I need help and can't decide what to do

[lynxville]

I did the lifestyle visit, my luck it rained and was cold all three days. So I couldn't use the golf cart much. I did look at houses for sale with two different realtors. I thought for Florida homes they were overpriced but it is what it is. I live in Florida now in the winter, I am a recent widower, over 55 but not ancient. I am in excellent health so far and I am very active. I thought TV might fill the gap for my free time. But I just didn't get the fuzzy feeling about the place from my visit. I didn't notice friendly people while I was there. Maybe it was the cold weather.

I think I need to return for another visit. I thought TV looked like Atlantis, so I listed my home in Florida before I did the life style visit. Now I am not sure.

I looked at new and used homes. The new ones had the 30K bond, 134 entertainment but also had a 5000 annual fee for common area maintenance. Didn't like that at all. This info is from the realtor.

I stayed by Sumter Square and I was looking forward to the bands, but the weather didn't cooperate. After I left TV a friend said there is a nice bar in Sumter where lots of singles meet and greet. Wish I new that earlier.

Having regular showings on my house and I am getting nervous that it will sell and I don't have a place yet.

All my friends and relatives keep giving me different suggestions of what I should do. I am confused. I would like to kick this around and respectfully digest any other opinions. What most people that know me do not understand is that my life is different now and I want to do what is best for me.

[tommy steam]

Hold off on selling your home, don't rush into things if it does not feel right to you. You should come here and rent a place for a short while. This way you can get a feel for the area. There are tons of places to rent from a week to months .

[rjm1cc]

Slow down and take your time. There will always be homes to buy.
Look at a few communities before you make a decision.
You can do long term rentals inTV. Maybe sell and rent in TV as you look around.
The Villages 4 Rent, Rentals in The Villages (http://villages4rent.com/)

[MicheleE]

There are lots of variables to consider. Are homes selling quickly in your area? If you get an offer is it in your best interest to take it if you are considering a move somewhere? I am 53 and LOVE it here. Moved here and never looked back. There are quite a few singles here (though I am not) and there is a nice group of people on Talk of the Villages that are single and a gal named Diane has a lot of info on that group. Come back for another visit......it's also lonely when you don't know anyone here and don't have plans to do anything. Let people know when you are coming and try and make plans to meet up with people here. Good luck

[slipcovers]

$5000 annual common area maintenance fee???? Never heard of that.

[Polar Bear]

$5000 annual common area maintenance fee???? Never heard of that.


Same here. Nothing like that in TV that I know of.

[Bruiser1]

Don't rush to this decision. I agree that three days in rainy season isn't a good barometer of the community.

If you are unsure perhaps a longer rental will help your decision.

As for activities for single people, there are many clubs and social groups to meet and greet new friends.(Two examples are The Village Single Baby Boomers or The Village Singles). The Single Baby Boomers for example have many functions depending on your interests (too many to name here).

As the song "Dancin' in the streets sang" -"there is music everywhere". For example Tomorrow (Wednesday before Thanksgiving) you may ask "Why wait till the weekend"
Go to Eisenhower Rec Center and be entertained by Flipside (rock n roll and a little bit of soul).

[Bonny]

As everyone said, take your time if you are not sure.
You should rent for a month and get a chance to see & experience everything.
We have lived here 14 1/2 years. We were here 1 hour and bought a lot to build. One of the best things we ever did.
If I was single, I would definitely live here.
Once you get involved a little, you would be surprised how many wonderful people you meet.

[Mikeod]

Our annual maintenance is about $500-600/yr. Looks like an extra zero typo to me.

[JRichm369]

My wife and I rented for the month of February 2014. The first two weeks things were overwhelming, then we got comfortable, I really do not see how anyone could in 7 days get a really good feel as to what life here is, and more so if the weather was bad.

[VT2TV]

Sounds like you found some of the negatives of The Villages. In all honesty, I was very surprised with the weather when we moved here. We spent 2 weeks in central Florida basically every mid Dec. for 25+ years, and I guess it was a total fluke, but there was maybe 2 or 3 years when the weather was even cool. It was usually mid 80's. Quite a shock the first year here. If you are from Florida, you obviously know that while the weather is really nice compared to many states in the winter, it does get much colder than a lot of people think. You said that you didn't find many friendly people here. The Villages has gotten so large that no matter how many times people say it, it does not have that "hometown feeling" here anymore-maybe it was like that years ago. We have been here 4 years, and I can tell a difference even in that time.
Having said all that, we do love this place, nowhere is perfect, and there are some truly wonderful people here. But it is just life that as the villages gets bigger and bigger, it is losing the feeling of small town, and you find more and more people just not being as friendly. You will make lots of friends though, and most of the Villages seem very close. I think it would be best to revisit the villages again-in the winter, before you decide to move here. It changes a lot during Oct/Nov through March/April. Although I had at least 10 store/restaurant workers tell me that this past summer was much busier than previous summers. Just my opinion...

