Recessed Lighting at Emerald Palms: Lennar's LED Downlights and Everything Else Included

Recessed lighting is a light fixture set up into the ceiling, so the light shines down and the fixture sits almost flush with the ceiling. At Emerald Palms, Lennar lists recessed LED lighting in the kitchen, the owner's bath and the secondary baths as part of its standard features. This guide explains how recessed lighting works, where Lennar puts it in these townhomes, and then walks through everything else Lennar includes, the warranty and how buying works.

What recessed lighting is

Most ceiling lights hang down or sit on top of the ceiling. Recessed lighting is different. The housing sits inside the ceiling, and only a thin trim ring shows below. Many people call these lights ""can lights"" or ""downlights.""

Why builders use them:

• They keep ceilings clean. Nothing hangs down, which helps in rooms with standard ceiling heights.

• They light work areas. A row of downlights over a kitchen counter puts light right where you chop and cook.

• They spread light evenly. Several small lights can fill a room without one bright spot.

What ENERGY STAR says about LED recessed lights

ENERGY STAR is the U.S. government's program for energy-efficient products. On its recessed lighting page, it says certified recessed lighting:

• Uses up to 90% less energy

• Is tested for a lifetime of at least 25,000 hours, which ENERGY STAR says is 25 times longer than a traditional light bulb

• Comes in light colors from warm amber to blue daylight, and most kits offer dimming

One honest note: Lennar's list says ""recessed LED,"" but it does not say whether these fixtures are ENERGY STAR certified or dimmable. Ask the sales team to show you the fixture details on the model.

Where Lennar puts recessed lighting at Emerald Palms

Here is exactly what Lennar's included-features list says, room by room:

Lennar also lists homes as ""Pre-wired for ceiling fan in family room or great room and all bedrooms (per-plan)."" So the bedrooms and main living space are set up for a ceiling fan, which can carry a light kit, rather than recessed lights.

Recessed lights vs other ceiling lights

At Emerald Palms, Lennar's list covers the first two. Recessed LED lights go in the kitchen and baths. Ceiling fan pre-wiring goes in the main living room and the bedrooms, per plan.

Questions to ask at the model

• Are the recessed lights in the kitchen on one switch or more than one?

• Are any of the switches dimmers?

• Can the bulbs or trims be swapped, or is each light one sealed unit?

• What light color do the fixtures give off?

• Can I add more recessed lights before closing, and what would that cost?

Tips for living with recessed lights

• Pick the right bulb color later. If a fixture lets you change bulbs or trims, warmer light feels cozy in living areas. Cooler light helps you see detail in a kitchen.

• Add a lamp where you read. Downlights light the room, not the page.

• Clean the trim rings gently with a dry or slightly damp cloth, with the power off.

Everything else Lennar includes at Emerald Palms

Lennar calls its standard list ""Everything's Included."" The same list appears on all four plans. Here are the main items.

Kitchen

• New stainless steel appliance package with a slide-in range, microwave and refrigerator

• Porcelain 2cm countertops with a 6"" backsplash

• Kitchen cabinets with 36"" uppers and brushed nickel hardware

• Stainless steel sink with a chrome pull-down faucet

• Pantry closet with ventilated shelves (per plan)

Outside the home

• Stucco front elevations with decorative shutters

• Dimensional roof shingles

• Masonry construction

• Brick paver walkway, entry and patio areas

• Impact resistant windows and sliding glass doors

• Covered entry

Inside the home

• Energy-efficient central air conditioning and heating

• 18"" x 18"" ceramic tile on the first floor, laundry and A/C closet

• Stain-resistant carpet with padding in the bedrooms, second floor and stairs

• Raised-panel interior doors

• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors throughout

• Rocker-style light switches

Bathrooms

• Porcelain countertops with undermount porcelain sinks

• 12"" x 12"" ceramic tile on bathroom floors and shower walls

• A single glass panel shower enclosure in the owner's bath

• A pedestal sink in the first-floor powder bath (per plan)

• A bathtub in the secondary baths (per plan)

Laundry and smart home

• A new washer and dryer, included

• Ring Video Doorbell Pro

• Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt

• A Wi-Fi enabled thermostat

• A centralized media panel

Want to know more about porcelain counters? We cover them in depth in our porcelain countertops guide from Breezewood, which lists many of the same Lennar features.

What ""per plan"" means on the list

A few items on Lennar's list say ""per plan."" That means the item only shows up in the plans built for it. Two examples:

• The pedestal sink in the first-floor powder bath. Lennar's drawings show a first-floor powder room in the Camden, Dawson and Langford. The Rosewood has a full bath on the first floor instead, so check which sink it gets.

• The pantry closet. Ask which plans show one on the drawing before you count on it.

When an item matters to you, ask the sales team to point to it on the plan you want.

The Lennar warranty

Lennar's Emerald Palms list includes a ""1-2-10 year Homeowners Warranty."" Lennar describes it as:

• 1 year of overall limited coverage

• 2 years of systems protection

• 10 years of limited structural coverage

Read the written warranty before you sign, so you know what each part covers and how to file a request.

How buying works

Lennar's list names the services that come with a new home here:

1. Pick your plan. Start by choosing the layout that fits. Our room-by-room comparison of the four plans can help.

2. Talk about financing. Lennar lists Lennar Mortgage as its financial services company. Ask what it offers, and compare that with quotes from other lenders.

3. Title work. Lennar lists Lennar Title for title services.

4. Inspections. Lennar lists 3rd party home inspections.

5. Orientation. Lennar lists a personalized new home orientation before you move in.

6. After you move in. Lennar lists a dedicated customer service team.

Plan ahead for costs beyond the price. Our guide to closing costs for Florida townhome buyers explains the usual items. For yearly taxes in this part of the county, see our article on property taxes in Miami-Dade for new owners.

Price and location in brief

Starting prices have recently run from the high $300,000s to the low $460,000s. Prices change often, so call 561-704-0091 for today's numbers.

Emerald Palms sits in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, even though Lennar's page uses the words ""South Miami."" Our guide on where Emerald Palms really sits explains what that means for you.

Want to see the finishes in person? Check the Emerald Palms community page for plans and photos.

Common Questions

Call 561-704-0091 or set up a visit to see the Emerald Palms finishes.

Related reading: Cutler Ridge Park near Emerald Palms