[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by Boilerman;94***6

Just returned from our first visit to TV, my wife and I are a couple years away from retiring and have started our search. I've been following this forum for a year or two and wanted to thank everyone for all the great information!

Our visit was wonderful. I will say that it is overwhelming to see all the villages, rec centers, pools, clubs, golf courses, activities. I'm sure everyone adjusts over time and narrows things down, although I talked to one man who said he was involved with 21 activities - wow!

A couple of questions:

1) If we were mostly interested in resales, are you better off with a non-Villages agent like ReMax? Can a ReMax agent show you any resale home including those that are marketed by the Villages? Can a Villages agent show you all resales or are they restricted to only showing homes marketed by the Villages? And even if they can, would they?

2) Is it difficult moving into an existing neighborhood, have the friendships already formed and become clique-ish? Particularly if you are under 60, would moving into a 15 or 20 year old neighborhood be difficult? Or are the established neighborhoods already accustomed to turnover and seeing new faces?

3) I didn't see any foreclosures during our drive around, not sure if you could even tell by looking. Have foreclosures been an issue?

Thanks in advance

B- man:

1. You need both VLS and MLS agents to see all the homes that are available.
Just tell the VLS you are only interested in resales, (preferably, the ones with the bonds paid off).
2. New homes is mostly a younger crowd. You will find you will meet people when you are out and about so I wouldn't be too concerned that your next door neighbor has to be your best friend.
3. Very few foreclosures but i wouldn't buy a home next to one, especially if it is owned by the bank, and not being taken care.

My advice is to study the map and see where you think you might want to live. Try to come down as many times as you can and rent, to see what areas are preferable to live. There is no bad area, but some areas are more perferable, depending on your likes and needs. Make a list of what is important to you and decide, based on that list. A lot of decisions are to be made, so it helps to keep focused on the list. The same goes for the type of house you want to buy. A list of "must haves", as opposed to, "would like to have", is important.