[justjim]

In talking with my Village Sales representative in the spring, she told me that November was a good month for sales. I remember exactly because I questioned November being a good month.

The Villages is no longer selling new homes at the same pace of a couple years ago. That is pretty easy to observe with the discounts they are giving. The homes in Lake County (Pine Ridge and Pine Hills)are not selling as fast as they once thought they would. As you probably know, taxes are higher in Lake County than in Sumter. Most buyers today are pretty "savvy" when purchasing a home. I believe all golf course lots are sold and there will not be anymore north of State Rt. 44. The Villages south of LaBelle are considerably more distance to Brownwood too.

In short, this all adds up to slower sales than in past years---especially the month of November. In some way, it slows resales too if fewer potential buyers are coming to TV. This Year there was a contentious election and some might be putting off moving and purchasing a retirement home until later.

That said, with interest rates heading up, the election over, and stocks headed higher, I wouldn't be surprised that increased sales of new and resale homes in TV will follow. Prices, however, may be a bit lower until demand catches up with supply.

BTY, I am not a Realtor nor currently a real estate investor although I have been an investor in the past. Like most of you I am happy to be a retiree.