[TrudyM]

Originally Posted by mneumann02

We hope to be buying a home in the next few months so here are some questions:
Why are homes less expensive in northern part? Would you suggest buying south of 466? Opinions on buying new versus preowned are solicited. Any difference in pricing on The Villages listed homes vs. those listed by an MLS realtor? Any advice you would like to give is appreciated.

If you search home buying you will find many threads but in a nutshell from my research and notes from those threads.
First Age -
North of 466 along Buena Vista was built from the late 90's though 2000 aprox. Over in De la Vista and Tierra Del Sol its 1993 through 99
Just south is Palmers etc is around 2004-06 and they get newer as you go south and when you cross 466A they are all built recently (last year or so and all new construction). So the furnace and air etc will have less life on them in the older homes but may have been replaced so check and add or subtract from price accordingly.
Access to listings-
New homes are not negotiable. Preowned are. In order to see all homes you need to use both an MLS real estate agent and a villages agent. Search on this site for recommendations for Villages agents as they now employ over 200 sales people I was told and a lot of them don't know much. (by the way I was told some have real estate licences and some don't but none work with the MLS) Most current listings south of 466 are with the villages but not all I would check both.
Pre owned v New -
Pre owned may have upgrades and the bond is paid down or off. Add the amount of the bond to the purchase price so you are comparing apples to apples.
Location- Is totally a personal choice. Be close to what you love, favorite rec center or golf course. If golf course lot is important I would say look at the older ones as the villages has gone nuts with the premium on the golf course lots in my opinion.