Are you considering a DR Horton community home in St. Augustine? These are the facts pro and con on DR Horton homes:
Pros and Cons of a DR Horton house
Pros:
- HGTV look with polish and shine and modern styles
- The house is new or relatively new
- Warranties
- You choose the style and model and customized material, such as counter tops.
- Communities are maintained with a small HOA. Communities tend to retain value as there is no house falling apart next door.
- Safe as everyone lives close by and watches out for each other. For example, you are not living isolated in the woods.
- No permissions or subcontracting, it is all done.
- Code is updated
- Good Amenities, like playground, pools and side walks and biking trails. It is what many people see as the American dream.
- Easy maintenance as the yards are small.
- Do not use highly toxic materials like Chinese drywall rather quality tested material.
- Financing is made easy.
- Value in terms of price for materials because of economies of scale, that is they are produced with a system en masse.
Basically it is a value and convenience play. You get a lot of home, all new for a fair price, so you can live in Florida with ease and not worry about fixing leaks.
Cons:
- Cookie cutter track home, therefore not unique but based on a choose of floor plans.
- No privacy, none. You can look out your bedroom window and see your neighbour. That could be a good thing if your single and so is your neighbour looks like a movie star, but they do not.
- HOAs
- Not for Avid gardeners
- Lock down, you have to keep your garage door closed, no boats, no toys on the lawn, grass maintained to a standard as driveway, can not leave anything out.
- Maze of streets to just get in or out of the community.
- Always a newer community near by and more upgraded.
- Has a mass production New Jersey feel. That is it gets dizzying and boring that people are packed together. It is not the world I grew up in.
- VOCs – Everything is new and takes years to gas off. Although not toxic specifically there is a smell to it and that means you are taking those chemicals into your bloodstream.
Are these pros and cons specific to DR Horton or all standard builders?
These are with any builder. I tend to like DR Horton because of the value you get and the positive reputation. They have built more homes than perhaps any large home builder for Americas middle and upper middle class. Unless you are rolling in cash I would say go with DR Horton as your first choice for a family home because of their reputation and they are on the cheaper side. Custom home builders in the area have greater profit margins per house and are for super rich.
If I was super rich I would not buy from a standard home, but would build a custom home myself.
Yet I was in the 170k to 370k price range I would consider these homes
For thirty-five years, D.R. Horton has been a leader in residential development. Builder’s philosophy is that every element of the home must create value and that has held true over the years. For twelve years in a row, D.R. Horton has been the number one builder as named by Builder Magazine. They do more than just provide houses, they provide homes and they have eight existing communities in St. Augustine and more coming soon.
Why do I need a Realtor’s help buying a DR Horton home?
The pretty blond behind the counter at the DR Horton community has one, mission, to sell you the site home. My mission is to help you find home sweet home, even if in the end I do not sell you anything. I sincerely want to get the best price and home for you. I know the communities as a whole as well as homes outside communities. I want to help you make a decision that is best for you. In Florida you pay no commission to the buyers agent.
For families, St. Augustine is highly desired because of the school system. To say that the school system in St. Augustine is above par would be an understatement. St. Augustine is part of the St. Johns County School District, which even has a virtual school for home schooled students.
List of new communities of DR Horton and what it will cost you ball park
- Adalusia Near 207 you will pay 279k – Near where I live and next to Treaty park and St. Johns Classical Christian Academy (top school).
- Cresent Key Near the Saint Augustine South you will pay 270k. Value for Saint Augustine as it is further south.
- Sebasitian Cove 32084 you will pay 270k – Closer to the outlet malls and 95 but good prices if you are a Jacksonville commuter.
- Trail Mark 32092 you will pay 320k More up scale World Golf and Palencia area.
- Ocean Cay On Anastasia Island you will pay 375k, near Pope Road so it is biking distance from the beach and RB Hunt Elementary is the school.
- San Salito area 32084 you will pay 250k.
These communities are under construction and you can buy a new home today. I can help you with this at no cost to you. I will be your advocate to make sure you get a deal.
I personally have checked out all the established communities top to bottom and here of some of the established one below.
If you have questions contact me before you contact the builder as I can help in the decision making process.
Although communities vary in location, amenities, schools, houses they offer also differ in price depending on square footage, lot size, view (lake, woods, other houses) they all offer new homes, and while there are some established DR Horton communities, you can see lots of new development in progress.
