I decided to take the plunge and build a new home in Valencia Parc Riverland and check out the lifestyle of this 55+ community in Port St Lucie. It was a drastic change as I have never lived West of US 1 while residing in Florida for the past 45 years. Leaving Boca after 20 years and then heading to Jupiter for the next 25 years and being able to walk out my front door for a 2 minute walk to the beach. Every day pulling out out community and you stare at the rising sun on the ocean but it was time for a change and a did the GL Homes Stay & Play here at Riverland and decided to make the jump.
New Homes in Riverland
Being in real estate for many years and living in Florida I had a few must have’s when choosing a lot in a community with homes so close together. New homes in Riverland have a 10ft section between each home. First had to have a back yard facing South or East. No West facing exposures for my back yard and of course a water view so I didn’t look into my neighbors patio. I knew which model home I wanted after walking through the models time and time again. I picked a Bimini model and found a lot with a water view that faced East. Someone had bought and upgraded to a larger home and they just put the lot back on the market. It cost a cool $50k upgrade but for resale and enjoyment it was worth it. The rest of the lots had been sold back in 2023 by lottery. December 2nd I put my deposit down and was given an option meeting for March 15 and a final option meeting for March 27th. This gave me time for my homework project.
After receiving my options book with every option and price I went through the entire house and decided upon what options I must have GL Homes do and what I will do afterwards. I decided to do my flooring, kitchen cabinets and master cabinets after closing. I was going to rip out the kitchen and put in new better quality cabinets and counters along with my own appliances. It gave me the option to use 35″ floor tile and put in plywood cabins instead of particle board. The Quartz counters/ backsplash were going to be much less expensive and many more options than going through GL Homes in Riverland.
Finally almost 6 months later on May 8th I received my start letter. Wow, was I excited. All that hard work and visits to the model center and reading the Valencia Parc facebook page I was ready to start. I was heading out for the Summer months and one of my friends and neighbors sent me photos each week of the progress. May 16th the land is being graded and by the end of the month the slab was poured which I saw before I left. June 13th the walls were up and the following week the roof was dried in and roof tiles were installed around August 1st. The windows,plumbing, electrical was installed and completed by July 1. My slab below included the golf cart garage plus the 2ft garage extension for my Ford F150.
We were ready for the pre-drywall inspection. I hired Walt Wyatt to do the inspection and it was well worth the money. He gave a long punch list to my construction manager and repairs were completed by the 14th of July and the drywall project began. Drywall was completed by August 1. August 15th I came back for two weeks and now interior doors, trim and walls were primed. The following week the interior had been painted. The home in Riverland was coming along and the excitement of watching the progress each week through photos was electrifying.
New Home Construction in Riverland
August 21st, they began laying driveway and back patio and I was glad I extended the driveway and patio. Well spent money. The extra pavers in the back make more great outdoor space. The next week all the interior and exterior lighting was completed. Boy, they give you some crappy lighting. August 30th came and my last visit to Riverland before heading out for another month. I arrived Saturday morning and my cabinets were sitting in my living room. My neighbor checked on September 5th and the cabinets had been installed. My new home construction in Riverland was quickly progressing.
I received my cabinet letter on September 5th stating we had 45 to 60 days till our CO was issued and another 21 days to fix any repairs I wanted done once I hired Walt to do the final home inspection before closing. We are getting closer and yes their timelines are pretty accurate. Most likely your timeline is the worst case scenario and possibly expect a quicker closing. This week I received a photo from my neighbor with the crews starting the landscaping. Next week which is September 15th I’m expecting to see the bathrooms tiled. I went with no flooring option so that may reduce completion date by a week or so.
My golf cart garage and the “cheap exterior lighting” from GL Homes. Couple garage doors and we keep moving along.
Riverland -Port St Lucie Active 55+ Community
That is where we are is the building phase here in Valencia Parc Riverland. Below is the Bimini model which will be what my home looks like in a few more weeks. Counting the days to living in this new community of Riverland and enjoying the active lifestyle and resort style living it offers. Now of course I have a golf cart garage and have to go shopping for a new golf cart to drive to our sports center which hosts Pickleball, Olympic swim pools and a beautiful fitness center. Our new Riverland Publix just opened so I guess I will be driving my golf cart on the Paseo to do my shopping. Come see the exciting 55+ active adult community in Port St. Lucie. Thanks for visiting me in my adventure in building my new home in Valencia Parc Riverland.