[Steve & Deanna]

As others had posted, don't sell your house right off and rent for a few months in TV is great advice. If you found some unfriendly, it had to be the cold weather. Even a lot of people up north are not that friendly during cold weather. The $5K to $6K maintenance fee sounds steep but $500 to $600 is probably the norm and would be in your property taxes. Just driving around The Villages shows that maintenance fee off in our community. Good luck giving us a second try.

[justjim]

As others have mentioned, rent a furnished house or villa for three or four months and see how you like the lifestyle of The Villages. I have a feeling you will really like it!

The first time we visited TV it also rained for four days and three nights. It was not a pleasant visit. We came back later and the rest is history. Good luck to you.

[Fraugoofy]

We only live in our villa right now in the summer and we love it! It is slower and golf is cheaper. We can go to any restaurant and have great service. We have found really great people and crab grasses especially because I am considerably younger than my partner. All in all we love the villages and we don't pay any attention to the crab grasses...

[villagetinker]

Rent a house for a month or so, and get a real feel for TV. We had the opportunity to move into an entirely new development (village of Pinellas) and ended up with wonderful neighbors. I have seen occasional comments about moving into established neighborhoods. TV has LOTs to offer, my wife has taken up golfing (I am dangerous on a golf course), and wants to get into pickle ball, we both bowl, and I have been able to enjoy working on my cars and the house. The entertainment is great, movies, live in the squares, and live in several of the restaurants.
So, contact your realtor, mention your concerns and see if they can work with you. Contact either your TV realtor, or any of several people on ToTV advertising houses for rent, and stay for a month or so, you may never leave.......

[lynxville]

Thanks for the many replies. I kind of thought a revisit was necessary. TV realtor Angie Wilder took me to a new house and she said the yearly common area fee was $5000 per year. I even said what and she repeated it. Unless I misunderstood what she said, that was my understanding. It was 3 bedroom, 3 car garage, about $300,000 home.

[Mikeod]

Thanks for the many replies. I kind of thought a revisit was necessary. TV realtor Angie Wilder took me to a new house and she said the yearly common area fee was $5000 per year. I even said what and she repeated it. Unless I misunderstood what she said, that was my understanding. It was 3 bedroom, 3 car garage, about $300,000 home.
That sounds more like the total bill for property tax plus maintenance fees, etc.

[2BNTV]

I did the lifestyle visit, my luck it rained and was cold all three days. So I couldn't use the golf cart much. I did look at houses for sale with two different realtors. I thought for Florida homes they were overpriced but it is what it is. I live in Florida now in the winter, I am a recent widower, over 55 but not ancient. I am in excellent health so far and I am very active. I thought TV might fill the gap for my free time. But I just didn't get the fuzzy feeling about the place from my visit. I didn't notice friendly people while I was there. Maybe it was the cold weather.

I think I need to return for another visit. I thought TV looked like Atlantis, so I listed my home in Florida before I did the life style visit. Now I am not sure.

I looked at new and used homes. The new ones had the 30K bond, 134 entertainment but also had a 5000 annual fee for common area maintenance. Didn't like that at all. This info is from the realtor.

I stayed by Sumter Square and I was looking forward to the bands, but the weather didn't cooperate. After I left TV a friend said there is a nice bar in Sumter where lots of singles meet and greet. Wish I new that earlier.

Having regular showings on my house and I am getting nervous that it will sell and I don't have a place yet.

All my friends and relatives keep giving me different suggestions of what I should do. I am confused. I would like to kick this around and respectfully digest any other opinions. What most people that know me do not understand is that my life is different now and I want to do what is best for me.

Since you are a recent widower, I would not make a major decision until you are sure, of what you really want. You need to slow down and allow yourself to think things through, clearly.

You can always take your home off the market and come down and rent for a month. A three day visit is not enough time for some people, to make such a big decision.

You need to do more research on what it is you want in a home, and what is affordable to you. Make a list of what you want, as opposed to what you can live with, and not be a deal breaker. There are a lot of decisions to be made even after one has researched this place for a while.

