Opinions wanted. - Update post 84

[AnaheimGirl]

Did I look at it wrong but shouldn't the staircase be on the first floor plan? I don't see how it connects, though I'm not used to looking at blue prints so I have no idea!

I think the stairs start near the back and go up over the door to the garage and the bathroom. They have to show the whole staircase on the upstairs floor plan because it's open above them, but if they put things under the stairs, they show up on the downstairs floor plan.

This might raise another concern, though. Icebrat, have you seen one of these in person? Is there a slanted wall above the toilet in the downstairs bathroom? I'm sure it's no big deal, but looking at the floor plan, it looks like that might be the case, and it's something you should be aware of before you decide to buy.

 

[barkley]

and let me guess-for what it costs all you could get around here is a small refridgerator box in someone's back yard

i like it, and i like the living room in the back. my house has the formal living room/dining room in the front and since we rarely use it, it stays nice and clean so it gives a great first impression to guests. our kitchen/greatroom is in the back of the house and i find it much more private. i just turn off the lights in the front and settle in the back.

i love the laundry room upstairs-i can see putting my laundry baskets in the adjacent spare room and having a nice space to use as a psudo laundry room.

do they offer the option of a balcony off the master? that seems like it would nice and very romantic

 

[icebrat001]

And if the two were switched, you (or SO) couldn't talk to people in the living room or watch TV while doing dishes.

The only thing that might bug me is that it looks like there is no separate shower in the master bath, just the one in the tub, is that right? Just something to think about if you're used to having a separate shower.

Looks very nice.

Lol, Have you seen the under the cabinent TV/DVD player for the kitchen at bestbuy, it's $199. I'm getting one of those bad boys, no longer will I cook in boredom. I think my friend already agreed to purchase it for me.

I haven't had a separate shower in ages. I think if I ask for everything I want in our first home that we won't find it.

 

[kbkids]

LOL! I thought the same thing, but then I saw she said there was an upstairs laundry, so I think what we thought was a shower was the laundry closet.

Actually, I'm pretty certain it's the HVAC closet. This is Florida. Central air - necessity!!

 

[icebrat001]

Do you have jobs in Florida yet? If not, do you know what you will be bringing in?

Other considerations: Home Owner's Association dues, Are there any weird rules?, What's covered by HOA?

As a starter place I think it's great. Double sinks would be nice, but more of a luxury. I'd be a little concerned about the laundry being upstairs. My parents hose once burst and flooded the entire family room. I'd imagine that would be a bigger problem if the laundry area was upstairs!

HOA fees are $198 a month, it includes moving the lawn, the gated entry, water, garbage collection twice a week, the amenties and a bunch of other stuff.

I don't know of the rules yet, but trust me, we will find out soon.

It has a stainless steel double sink with spray wash.

 

[icebrat001]

I think the stairs start near the back and go up over the door to the garage and the bathroom. They have to show the whole staircase on the upstairs floor plan because it's open above them, but if they put things under the stairs, they show up on the downstairs floor plan.

This might raise another concern, though. Icebrat, have you seen one of these in person? Is there a slanted wall above the toilet in the downstairs bathroom? I'm sure it's no big deal, but looking at the floor plan, it looks like that might be the case, and it's something you should be aware of before you decide to buy.

Dear SO's step mom is taking a look at it on Tuesday, if she likes it, one of us will fly out, or maybe both of us, depends.

 

[icebrat001]

and let me guess-for what it costs all you could get around here is a small refridgerator box in someone's back yard

i like it, and i like the living room in the back. my house has the formal living room/dining room in the front and since we rarely use it, it stays nice and clean so it gives a great first impression to guests. our kitchen/greatroom is in the back of the house and i find it much more private. i just turn off the lights in the front and settle in the back.

i love the laundry room upstairs-i can see putting my laundry baskets in the adjacent spare room and having a nice space to use as a psudo laundry room.

do they offer the option of a balcony off the master? that seems like it would nice and very romantic

I don't even think we could get a refrigerator box where we live for the price of this townhouse. Dear SO said what's wrong with it, it's so cheap.

You can add in a lot of options, we will have a long list of questions to have the realtor and Dear So's step mom to ask when they view it on Tuesday.

