Lower Sales

[sunglow]

Does anyone know how much lower sales are compared to last year? From what I can see, it looks like houses aren't moving. I'm curious as to why this might be?

[looneycat]

Does anyone know how much lower sales are compared to last year? From what I can see, it looks like houses aren't moving. I'm curious as to why this might be?

haven't seen this to be true...

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

What are you looking at that gives you this impression? Why would you assume that sales are down?

[sunglow]

I was told by someone in sales.

[rtime]

Sales from 2013 to 2014 were down 24%. This is from John Burns Real Estate Consulting of Master planned communities. When we moved here in 2011 there were selling about 280 homes a month. Now the average is around 210.

[Down Sized]

I was told by someone in sales.

I was told the same thing yesterday at an open house.

[janmcn]

There are currently 910 new and resale homes listed on The Villages web-site for sale. It would seem better to clear out this inventory before offering more houses for sale in the Fruitland Park section, which will be more expensive.

[graciegirl]

The very frequent erroneous posts and rumors on this forum and on other online media do not help sell homes and they assuredly devalue our investments.

The two news stories spread world wide about the sex on the square and the sinkhole, I am sure turned a lot of people off who have never been here.

[village dreamer]

maybe people will buy because of sex on the square????

[mickey100]

I agree there are frequent erroneous posts and rumors on this forum. But there is some truth as well, and issues involving The Villages have become much more transparent and not hidden, as they were in the past. It could be some people were turned off by the latest IRS probe, and and the uncertainty regarding how it might affect homeowners pocketbooks.

[pivo]

I came here looking for that square with all the fun.
haven't found it yet

[Polar Bear]

I'm not sure it is a certain indication of sales trends or anything like that. It could be that the number of homes available, both new and used, is less. Or with the real estate market finally stabilizing, fewer speculators and such.

Just a thought. I haven't seen enough data to come to any meaningful conclusions.

[kcrazorbackfan]

The downturn has to be because of running stop signs, failure of people to negotiate roundabouts correctly, bicyclists vs. vehicles, vehicles vs. bicyclists, traffic, long lines, seat saving, dog poop, bad service, bad food, slow play on courses, not raking bunkers, not fixing divots, tights lies on fairways, trees being cut down mysteriously, people wanting/not wanting indoor pools, gripes about wanting/not wanting stripes on multi-modal paths, residents being assessed to pay for repairs of the Lake Sumter Bridge - what have I forgotten?:D

Seriously, we wouldn't trade our soon to be living there for any other place. We really looked hard at the Phoenix area until we took a trip to TV - Paradise.

[Chi-Town]

The higher house prices in the last year may have something to do with slower sales. $189k patio villas and $400k designers w/o views were not around not so long ago. I'm glad they are, but it looks like the sale cycle takes longer.

[kstew43]

I agree there are frequent erroneous posts and rumors on this forum. But there is some truth as well, and issues involving The Villages have become much more transparent and not hidden, as they were in the past. It could be some people were turned off by the latest IRS probe, and and the uncertainty regarding how it might affect homeowners pocketbooks.

Plus the bridge assessment, and the widening of 466......from whom will they get the money to pay for those issues?...

[graciegirl]

Plus the bridge assessment, and the widening of 466......from whom will they get the money to pay for those issues?...


Probably from state highway funds.

I have lived here long enough to see many, many tempests in teapots settled. But for some odd reason no one comes on and says, WOW, that was taken care of.

There was hue and cry when the "wall" went up, and now that gate is doing pretty well and the precedent is keeping a lot of not needed golf carts from outside The Villages on the South side.

I may be a Pollyanna, but thank God, I am not as dumb as I look.chilout

[raynitsche]

The house next to me sold before it could be posted on the Village site.
Can't get any faster.

[graciegirl]

We didn't even list our first one in Hadley. Someone knew we were eventually planning to move here full time and they asked us to sell it to them.

Mclin and Burnsed handled the closing and we were looking for another home in The Villages with Jim McLaughlin.

[pivo]

Forget the sales, I still can't find that square with all the fun

[billethkid]

How many developers are selling, building and closing on 200 to 300 homes per month?
Most across the country would think they have died and gone to heaven if they had the slowest rate in TV.

Maybe the slow down in the rate takes it from explosive to wild?

Reductions (or increases) are significant only when one knows the from which the numbers come/came. There will always be a certain number of new and resale available. The variance can only be plus or minus above that.

The develovers have crews to keep working and price increases to avoid a. In many instances the least cost to the builder could easily be build now and let sit in inventory. Not only least cost but higher profit margins as they will be pricing at current market which will usually be up. And building material costs of last year or even two years ago.

An operation the size of TV has financial options unavailable to smaller entities.

I don't think the TV will stumble in the closing years.

The variance being experienced in measuring terms would be labeled as noise on the curve!

[Barefoot]

Plus the bridge assessment, and the widening of 466......from whom will they get the money to pay for those issues?...

I've never heard that they are widening CR 466 - is this something new?
I also haven't heard of a bridge assessment - just an article in the online newspaper speculating about the possibility.
Are these actual issues? :confused:

[capecoralbill]

?What bridge? Where?

[Bogie Shooter]

I agree there are frequent erroneous posts and rumors on this forum. But there is some truth as well, and issues involving The Villages have become much more transparent and not hidden, as they were in the past. It could be some people were turned off by the latest IRS probe, and and the uncertainty regarding how it might affect homeowners pocketbooks.

What latest IRS probe.......something new?

[Bogie Shooter]

Plus the bridge assessment, and the widening of 466......from whom will they get the money to pay for those issues?...

Not to worry................

[JoMar]

Or, based on international events, personal investment performance, and economic uncertainties folks just might be reluctant to make major economic and lifestyle changes. I doubt that sex on the square (or electrical box) would have a negative impact.

[Bogie Shooter]

I've never heard that they are widening CR 466 - is this something new?
I also haven't heard of a bridge assessment - just an article in the online newspaper speculating about the possibility.
Are these actual issues? :confused:


11,000 plus posts and you never heard that 466 was to be four lanes from Colony to 441?
The bridge over Lake Sumter on Morse Blvd needs some shoring up.

[theorem painter]

11,000 plus posts and you never heard that 466 was to be four lanes from Colony to 441?.

Isn't it 466A?

[graciegirl]

I've never heard that they are widening CR 466 - is this something new?
I also haven't heard of a bridge assessment - just an article in the online newspaper speculating about the possibility.
Are these actual issues? :confused:




No. They are not. Just speculation, rumors and innuendo's.

[pivo]

The slow sales as I see it is, The homes especially court yard villas are
overpriced, I'm gonna get flak but check the prices , I just saw one
cyv for sale for 319 thousand pictures and all , maybe worth 260

I think a lot of people will put a very high price, if they get the over priced sale it pays to sell it, nothing to lose and much more money to gain.

[justjim]

Isn't it 466A?

Yes, it's 466A! The highway is Lake County responsibility and the bridge Sumter County. Neither have anything to do with sales In TV IMHO.

I find the discussion regarding sales interesting but not unusual. As a development enters deeper into the final phase it's only natural for sales to slow a bit over time. By anybody's imagination, sales are still very very good. The marketing strategy of selling TV is exceeded by no one. :thumbup:

[Barefoot]

11,000 plus posts and you never heard that 466 was to be four lanes from Colony to 441?

9,000 plus posts and you think CR 466 runs from Colony to 441??

[Bogie Shooter]

9,000 plus posts and you think CR 466 runs from Colony to 441??

Just quoting you..........
Didn't want to cause you any confusion.

[queasy27]

Lyle Gant has sales statistics on his website (http://www.lylesellsthevillages.com/Villages-Homes-for-Sale/Sales-Statistics/2014-Sales).

Click the link for "2001 - 2014 Sales Stats" to track year by year. YTD sales for 2015 (http://www.lylesellsthevillages.com/Villages-Homes-for-Sale/Sales-Statistics/2015-Sales) is also available.

[tomwed]

They need to get rid of that corny song. It's reminiscent of the Lawrence Welk and Mitch Miller Shows. No one wants to live with their parents. Like it or not the retirees relate to The Dead, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and CSNY.
This place has everything that was fun when we were young. Sell that.

[applesoffh]

11,000 plus posts and you never heard that 466 was to be four lanes from Colony to 441?
The bridge over Lake Sumter on Morse Blvd needs some shoring up.

You are speaking of 466A, not 466!

[applesoffh]

Just my honest opinion, but some of the new houses offered for sale are just ugly inside, from the color of the kitchen cabinets to the granite and flooring. Some of the master baths have garden tubs, which may be OK for some, but not for most. I have a designer house and I chose my options, and am really shocked at what many of the new designer houses are going for. I live in Charlotte, and go to open houses all the time and, when I come home, I always say to my husband, "Thank God we bought when we did". I'd still be freezing my butt off up north!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The slow sales as I see it is, The homes especially court yard villas are
overpriced, I'm gonna get flak but check the prices , I just saw one
cyv for sale for 319 thousand pictures and all , maybe worth 260

I think a lot of people will put a very high price, if they get the over priced sale it pays to sell it, nothing to lose and much more money to gain.