You need to do what is comfortable for you and allows you to sleep at night.

Take deep breaths!!!!

[John_W]

I just looked at a new home off Hillsborough that is listed at $226K. The yearly tax bill is $2100 for the bond, $2700 for taxes and $500 for maintenance. Of course if you have homestead you get $25K off the tax base for each person, and in my case I get a deducation for a VA disability. That realtor must of meant your entire bill when they said $5,000.

On our 3 year old masonry CYV our bond is $1100, Taxes about $1800 and maintenance about $450, after our deducations we actually pay $2650 total.

[Ohiogirl]

I too think you misunderstood. Ask your realtor for specifics.

If you pay off the bond, or buy a resale with the bond paid off, the only bond left on the tax bill is the annual maintenance bond - depends on the CDD you live in and the type neighborhood (bonds are based on density of housing - e.g., bond for villas much less than for designers, which are less than premiers).

Our maintenance bond, for a Courtyard Villa in CDD 6 ) built around 2006, is somewhere around $300. Our total tax bill this year, for one of the smaller 3 bedroom Courtyard villas, including the maintenance bond, was under $1600 (for the year). We paid off the regular bond about 4 years ago and we also have the homestead exemption as we are Florida residents.

I have lived in several states and I think the cost of living here is low. I came from Ohio the last time, not one of the super high cost-of living states like NY or NJ. We pay about $500 more in yearly taxes for our small condo in Columbus worth less than half of our CYV.

[manaboutown]

I would suggest if you are a recent widower give it some time before making any big decisions such as relocating to a new community. How much time, I do not know, but please allow yourself sufficient time to adjust to your new circumstances.

[Indydealmaker]

Thanks for the many replies. I kind of thought a revisit was necessary. TV realtor Angie Wilder took me to a new house and she said the yearly common area fee was $5000 per year. I even said what and she repeated it. Unless I misunderstood what she said, that was my understanding. It was 3 bedroom, 3 car garage, about $300,000 home.

If she said that, she was wrong. The annual maintenance fee is about $500. The monthly amenities fees are about $145.

[lynxville]

If she said that, she was wrong. The annual maintenance fee is about $500. The monthly amenities fees are about $145.

That makes more sense, maybe she thought $500 and said $5000, but I did ask her to repeat it. I'll be back when it warms up and get the numbers straight. Thanks for all the replies and personal responses.

[Caldwellnm@aol.com]

Don't let a couple days of rain and cool weather scare you away. My husband and I love it here... we moved from Michigan. You will find all the friendly people you want at any recreation center or group you care to visit. Come on down...

[JoMar]

I did the lifestyle visit, my luck it rained and was cold all three days. So I couldn't use the golf cart much. I did look at houses for sale with two different realtors. I thought for Florida homes they were overpriced but it is what it is. I live in Florida now in the winter, I am a recent widower, over 55 but not ancient. I am in excellent health so far and I am very active. I thought TV might fill the gap for my free time. But I just didn't get the fuzzy feeling about the place from my visit. I didn't notice friendly people while I was there. Maybe it was the cold weather.

I think I need to return for another visit. I thought TV looked like Atlantis, so I listed my home in Florida before I did the life style visit. Now I am not sure.

I looked at new and used homes. The new ones had the 30K bond, 134 entertainment but also had a 5000 annual fee for common area maintenance. Didn't like that at all. This info is from the realtor.

I stayed by Sumter Square and I was looking forward to the bands, but the weather didn't cooperate. After I left TV a friend said there is a nice bar in Sumter where lots of singles meet and greet. Wish I new that earlier.

Having regular showings on my house and I am getting nervous that it will sell and I don't have a place yet.

All my friends and relatives keep giving me different suggestions of what I should do. I am confused. I would like to kick this around and respectfully digest any other opinions. What most people that know me do not understand is that my life is different now and I want to do what is best for me.

I agree with everything the other posters have said..my only comment is that at 55 only you will know what's best for you. While your friends have your well being in mind, and are trying to be helpful, they have no skin in the game if their advice leads you in the wrong direction. Do the rentals, check other communities and do all the stuff to make your decision.....you are the only one that has to live with the decision.

[TrudyM]

My mom couldn't bear to live in the place in Fort Myers she and dad had bought for retirement after he passed. She felt so much better after she sold it and moved. She banked the money from selling the place and rented in a couple different places until she decided. With the tax laws as they are now you can take most gains without paying tax on it and decide later where to buy. It isn't like when you had to roll the gain now you can take your time.

