Lifestyle Preview questions

[coloradotim]

My wife and I took a 2 hour tour of the Villages last Fall and we liked what we saw. We are considering trying out the lifestyle preview program in August and I have a few questions:

1. We are at least two years away from possibly moving to the Villages - is it better to do the lifestyle preview when you are ready to buy?

2. Is there sales pressure to make a buying decision when you do the life style preview, or can you check out the area without pressure to buy? Hopefully it's not like those "free timeshare stays" if you attend a sales presentation!

3. How long would you recommend staying for the lifestyle preview? We have 7 days available at the end of August - deciding whether to do a 4 or 7 night stay.

4. Any suggestions to get the most out of a lifestyle preview stay?

Thanks in advance,

Tim

[vj1213]

The LPP visits are changing beginning in April. Not only will the villas be used but also a number of rooms at the Waterfront Inn. The cabanas will Be $150 per night and the WI will be $125. The perks will be the same.

[OBXNana]

We did our preview in October 2013 and had to book by June. The spots fill up quickly.

We met and worked with our assigned sales person the first day and a portion of the second day. He would have been happy to work with us more, but we decided to go out on our own. We used the golf cart, bikes, and our feet to get a true feel for the area. If this isn't what you want, you can rent a car. We went to many open houses the days we were there and not working with our sales person. We went to pre-owned, new construction, and in as many different areas that we could hit in the day. The paper is delivered to you every morning on the driveway and it lists the open houses and times.

When we had quick questions about the property we asked the sales person at the open house. Questions that came after the fact, we asked our sales person. At no time did we feel any pressure to look or buy during our preview. We met many sales people and not one gave us the "time share" feeling.

We arrived knowing we were 3 years from retirement and wanted to either rule The Villages in or out for our future. We determined it was the place for us down the road. Our choice was new construction and we watched the website daily to see what was selling. We found houses were selling quickly, interest rates were going up, and we settled on 2/12/14. The instinct for us could have been to jump in head first in October. We took a step back to make sure our decision was based on sound reasoning and not emotion.

Fully take in the lifestyle and see as many of the pre-owned and new construction houses as you can in all the different areas. If you determine pre-owned is the way you want to go, work with a Village sales person and an MLS Agent. This will open all the options for you.

Have fun!

[Lpierleo]

Tim,
I can tell you about our Lifestyle Program several years ago. However, there may be many more qualified people that have had a more recent experience. When we went, we stayed 5 days but wished we had more time. We truly were not yet in the position to buy anything and there was absolutely "no pressure". We spent an afternoon with our assigned Sales Rep and toured new home models and various neighborhoods, but that was at our request. We also went to Open Houses both new and pre-owened on our own other mornings as well. Certainly take the trolley tour, talk to all the wonderful residents as almost everyone will be happy to share their experiences. Try some of the Country Club restaurants such as Nancy Lopez or Arnold Palmer. Nightly entertainment at the Squares is a must. Golf if you enjoy it and most certainly drive the golf cart, all over the place. You will probably get lost, but if you pull over to the side, there will be multiple people to stop and ask if you need assistance. Go to a neighborhood pool as if you are there in August it will be hot. You will meet great people there as well. Most of all enjoy! We purchased our first home on-line as it had the perfect lot for us and was the model we were looking for at the time and that was about a year later. We now are in our 2nd home and love it! We still use the same Sales Rep we were first assigned and we truly enjoy her. Best wishes.:laugh:

[baustgen]

Spend $5 for the good map. You will not believe how low pressure the sales pitch is. The first of many things that are different than any where else. Different away better.

[Nursebarb1]

Personally, we did not feel any pressure from our sales agent. We stayed 4 nights and asked for an additional night. Very inexpensive accommodations at what was then $100 per night with no additional tax. We did buy at this trip, but it was our second "look see." We saw that prices were increasing and felt it was now or never. We still are not fulltime, but the property is easily managed from a distance. I must warn you, though, the golf cart provided is really a "dog." We used our car to get around.

[oldyeller]

1. We are at least two years away from possibly moving to the Villages - is it better to do the lifestyle preview when you are ready to buy?

Not necessarily we did it about 5 years prior to buying and while we were still working. We visited for 5 days in Feb. because we heard it was to crowed and then rented for a month and then finally for 3 months just prior to buying. It was a huge decision for us so we wanted to be sure it was right for us and it is we love it!

