[Billy1]

I believe a two story house could limit potential buyers, this is a retirement community. I do not want to climb stairs or ramps.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by Rango

Are you referring to the home on Eisenhower Way?

No, there is one on the north bound side of Buena Vista just south of 466a, not sure of the golf course name or road name as I never went over to investigate.

[Villagesgal]

It's your home, there are many 2 story homes thru out the Villages including those built by the Villages. Many by Lake Sumter Landing right off of Morse Blvd on the lake in that small group of homes, so yes, I'm sure you can get approval. You might have your designer/architect talk to them before they do their design work. Good luck. By the way, I'm glad you aren't my neighbor, but if its your dream, go for it.

[Carla B]

Originally Posted by La lamy

I know I'm still relatively young, but I'm amazed how weakened I felt to deal with my northern home's stairs from not doing any for the whole winter in TV. Stairs are so good for thigh strength. I'll have to try to include some in my 'training' next winter. I know 2 story homes are impossible for some, but could be a strength saver/builder for others.

You got it right. My older brother, upon reaching his mid eighties, instead of downsizing, moved into a large two-story home. He's now 91 and he and SIL make the trip up and down numerous times per day with no problem. When I went there I had to claw my way up to the guest room.

[airstreamingypsy]

A two story house in Florida is the last thing I would want, not so much because of my age but because heat rises. I can't imagine how hot the second floor would get.

[Rango]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

No, there is one on the north bound side of Buena Vista just south of 466a, not sure of the golf course name or road name as I never went over to investigate.

I know this house. It’s a complete 2nd story, with a large living room, full kitchen and full bath. They also have a chair lift.

As far as I know only one neighbor was not happy (it blocked their view)

They moved to Fenny area.

[jebartle]

The days of 2 and 3 story homes are in our rear view mirror, bye bye!

[pacevett78]

Originally Posted by MiddleAgeGeek

Just curious....I’ve seen a model with an upstairs bonus room but that’s it. Can you customize and add a second story or have a two story vaulted ceilings? Or if buying an existing home, could you renovate and add a second story?

Hi We added a second story. Had to have a contractor submit the plans to the Arc committee. Arc many times turns down such requests. We believe we got lucky. There have been homes that got approval, but many more that were turned down.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by Tmarkwald

oh man, no no no!

Now, many homes have vaulted ceilings that theoretically I suppose could be done away with and allow a small space upstairs by raising up the overall home by a couple feet. But that would relegate the downstairs to a typical 8' ceiling and take all the class and beauty away.

I'll bet the neighbors weren't happy! That's the kind of thing that can cause a community uproar!

My living room dining room combination is 20’ x 46’ and has a 10 foot ceiling and a steep roof above it. I’m not sure what the model is called. It would be possible to lower the ceiling to eight or nine feet and put in a well-insulated cathedral ceiling second floor suite with a larger dormer or a shed roof in the back with big windows overlooking the golf course. There would be no apparent difference from the front and no increase in the height of the ridge line. It would not be cheap, though. Fortunately, I have no plan to do this.

[EviesGP]

I've seen many in TV, more south of 466A(Belle Glade and EPCC on Killdeer), but I was shocked to see one near Spanish Springs. I know someone that's renting up there, and I was surprised to see someone build a HUGE 2 story home(I think they demo'd/re-built?), right in between smaller single storied homes?! I mean this thing is so tall, it looks like they can accommodate an attic above the 2nd story? Those neighbors must not be very happy?

[D.Bolen]

Originally Posted by charmed59

O... All of the homes I know with a second story with windows back onto a golf course, so they are not looking down into other homes.

....

Per the above quote, for homes built in close proximity of each other, a 2-story next door or behind would minimize the natural long-range view of the land/skyscape from one's backyard, and IMO worse, would remove any sense of privacy in the backyard of the homeowner whose neighbor has the 2-story. In my past house-hunting, this has been a definite deal-breaker as the prospective (even non-intentional) gawker or gawkee.

[stebooo]

I live 2 blocks away from that two story. It looks absolutely out of place. There are I other. The question arises why and how did they get it approved? We can't have anything out of the ordinary even in your yard let alone that monstrosity. No one like it and I don't know what it does to the resale in the neighborhood. Another question is who would buy it. We are older. We look for things in one floor. So if true who would want it. I think it was a crazy rebuild.MO

[stebooo]

I live 2 blocks away from that two story. It looks absolutely out of place. There are I other. The question arises why and how did they get it approved? We can't have anything out of the ordinary even in your yard let alone that monstrosity. No one like it and I don't know what it does to the resale in the neighborhood. Another question is who would buy it. We are older. We look for things in one floor. So if true who would want it. I think it was a crazy rebuild.MO. it was 2 bedrooms up fyi

[kathy1516]

Why on earth build a two story house in a retirement community? Build your house in a regular subdivision. These lots are so small I sure wouldn’t want that next door to me. Plenty of other golf communities with larger lots to build a two story house. Go there.

[J1ceasar]

We just visited our first grandchild in Ohio and I had a 12-ft high staircase to climb for the bedrooms, I promised myself to get one of those stair step plastic thingies to exercise on in the future