[bettymg1866]

Same here. Nothing like that in TV that I know of.
never heard that either - mine is about $135 per month

[MikeV]

Eight and half years ago I decided on my own to move to TV. My wife had no idea what I was planning and when she found out she was not pleased. Family kept telling me I had not done enough research and I should rent for a while etc etc. My response to all this was...

"I don't have to do research because 80,000 (at the time) people have done it for me and 200-300 a month are moving into TV."

It took me six more years to move here with my wife even though she was not yet on board with the idea. Two and half years have passed Now she and I both love it. She gets to go home to her family whenever she wants so that makes her happy. We have way more friends (not acquaintances ) than we ever had "up north".

So what you take from this is up to you. I say just do it! Some may be more cautious but that's just not me.

[tekcormn]

Where is "the nice bar in Sumter where lots of singles meet and greet" that you referred to ?
.

[dalecrenshaw]

Why don't you call the realtor that told you $5000 and ask her to clarify. Maybe she is new and didn't understand the fees herself. Or, maybe it is just a misunderstanding. If she tells you $5000 again, I would ask to speak to the manager.

[Bonny]

There are several nice single people that go to City Fire and also some that go to Red Sauce.

[PTennismom0202]

In some of the townhouses in Spanish Springs and near Glenview CC there is a condo fee for exterior maintenance. It's pretty hefty, as I recall. Could be over $3000 per year.

[baustgen]

30 K bond is on a fairly big house. Smaller houses or villas have a 20K bond. Some older homes have the bond paid or paid way down. Nice houses are selling around $240 K with no bond in the older sections. There is a wide variety. Annual maintenance is around $1700 Per year. This covers all the common areas, executive golf courses, and recreation centers. Your realtor was wrong.

[kstew43]

Why don't you call the realtor that told you $5000 and ask her to clarify. Maybe she is new and didn't understand the fees herself. Or, maybe it is just a misunderstanding. If she tells you $5000 again, I would ask to speak to the manager.

they are not REALTORS.......they are salesmen....... Village home sales people are not realtors....

and as a Realtor, that is a whopper of a mistake to quote that high of price and then clarify it with the same mistake.... who would buy a home, even here....with a $5000 yearly maintenance...plus a bond, plus $147 a month ammenity fee.....

The answer the second time should of been, let me clarify that and get back too you....

[graciegirl]

they are not REALTORS.......they are salesmen....... Village home sales people are not realtors....

and as a Realtor, that is a whopper of a mistake to quote that high of price and then clarify it with the same mistake.... who would buy a home, even here....with a $5000 yearly maintenance...plus a bond, plus $147 a month ammenity fee.....

The answer the second time should of been, let me clarify that and get back too you....


Realtors can and do sell not new homes here in The Villages. ONLY sales reps from The Villages can show and sell new ones.

Do you live here kstew43? I could swear that you said you lived in Miami.

[moeZ 18]

my husband and I rented a house in the villages last July and we met some really nice people that we are friends with still. We plan to buy a house when ours sell. My advice for meeting people is go join a group or do an activity that you like. I met a lot of people at the pool. We would water walk early each morning. I made some nice friends and learned how to get around the villages. My experience was that most people at the villages are very friendly and will go out of their way to help you. Good Luck

[jebartle]

I'm taking liberties with the song "Slow down, don't move too fast", give TV another visit. I must inform you, that I've found the 3rd visit, the one that requires a moving van and a wallet full of money but you will not regret your decision to live in paradise. Best decision we ever made.

[HimandMe]

On our first visit to TV we got an arrogant sales person from the sales office that told us lots of things including we would be nickeled and dimed for everything here. We went home and stayed put for three years. Then some friends of ours invited us to their home in TV and told us he was totally in error. They took us around for a couple of days in their cart and we saw the real Villages. We loved it but had a house for sale so we rented a villa and little by little got to know the place better. Now we have just purchased what will hopefully be our third and last home here...what we really wanted but took stepping stones. Looking back, we wasted a lot of years but then, we are who we are and that is okay. Happy in The Villages.

[graciegirl]

When we first came here to visit and then I found this forum I was VERY skeptical of the whole danged deal here. I demanded to know of everyone just what the real deal was. What was hidden, who were the builders, what was everybody keeping from me? I wanted to know if anyone had ever met the builders and whether they were on the up and up. I made so many enemies on this forum for being so direct and so negative and I was called a troll and a troublemaker.

