[Indy-Guy]

Article from Orlando Business Journal.

Monday, July 7, 2008 - 2:00 PM EDT
The Villages sees 17.8% jump in new home salesOrlando Business Journal
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The Villages on Monday reported new home sales surged 17.8 percent in the first part of this year.

New home sales totaled 905 between February and May of this year, which compares with 768 sales in the same period a year ago, according to a news release. Additionally, more than 2,400 homes total sold last year and the master-planned community gained 5,000 new residents, bringing total population to nearly 70,000, the release says.

The Villages also reported a 0.05 percent foreclosure rate for 2007, which has caught the attention of retailers, the release stated.

The Villages reported 20 new tenants joined its retail line up in the first quarter of this year, while existing retailers at Lake Sumter Landing Town Center reported an increase of 14 percent in sales volumes in that same period.

The Villages, a self-contained retirement community, includes 80 restaurants, four hotels, two movie theaters, two town centers, eight shopping centers and a total of 2.5 million square feet of retail and commercial space.