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by patfla06

There has been some debate about golf course lots being worth the money.
A lot of people talk about "if you can afford it, do it."

I really don't think affordability is the main issue.

One of the benefits of "right sizing" is many of us do not want to
spend what we can "afford."
We are leaving bigger, more expensive houses where a significant
"Nest egg" has been tied up. And one of the positives is that we DO NOT want
to spend a large portion of that on our retirement home.

So in some cases it is truly a matter of wanting a nice house that works
But where we can bank a size able amount and still be happy with our choice.

I'm not against golf course lots or spending $ on other important things,
Just that it isn't always affordability.

Just some thoughts as we wait to sell our house and move to T.V.

The first thing I was taught as a child is to save your money.

That said...affordability means to me is what you conservatively have budgeted for a home at a time in your life that you will not be making as much money as you once did.

Money can be always spent. But once it's gone, it's reassurrance against a rainy day is too.

If you are watching and looking and reading all of the homes listed, new and resale, and comparing prices and locations, you will find one that is a great deal for YOU.

Our first house backed onto the low wall next to Odell. It was out the back door and to the pool. But the shuffleboard players occasionally yelled at each other and the kids in the pool were noisy. But the wall and the shrubbery visually screened them and we loved it.

This house is positioned to look between two homes with good sized side yards and we like it too.

Many people find just what they are looking for but you have to search and compare and look and stick to your budget.

Then a lot of people do that and then spend what is to me a lot of money on things really not needed such as driveway painting and garage floor finishing and re-landscaping and water softeners and brand new golf carts.

Some call me thrifty and some call me tight, but I like not worrying about money.

Good luck. Hope you find just the lot that will make you happy.

[Madelaine Amee]

I came from a "mega" home in the NorthEast, found a great medium sized home here with a spectacular view. Now that I have settled here, am doing everything I ever wanted to do, I look at the huge homes and think thank goodness I don't have to do all that work, or spend money on a housekeeper!

[JourneyOfLife]

Define "worth it".

In general, it is a personal decision. What might be "worth it" for one person may not be "worth it" for another.

[ssmith]

I think some of the issue is how does the price, size of homes compare to where you are coming from. We are from Fort Wayne Indiana, the homes are ver,y very inexpensive and very, very good quality here in Indiana. Currently we live in a 3,000sq foot Villa (free standing home with maintenance taken care of) on a golf course....the rooms are huge! When we sell, we will be lucky to get $170,000 for it. We know when we come down we will be getting less house and paying more...the question is how much more?

It is so hard to sit here and wait until the right time to move and all the while the house prices are going up and up in The Villages. Who knows what we will be able to afford by the time we can get down there.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by patfla06

There has been some debate about golf course lots being worth the money. A lot of people talk about "if you can afford it, do it." I really don't think affordability is the main issue.

We decided on a purchase price. Since we are seasonal residents, we wanted something manageable. For our purchase price, we could buy a Lantana, 2000 sf, with a kissing lanai. Or we could buy a smaller house, 1500 sf, on a golf course lot. For us, privacy was our number one goal, so we choose a smaller house with a view.

Each to his own. You'll find the perfect house for you. I suggest you write out the top five BASIC things that are important to you in a home, and stick to the list once you start looking. That way, unless it is a priority for you, you won't be tempted by wall colors, or updated appliances, or the inclusion of a golf cart. Remember, you can change flooring, or countertops to granite or add a birdcage, but you can't change location unless you move!

[rubicon]

My rationale for buying anything is to separate "need" from "want" "present"from "future".

We made two visits here before we purchased a home. The houses double in price during that 1 1/2 year period. fortunately property values were at a all time high albeit the crash was on the horizon. We sold our McMansion for a very good price.

When we considered our home here we listed what we needed and what we could live with for the duration. We thought about issues such as care and maintenace of a home. As many are aware a McMansion is nice but there are rooms you never use but need to clean, heat/cool and maintain.
The day would come where cleaning would be a problem for us. so we chose a home where we would use all the space.

fortunately we chose a very friendly neighborhood where people are very caring but not nosy. This is another consideration because it is a constant complain by residents who move into a community not knowing anyone

Affordability is an issue also. Like many we could have purchased top of the line with all the bells and whistles but we are living on savings, unless you moved here and are still working. So your option to replenish may be limited to investments which these days are even more uncertain and more importantly the uncertainty of medical care and mortality (i.e you live longer than your projections when doing your retirement plan).....not that I would complain if I missed the age prediction

To fit our needs we purchased a designer on a golf course with no regrets

[Heartnsoul]

Most retirees are living on a "fixed income" and with taxes, inflation, etc... always rising you may sleep better having money in a bank in case of emergency. Of course, some don't think of that and will live day by day.
I personally think you get more for your money in a resale now. The new homes are very pricey with higher bonds, higher taxes, etc.. Good luck whatever you decide. Just think it through.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by patfla06

There has been some debate about golf course lots being worth the money.
A lot of people talk about "if you can afford it, do it."

I really don't think affordability is the main issue.

One of the benefits of "right sizing" is many of us do not want to
spend what we can "afford."
We are leaving bigger, more expensive houses where a significant
"Nest egg" has been tied up. And one of the positives is that we DO NOT want
to spend a large portion of that on our retirement home.

So in some cases it is truly a matter of wanting a nice house that works
But where we can bank a size able amount and still be happy with our choice.

I'm not against golf course lots or spending $ on other important things,
Just that it isn't always affordability.

Just some thoughts as we wait to sell our house and move to T.V.

Number one rule is "you have to do what makes you able to sleep at night".

It is very understandable to want to sell your home and buy what you feel comfortable spending. That includes putting something away for future needs. As we age, some people need to downsize to be able to manage cleaning their home. The bigger the home, one would need to hire someone to do this task for you at sometime in the future.

Number 2 rule, "you should own the house, the house should not own you".

My older brother use to say, "I like to keep my money in cash".

[patfla06]

There is no right or wrong to any decision one makes.
I was just trying to point out that many times the affordability
is not the only reason in making the choices you make.

We ended up buying an Ivy spec house with a water view.
The house and the property suits us. We spent a little more
for the view and the privacy.

I'm just saying that in my retirement I don't want to live in
what I live in now. We're looking to simplify and just enjoy
our life. It's more then just affordability to us.

[Shimpy]

In our case, we decieded to buy small and comfortable and keep the money invested. We don't entertain lots of people and we'd rather not have a large house to clean and upkeep. Our house has 3 bedrooms so relatives or friends can stay with us but we don't feel we need to impress them. It would be nice to have a beautiful view, but that doesn't change much and gets old after awhile.