Florida House Builder - looking for ideas

[FINFAN]

outlets, outlets , OUTLETS! Including many on the lanai...for the outdoor tv etc.
Bedrooms larger than 10x10. Safety/security shutters included...since many of the homes are single floor...safety is a huge issue. Put the NICE closet organizers in the WALK IN closets as a standard feature. 4 ft hallways and doorways. to accomodate wheelchairs/walkers. I may not need it but as a resale it would come in handy. Not to mention moving furniture thru that size is much easier.
Windows in the bedrooms at least 36-42" above the floor, so you can fit a dresser or shelves etc under there.
indoor laundry room...not in the garage
Some sort of mold proof exterior would be awesome...
a standard cabana bath off of the lanai/pool area...but again, since it has an outside access, nice security in place.
As many built in places as possible with hidded wiring.
These are mostly cosmetic/ convenience issues, but ones I would like if it were my home.
And I live in Il, but have family in Fl so I know thye would like these things.


Pam

 

[barkley]

our home is 7 years old and was the most popular model in our neighborhood (still is, they turn over in as little as 24 hours with multiple offers over asking price). some of the options that appealed/still appeals to owners: cast iron under porcelin bathtubs (retains heat so much better), bedrooms/office prewired (upgraded wiring) to accommodate computers, tile entryways that extend into kitchen/great room (saves on carpet wear and tear), large non master bedrooms (why have builders increased the master bedrooms and shrunk the kids such that a twin bed barely fits in ), substantial space between houses and oversized lots that accommodate pools, gardens, play areas and patios, 3 car garages/3 car driveways with enuf additional space for rv parking. but the biggest selling point is we have 2400+ sq. feet all on one floor with wide hallways. many people have bought our model home because they can age with it, won't have to worry about stairs as they age and the halls, doorways are such that if nesc. a wheelchair could be easily used.

one thing i would suggest with new construction is to double or triple the insulation or sound proofing between any bedroom wall that buts up against a common space (t.v.'s are generaly against a wall and the sound always travels through).

 

[ducklite]

Anne--what are the tubes in the walls for.

http://www.pestdefense.com/Pages/services_tw.htm

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Forgive a yankee question, but since Florida homes cannot have basements, why arent' the attics built for storage? Or are they? It would seem to me that if you need extra storage and can't get it below ground you could go "up" to the attic.

That's exactly what we have!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

One more..on looking into a possible Florida move, it sure does seem like there is only production builders down there. Are there any custom builders at all? I sure don't seem to be able to find any online.

We used a custom builder, www.lawsonhomes.com

Anne