Where do you get that number of $260,000? How do you know that's what it's worth?

In economics class, I was taught that something is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

There are many CYVs selling for $300,000 and higher. In fact, there are some CYVs that people have sold for up to $500,000.

[mickey100]

They need to get rid of that corny song. It's reminiscent of the Lawrence Welk and Mitch Miller Shows. No one wants to live with their parents. Like it or not the retirees relate to The Dead, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and CSNY.
This place has everything that was fun when we were young. Sell that.

:BigApplause:

[pivo]

Dr. Winston--I.ve been here now about 5 months, prior to that I lived up north and I was on the comp. just about every day for about 2 years checking prices on homes from the villages and realtors, Ifelt then and now I have a very good idea about the prices, and most today, I say most are overpriced, You can go nearby and get twice the house you pay for in the villages, I know the answer lifestyle, well nearby has the same advantages as the villages, they have everything the villages has except katie belle.
Thats my opinion, most residents won't admit because they are more or less stuck here, so naturally they will come up with the good, like no snow, well then no skiing either.

[Bogie Shooter]

You are speaking of 466A, not 466!

Being told once is enough.....................

[Bogie Shooter]

Dr. Winston--I.ve been here now about 5 months, prior to that I lived up north and I was on the comp. just about every day for about 2 years checking prices on homes from the villages and realtors, Ifelt then and now I have a very good idea about the prices, and most today, I say most are overpriced, You can go nearby and get twice the house you pay for in the villages, I know the answer lifestyle, well nearby has the same advantages as the villages, they have everything the villages has except katie belle.
Thats my opinion, most residents won't admit because they are more or less stuck here, so naturally they will come up with the good, like no snow, well then no skiing either.

Twice the house and all the advantages (what does that mean?), sorry you made a mistake.
I ain't stuck here, I can leave whenever I want.

[golf2140]

Dr. Winston--I.ve been here now about 5 months, prior to that I lived up north and I was on the comp. just about every day for about 2 years checking prices on homes from the villages and realtors, Ifelt then and now I have a very good idea about the prices, and most today, I say most are overpriced, You can go nearby and get twice the house you pay for in the villages, I know the answer lifestyle, well nearby has the same advantages as the villages, they have everything the villages has except katie belle.
Thats my opinion, most residents won't admit because they are more or less stuck here, so naturally they will come up with the good, like no snow, well then no skiing either.
h
Gee they are only selling 200 + homes a month, what bad business practice!!!!!

[tomwed]

He's right if you don't play free exec golf, softball, archery, shoot air guns, play croquet or lawn bowling, like woodworking or join any clubs. Last I heard there were over 1,000 you could join.

[pivo]

Bogey, First I didn't say I made a mistake, I said you can get a house nearby for halve
the price you would pay for in the villages, As far as the advantages you have the same advantages as a resident except golf and the centers,

I'm not knocking the villages just saying the truth and not making it out better than what it is. Lijke I said anything neg. about the villages the same answers , well I don't have to shovel snow, no kidding, you can't ski either. It's a nice place here but being honest there is a lot of problems here, with driving and the attitude of some people.

[Chatbrat]

When new houses are built without giving the purchaser a choice as to trim & extras--they sit on the mkt & dilute the mkt--spec homes do nothing but dilute the mkt--custom homes drive it up, also despite--the closer to Wildwood & Fruitland Pk all not help sales

A barrier is a comfort factor

[Beechie]

Dr. Winston--I.ve been here now about 5 months, prior to that I lived up north and I was on the comp. just about every day for about 2 years checking prices on homes from the villages and realtors, Ifelt then and now I have a very good idea about the prices, and most today, I say most are overpriced, You can go nearby and get twice the house you pay for in the villages, I know the answer lifestyle, well nearby has the same advantages as the villages, they have everything the villages has except katie belle.
Thats my opinion, most residents won't admit because they are more or less stuck here, so naturally they will come up with the good, like no snow, well then no skiing either.

It's a shame that it didn't work out for you. If you had been studying intensely for about two years and determined that the TV homes were all over priced then why did you buy in TV? How can one make such a fallacious statement that most residents won't admit that they are stuck here? That is certainly not our experience or anyone we know here.

When you sell will you be selling at the going rate or will you sell for what you think it is really worth?

[pivo]

Beechiie- Read what I said okay, I didn't say I didn't like it here okay, I posted about the prices of nearby places, that happens to be the truth okay, you are an example of a resident who don't like to hear the truth, I'll say it one more time, You can buy twice the home you get here in the villages nearby,

[janmcn]

It doesn't say how long sales have been slow, but shouldn't sales be higher in January and February when more people are visiting? This doesn't bode well for the Fruitland Park section, where bare-bones designers are supposed to start at $500,000.

[justjim]

Lyle Gant has sales statistics on his website (http://www.lylesellsthevillages.com/Villages-Homes-for-Sale/Sales-Statistics/2014-Sales).

Click the link for "2001 - 2014 Sales Stats" to track year by year. YTD sales for 2015 (http://www.lylesellsthevillages.com/Villages-Homes-for-Sale/Sales-Statistics/2015-Sales) is also available.

:posting: "sort of" looks like Lyle's data is MLS Resales. Maybe I'm looking at it wrong? The Villages not belonging to MLS---his data wouldn't reflect the sale of new homes by Property of The Villages.

[graciegirl]

It doesn't say how long sales have been slow, but shouldn't sales be higher in January and February when more people are visiting? This doesn't bode well for the Fruitland Park section, where bare-bones designers are supposed to start at $500,000.


I doubt it that they will be priced higher.

Our rep told us that they always sell more homes here in May and June. That is when we bought here, both times.

[looneycat]

Beechiie- Read what I said okay, I didn't say I didn't like it here okay, I posted about the prices of nearby places, that happens to be the truth okay, you are an example of a resident who don't like to hear the truth, I'll say it one more time, You can buy twice the home you get here in the villages nearby,

I'll agree only as far as you may be able to get a bigger house for the money but not even half the HOME you get here! :D

[janmcn]

Yes, it's 466A! The highway is Lake County responsibility and the bridge Sumter County. Neither have anything to do with sales In TV IMHO.

I find the discussion regarding sales interesting but not unusual. As a development enters deeper into the final phase it's only natural for sales to slow a bit over time. By anybody's imagination, sales are still very very good. The marketing strategy of selling TV is exceeded by no one. :thumbup:

For the umpteenth time, it is not the bridge that needs work (which the county is responsible for), it is the land under the bridge which is sinking and needs shored up. The estimate for this work ranges up to 1.5 million, and will be paid by the district ie the residents.

[Beechie]

Beechiie- Read what I said okay, I didn't say I didn't like it here okay, I posted about the prices of nearby places, that happens to be the truth okay, you are an example of a resident who don't like to hear the truth, I'll say it one more time, You can buy twice the home you get here in the villages nearby,

What's with the "okay" you sound like Bugsy Moran. For the record I was responding to your previous post when your comment about "not saying I didn't like it here" was posted.

It's not a case of not liking to hear anything negative about TV. It is however the constant complaints backed by an erroneous claim that most residents are stuck here. You could have fooled me though about your liking it here.

You didnt have to say it one more time pivo. I never questioned the fact that you get less house in TV than elsewhere. We were well aware of that but it didn't change our minds in the least.

[pivo]

Looneycat- Hi- I don't understand if you can get a bigger home for the money but not half the home here.

[Beechie]

I'll agree only as far as you may be able to get a bigger house for the money but not even half the HOME you get here! :D

Couldn't agree more looneycat.

[Laurie2]

deleted

[pivo]

Beechie--- you couldn't agree on what, is your nose out of joint , because I mentioned
you can get twice the home for price wise as you would in the villages.

It doesn't bother I chose to live where I want.

so I'll say it again.

You can get twice the house nearby than you will get in the villages.

But I still like it here,I like it here, I like it here

has nothing to do witj prices elsewhere

[Bogie Shooter]

Bogey, First I didn't say I made a mistake, I said you can get a house nearby for halve
the price you would pay for in the villages, As far as the advantages you have the same advantages as a resident except golf and the centers,

I'm not knocking the villages just saying the truth and not making it out better than what it is. Lijke I said anything neg. about the villages the same answers , well I don't have to shovel snow, no kidding, you can't ski either. It's a nice place here but being honest there is a lot of problems here, with driving and the attitude of some people.

And posters.

[Beechie]

Beechie--- you couldn't agree on what, is your nose out of joint , because I mentioned
you can get twice the home for price wise as you would in the villages.

It doesn't bother I chose to live where I want.

so I'll say it again.

You can get twice the house nearby than you will get in the villages.

