[Nucky]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

Do you mean in the Sumter County part of The Villages, or Sumter County outside The Villages, which is often much cheaper but not part of a lifestyle visit? I moved here three years ago and bought a 22 year old home in The Villages in excellent shape (original owners, and he was a retired contractor who did his own home repairs. There was no bond, which saved me over $1000 a year. My agent recommended that for insurance, I contact Jessica Pendry in Sarasota (Phone: (941) 400-8104
Email: jessica@sarasotainsgroup.com) who would find me the best rates for what I want. It was much less than what you are figuring, but about that after I added flood and hurricane insurance. Much less than Allstate, which is among the highest. The house had a one year old roof and one year old HVAC system and passed the Hurricane Mitigation Inspection, which saved me about $500 a year. I sold it recently and moved to a much smaller and cheaper 11 year old courtyard villa. Before selling it, though, I installed a new high quality water heater, though the other one worked, and wall to wall luxury vinyl planking. That saved the new owners a bundle. The carpet I had when I lived there was original.

So, in my new bargain of a house, I had the low quality original carpet replaced with the best luxury vinyl planking—$14,000. I’ve just had the HVAC replaced by a high-end, high SEER system for $10,500. It has a 12 year warranty. The hater heater was already almost new. Fixing up the irrigation system cost $1,600. Garage door repairs and improvements cost $600. (Fortunately, the previous owner lowered the price $35,000 the morning I made my offer out of the blue, and that paid for all the repairs.) These are the sort of things you might need to deal with if you buy a 20 year old house. But 20 years old is NOT old for a house. Most houses in The Villages are well built and well kept up well, partially due to our deed restrictions. Just assume that maintenance work is needed on occasion in all houses, everywhere. A house with a nearly new roof with architectural grade shingles may save you quite a bit of money or make it easier to get insurance.

Another thing: in my first house, just north of 466, and my second house, just north of 466A, I’ve never seen a mosquito, and I rarely see any bugs. When I’ve visited friends who live in new houses in the swamps south of 44, there seem to be a lot more bugs, and having a birdcage helps a lot. Where I live, it isn’t really necessary, due to spraying. I don’t think The Villages is allowed to spray the swamps, as birds and bats and little animals depend on eating them.

Spraying has begun. It's much better than several months ago. I got on a list where they warn you when the Mosquito Treatment will happen so you can adjust your schedule if you wish.