We liked our Villages Sales Person very much, but we felt that they really were pushing the new homes and down playing the preowned homes. Once we decided to go with preowned I think we should have also involved an MLS Realtor so that we could see all that was available. The Villages Sales Office only handles the preowned homes that they list and they appear to be a smaller portion of all of the homes for sale. Although they did sell of 1,000 preowned this past year!
I did feel that the listing agent (not our sales person) did try to play us a bit when we got down to exchanging offers and counter offers. When we caught on, we took a firm stand and gambled on losing the house, but it all turned out okay. One of our neighbors dealt with the same listing agents and they used the same "I have two more offers coming in" routine with them. Keep in mind that the agent is generally working for the seller.
Okay, that being said, I've got to tell you how totally elated we are with our decision to buy in The Villages and our home selection and especially our location. Did I mention that the bond had been paid off? Did I mention that it came completely furnished and had lots and lots of add-ons? Although most of our neighbors in this Village have been here over 6 years, they are just as friendly as could be and have made us a part of their community. We are in a village away from the hub-bub and yet close to a Regional Rec Center. If I stand in my front yard I can see the neighborhood Rec Center with family pool and two golf courses. I'm about 5 minutes on a golf cart from a Professional Golf Course. I don't play golf but I do eat and the Professional Golf Course has excellent meals. We have a gas station, bank, a grocery store, restaurants, a pizza place, doctor and dental offices, jewelry store, insurance office, etc all within a 10 minute golf cart ride.
|