But I still like it here,I like it here, I like it here

has nothing to do witj prices elsewhere

Pivo you don't need to reiterate anything.

You clearly missed looneycat's post which is to say a house is just a place where people live. A home is truly where the heart is. Laurie2 summed it up by stating the "lifestyle" angle.

I hear you pivo so I'll echo your sentiments to all...Pivo really likes it in TV

[cmj1210]

Dr. Winston--I.ve been here now about 5 months, prior to that I lived up north and I was on the comp. just about every day for about 2 years checking prices on homes from the villages and realtors, Ifelt then and now I have a very good idea about the prices, and most today, I say most are overpriced, You can go nearby and get twice the house you pay for in the villages, I know the answer lifestyle, well nearby has the same advantages as the villages, they have everything the villages has except katie belle.
Thats my opinion, most residents won't admit because they are more or less stuck here, so naturally they will come up with the good, like no snow, well then no skiing either.

Most of the Seniors today are extremely educated and I do not think any of us are as you say "Stuck Here". They do their research and they do not buy without thinking out the consequenses. I do not know about you, but personally I am not "Stuck Here." If I ever feel we are not happy any more, I will put a For Sale Sign up, and move on. I for one am "Not Stuck."

[pivo]

Beechie--Bogey shooter----Thank you, I love you both

[pivo]

CMJ--I'm not stuck here either that was a figure of speech

By the way hang on what you got,

[joldnol]

It is still the fastest selling community in Fla. Much of the new inventory is composed of designers and premieres. They are still selling at a steady clip even if it is slower than in the past. Most developments wish they had the villages sales rate.

[justjim]

For the umpteenth time, it is not the bridge that needs work (which the county is responsible for), it is the land under the bridge which is sinking and needs shored up. The estimate for this work ranges up to 1.5 million, and will be paid by the district ie the residents.

"Land under the bridge is sinking", I did read about that but haven't attended any District Meetings regarding details surrounding this problem. What land are they talking about? The land under the bridge I would think would be water or swamp. Is the Bridge sinking or in danger of sinking because the footings were not built to hold the weight of all the traffic? I wonder why the problem still wouldn't be the Sumter county responsibility unless the ground that is sinking has nothing to do with the bridge.

Regardless, this issue still has nothing to do with less home sales IMHO.

[gomoho]

WOW - lot of mean spirited stuff being thrown about. Have they put something in the water?

[janmcn]

"Land under the bridge is sinking", I did read about that but haven't attended any District Meetings regarding details surrounding this problem. What land are they talking about? The land under the bridge I would think would be water or swamp. Is the Bridge sinking or in danger of sinking because the footings were not built to hold the weight of all the traffic? I wonder why the problem still wouldn't be the Sumter county responsibility unless the ground that is sinking has nothing to do with the bridge.

Regardless, this issue still has nothing to do with less home sales IMHO.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/bridge-lake-sumter-landing-142348/

Here is a recent thread regarding an article that was in the on-line news a few weeks ago.

[PaPaLarry]

Over a 100,000 people, live here. That says something about The Villages!!! ?????? I'd be curious what the average stay (in years) is at The Villages. Meaning from when you buy, until you sell and leave?

[billethkid]

Over a 100,000 people, live here. That says something about The Villages!!! ?????? I'd be curious what the average stay (in years) is at The Villages. Meaning from when you buy, until you sell and leave?

Don't forget the FROGS if you want an accurate profile.

[kstew43]

It doesn't say how long sales have been slow, but shouldn't sales be higher in January and February when more people are visiting? This doesn't bode well for the Fruitland Park section, where bare-bones designers are supposed to start at $500,000.

who will buy a designer for over 500k.....unless its on a golf lot... or has numerous upgrades?

anxious to see how sales will go when the prices are that high....

[tomwed]

who will buy a designer for over 500k.....unless its on a golf lot... or has numerous upgrades?

anxious to see how sales will go when the prices are that high....

I think that was a selling ploy. "better buy now because when fruitland park opens the homes will double in value"

I was hoping when I bought that it would be true. But that's not why I bought.

[kstew43]

whoops...

[kstew43]

Most of the Seniors today are extremely educated and I do not think any of us are as you say "Stuck Here". They do their research and they do not buy without thinking out the consequenses. I do not know about you, but personally I am not "Stuck Here." If I ever feel we are not happy any more, I will put a For Sale Sign up, and move on. I for one am "Not Stuck."

They do their research and they do not buy without thinking out the consequenses.

What consequences?

[graciegirl]

who will buy a designer for over 500k.....unless its on a golf lot... or has numerous upgrades?

anxious to see how sales will go when the prices are that high....

There are many designers that have all kinds of additions and kicks; some as big as 2500 sq. ft. ... and are on spectacular view lots that have sold for over $500 in the last six months.

I think Janmcn was talking about a stripped down designer and that doesn't sound plausible.

[janmcn]

There are many designers that have all kinds of additions and kicks; some as big as 2500 sq. ft. ... and are on spectacular view lots that have sold for over $500 in the last six months.

I think Janmcn was talking about a stripped down designer and that doesn't sound plausible.

When plans for the Fruitland Park expansion were presented to the FP elected officials last year, Gary Moyer (not to be confused with Gary Morse) stated that designer homes would start at $500,000 and CYV's at $250,000. These homes will not have any bonds attached to them, so supposedly the higher prices will have to include the infrastructure.

But you are correct that plans could change depending on the market. Mark Morse is known to change course on a dime. Remember all the discussion about a second hospital and shopping center being built near Brownwood, which eventually got canceled.

There were many threads on the FP development.

[kcrazorbackfan]

who will buy a designer for over 500k.....unless its on a golf lot... or has numerous upgrades?

anxious to see how sales will go when the prices are that high....

After this winter in Boston and the rest of the NE US :cold:, probably more people than you can shake a stick at. :smiley:

[JoMar]

Dr. Winston--I.ve been here now about 5 months, prior to that I lived up north and I was on the comp. just about every day for about 2 years checking prices on homes from the villages and realtors, Ifelt then and now I have a very good idea about the prices, and most today, I say most are overpriced, You can go nearby and get twice the house you pay for in the villages, I know the answer lifestyle, well nearby has the same advantages as the villages, they have everything the villages has except katie belle.
Thats my opinion, most residents won't admit because they are more or less stuck here, so naturally they will come up with the good, like no snow, well then no skiing either.

Here (does that mean you are in TV) and Five months on the comp and you come up with "nearby has the same advantages of TV except Katie Belle". I guess you missed the whole point or if you are in TV....why? Wouldn't you be better off nearby plus you would have twice the house and have those same advantages. Oh yeah, if you're not in TV why are you commenting?

[Miles42]

Maybe I will be able to get a tee time finally LOL

[dotti105]

Sales were down in 2014 compared to 2013. Sales were over 300/month in 2013 and over 200/month in 2014. Sales here are still brisk by any other standard. Just comparing the 2 years there is a significant decrease.

My personal thoughts are that the decrease relates directly with the end of custom design and the large increase in inventory homes. Most people have particular things they want in a new home and it is not as easy to find the "perfect" home in pre-built inventory.

Now they are offering buyers more options in cabinets, lighting and flooring. I think they realize that the end of custom build lead to a decrease in sales.

Just my personal observation.

oh, and......Yes it is 446A that is being widened and...... Yes, the land under the bridge has eroded......Yes, there is land under the bridge, not just water. Next time you look at the bridge you will notice that it is not entirely over water.

This thread has been a hoot to read. That's for sure!

[Packer Fan]

They need to get rid of that corny song. It's reminiscent of the Lawrence Welk and Mitch Miller Shows. No one wants to live with their parents. Like it or not the retirees relate to The Dead, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and CSNY.
This place has everything that was fun when we were young. Sell that.

I totally disagree! I am 51 and I love the villages song.... It is a real ear worm sometimes.

[Mike W]

Don't kid yourself but the majority of property owners (both new and old) in The Villages were very well informed prior to their purchase. There's no shortage of information (good and bad) about The Villages on the internet. And "the bad" information is primarily from people that are envious of the continued success of The Villages. With any successful business model there are going to be people that will try to duplicate it. It's no secret that around here there's a lot more competition chasing the same dollars, so it doesn't surprise that sales are lower.

[Bonanza]

I agree there are frequent erroneous posts and rumors on this forum. But there is some truth as well, and issues involving The Villages have become much more transparent and not hidden, as they were in the past. It could be some people were turned off by the latest IRS probe, and and the uncertainty regarding how it might affect homeowners pocketbooks.

If people aren't turned off by the unknown ending to the IRS bond fiasco, where we, the homeowners have already forked up well over a million to the attorneys, then add to that the fact that the Lake Sumter bridge is in okay shape but the infrastructure below the bridge (the dirt) is eroding and homeowners are slated to pay the one million plus dollars to fix it. Nice, huh??!?