I could not believe what I was seeing and what I was hearing. I thought it was way too good to be true. I was bopped and chopped and yelled at.

But it isn't too good to be true. It IS true.


I love this place and I still haven't laid eyes on a Morse after all these years.

I love this place, yes I do.

[deestatham]

Like you, I was getting nervous. Our house is scheduled to go on the market this month here in Maryland. We've decided to rent a furnished home for a year before making a final decision to buy. I did the lifestyle visit and loved it. But after 68 years in Maryland and family members who don't want us to go, it has been tough. People here on TOTV have been just WONDERFUL. If they are any indication of the friendliness of TV, then I'm sure we are going to be happy. I say "GO FOR IT" and if it doesn't work for you (which I doubt) then you can always move on. At this stage of life, its time to spread your wings and fly.

[Go-Bucks!]

I did the lifestyle visit, my luck it rained and was cold all three days.

I'm going to arrive for my Lifestyle visit next Tues, but unfortunately the weather report shows rain every day, with thunderstorms all day and night on Wednesday. I'm so disappointed but am unable to reschedule because of work. I really wanted to go to the pool and enjoy the outdoor activities - not sit indoors for 5 days. Such a waste of time and money; I've been planning this visit for 6 months and was so excited to "taste" the TV lifestyle.

Will TV allow me to do another lifestyle visit sometime if I can't participate in the activities? I've read that you can only go once, but I'm wondering if they'll be flexible?

Also, are there certain sales reps who are better than others? If so, can you say who they are?

[Jayhawk]

I'm going to arrive for my Lifestyle visit next Tues, but unfortunately the weather report shows rain every day, with thunderstorms all day and night on Wednesday. I'm so disappointed but am unable to reschedule because of work. I really wanted to go to the pool and enjoy the outdoor activities - not sit indoors for 5 days. Such a waste of time and money; I've been planning this visit for 6 months and was so excited to "taste" the TV lifestyle.

Will TV allow me to do another lifestyle visit sometime if I can't participate in the activities? I've read that you can only go once, but I'm wondering if they'll be flexible?

Also, are there certain sales reps who are better than others? If so, can you say who they are?


You can come more than once. Lindsay Lowe is a great sales rep. And even if it rains some, it won't last long.

This place is awesome. Come. enjoy, and decide if it's for you. I bet it will be.

:a040::a040::a040:

[sunnyatlast]

I'm going to arrive for my Lifestyle visit next Tues, but unfortunately the weather report shows rain every day, with thunderstorms all day and night on Wednesday. I'm so disappointed but am unable to reschedule because of work. I really wanted to go to the pool and enjoy the outdoor activities - not sit indoors for 5 days. Such a waste of time and money; I've been planning this visit for 6 months and was so excited to "taste" the TV lifestyle.

Will TV allow me to do another lifestyle visit sometime if I can't participate in the activities? I've read that you can only go once, but I'm wondering if they'll be flexible?

Also, are there certain sales reps who are better than others? If so, can you say who they are?

If it rains/storms at all, it usually blows away fast and doesn't hang around for days like in other states. And sometimes the forecasts are WRONG. Winds from the Gulf and Atlantic move fronts in and out pretty quick. Also, you can get rays at the pool even if it's cloudy. The sun is really strong even on cloudy days, so be careful.

Even if you would get rained out (which I don't think you will), if TV doesn't allow a 2nd lifestyle preview you can always stay at the Waterfront Hotel, or others. I'm pretty sure TV will let you stay again on preview if you are coming to buy a home.

[Shadow8IA]

We used Zina Fenster-Beasley as our sales rep. She's great. Her cell # is (352) 430-5376. You can e-mail her at Zina.Beasley@TheVillages.com

[lanabanana73]

I'm going to arrive for my Lifestyle visit next Tues, but unfortunately the weather report shows rain every day, with thunderstorms all day and night on Wednesday. I'm so disappointed but am unable to reschedule because of work. I really wanted to go to the pool and enjoy the outdoor activities - not sit indoors for 5 days. Such a waste of time and money; I've been planning this visit for 6 months and was so excited to "taste" the TV lifestyle.

Will TV allow me to do another lifestyle visit sometime if I can't participate in the activities? I've read that you can only go once, but I'm wondering if they'll be flexible?

Also, are there certain sales reps who are better than others? If so, can you say who they are?

I can almost certainly guarantee that your visit will not be a "wash-out". As was mentioned, the weather here changes at the drop of a hat. You may need to tailor your activities to match the weather of the moment, but if you can be a bit flexible, it'll all be good!