This is the final phase of building, these will be the last five. I think some of the units are completed or near completion so they will get an opportunity to look in a "real" unit.

 

[cotomom]

I think it looks great! How exciting for you two!

 

[AnaheimGirl]

Lol, Have you seen the under the cabinent TV/DVD player for the kitchen at bestbuy, it's $199. I'm getting one of those bad boys, no longer will I cook in boredom. I think my friend already agreed to purchase it for me.

I haven't had a separate shower in ages. I think if I ask for everything I want in our first home that we won't find it.

LOL! I need one of those under-cabinet TV thingies! I can see our TV from the kitchen, but it's just a teeny bit too far away to hear it!

and you're right about not finding everything you want in your first home. Most townhomes probably don't have separate showers. Sigh, the shower I really want is one of those snail showers. But I think we'd have to move up to a much bigger house to get one. That or rip out the tub.

 

[icebrat001]

. Sigh, the shower I really want is one of those snail showers. But I think we'd have to move up to a much bigger house to get one. That or rip out the tub.

What's a snail shower?

 

[kbkids]

What's a snail shower?

http://www.hawaiiglassblock.com/ss_walkin.htm

 

[icebrat001]

http://www.hawaiiglassblock.com/ss_walkin.htm

Very Nice

 

[jenks0718]

The only thing I can say to you is to try to get an end unit if one is available. The resale value will be much more if and when you sell.

 

[icebrat001]

The only thing I can say to you is to try to get an end unit if one is available. The resale value will be much more if and when you sell.

Curious, why is that? Is it because it's only one set of neighbors? I just checked the list of all the units, only the smaller units are end units. Guess I'm out of luck.

 

[Southern4sure]

Is this in Tampa?

 

[icebrat001]

Is this in Tampa?

It's in Riverview (Near Brandon)

 

[mommaU4]

I think it's very nice and congrats to you both. What a fun/exciting/crazy/stressful time for you two! Moving and a new house.

At first I agreed with the others that it was odd to have to walk through the kitchen to get to the living room. But then I read a post (barkley's?) that mentioned that if you hardly use the dining room that would always be clean and neater for guests who just pop in or who are at your door and that's all they see. Then your friends and others could hang in the living room and who cares what it looks like. I don't know, just a thought.

Me kitchen is open like that too so I really have to keep it clutter free. Notice I didn't say it was actually clean! But just too look around I try to keep the counters clear at all times within reason of course, otherwise it makes the surrounding areas seem messy to me as well. And I'm the type that I cannot sit on the couch and relax if I can see a mess in the kitchen out of the corner of my eye.

Is there alot of storage in the kitchen that would enable you to keep things put away?

It's a nice place and like you said this is a starter place, not the be all and end all. Some things you'll like and some you won't. That's true of just about anyplace unless you have a completely custom built home. Good luck and let us know how things go.

 

[Alice28]

I like it a lot! I like that the living room is near the back so it's not the first room you walk into (unlike my home!). And I love that the laundry room is upstairs. Keep us posted!

 

[Mishetta]

I like the lay-out, but see what your SO's family thinks. I would defintely go see it before committing to it though! I lived in a condo in CA a few years ago too. It was 800 sq ft but very lovely. CA is just too expensive. I think you'll love all the new space you'll have available! You can always move later on if you're not happy with your first purchase. It will be easier to find something once you're physically there too!

 

[icebrat001]

I think it's very nice and congrats to you both. What a fun/exciting/crazy/stressful time for you two! Moving and a new house.

But then I read a post (barkley's?) that mentioned that if you hardly use the dining room that would always be clean and neater for guests who just pop in or who are at your door and that's all they see. Then your friends and others could hang in the living room and who cares what it looks like. I don't know, just a thought.



Is there alot of storage in the kitchen that would enable you to keep things put away?

.

We haven't purchased the place yet, it's being built and will not get started until April. We haven't seen it yet either, Dear SO's step mother is going to go and check it out with our realtor on Tuesday, if they like it, one or both of us will fly out and give it a look. (I've never even been to Florida before).

I have no idea how much storage is in the kitchen.

As far as guest go, Dear SO and I are not popular people, I doubt we will have guest over. Unless Ilovepcot, southern4sure or someone else from the Dis comes and visits. We've had one guest in our condo that we currently live in and we've lived there for 3 years.