It's interesting that a public road was built on private land. Yes, very interesting!

[Bonanza]

Plus the bridge assessment, and the widening of 466......from whom will they get the money to pay for those issues?...

Supposedly the developer is paying for one and a half miles worth of the new road on 466A. In light of the fact that homeowners are paying for the IRS deal thus far, and are going to be paying for the bridge repairs, one has to wonder is the developer really paying for the widening of the road??? Or perhaps it's a fairy tale?

[Bonanza]

How many developers are selling, building and closing on 200 to 300 homes per month?Most across the country would think they have died and gone to heaven if they had the slowest rate in TV.
Maybe the slow down in the rate takes it from explosive to wild?
Reductions (or increases) are significant only when one knows the from which the numbers come/came. There will always be a certain number of new and resale available. The variance can only be plus or minus above that.
The develovers have crews to keep working and price increases to avoid a. In many instances the least cost to the builder could easily be build now and let sit in inventory. Not only least cost but higher profit margins as they will be pricing at current market which will usually be up. And building material costs of last year or even two years ago.
An operation the size of TV has financial options unavailable to smaller entities.
I don't think the TV will stumble in the closing years.
The variance being experienced in measuring terms would be labeled as noise on the curve!

There is no question that TV sells more homes than anywhere else in the country, but the real question is what is the actual percentage compared to other places. It may not be as much as we all think. I also think that number is down from what you quoted.

[Bonanza]

Plus the bridge assessment, and the widening of 466......from whom will they get the money to pay for those issues?...

Probably from state highway funds.

I have lived here long enough to see many, many tempests in teapots settled. But for some odd reason no one comes on and says, WOW, that was taken care of.

There was hue and cry when the "wall" went up, and now that gate is doing pretty well and the precedent is keeping a lot of not needed golf carts from outside The Villages on the South side.

I may be a Pollyanna, but thank God, I am not as dumb as I look.chilout

Other than the funds for the widening of 466A coming from the developer, the remaining road construction is supposed to take another five years to complete because there isn't enough money to get the work done. 466A is a county road, not a state road, and that makes a big difference.

Homeowners south of 466 are going to be paying for the repair of the bridge which makes no sense at all to me. It is a public road and Villagers north of the bridge use that road on a daily basis as does and can anyone. What genius thought that one up?

Referring to the wall situation, we are not speaking about tons of money and that issue was taken care of pretty quickly.

BTW, Gracie . . . You are far from dumb and certainly don't look it. I wish I had your hair!

[Bonanza]

When new houses are built without giving the purchaser a choice as to trim & extras--they sit on the mkt & dilute the mkt--spec homes do nothing but dilute the mkt--custom homes drive it up, also despite--the closer to Wildwood & Fruitland Pk all not help sales

A barrier is a comfort factor

I think they learned their lesson from having built street after street of spec homes.
Take a ride down Hillsborough Trail as an example, and you will see what I mean.
They made some really terrible choices in their decorating or should I say the lack of it.
Where did they find these people who made those choices?

[Bonanza]

I'll agree only as far as you may be able to get a bigger house for the money but not even half the HOME you get here! :D

Forget the size, but the quality of construction here is just average.
And if you opted for upgrades during construction, you paid through the nose.

[villagerjack]

Nobody goes here it is too crowded.

[Bonanza]

"Land under the bridge is sinking", I did read about that but haven't attended any District Meetings regarding details surrounding this problem. What land are they talking about? The land under the bridge I would think would be water or swamp. Is the Bridge sinking or in danger of sinking because the footings were not built to hold the weight of all the traffic? I wonder why the problem still wouldn't be the Sumter county responsibility unless the ground that is sinking has nothing to do with the bridge.

Regardless, this issue still has nothing to do with less home sales IMHO.

Jim -- the problem is that the land under the bridge is eroding. I assume it is because of the prevailing wind moving the water which moves the soil/sand over a pretty long period of time. I guess it's much like what happens to some of the beaches. That in itself tells me that it will be an ongoing issue over time.

I will never understand how a public bridge can be built on private land. Shouldn't this fact have been disclosed in a purchase agreement when we all bought?

[villagerjack]

Dell Webb in Sun City SC is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. They still have about 1000 homes to build. Buildout is about 8500 homes. The Villages and their near genius Management eats the lunch if every developer on this Planet. People LOVE the Villages. Try to get a rental for next February and you will see what I mean. We are very fortunate to live in such a classy operation..

[villagerjack]

Forget the size, but the quality of construction here is just average.
And if you opted for upgrades during construction, you paid through the nose.

Do you have an engineering background to make that statement? Jyst what do you mean by AVERAGE? Do you Own a home here?

[villagerjack]

Forget the size, but the quality of construction here is just average.
And if you opted for upgrades during construction, you paid through the nose.

Care to share your numbers as compared to other developments? How much is "paying through the nose" on a comparative basis?

[Bonanza]

Care to share your numbers as compared to other developments? How much is "paying through the nose" on a comparative basis?

I made no mention regarding other developers so consequently, I don't know where your question came from.

There is a big difference if you have an upgrade done though the developer or if you do it after market.

[mickey100]

I have seen other posts where people say that upgrades are cheaper after market rather than purchasing thru the Developer.

[Chatbrat]

One of the best things about TV, there is no POA/HOA-screwing things up--as long as a professional developer/builder runs things all will be good

When so called well meaning amateurs take over----Hang ON---rough waters ahead with no captain

Been there

[skip0358]

All I can say is this my neighbor sells homes in TV and is doing just fine. Sure there are a number of homes for sale, sure the price is higher but what isn't higher? Hell even gas is going back up. If the current homes weren't selling they wouldn't be pushing Fruitland Park so much. Take a ride down the NEW Morse Blvd extension there's a whole new section going up down there on the right past the Premier Section. Yes 466A is being widened paid for by the family. Yea the Bridge over Lake Sumter is going to need work, better to fix it now before it collapses. I wouldn't trade this place for anything, prices where we moved from are still in the toilet at least here they're increasing. A lot of bitching about TV lately either people didn't do their homework before they moved here or not much of anything makes some people happy. JMO

[asianthree]

Homes for under 400,000 seem to go quickly. The homes over half million seem to be on the slower mode. But that can change down the road

[perrjojo]

The higher house prices in the last year may have something to do with slower sales. $189k patio villas and $400k designers w/o views were not around not so long ago. I'm glad they are, but it looks like the sale cycle takes longer.

I keep up with the year to date home sales that are posted in the Daily Sun. Yes, home sales are down and yes, prices have gone WAAAY up. Homes in my neighborhood have increase 30% in three years. The prices on new homes are now being discounted. I have notice the number of preowned homes has remained constant while the new home sales are down. It takes 30 days to close on the new home so I am eager to see if sales show an increase in March.

PS. I love TV and am not complaining. I am just citing the trend that I have seen.

[Mleeja]

There is no question that TV sells more homes than anywhere else in the country, but the real question is what is the actual percentage compared to other places. It may not be as much as we all think. I also think that number is down from what you quoted.

I cannot remember who said the quote, but there are lies, damm lies and statistics... Using a percentage is not a good method of comparision. If a developer builds two houses their first year and 4 houses the second year, they have a 100% increase in their sales. If a developer builds 200 houses the first year and 250 the second year, they have only a 25% increase. Tell me, who is having a better year? Before I answered this, I would want to ask a few more questions.

Posters are throwing numbers out here and there is nothing to back up their statements. This covers all the topics... The IRS, the damm land under the bridge, paying for cutting trees, etc. Know what you are talking about. If you start citing statistics, at least mention your source. BTW, what "dude or dudette" said on the TOTV is not a source !

[jimbo2012]

Forget the size, but the quality of construction here is just average.
And if you opted for upgrades during construction, you paid through the nose.
Care to share your numbers as compared to other developments? How much is "paying through the nose" on a comparative basis?
Do you have an engineering background to make that statement? Jyst what do you mean by AVERAGE? Do you Own a home here?

Bonanza is an expert and now teacher of all subject matter, so one needs to know that before hand.

1. "quality of construction here is just average" based on what? how many houses have you built or had built? are U in the construction field?

2. "upgrades cost thru the nose" totally untrue, they were in fact way lower than expected or charged else ware.

3. Jack asked a good question, do you own a home here?

If you don't U know not what U speak IMO

everyone should use annoying bold in your face fonts don't you all think?

like bold size 4

[villagerjack]

I made no mention regarding other developers so consequently, I don't know where your question came from.

There is a big difference if you have an upgrade done though the developer or if you do it after market.

So what! If a person can afford it and they want it, why does that make a difference to anyone else? Their money, their upgrades. Upgrading in a Development is a,ways a positive event.

[villagerjack]

I keep up with the year to date home sales that are posted in the Daily Sun. Yes, home sales are down and yes, prices have gone WAAAY up. Homes in my neighborhood have increase 30% in three years. The prices on new homes are now being discounted. I have notice the number of preowned homes has remained constant while the new home sales are down. It takes 30 days to close on the new home so I am eager to see if sales show an increase in March.