They will assign you a sales rep for your visit, but you can request someone ahead of time. We used Judi DiPeitro and love her. We even flew down for a weekend in February just to attend the "thank-you" party she throws for all of her clients, once a year. There are many, many good agents. You will find the perfect one for you.

Have fun during your visit! Talk to every person you see on the street. Smile! Laugh! Take it all in.

Good luck!

[Bonny]

My son, Michael Simpson. is an awesome sales rep. He's been here about 10 years and is a great guy !

[hulahips]

You definitely need another visit when weather cooperates. Then return to the squares, local pools etc and talk to the residents

[Go-Bucks!]

Thanks for all the responses.

I was assigned to Ellie Cutuli as my sales rep. Anyone familiar with her?

[Go-Bucks!]

Thanks for all the responses.

I've been assigned to Ellie Cutuli as my sales rep. Anyone familiar with her?

[LV2TV]

We came down last June for the Lifestyle Preview, had a great time and fell in love with the Villages. We looked at some homes with our assigned salesperson during the stay. We also looked at homes with a realtor who showed us MLS listings.

Unfortunately we weren't in a position to buy during our visit a year ago, but now we are ready and abe to purchase a home. When we called to schedule another Lifestyle Preview visit we were informed that it was a "one time only opportunity".

After explaining that we were serious about purchasing a home on this visit they said they were able to make an exception about the "one time visit" rule and would allow us another opportunity to do another Lifestyle Preview visit. Funny how quickly rules change when you say you are serious about a purchase.

As it turns out the price they quoted us was $175/night for a return visit which we ended up declining. We decided to rent a home for a week in May for considerably less. We'll end up working with one of their sales associates as well as our MLS agent while we are there, but at the same time trying to soak up as many leisure activities we can squeeze in during our week there.

Wish us luck!!!

[stenteach]

If you are interested in an unfurnished rental we are getting ready to put ours on the market...beautiful At Ease cottage with birdcage, enclosed lanai and pergola with louvered roof. Three bedroom, 2 bath, golf cart garage. In very quiet section of Sanibel with water view. On street with homes that are designers. Great location close to Colony Plaza, four pools and Bonifay Country Club yet quiet area away from it all. Large corner lot...732-492-6179
Rosemary If you are interested I will send photos...getting ready to put it on the market

[Schaumburger]

We came down last June for the Lifestyle Preview, had a great time and fell in love with the Villages. We looked at some homes with our assigned salesperson during the stay. We also looked at homes with a realtor who showed us MLS listings.

Unfortunately we weren't in a position to buy during our visit a year ago, but now we are ready and abe to purchase a home. When we called to schedule another Lifestyle Preview visit we were informed that it was a "one time only opportunity".

After explaining that we were serious about purchasing a home on this visit they said they were able to make an exception about the "one time visit" rule and would allow us another opportunity to do another Lifestyle Preview visit. Funny how quickly rules change when you say you are serious about a purchase.

As it turns out the price they quoted us was $175/night for a return visit which we ended up declining. We decided to rent a home for a week in May for considerably less. We'll end up working with one of their sales associates as well as our MLS agent while we are there, but at the same time trying to soak up as many leisure activities we can squeeze in during our week there.

Wish us luck!!!

Hope your return visit to The Villages is great, and good luck home hunting. :wave:

[rjm1cc]

We came down last June for the Lifestyle Preview, had a great time and fell in love with the Villages. We looked at some homes with our assigned salesperson during the stay. We also looked at homes with a realtor who showed us MLS listings.

Unfortunately we weren't in a position to buy during our visit a year ago, but now we are ready and abe to purchase a home. When we called to schedule another Lifestyle Preview visit we were informed that it was a "one time only opportunity".

After explaining that we were serious about purchasing a home on this visit they said they were able to make an exception about the "one time visit" rule and would allow us another opportunity to do another Lifestyle Preview visit. Funny how quickly rules change when you say you are serious about a purchase.


As it turns out the price they quoted us was $175/night for a return visit which we ended up declining. We decided to rent a home for a week in May for considerably less. We'll end up working with one of their sales associates as well as our MLS agent while we are there, but at the same time trying to soak up as many leisure activities we can squeeze in during our week there.

Wish us luck!!!
Renting a house is a good move. Before you buy I would try a month rental.
Be sure you have looked at other communities so you have a comparison. Be sure you are ok with shopping, parking, traveling around, drs. etc.