Homes in St. John's County FRUSTRATING! (Rio, Golf: appliances, house, landscaping)

[Robyn55]

Jacksonville is right up there in terms of the least sustainable government pension costs in the country. So - if you're a taxpayer - the issue is whether you want to pay big bucks for city pensions - or spend more of your money on schools. I'm old - don't have kids - but would rather spend my tax dollars on schools than government pension costs. It's a more rewarding way to spend my tax dollars from a personal POV. Robyn

[fsquid]

Good point Robyn

[4gr8kidz]

Side entry garages and courtyard garages (my preference) typically require larger lots because you have to have room to turn into the garage. It's cheaper to have a front load, and that is what people tend to get - I am searching for a courtyard and found some down near Murabella and WGV - in areas where the lots are wider. Of course this is "out there" which is okay for us since we don't commute.

I was more shocked at the internet and connectivity, rather the lack of it, in the WGV area! I guess down there business deals are really made on the fairways and not in the home office! LOL.

[ShakenStirred]

Originally Posted by GinoJune

Is anyone else frustrated by the new homes in St. John's County? Glorified boxes on postage stamps is all I am seeing being built these days. If you are a builder in the market right now, how can you truly be proud of your handiwork? No framed in windows, minimal moldings, no character inside--few arches, curves, etc. And the outsides--one big rectangle with some faux stone and a huge, ugly garage staring you in the face. Take a drive in Nocatee, Durbin, World Golf Village--and really look. Once the new wears off then what do you have? A box, with some windows? What is happening? Why is no one else commenting on this? We should be enraged that the builders in our area are not only money hungry but ripping people off. Look at a David Weekly home built today and one that was built 15 years ago. You will be floored by the difference. Must we really all drive to Palencia to get ourselves a home with a touch of character? There is absolutely NO excuse that homes in Coastal Oaks in Nocatee should have anything other than side entry garages for those prices. I feel terrible for the people trying to sell their home in those neighborhoods. The builders are making some pretty pennies and leaving those poor people in the dust. It's time we take a stand. We want St. Johns County to forever be a desirable place to live. With the way homes are being thoughtlessly thrown up, it's sad to think what this community will look like in ten years. Whose with me?

You are an idiot. Do you realize how much more regulation there is today than 15 years ago. The building code has been changed every 3 years, which leads to higher costs. County, State and Federal taxes have gone up, fuel costs, material costs, Workers Comp & General Liablity insurance costs, everything, and yet median household income has declined in this country. If you're so damn smart, go to school, get your contractors license and start building some of those grandiose plans you have in your mind, and when you find there is no market for them because the average homebuyer can't afford the $8.1 million it's going to cost to build, then come back and complain about why nobody is buying your fancy shmancy homes.
'
Did you even think about any of this before you posted such audacity? I'm guessing not.

[ShakenStirred]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

Well there are reasons for wanting to live somewhere other than the kids' schools, you can't live your life to please your kids. Besides, exceptional kids do well in average schools.

I graduated from Fletcher with barely average grades in 1986. By 2004, I became one of America's every vilified "1%." My father instilled the skills and ethics I needed to get to that point, not the school system. Your post was heartwarming, and the others can kiss my fat bank account ass.

Children whose parents are involved with their education will always do better than those who don't give a damn, and there is no geography that will overcome that fact.

SS

[Mosco]

It seems the curse of USA 2013 is arguing about 'race'. Oh well...

[cricketfan]

To the OP, so what's wrong with cookie cutter if the cookie happens to be your taste and something you can afford. Look around at all the homeowners who bit off more than they could chew, who bypassed the cookie for the big cake and are now choking on bankruptcies and foreclosures.

If you are still boasting about your $700k budget and carping about not being able to find anything to your liking in SJC, I say move on!

[GinoJune]

I never said anything about buying in the $700 range or biting off more than you can chew. I am simply talking about homes with character. PERIOD. You can build a $200K home with character. Again, strip builders are greedy and people are willing to drink the Kool-Aid and buy these things. So here's my challenge...CUSTOM BUILDERS, where are you? Build us some nice neighborhoods in Northern St. Johns County! Offer us a variety of homes (sizes, prices). Make them charming. We live in a beautiful area...let's start building communities and homes that reflect that!!

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by GinoJune

I never said anything about buying in the $700 range or biting off more than you can chew. I am simply talking about homes with character. PERIOD.

The characters in the house are more important than the character of the house.

[fsquid]

Originally Posted by GinoJune

I never said anything about buying in the $700 range or biting off more than you can chew. I am simply talking about homes with character. PERIOD. You can build a $200K home with character. Again, strip builders are greedy and people are willing to drink the Kool-Aid and buy these things. So here's my challenge...CUSTOM BUILDERS, where are you? Build us some nice neighborhoods in Northern St. Johns County! Offer us a variety of homes (sizes, prices). Make them charming. We live in a beautiful area...let's start building communities and homes that reflect that!!

I'm pretty sure there are custom builders who will build on lots that the buyer owns.