Twin Lakes – Just OK because homes are packed together and close to the main 207 road
The Twin Lakes community is located off State Road 207 and Twin Lakes Drive and consists of 127 home sites. This community is fairly close to the beaches . Their smallest floor plan has 1,239 square feet and is for a single story home with a two-car garage, three bedrooms and two bathrooms and with a starting price of $163,000. Their largest floor plan has 3,402 square feet, is a two-story house with a two-car garage, five bedrooms and three bathrooms and priced starting at $257,990. There are seventeen different floor plans in all.
The schools servicing the Twin Lakes community are:
The Webster School – 420 North Orange Street
R.J. Murray Middle School – 150 North Holmes Blvd
St. Augustine High School – 3205 Varella Avenue
Ashely Oaks -Nice
The community of Ashley Oaks is located off State Road 16 and Scarlet Rose Lane near the World Golf Village, which features two golf courses. The World Golf Village Hall of Fame is nearby, as well as the IMAX Theater, shopping and several restaurants. Ashley Oaks has 75 home sites with lakes, a playground and beautiful open areas.
The smallest floor plan has 1,847 square feet and is a single story house, with a two-car garage, four bedrooms and two bathrooms for a starting price of $222,400. Their largest floor plan has 4,099 square feet for a two-story house with a three-car garage, five bedrooms and four bathrooms starting at $323,940. There are 20 total floor plans in all and there is storage for boats and RVs, perfect because the St. Johns River boat launch is nearby.
The associated schools with this community are:
Wards Creek Elementary – 6555 State Road 16
Pacetti Bay Middle School – 245 Meadowlark Lane
Allen D. Nease High School – 10550 Ray Road
WoodLake
The community of Woodlake is located off US-1 and Duck Pond Drive. This gated community has water front access to one of their lakes and 90 home sites. There are shaded pavilions, a playground, a spacious pool and plenty of natural areas. Daytona and Jacksonville are both nearby and Crescent Beach is only five minutes away.
The smallest floor plan has 1,741 square feet and is a one-story house with a two-car garage, four bedrooms and two bathrooms starting at $203,440. The largest floor plan has 4,099 square feet and is a two-story house with a three-car garage, five bedrooms and four bathrooms starting at $316,940. There are 20 floor plans to choose from.
The associated schools with this community are:
South Woods Elementary School – 4750 SR 206 West
Gamble Rogers Middle School – 6250 US-1 South
Pedro Menendez High School – 600 SR 206 East
MuraBella – A good choice if you commute to Jacksonville
MuraBella is new family friendly community located off SR 16. MuraBella is a very large community, with numerous houses but community is key here. There is a sports court, amphitheatre, pavilion for parties, volleyball, softball, soccer, tennis, lap pool, parks, playground, a pool with a water slide and a clubhouse. You need not venture outside of MuraBella to have fun but if you do, the World Golf Village is just a short distance away, as is downtown St. Augustine.
The smallest floor plan has 1,540 square feet and is a single story house with a two-car garage, three bedrooms and two bathrooms starting at $191,990. The largest floor plan has 4,099 square feet and is a two-story house with a three-car garage with five bedrooms and four bathrooms starting at $311,900. There are 24 floor plans.
Schools associated with this community are:
Mill Creek Elementary – 3750 International Golf Parkway
Pacetti Bay Middle School – 245 Meadowlark Lane
Allen D. Nease High School – 10550 Ray Road
Heritage Landing
The community of Heritage Landing is located in the World Golf Village, featuring two golf courses, a spa, the World Golf Hall of Fame, IMAX Theater, restaurants and shopping, all of which is accessible to residents. The amenities of Heritage Landing really make it an outstanding place to live inkling a fire ring, outdoor movie theater, amenities center, shuffleboard, volleyball, horseshoes, bocci ball, lap pool, fun pool for the kids and the young at heart, a water park, tennis center, basketball, baseball and soccer fields.
The smallest floor plan has 1,646 square feet and is a single story house with a two-car garage, three bedrooms and two bathrooms starting at $176,990. The largest floor plan has 2,520 square feet and is a two-story home with a two-car garage, three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms starting at $221,900. There are four floor plans.
