[CraigAC]

We’re getting ready for next week’s Lifestyle Preview and are still struggling with our purchasing timing/strategy. Knowing that full time retirement isn’t going to happen for 4-5 years, and that we won’t be able to purchase our “TV Dream Home” until we sell our primary residence, is it better to delay our purchase for another 3-4 years or is it better to buy something in 2012 that is less than our dream home?

We’re leaning towards purchasing a smaller home in 2012 which we can use as a vacation home for the next 4-5 years and then look for our dream home after we can move to TV full time. My thoughts are that this strategy may protect us against any inflation or housing market increases that may occur over the next 4-5 years.

1. Is it foolhardy to think we can buy a house in 2012 and then sell it in 4-5 years without sustaining a large net loss?
2. If we’re going to purchase a home in 2012, which series do you believe will be in the most demand when we are ready to sell it so we can build or purchase a larger home?
3. If we decide to purchase in 2012, are we better off looking at new or existing homes?
4. Are there companies in TV that will manage the required maintenance for an absent owner?
5. Is this a common practice in TV? (Purchase a home but only use it 3-4 weeks a year)
6. Will TV still be building new homes 4-5 years from now?

Any information or perspectives you can supply to us would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone…
Alan