2. Is there sales pressure to make a buying decision when you do the life style preview, or can you check out the area without pressure to buy? Hopefully it's not like those "free timeshare stays" if you attend a sales presentation!

It's not like the time shares, no pressure at all the place sells itself!

3. How long would you recommend staying for the lifestyle preview? We have 7 days available at the end of August - deciding whether to do a 4 or 7 night stay.

I would do 7 to get the full experience and to thoroughly look around.

4. Any suggestions to get the most out of a lifestyle preview stay?

Play golf go to a show at the Savannah Center visit most of the CC and all of the squares, check out the major rec centers, pools and definitely look into pickleball. Also talk to the people its abit scary that we all love the joint!

[mherzberg]

Ditto as posted by oldyeller above. Take advantage of the free golf cart with the LSV - don't be afraid to get out and about (like we were). If you have questions or concerns just pull off to the side (onto the grass) and wave someone down. You can't visit too early - do it now and choose where you would love to be! PM me when you get here and we'll happily show you around! There is ZERO pressure, the houses and lifestyle sells itself!!!

[coloradotim]

Wow! Thanks for all the great answers to my questions - very helpful.

With the lifestyle preview do you get one free round of golf? Can you buy more? Can you rent clubs? My wife and I are beginning golfers but we really enjoy it (we play in between snowstorms here in Colorado - winter is not the best time to take up golf out here!)

I thought the lifestyle preview would be easy to get in august - maybe not! Your posts encourage me to plan ahead.

[The Buckeyes]

Bring your checkbook!!!

[alanmcdonald]

We did ours last June and they put us up in a house about two blocks from the Sumter Landing sales office. Spent a lot of time with sales person on building, but missed out on the fact that there was an inventory of completed new homes. Also looked at resales with an MLS agent. Did not make a purchase.

Less than a month later the MLS agent called and had a home she thought we needed to see, so we came back down (from Georgia). During that month we learned about the inventory of new houses and also booked some time with the TV agent.

Bottom line we bought a new home from the TV agent that day. We will not be full timers until September 2015, but are making periodic visits.

Bring your checkbook.

[Schaumburger]

My wife and I took a 2 hour tour of the Villages last Fall and we liked what we saw. We are considering trying out the lifestyle preview program in August and I have a few questions:

1. We are at least two years away from possibly moving to the Villages - is it better to do the lifestyle preview when you are ready to buy? I did a lifestyle preview visit this past October, and I am likely more than 2 years away from purchasing in The Villages. I wanted to do a lifestyle preview visit before the build-out occurs (2015? 2016? who knows?)

2. Is there sales pressure to make a buying decision when you do the life style preview, or can you check out the area without pressure to buy? Hopefully it's not like those "free timeshare stays" if you attend a sales presentation! No pressure at all. I spent about 3 hours one day looking at homes with the sales agent assigned to me.

3. How long would you recommend staying for the lifestyle preview? We have 7 days available at the end of August - deciding whether to do a 4 or 7 night stay. If you have 7 days available, I would stay all 7 of them. I would give The Villages sales office a call (if you haven't already) to see when they are taking reservations for August lifestyle visits.

4. Any suggestions to get the most out of a lifestyle preview stay? When you are in the squares (Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter Landing and Brownwood, or in restaurants, stores, etc., don't hesitate to ask residents about their experiences living in The Villages. Most villagers are happy to tell you about life in The Villages.
Thanks in advance,

Tim

Tim, See my answers in red. I hope you are able to book a lifestyle preview visit for August!

[coconutmama]

My wife and I took a 2 hour tour of the Villages last Fall and we liked what we saw. We are considering trying out the lifestyle preview program in August and I have a few questions:

1. We are at least two years away from possibly moving to the Villages - is it better to do the lifestyle preview when you are ready to buy?

2. Is there sales pressure to make a buying decision when you do the life style preview, or can you check out the area without pressure to buy? Hopefully it's not like those "free timeshare stays" if you attend a sales presentation!

3. How long would you recommend staying for the lifestyle preview? We have 7 days available at the end of August - deciding whether to do a 4 or 7 night stay.