Schools associated with this community are:
Wards Creek Elementary – 6555 State Road 16
Pacetti Bay Middle School – 245 Meadowlark Lane
Allen D. Nease High School – 10550 Ray Road
Samara Lakes
The World Golf Village area is a growing community and Samara lakes is one of the new communities that is in the area. This community is designed to be family friendly and is located right near the I-95. Residents are near downtown St. Augustine and have access to all of the amenities of the World Golf Village. There are outdoor recreation fields, basketball courts, a playground, cabana and a pool.
The smallest floor plan has 1,239 square feet and is a single story house with a two-car garage, three bedrooms and two bathrooms starting at $174,990. The largest floor plan has 3,402 square feet for a two-story house with a two-car garage, five bedrooms and three bathrooms starting at $261,990. There are twelve floor plans.
Schools associated with this community are:
Mill Creek Elementary – 3750 International Golf Parkway
Pacetti Bay Middle School – 245 Meadowlark Lane
Allen D. Nease High School – 10550 Ray Road
Timberwood Landing – Beautiful new community, woodsy, good location further from the street so feels private, however if you have elementary school children look up school reviews before purchasing or check a nearby excellent private school.
Located where Timberwood Drive meets Lightsey Road, the Timberwood Landing community is a secluded, exclusive community with 91 homes nestled around several lakes and preserved nature. Located close to I-95, Timberwood Landing is a short distance away from the major cities and only a short distance away from the beaches and the Old Town. There is a pool and a clubhouse for the residents.
The smallest floor plan has 1,239 square feet for a single story house with a two-car garage, three bedrooms and two bathrooms starting at $161,990. The biggest floor plan has 3,402 square feet for a two-story house with a two-car garage, five bedrooms and three bathrooms starting at $252,990. There are 21 floor plans.
Schools associated with this community are:
The Webster School – 420 North Orange Street
R.J. Murray Middle School – 150 North Holmes Blvd
St. Augustine High School – 3205 Varella Avenue
Sebastian Cove – It’s nice, we have friends living there and they are happy
The community of Sebastian Cove apartments is located in a prime area near the I-95. It is near the St. Augustine Outlet Mall and near historic downtown St. Augustine. The community features a playground, a fitness facility and a pool.
The smallest floor plan has 1,079 square feet for a two-story house with a one-car garage, two bedrooms and two bathrooms starting at $120,000. The largest floor plan has 1,473 square feet for a two-story house with a one-car garage and three bedrooms and two bathrooms starting at $150,000. There are six floor plans to choose from.
The Schools associated with this community are:
John A. Crookshank Elementary School – 1455 N. Whitney Street
R.J. Murray Middle School – 150 North Holmes Blvd
St. Augustine High School – 3205 Varella Avenue
No matter which of the D.R. Horton communities you choose, you could not find a better place to live. The builder offers quality homes with amenities that are hard to pass up for affordable prices and modern standards.
DR Horton Communities in St. Augustine
I do not work for D.R. Horton I just simply like the idea of living in a new home. The reason is that home prices in the secondary market is approximately the same as new homes. You can be a firs owner of the property with a warranty or a ten or twenty year old home somewhere else lived in a wore down. Of course there are other factors like location, yard, schools etc. However, if you are going to live in a home for a number of years don’t you want a brand new one? One that gives you no stress?
Remember this is St. Augustine, Florida the oldest city with high humidity, where mold is something you need to be aware of, and prevent its grow on the house. If you have a home that is not taken care of it will get moldy. This is Florida not New England where houses last several hundred years and are not threaten by humid conditions. Old home in Florida often means not up to code and poor standards. If you are moving to Sunshine State you need to be aware of what the housing market is like. If you do not know, I recommend a new home where the builder takes the variables out. You will not get the same level of surprises as a secondary home and for a comparable price.
A note on Saint Augustine
St. Augustine is located in St. Johns county of Northern Florida and is part of Jacksonville’s metropolitan area. St. Augustine had a population of 13,407 in 2012, making it a charming city indeed, nestled in with Florida’s beautiful natural scenery. To put it simply, St. Augustine is beautiful coastal city, with more sunny days than days without sun. The climate is mild, warm and winter is non-existent. This historic town, it is the oldest European settlement in the United States, is a growing community with much to offer.
If you are looking for a community home in Saint Johns county let me guide you.
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