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If you’re browsing Florida real estate, you’ve likely noticed the term villa home popping up and may be asking yourself: what is a villa home?
Popular among buyers drawn to Florida’s relaxed coastal lifestyle, villa homes offer an appealing blend of comfort, style and low-maintenance living. Whether you’re considering a full-time residence or a seasonal retreat, understanding the villa lifestyle can help you feel more confident as you navigate the home-buying process.
Let’s take a look at how villa homes differ from other property types, why they’re especially popular in Florida and where you’re most likely to find them.
Medallion Home Provided Image
Alt Text: A villa home features a gray exterior, a garage, a stone driveway and lush tropical foliage.
What is a Villa Home?
At their core, villa homes are typically one-story or low-profile residences located within a managed community. While some may share a wall with neighboring villas, they generally offer a greater sense of privacy and openness than townhouses.
Designed with thoughtful layouts, comfortable amenities and low-maintenance features, villa homes prioritize ease of living and everyday enjoyment.
Defining Features and Styles
Most villa homes feature specific architectural or lifestyle elements, such as:
- Single-level or low-profile layouts (sometimes with a small second level): Designed to prioritize ease of movement and everyday comfort.
- Open-concept floor plans: Maximize natural light and create seamless transitions between kitchens, dining areas and living spaces.
- Outdoor living spaces: May include lanais, patios or private yards to take full advantage of Florida’s mild, year-round climate.
- Private entrances and garages: Provide a greater sense of independence and privacy compared to more densely connected housing types.
- Homeowners association (HOA) coverage: Typically includes exterior maintenance, landscaping and sometimes roofing, supporting a low-maintenance, lock-and-leave lifestyle.
- Resort-style community amenities: Often shared features such as pools, spas, fitness centers, walking trails and outdoor gathering spaces that enhance everyday living.
Villa communities range from cozy two-bedroom residences to larger, open layouts, appealing to homeowners who value thoughtful design flexibility and the ability to personalize their space.
Alt Text: A sunset with pink clouds overlooks a Medallion villa home in Bradenton, Florida
Villa Homes vs. Other Property Types
Understanding how villa homes compare to other residential types can help you choose the best fit for your unique needs. Below is a breakdown of the key differences between villas, townhomes and single-family homes.
Villas vs. Townhomes
The three main differences between villas and townhomes are:
- Layout: Villas are usually single-story or low-profile with broader, open layouts, while townhomes are typically multi-story with stacked living areas.
- Privacy & Space: Villas often share only one wall or are fully detached for greater privacy, whereas townhomes almost always share walls on both sides.
- Lifestyle: Villas include private yards, patios or lanais in low-maintenance communities, while townhomes have shared outdoor areas.
Villa homes tend to appeal to homeowners who favor greater privacy and space.
Medallion Home Provided Image
Alt Text: A bright white kitchen features sleek cabinetry, ample lighting and modern appliances.
Villas vs. Single-Family Homes
Villas and single-family homes both prioritize privacy and individualized design, but have these key differences:
- Layout and Size: Villas are often single-story on smaller lots while single-family homes can sit on larger lots with more square footage.
- Maintenance and Lifestyle: Villas typically include HOA-covered exterior upkeep for low-maintenance living, whereas single-family homeowners handle all maintenance themselves.
- Privacy and Independence: Villas may share one wall with a neighbor and are part of managed communities, while single-family homes are fully detached, offering maximum privacy and independence.
Villa homes are frequently part of gated or amenity-rich communities that support higher levels of social activity and maintenance-assisted living. They often appeal to empty nesters, retirees or those looking to downsize without giving up comfort or style.
Why Villas Are Popular in Florida
Villa homes are booming in popularity throughout Florida, thanks to their appeal for seasonal residents and homeowners who seek convenient, low maintenance living.
Medallion Home Provided Image
Alt Text: A villa home features a spacious enclosed patio with a water feature and a lounge area overlooking the tropical outdoors.
Perfect for Seasonal Residents
Florida’s vibrant climate draws retirees in search of a little slice of paradise. It’s an ideal destination for snowbirds and seasonal residents who split their time between states. Low-maintenance homes reduce worries while away and community amenities provide social opportunities and convenience during your stay.
Villa living strikes the perfect balance for seasonal residents, offering comfort, simplicity and easy access to all that the Florida lifestyle has to offer.
Maintenance-Free Living Benefits
Many villa communities provide maintenance-assisted living, covering tasks such as lawn care and exterior upkeep. This frees up more time to enjoy your home, travel, pursue hobbies or simply relax.
Retirees and busy professionals especially value the freedom to spend their leisure time exploring Florida’s beaches, dining and vibrant arts scene.
Alt Text: A community pool in the Watercolor Villa Community from Medallion Home.
Where to Find Villa Homes in Florida
Villa homes are scattered across Florida, from coastal towns to inland communities. Wherever your heart desires, there’s probably a Florida villa home community with its own vibe and amenities.
In Southwest Florida, you’ll find a gorgeous range of villa neighborhoods that cater to different tastes and lifestyles.
Communities Known for Villas
Medallion Home features two communities that include villa home options and each puts its own unique spin on the villa lifestyle.
- Watercolor Place Villas: A gated community in Bradenton with pool, outdoor kitchen as well as other home types.
- The Laurels: A maintenance-assisted villa community in Parrish, with low HOA and amenities like a pool, spa and outdoor kitchen.
Ready to Make a Villa Your Home?
Villa homes provide the perfect balance of comfort, style and practical living. With thoughtfully designed floor plans, inviting outdoor spaces and access to community amenities, villa homeowners can enjoy the best of Florida living with ease. It’s no surprise that many choose villas as their home in the Sunshine State.
Curious if a villa home is the right fit for you?
Medallion Home offers a variety of villa designs and communities tailored to your vision of Florida living. Visit Medallion Home’s website to explore available homes, view model options and discover the perfect community for your next chapter.