PS. I love TV and am not complaining. I am just citing the trend that I have seen.

I bet the Management is happy to hear that some are spreading the word of a 'Discount". Probably the same folks who enjoy the "Discount" in IZOD? Hurry down, they are having 50-70% discounts today....and tomorrow....and the next day. And for the eight years I have been here. TV has always "discounted" homes, just in different ways. Every one a success story. I received a $25,000 discount in 2007. I have CBS construction, quality from the ground up. Love it.

Hey Bonanza, you never answered the question of whether you own a hone here?

[villagerjack]

The slow sales as I see it is, The homes especially court yard villas are
overpriced, I'm gonna get flak but check the prices , I just saw one
cyv for sale for 319 thousand pictures and all , maybe worth 260

I think a lot of people will put a very high price, if they get the over priced sale it pays to sell it, nothing to lose and much more money to gain.

Prices are based on supply and demand. There are less than 5-6 three bedroom CYV Golf Front Villas on the resale market at most times. New ones are priced higher. . They are worth between $1 and $1Million. Not what you or I say but what the market determines. IMO selling my home just to make a profit is a very bad choice. After all it IS my home.

[dewilson58]

I bet the Management is happy to hear that some are spreading the word of a 'Discount". Probably the same folks who enjoy the "Discount" in IZOD? Hurry down, they are having 50-70% discounts today....and tomorrow....and the next day. And for the eight years I have been here. TV has always "discounted" homes, just in different ways. Every one a success story. I received a $25,000 discount in 2007. I have CBS construction, quality from the ground up. Love it.

Hey Bonanza, you never answered the question of whether you own a hone here?

Bonanza owns in TV..............Lives in the same zip code as I.

[Mleeja]

I keep up with the year to date home sales that are posted in the Daily Sun. Yes, home sales are down and yes, prices have gone WAAAY up. Homes in my neighborhood have increase 30% in three years. The prices on new homes are now being discounted. I have notice the number of preowned homes has remained constant while the new home sales are down. It takes 30 days to close on the new home so I am eager to see if sales show an increase in March.

PS. I love TV and am not complaining. I am just citing the trend that I have seen.
I would be interest in seeing how long folks have live in TV when making thier post. I purchased a pre-owned home two years ago and have continued to follow home prices as I am considering purchasing a courtyard villa as a rental unit. Yes the prices have gone up over the past couple of years since I purchased. However, if one does their homework and looks at the Sumter County Tax site, you will see that the home prices are returning to pre housing crash prices. Homes (at least pre-owned) are still lower than pre-2008 levels. I was lucky and purchased right at the bottom of the market. I have a friend who waited a year and ended up paying about 15% more for his courtyard villa.

I think someone has already said something similar somewhere in this thread, if you sell your house in New England and buy a bigger house here in TV for less, you are thrilled! If you sell your big house in northren Wisconsin and buy a smaller house in TV for more you might not be as happy.

Either way, if the purchaser is satifisied with the house they purchased, who gives a rat's @#$ what others think!

[mrsanborn]

I am one of those villagers who will admit they are stuck here. And why is that you ask? I am a golf cart addict. That's right, a golf cart addict. I don't need golf or a thousand clubs. As Sammy Hargar once sang, "I can't drive 55". I only use the car because there is no path to Disney. But I need my golf cart and I'm not leaving until they pry the steering wheel from my dead fingers. Now if I could only figure out how to hang those 1000 watt Kickers off the back without tipping the cart over.

[buzzy]

Whenever a seller offers something unique that is popular, he can charge what the market will bear, within reason. If he over charges to the extent that sales drop, he can make an adjustment or ride it out until conditions change. Evidently, history supports his riding it out. The Dell-Webs of the world probably can't do that for long or at all.

[manaboutown]

The lower sales reported are lower relative to a peak. Sales of homes, vehicles, electronics and so on all go up and down. Although many baby boomers are currently retiring many are concerned about the future of the economy. I am feeling a little insure of it myself!

[Tobys Dad]

I am equally sure that the sex stories and sink holes have nothing to do with it. All communities that are nearing build out have decreased sales as the end approaches.

[Tobys Dad]

Amen!

[Buffalo Jim]

Other than the funds for the widening of 466A coming from the developer, the remaining road construction is supposed to take another five years to complete because there isn't enough money to get the work done. 466A is a county road, not a state road, and that makes a big difference.

Homeowners south of 466 are going to be paying for the repair of the bridge which makes no sense at all to me. It is a public road and Villagers north of the bridge use that road on a daily basis as does and can anyone. What genius thought that one up?

Referring to the wall situation, we are not speaking about tons of money and that issue was taken care of pretty quickly.

BTW, Gracie . . . You are far from dumb and certainly don't look it. I wish I had your hair!


Bonanza : Are you running for Office ? :blahblahblah:

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Dr. Winston--I.ve been here now about 5 months, prior to that I lived up north and I was on the comp. just about every day for about 2 years checking prices on homes from the villages and realtors, Ifelt then and now I have a very good idea about the prices, and most today, I say most are overpriced, You can go nearby and get twice the house you pay for in the villages, I know the answer lifestyle, well nearby has the same advantages as the villages, they have everything the villages has except katie belle.
Thats my opinion, most residents won't admit because they are more or less stuck here, so naturally they will come up with the good, like no snow, well then no skiing either.

So basically your opinion is based on nothing.

People are buying these homes and will continue to buy them. People pay more to live in The Villages because of the value that of the community.

You cannot get a similar home outside The Villages for half the money. You can buy for a bit less, but not half.

The Villages offers much more than Katie Belles. People who live outside do not have free golf for life. Nor do they have access to the over 2,000 Villages Clubs. They cannot go to our pools or rec centers. They don't have our community watch going by their home three times a day. About the only thing that outsiders can access here are the squares. That's it. There is a lot more to The Villages lifestyle than the three squares.

People pay more for homes in The Villages because the are worth more. The Villages is one of the few places in this country where home values have increased consistently over the past twenty years.

Like I said, the value of anything is what someone is willing to pay for it. The fact that people, a lot of people by the way, are willing to pay more for a home in The Villages than they would outside The Villages is what makes them worth more. It's the same reason that a 500 square foot apartment in Manhattan is worth more than a 2,000 square foot home in Chattanooga County, Georgia.

[applesoffh]

There are many designers that have all kinds of additions and kicks; some as big as 2500 sq. ft. ... and are on spectacular view lots that have sold for over $500 in the last six months.

I think Janmcn was talking about a stripped down designer and that doesn't sound plausible.

No, Gracie, some of the Designers I've seen (new builds) are neither stripped down nor on huge lots. Maybe the lanai has been kicked out a few feet, or the house has been stretched a little, but, really, nothing to command $400,000+, IMHO. No sense spending that kind of money and having to rip out a kitchen or master bath because you don't like it. May as well not buy it at all.

[tuccillo]

Generally, the new designers that are over $400K are on nicer lots and/or have pools.

No, Gracie, some of the Designers I've seen (new builds) are neither stripped down nor on huge lots. Maybe the lanai has been kicked out a few feet, or the house has been stretched a little, but, really, nothing to command $400,000+, IMHO. No sense spending that kind of money and having to rip out a kitchen or master bath because you don't like it. May as well not buy it at all.

[HimandMe]

Prices have gone up but the ones on the TV site seem less (including resales with many upgrades) than many private listings. We have emotional value in our homes but the market eventually will set the price.
Markets fluctuate for obvious and not so immediately obvious trends and I believe right now it is a wee bit slower but that can change overnight as a new group of boomers arrive.
We had looked both inside and outside the villages...but we first came here to be a Villager not an outskirts wannabe and if we moved up, we didn't want to be stuck on the outside unable to sell easily so we chose here. We have upgraded to a new home and are looking to upgrade once again. We made the right decision for us.

[B767drvr]

As buildout approaches, I imagine the developer is reducing his marketing budget. All those television ads are expensive and with little incentive to push the "few" new homes remaining, the demand is likely beginning to slow.

On the other hand, sales may remain healthy as America continues to grey and new supply dries up. Or…buildout could actually s-t-r-e-t-c-h o-u-t as more land is purchased and TV continues its expansion. Then there's the more frequent turnover of homes in TV due to the higher average age of Villagers vs. a non age-restricted community. We haven't even discussed expansion/contraction of economic cycles and the role low interest rates play in stimulating home sales and affordability of mortgages...

There are so many forces in play and they are ALL outside of your control.

Relax and enjoy the ride!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I'm trying to figure how anyone is stuck here. If home prices continue to rise then we should be able to sell our homes for more than what we paid for them. In spite pf the fact that sales are down, sale are still brisk. Properties of the Villages are selling 200-300 homes per month. I don't know what all of the other real estate agencies are selling on top of that, but homes are still selling.
If we wanted a quick sale, we could sell them for what we paid, get out and buy a home outside for half the price and invest the rest of the money. Or we could use that additional money for golf and recreation. So how is anyone stick here.

