Central Florida Retirement

If you read our SummerGlen website, you’ll discover how we build quality and value into every home in our Central Florida retirement community.  However, it’s hard to get across the literally hundreds of small things that we do that make our homes better than they have to be:

Here are just a few examples of the many small things we do that add up to big differences in every new home that SummerGlen constructs for our customers.

• We use 3,000 lb concrete in all home foundations and slabs.  Although only 2,500 is required by code.  This gives better strength and finish to the foundation of your home.
• All SummerGlen homes have Durawall horizontal steel reinforcing in block walls.  This material is usually only used in commercial construction, but we think it increases strength and decreases cracking.
• Each home is individually engineered and certified for adherence to all the latest building codes.  Many homebuilders have an engineer review one plan and use this same review over and over again.  With the personalization we allow in our homes, however, we feel its best to make sure that each home in individually certified.
• SummerGlen roof trusses are constructed of #1 pine top and bottom chords with web spacing no more than 8’‘.  It’s possible to use cheaper construction, but our specifications help minimize roof deflection and keep ceilings straighter.
• We use only 30-year roof shingles with built-in fungus resistance.  Check out other communities where you may see black streaked roofs after just a few years.  Then look at our oldest SummerGlen homes… no black streaks.
• Unlike many communities, all homes at SummerGlen are directly supervised by licensed contractors.  Many builders use unlicensed superintendents for day to day management of your home… not at SummerGlen.
• At SummerGlen, all homes are built a minimum of 8″ above the surrounding grade.  This is higher than many other builders.  We think our standards provide for a more positive slope away from the foundation and helps promote better drainage on your home site.
• We give every owner the flexibility of electing either natural gas or electricity for their range and, dryer.  Many homes do not offer the more economical natural gas option.
• We install flooring under cabinets and in other hidden areas, while most builders install the flooring only to the edge of cabinets.  This allows us to set cabinets more precisely and off the concrete slab.
• Ceramic tile walls in wet areas such as showers and baths are placed over cement backer board rather than the lower quality “green board” used by many builders.  Because the backing is actual cement, versus a softer and less water resistance composite material, these tile walls have greater strength and are not subject to damage from water intrusion.
• Our standard plumbing fixtures are Sterling by Kohler, one of America’s best known and highest quality manufacturers of plumbing.  Many builders use off-brand fixtures as standards and require you to pay extra for name brand fixtures.
• SummerGlen offers an environment-friendly all fluorescent lighting packages at no charge.  Many builders provide only cheaper but less energy efficient incandescent fixtures as standard, and charge a premium for “going green.”
• SummerGlen painting standards are among the best in the home-building industry.   We utilize three coats of Sherwin-Williams Loxon paint, even though only two coats are required by the manufacturer’s specifications.  This extra touch helps protect your home even more against water intrusion and helps decrease the number of naturally occurring hairline cracks in outer walls.
• SummerGlen installs more expensive drip irrigation in all home shrub areas.   This helps reduce your water bills and promotes water conservation.
• We stain all under-roof concrete areas, such as entry porches, lanais and garages, at no extra charge.  This is considered a “luxury upgrade” by many builders, but we think it helps improve the look and finish of your new home.
• We use only baffled roof vents to further protect your home against water intrusion.  These are more expensive than the standard roof vents that are required, but it makes sense to protect your home against harsh weather events.
• Despite all our efforts to delivery a home in as close to “perfect” condition as possible, occasionally service is required to correct a problem in your home.  We work to make getting that service as fast and convenient as possible through our unique on-line warranty service system which helps us delivery a quicker response.  In fact more than 80% of all service requests we receive are completed within two days.

Remember, these are just a few of the extra touches that make your SummerGlen home very special.  We look forward to giving you a personal tour of our beautiful Central Florida retirement community the next time you are in the Ocala area.  Or call us at 800-277-8707 and arrange a visit to stay in one of beautifully appointed guest houses so that you can really experience the SummerGlen life.

Over the past few months, most of us have had serious concerns about our futures.  It’s hard to think about fulfilling your dreams of moving to Central Florida and the joys of retirement living when you see your retirement portfolio eroding.

Sometimes we forget though, that one of the great purposes of our lives is pure and simple enjoyment.  I read an article the other day about John Erickson, CEO of Erickson Retirement Communities, who recently told a audience of retirees, “Collectively we can make life better. .. I believe the secret to life is learning to enjoy the passage of time, not merely enduring it.”

That’s something to think about, if you have given thoughts to delaying your dreams to live in the place and the style that you really want.  If living in a beautiful new home in a beautiful new community with lots of new neighbors to enjoy life with is what you really want, isn’t it still important to work to achieve that goal?

If you really want to move to SummerGlen or any other Central Florida retirement community, maybe its time to think about all the positive reasons to make it happen sooner rather than later.  Prices on new homes are excellent right now, so you’ll be saving money over waiting for when the market goes higher.  Also, you’ll have more time to begin enjoying the life you’ve always dreamed of.

Maybe it’s time to “seize the day” for your own life by working to make sure you enjoy the passage of time, rather than merely endure it.  SummerGlen is a great place to start.