[eujaynia]

We viewed homes on one of TV's 'stay for a week for $600' deals. No pressure, and we didn't do anything during that trip. As we discussed what our retirement plans were (after getting back to Chicago area), we called, put the $2500 on credit card. We were told we needed 50k in 4 days to be sent, and our accounts were tied up for 7 days and we told them 4 days was not possible. They were fine with that, waited the 7 days, and we paid the balance at closing.

We wanted the Villa on the golf course, it was the last one in that particular Village so ... we went for it. At that time, this all occurred right towards the end of it being a seller's market. Now, our realtor sends us emails that we can get a designer/premier home and either get $s back for down payment, or not have to pay the bond... all kinds of deals going on now.

Renee--it's a buyer's market right now, so stick to your guns. Maybe you have someone that doesn't have quite as much integrity as they should have. We loved our realtor from TV, but that doesn't mean there aren't some shrewd butt-heads out there that use pressure tactics. Especially now, with the downward slump on real estate--and their big salaries spiraling down.

When we were there in July, I heard two guys talking in IZOD about them not building the Premier homes for awhile. I'm guessing this is where they get top $ and rather than build homes that remain empty, they'll stop building until the market is back in their favor. Makes sense.

Good luck!