[l2ridehd]

Being a newbie to the Villages and already have bought our second home (long story) but was able to do almost all of it on the internet.* I know many of you do lots of research and planning this way as well.* So thought I would share my experience and get those of you who have also done this to share as well and hopefully help those who are trying to buy this way.* And me if I should do it again.** ;D

1.* Determine what you want to spend for your home, number of bedrooms, space, and any other must have items.* Using the Villages web site view all new and used homes + or - 10% of that price range that meet your needs.* I look at + or - 20%, but have found through looking at listings and final sales price that The Villages prices homes at 96.8% of what they actually end up selling for over the past 6 months.* MLS listings I do use the 20% as they tend to sell at about 90% of asking price.* Seems the Villages prices better to market.*

2.* Build a spreadsheet with all the available data you can gather.* Price, square footage, features, home model, address and other critical information.* Using the county web sites get lot square footage, when it was built, what it originally sold for and I even print out a sketch of the footprint.* Print out floor plans and model information from lylesellsfla.com

3.* I assign a value of 65% of sale price to the living space, 25% to the lot and 10% to the size of garage so I can better compare total home values.* This gives me a square foot cost of each.* This does vary for golf course lots, but is a close rule of thumb to compare homes.*

4.* I than use mapquest Aeriel view and locate the home, the star is often not on the actual home so you need to match it exactly.* Using side of driveway, foot print sketch, lanai location, birdcages, roof style and color, I have ALWAYS been able to locate the exact home with just the address.* That way I can see things like "private back yard means it backs up to Morse Blvd or a shopping center.* Or it really is a good location with adequate space.* Low price when compared usually has a reason and I want to know what it is before looking.*

5.* I then rank them using cost per square foot, add and subtract features to be able to compare home or home very accurately.* Things like, if you want granite counters, than what is that worth to you if a home already has it?* Tile floors has a value over a home with rugs, etc.* I can share what I use for each, but everyone needs to decide that for themselves.*

6.* Get the list down to a small number that meet all your requirements and fly down and go see them with all your notes, camera, and any other information that places value on the home you really want.*

7.* Go buy with confidence your getting the right home for you.*