I live in the historic district. As most of you know, The Villages has been buying up old manufactured home, removing them and building nice cottage homes in their place. These cottage homes, which sell for $180K-$250K are selling almost as soon as they are finished. Two up the street from me sold the day they were put on the market. I see several in the villages up here that have been finished for a few weeks and are occupied. Maybe home sales are down but not in this area.

What exactly is meant by sales are down? Is it the total dollars or the number of units. If a lot of expensive homes were sold last year and inventory for them is low then sales of units could be up or level and dollars be down.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

He's right if you don't play free exec golf, softball, archery, shoot air guns, play croquet or lawn bowling, like woodworking or join any clubs. Last I heard there were over 1,000 you could join.

Last I heard it's up to 2,200

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Bogey, First I didn't say I made a mistake, I said you can get a house nearby for halve
the price you would pay for in the villages, As far as the advantages you have the same advantages as a resident except golf and the centers,

I'm not knocking the villages just saying the truth and not making it out better than what it is. Lijke I said anything neg. about the villages the same answers , well I don't have to shovel snow, no kidding, you can't ski either. It's a nice place here but being honest there is a lot of problems here, with driving and the attitude of some people.

Actually you contradicted yourself in your first post. You said that a CYV was priced at $319K and was only worth $260K. That's hardly half price, even if it were true.

Golf, rec centers, shopping by golf cart, pools, 2,200 clubs are more a couple of small details. They are what keeps our real estate values up so high. They are the reason that over 110,000 people have decided to pay a bit more for a home than they would elsewhere.

I really don't see a lot of problems here. I've driven in places a lot worse then this. In fact, I've experienced the nicest, most courteous drivers here than anywhere I've ever lived. This stuff about traffic and how bad driving is here is nonsense made up people who like to complain. Some people will always find fault no matter how good something is. They will always find the negative and try to expand it like it's the most dominant thing.

There are a few things I might change here, but the good outweighs the bad but tons.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I just did a little very unscientific research. I found that the most homes for sale in The Villages are in the $250K-$300 range. I tried to find a house that was in the middle of that range. A brand new 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1922 sq. ft., Lilac model, with a 2 car garage came up for $277,900.

Then I looked at Stonecrest and tried to find a similar house. I found one that is 1993 square 3 bedroom, 2 bath with what appears to be a two car garage. The ad didn't say but it looked like it from the photo. The price is $249,900. I can't say for sure, but I don't think that it's a brand new home. I think that construction has ceased in Stonecrest.

Now as I said this is a very unscientific study, and we all know that there are many variables in similar homes, but I doubt that anyone would be able to find a home, in a nice over 55 development, comparable to any home in The Villages for half price.

Now if you want to live on a street in Lady Lake, you can find all kinds of deals. But we should compare apples to apples.

[fndrbndr]

Location, location, location!

[gerryann]

I bought my new CYV in 2012 for $219,000. Sold it exactly one yr later for $47,000 more. It sold 6 months later for $19,000 more. It is now again on the market (8 months later) for another $14,000 more.

So....I'd say it is a sellers market and deffinetly not so great for those wanting to buy here. I do feel that if sales are down its because the prices are up way too high.....but, it's The Villages, and they will sell.....probably not to me. The prices are too high for the quality you are receiving......just my own opinion.

[Allegiance]

Village Homes are at a premium, a house can be had anywhere.


https://dlshowonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/house-vs-home-illustration-1-479x640.png

[Gerald]

lots of reasons. one is, people that are looking for homes now. Are finding that the prices are just too high for florida. Yes I know that the village is a great place, I live here also. However the village has reached a price point that is simple beyond what the homes are worth. No matter what people think, there is a limit on price.

[Greg Nelson]

The quality of construction is IMHO substandard. We're renting in a totally gated upscale development near Sarasota where the homes all have tiled roofs and much more elbow room than the Villages. We went to an open house of 3900 sq/ft that was listed at @299,000..but no pool.

[kstew43]

The Plantations of Leesburg, 20 minutes to Brownwood.,

stucco home, in Nottoway
3bed 2 bath, 2800sq ft
formal living room and dining room, plus den, eat in kitchen
jaquzzi soaking tub in master,
quality built with a 2 car garage
directly on golf course, 14 fairway.

roving security with a true gated community

HOA $86 for the past 8 years, no bonds or maintance fees



3 pools with hot tubs, 3 clubhouses with workout rooms, 2 golf courses and a resturant.
internal golf cart community,
built in 2005, i think.....
for sale $280 .....my neighbors house...

Tell me you can get that in the Villages...?

I also own in the villages, but the overcrowding caused me to rent the home and choose the plantations for my residence.

[Spikearoni]

I must admit that I agree with those who said the prices are way too high. Fortunately, we bought our home at the right time. After 2012, prices soared and now they are absurdly high, especially on preowned homes. Prospective buyers can easily research how much an individual paid for the home and know how inflated the asking price is. I believe that is the reason that the new homes are so heavily discounted. We all would like to know that we made a sound investment but the market will not bear these prices and the greed could bite us in the end.

[Polar Bear]

...No matter what people think, there is a limit on price.

The only limit is when people will no longer pay it.

[billethkid]

lots of reasons. one is, people that are looking for homes now. Are finding that the prices are just too high for florida. Yes I know that the village is a great place, I live here also. However the village has reached a price point that is simple beyond what the homes are worth. No matter what people think, there is a limit on price.

not as long as there are enough people to pay the price....and there obviously is.

What something is worth is in the eye of the beholder. How many here are driving 60 thousand dollar cars? Quite a few. But is it worth it when you can do the same thing in a $25,000 car. It is ALL relative.

I don't think there is a home in TV "worth" one million Plus dollars, but there are a lot of them and they do sell all of them!!!

[joldnol]

One pays a premium for a house in TV. We looked at Stonecrest and for the same money we would have had a far nicer house. That said, Stonecrest only has a fraction of what TV has to offer (the only amenity they had that we thought was nicer was the indoor pool). It is up to the individual just like everything else. We are very happy with our decision to live in TV.

[Ed Krik]

The Plantations of Leesburg, 20 minutes to Brownwood.,

stucco home, in Nottoway
3bed 2 bath, 2800sq ft
formal living room and dining room, plus den, eat in kitchen
jaquzzi soaking tub in master,
quality built with a 2 car garage
directly on golf course, 14 fairway.

roving security with a true gated community

HOA $86 for the past 8 years, no bonds or maintance fees



3 pools with hot tubs, 3 clubhouses with workout rooms, 2 golf courses and a resturant.
internal golf cart community,
built in 2005, i think.....
for sale $280 .....my neighbors house...

Tell me you can get that in the Villages...?

I also own in the villages, but the overcrowding caused me to rent the home and choose the plantations for my residence.


My wife and I bought in the Villages because of all it offers, more than any

other 55+ community. Before we purchased we looked at the communities

in Leesburg, one of them being The Plantations. It was not for us, to far to

go for shopping, nothing accessible by golf cart out side the community.

My wife's point was, as we age we need the ability to get around and have

access to shopping, medical facilities ( Doctors, Dentists, Clinics, Hospital).

There's more to a community than the price of a house or how many golf

courses, but I'm pleased you found what you wanted and hope it works out

for you. I am very happy we chose the Villages and would not trade it for

any other. :a040:

community/

[Beechie]

Perhaps the lower sales has more to do with their decision 18 months earlier to do away with the "Pick your home" "Pick your site" and "Pick your final finishes" to prebuilt inventory homes only. They reversed that decision a few months ago to address the lower sales issue and customer disappointment in the lack of a selection process. Some of the homes were pretty bland looking to say the least. The heavily discounted homes were the ones that seemed to garner the least amount of attention.

I'm sure things will start picking up again soon.

[shcisamax]

When someone looks at the purchase price and there is a much higher price a couple years later, it is because of all the add ons. Houses don't even come with stairs to the attic so you start with the add ons on day one. Driveways, pools or jacuzzis, birdcages, patios, outdoor kitchens, landscaping, moulding, gutters, back splashes, closets, etc., etc. So prices are higher on resales because of the improvements not just appreciation. Anyone buying a new home versus a resale should figure they will be spending a considerable amount to "finish" the house.

[Barefoot]

No matter what people think, there is a limit on price.

The only limit is when people will no longer pay it.

:agree:Home sales in The Villages are the envy of most communities.

[tuccillo]

Don't confuse the quality of the construction with square footage. There is nothing substandard about the construction in The Villages. You can make a case that you will get more square footage elsewhere. If all you are looking for is the most square footage for your dollar then you should look elsewhere. Home prices reflect supply and demand. You can spend much more money for a small, 50 year old house in Silicon Valley because people want to live there.