4. Any suggestions to get the most out of a lifestyle preview stay?

Thanks in advance,

Tim

Do the Lifestyle visit now. No sales pressure. Absolutely do the 7 days. As already posted, get out & ask questions. Go to all 3 Town Squares if possible, but at least go to 2 out of 3. Everyday go to a few Open Houses, both pre-owned & new construction. Try a few restaurant & country club happy hours & drive that golf cart! Take pictures so you will remember your great experience, because it will be! We bought on our second visit.

[asianthree]

no pressure just enjoy the vaca and you will find people will tell you what ever you ask in an honest answer

[NotGolfer]

We did the 4 night stay...in a villa and it was a great experience. A few months later we did come down to purchase a home. We did some homework online before we came to have an idea of house styles, prices etc. Our agent wasn't into pressure at all....she just took us around to various homes in our price-point, answered questions when asked etc. Not at all making us feel like we should buy. As other posters said, this place sells itself and what you're buying is the life-style.

[uprivergirl]

I love all the responds. We have our preview in May and I am so excited. I am already wishing I had planned for 7 days instead of 5 days. I can't change it now since we already booked our airfare from Ca. I can't wait to meet new friends.

[uprivergirl]

I loved all the comments. We have our preview scheduled for May. I am now wishing I booked for 7 days instead of 5. The airfare is already booked and I can't change it. I wished we lived closer but we are in Ca. Wondering if we should already list our house. it sounds like a great place to be for retirement. My main concern is the weather. I have never lived anywhere but Ca.

[graciegirl]

Signal us when you are coming and if you have time perhaps some of us posters can arrange a meet and greet. KathieI did that for us when we came and she hadn't even moved here herself yet.

[rockyisle]

We did the one week lifestyle - felt no pressure from our sales agent. We decided to rent a home for 6 months to make sure we were doing the right thing for our retirement needs. That gave us time to determine new or pre-owned (chose pre-owned), what village we really wanted to live in, style of house, etc. We are more cautious than others and are very happy we took our time and chose wisely.
Good luck and welcome to our place in paradise.

[KathieI]

I loved all the comments. We have our preview scheduled for May. I am now wishing I booked for 7 days instead of 5. The airfare is already booked and I can't change it. I wished we lived closer but we are in Ca. Wondering if we should already list our house. it sounds like a great place to be for retirement. My main concern is the weather. I have never lived anywhere but Ca.

After living in SoCal for 35 years, I must admit, leaving that glorious weather was really hard. It took quite awhile for me to get accustomed to the weather changes here in FL. Blythe is close to Palm Springs in the desert, isn't it?? Well, you'll also have to get used to moisture in the air, lol. There are good parts to that, my skin and hair love the moisture, and my sinuses are not so dry. I do drink a lot less water than I did in CA.

What we find wonderful also is it is so much less expensive to live here. Everything is so much cheaper including food (compared to SoCal.)

When you visit and meet new friends here and see what The Villages has to offer, then make your decision. I really moved here for the friends and activities because I truly loved SoCal, but I have not regretted the move for a minute. You will love it here.

[uprivergirl]

After living in SoCal for 35 years, I must admit, leaving that glorious weather was really hard. It took quite awhile for me to get accustomed to the weather changes here in FL. Blythe is close to Palm Springs in the desert, isn't it?? Well, you'll also have to get used to moisture in the air, lol. There are good parts to that, my skin and hair love the moisture, and my sinuses are not so dry. I do drink a lot less water than I did in CA.

What we find wonderful also is it is so much less expensive to live here. Everything is so much cheaper including food (compared to SoCal.)

When you visit and meet new friends here and see what The Villages has to offer, then make your decision. I really moved here for the friends and activities because I truly loved SoCal, but I have not regretted the move for a minute. You will love it here.



It's good to hear from another CA. it makes me feel more as ease. Yes Blythe is in the desert. We are right on the Colorado River. I love in here but I feel like I am dying of boredom. We go to our Campground membership in Parker so we have activities. We love all our snowbird friends there. I hate it this time of year because it is time for them to leave. It is too early for the family to come to our river house because the grandkids are still in school. I wish we had booked our LSV in April instead of May. I want to visit before we list our house, but the more I visit Talk of the Village the more I think I want to list now.

[rjm1cc]

The sooner the better. I would look at a number of communities so you can make comparisons.

[ilovetv]

I say what they all said above.

AND, bring your checkbook!

[EnglishJW]

We are also coming for our preview at the end of April and want to thank everyone for your advice. We'll try to do as many of the things everyone suggested as possible (but we don't golf). Thanks again.