The quality of construction is IMHO substandard. We're renting in a totally gated upscale development near Sarasota where the homes all have tiled roofs and much more elbow room than the Villages. We went to an open house of 3900 sq/ft that was listed at @299,000..but no pool.

[Mike W]

Property is worth exactly what somebody is willing to pay for it. If you're a property owner in The Villages, then the rising prices are good for you. It means that your investment is appreciating. However every time property values rise in The Villages, less and less people can afford to buy there, thus another possible factor in the lower sales numbers. Statistics show that while the economy slowly continues to improve, wages continue to be flat. The labor participation rate is about 62%, which means approximately 93 million Americans are not working, and 6.5 million (of the 93 million) people want to work, but don't have jobs. I've worked in the construction industry my entire life, but I haven't had a permanent full time job since 2006. When you're not working, you're usually not socking away money for your retirement. My wife and I want to buy a property and move to The Villages someday, but that's at least a couple of years out. I don't even bother looking at the prices of the new homes in The Villages, because I think you get the most bang for your buck with a preowned home. But if home prices continue to rise at the pace they have been, we're going to be priced out of the market. At that point, we may have to buy outside of The Villages and be regular visitors, or possibly buy in an other state.

[simpkinp]

Quite right! The value of anything is what a buyer is willing to pay. Next time I will buy pre owned now that I know what it really costs for a new home, decent landscaping, decor, paint, draperies, yadda yadda add another 30k minimum. I spent much more. If I had it to do over... Aaah However I have the best neighbors ever and they are worth millions to me.

[gerryann]

The Villages has the obvious advantages, such as activities, safety, resturants, shopping, etc.......but as far as housing goes, I think the very biggest advantage to buying in the Villages is that it is a guaranteed investment. If you keep it until you go to your heavenly home, your children will have no trouble selling. Nowhere else in florida are the sales so consistent. In most of the state, the sales are quite stagnant, but if you can afford to buy here in TV, you will always get your investment back.

[villagerjack]

The increases in prices are attracting a more upscale buyer. notice the increases In prices on several of the new Country Club Restaurants. Havana has also become more upscale. The Villages is now attracting buyers able to afford the higher prices. This process has been evolving since construction started south of 466. Another factor of course is the LOwer mortgage rates. The same monthly payment is possible with a higher priced home. Do the Math.

[Packer Fan]

I think they learned their lesson from having build street after street of spec homes.
Take a ride down Hillsborough Trail as an example, and you will see what I mean.
They made some really terrible choices in their decorating or should I say the lack of it.
Where did they find these people who made those choices?

After looking at a bunch of preowned homes that people finished to their taste we bought a spec home in Hillsborough because it was more bang for our buck, and very well appointed. Do you think who you are insulting befor you post? Homes in Hillsborough have sold quite well, and by the way, they rent VERY well.

[Packer Fan]

Do you have an engineering background to make that statement? Jyst what do you mean by AVERAGE? Do you Own a home here?

I have an engineering degree and have owned many homes over the years. I have also supervised the building of commercial structures. The concrete and stucco home I bought here is very good construction. It appears the builders have learned how to build a good home for the climate and area. I felt I got a very well built home at a good price which is why I bought. I was especially impressed with the HVAC and hot water setup. The only complaint is not enough switched outlets in the bedrooms! I think some people have a very negative attitude and should take it back to the Northeast. Btw, it is rented next year already for a very nice price.

[justjim]

I have seen other posts where people say that upgrades are cheaper after market rather than purchasing thru the Developer.

I had a good friend tell me the same before we purchased our first home in TV. By the way, we are moving soon into our 4th. As a general rule, upgrades are cheaper after market rather than purchasing them thru the builder. :coolsmiley:

[Mike W]

It appears the builders have learned how to build a good home for the climate and area. I felt I got a very well built home at a good price which is why I bought. I was especially impressed with the HVAC and hot water setup.

Perhaps I'm getting somewhat off the subject of this thread, but here goes. I mean no disrespect to you Packer Fan (Go Pack - I too am a member of the Packer Nation) or to the quality of the homes being built in The Villages, but I'm intrigued by the above quote. You have an engineering degree and commercial construction experience in what I assume is Wisconsin, and I have plumbing contractor, master plumber, and journeyman plumber licenses in Minnesota, and a journeyman plumber license in Wisconsin (I was born and raised in Racine, WI). I have experience in residential, commercial and light industrial construction, but obviously my expertise is in plumbing. Over the years of visiting The Villages I've visited numerous jobsites during different phases of construction. I like their choices of Kohler elongated comfort height toilets and Kohler/Sterling fixtures, and Delta faucets. But I question the use of primer/glue cpvc (as opposed to pex) water piping under the slab, plastic push on supply stops, etc. I think the quality of the homes is good but not extraordinary. Like anywhere else in the country, the developer and the construction companies cut costs wherever they can. Unfortunately it's sometimes to the detriment of the homeowner. Just my opinion...

[villagerjack]

Bonanza has not answered the question of whether or not she lives in TV.

[Bonanza]

I think they learned their lesson from having built street after street of spec homes.
Take a ride down Hillsborough Trail as an example, and you will see what I mean.
They made some really terrible choices in their decorating or should I say the lack of it.
Where did they find these people who made those choices?

After looking at a bunch of preowned homes that people finished to their taste we bought a spec home in Hillsborough because it was more bang for our buck, and very well appointed. Do you think who you are insulting befor you post? Homes in Hillsborough have sold quite well, and by the way, they rent VERY well.

The topic has nothing to do with rentals and I don't know why you brought that up. It has nothing to do with anything.

I am not insulting anyone in my post, but if the shoe fits . . .

Some homes on Hillsborough Trail may have sold, but the amount of unsold homes tells you that building of all the spec homes did not work. They are sitting unsold and Hillsborough Trail is not the only area where this is true. Once again they are letting people make choices because all the spec houses they built are not selling as well as they thought.

If the truth be known, you get more bang for your buck when you buy a resale. I'm not speaking about the people who think they are sitting on a pot of gold. I'm speaking about homes being well priced at market value, which would include upgrades that appeal to most buyers.

The resales you looked at were probably just not your taste. Or perhaps you couldn't see beyond the way those homeowners furnished their property. Many people don't have the ability to do that and perhaps you are one of them. :wave:

[jimbo2012]

The quality of construction is IMHO substandard. .

How so? explain exactly what you saw please

[Greg Nelson]

Windows for one. TV homes are too close together. I'd not buy a TV home with a hand shake neighbor on both sides, a street in front and a neighbor so close behind you can share a grill. The quality of construction is IMHO substandard. We're renting in a totally gated upscale development near Sarasota where the homes all have tiled roofs and much more elbow room than the Villages. We went to an open house of 3900 sq/ft that was listed at @299,000..but no pool.

[jimbo2012]

Windows for one. TV homes are too close together. I'd not buy a TV home with a hand shake neighbor on both sides, a street in front and a neighbor so close behind you can share a grill.

that can be resolved, get a bigger lot.

pick a lot w/o kissing lanai's

there are plenty of both

[mickey100]

Windows for one. TV homes are too close together. I'd not buy a TV home with a hand shake neighbor on both sides, a street in front and a neighbor so close behind you can share a grill.

I'd have to agree with you on the windows. The windows here don't seem very soundproof compared to the windows we had up north. And everyone would agree that the homes are too close together. Not everyone wants to spend the huge premiums that private larger lots command. That said, we made the compromise because the Villages offers things that other retirement communities don't. It was a tradeoff for us. We are fortunate that our neighbors all enclosed their lanai's. We planted a lot of landscaping in the back and have privacy visually and sound wise. Our neighbors next door are quiet, and we live on a quiet street. You can make it work, but its the luck of the draw on the neighbors.

[graciegirl]

I like the windows, and I like the attitude and mindset of the majority of the people who live here. The ones who like The Daily Sun. The ones like back home, The ones that made this great country what it is today. Ordinary, hard working, saving people who are careful with their money and generous with their hearts and their time. Sneaky people who do good things without broadcasting them. Folks who really don't want big yards to care for anymore and like homes all on one floor.

Yep. I am pretty crazy about the windows and I like the quality of the workmanship. And this isn't my first new home in my life. We like new, but used are nice too. But new ones and used ones cost the same

Good morning everyone. It is a coolish day in The Villages, but the sun will shine just as soon as it comes up..

[jimbo2012]

I'd have to agree with you on the windows. The windows here don't seem very soundproof .

How can windows be sound proof?


They are double glazed standard windows?


Good morning everyone. It is a coolish day in The Villages, but the sun will shine just as soon as it comes up..

The sun is like clockwork Gracie

[tuccillo]

The use of CPVC under the slab is pretty typical in the south.

Perhaps I'm getting somewhat off the subject of this thread, but here goes. I mean no disrespect to you Packer Fan (Go Pack - I too am a member of the Packer Nation) or to the quality of the homes being built in The Villages, but I'm intrigued by the above quote. You have an engineering degree and commercial construction experience in what I assume is Wisconsin, and I have plumbing contractor, master plumber, and journeyman plumber licenses in Minnesota, and a journeyman plumber license in Wisconsin (I was born and raised in Racine, WI). I have experience in residential, commercial and light industrial construction, but obviously my expertise is in plumbing. Over the years of visiting The Villages I've visited numerous jobsites during different phases of construction. I like their choices of Kohler elongated comfort height toilets and Kohler/Sterling fixtures, and Delta faucets. But I question the use of primer/glue cpvc (as opposed to pex) water piping under the slab, plastic push on supply stops, etc. I think the quality of the homes is good but not extraordinary. Like anywhere else in the country, the developer and the construction companies cut costs wherever they can. Unfortunately it's sometimes to the detriment of the homeowner. Just my opinion...

[jimbo2012]

that's correct, but I'm surprised they don't use Pex I think it's better & less expensive.

Also they don't use primer on the fittings just glue

[mickey100]

How can windows be sound proof?
They are double glazed standard windows?


Sorry, I misspoke - should have referred to sound reduction. Some windows do not transmit outside sound as well as other windows. It refers to the STC value (Sound Transmission Class) of the windows - directly relating to thickness of glass and airspace in the windows, and how airtight they are. Typically the STC of double paned windows has a range of 26-32. You can buy "soundproof" windows that typically have much higher STC values. I have spoken with other people that commented that the windows here seem to transmit sound more easily than what we had up north. I don't know if it is the windows themselves, or the method of installation. I suppose if one is hard of hearing, as are many of us at this age, it wouldn't be a big deal one way or another. But not everyone has hearing loss. I personally have pretty sensitive hearing and have noticed the difference from our Anderson windows up north.

[Polar Bear]

The quality of construction is IMHO substandard...
...TV homes are too close together...
Very subjective.

You are entitled to your preferences like everybody. Of course you can find bigger lots in many places (even in TV, as has been pointed out). But similar spacing as in TV is not uncommon by any means. And it certainly is not a criterion for judging quality of construction.

[justjim]

Very subjective.

You are entitled to your preferences like everybody. Of course you can find bigger lots in many places (even in TV, as has been pointed out). But similar spacing as in TV is not uncommon by any means. And it certainly is not a criterion for judging quality of construction.

In Florida we find smaller lots are better for a number of reasons, but primarily because of the necessity of watering your yard and cost of land. Water, as we know, has become precious and very costly.

The Developer is no longer building the "neighborhood patio villas" and they sold very quickly in TV. I have no idea why but I'm sure there was a reason. This also brought total new sales down.

[Barefoot]

TV homes are too close together. I'd not buy a TV home with a hand shake neighbor on both sides, a street in front and a neighbor so close behind you can share a grill.

We live in The Villages and our home has lots of privacy.
There are many homes available in mature areas which offer golf course or preserve views.
That's one of the greatest things about The Villages.
There is every type of home imaginable to suit every need.

[Packer Fan]

Perhaps I'm getting somewhat off the subject of this thread, but here goes. I mean no disrespect to you Packer Fan (Go Pack - I too am a member of the Packer Nation) or to the quality of the homes being built in The Villages, but I'm intrigued by the above quote. You have an engineering degree and commercial construction experience in what I assume is Wisconsin, and I have plumbing contractor, master plumber, and journeyman plumber licenses in Minnesota, and a journeyman plumber license in Wisconsin (I was born and raised in Racine, WI). I have experience in residential, commercial and light industrial construction, but obviously my expertise is in plumbing. Over the years of visiting The Villages I've visited numerous jobsites during different phases of construction. I like their choices of Kohler elongated comfort height toilets and Kohler/Sterling fixtures, and Delta faucets. But I question the use of primer/glue cpvc (as opposed to pex) water piping under the slab, plastic push on supply stops, etc. I think the quality of the homes is good but not extraordinary. Like anywhere else in the country, the developer and the construction companies cut costs wherever they can. Unfortunately it's sometimes to the detriment of the homeowner. Just my opinion...

Several things - I was not aware what they used for piping under the slab. However, I like the plastic push on the supply stops - I have the same thing in my condo in Milwaukee- I know it seems cheap, but it works great- I had to pull the toilet to put in a new floor and it was zip zip with no wet floor like the old type of metal stops. However, I was thinking more of the arrangements of where and how they do the HVAC, as well as the windows and lack of gutters. The windows are simple, have the low E coating on the outside of the inside pane to keep sun and heat OUT, and have really good drainage to deal with the downpours. Same thing with lack of gutters. With the downpours in the area, I would be concerned that water would splash up from the gutters and get under the shingles and eventually start leaks. With the lack of basements and the sand around the houses, gutters are not only unnecessary but detrimental in my opinion. Seems like the general quality is good- finishes on the concrete, drywall, etc..

The fact that they obviously did a deep cleaning after construction and before we moved in shows the attention to detail. I was very impressed with my builder walkthru - they guy has been building houses in the villages for 15 years and really knew his stuff.

Ed

[Packer Fan]

I'd have to agree with you on the windows. The windows here don't seem very soundproof compared to the windows we had up north. And everyone would agree that the homes are too close together. Not everyone wants to spend the huge premiums that private larger lots command. That said, we made the compromise because the Villages offers things that other retirement communities don't. It was a tradeoff for us. We are fortunate that our neighbors all enclosed their lanai's. We planted a lot of landscaping in the back and have privacy visually and sound wise. Our neighbors next door are quiet, and we live on a quiet street. You can make it work, but its the luck of the draw on the neighbors.


A Casement window like we have up North would not last 5 years in Florida - they are not built for the heat, humidity, or the rain downpours. A different solution for a different set of problems. You would have mold and other problems building up inside the cases in no time with a Northern style window.

[Packer Fan]

I am not insulting anyone in my post, but if the shoe fits . . .

Some homes on Hillsborough Trail may have sold, but the amount of unsold homes tells you that building of all the spec homes did not work. They are sitting unsold and Hillsborough Trail is not the only area where this is true. Once again they are letting people make choices because all the spec houses they built are not selling as well as they thought.

If the truth be known, you get more bang for your buck when you buy a resale. I'm not speaking about the people who think they are sitting on a pot of gold. I'm speaking about homes being well priced at market value, which would include upgrades that appeal to most buyers.

The resales you looked at were probably just not your taste. Or perhaps you couldn't see beyond the way those homeowners furnished their property. Many people don't have the ability to do that and perhaps you are one of them. :wave:


Where are you getting your statistics on what is selling and what is not? I hear a lot of opinion.. And the house I bought is in Hillsborough, but not on the trail. I personally think the reason the houses on the main drag don't sell fast is the Lanai's are on a busy road- I am sure they have problems selling all the ones like that - it has nothing to do with being a spec home.

The other houses in Hillsborough have sold very briskly.

As far as a resale versus new- everywhere else I have been, I would agree with you totally. However, we did our homework and bought new. It was the best deal for what I got - period. I could have bought a resale with about the same stuff for $20,000 more, but with no Warranty. My second choice was a new house too. To be honest, the landscaping is good with Florida centric shrubs, etc. The only thing I needed to do that I would have had in a resale was window treatments that I had put in for $1600 from one of the sponsers on this site. I also added a few towel bars (about $200 total). I also had to buy a washer and dryer, and we got what we wanted. Other than that, there might be wants, but not needs...

My 2 cents, and we love the villages. If you don't, I am sure there are houses available elsewhere.

[jimbo2012]

The windows are simple, have the low E coating on the outside of the inside pane to keep sun and heat OUT,

the correct way solar glass is made is with the coating is on the INSIDE of the interior glass see the Cardinal glass web site.

With the downpours in the area, I would be concerned that water would splash up from the gutters and get under the shingles and eventually start leaks. With the lack of basements and the sand around the houses, gutters are not only unnecessary but detrimental in my opinion. Seems like the general quality is good- finishes on the concrete, drywall, etc.

Water really can't get under the shingles there is a starter course and a drip rail. I have never heard of a problem here.

As far as gutters (which cost only a $1 a foot) is don't install them if you want the edge of your slab to get saturated along with the sod or plant beds touching same............if you don't install them the termites will thank you over and over again.

You need to move water away from the foundation avoid that moisture.

[jimbo2012]

I could have bought a resale with about the same stuff for $20,000 more, but with no Warranty.

Not so much the warranty try get full sink hole insurance on a resale I've been told impossible.

[Packer Fan]

I had a good friend tell me the same before we purchased our first home in TV. By the way, we are moving soon into our 4th. As a general rule, upgrades are cheaper after market rather than purchasing them thru the builder. :coolsmiley:

Based on what we saw I agree- they seem to mark up fancy counters and fixtures a lot.... We bought a more basically appointed home, I can do the upgrades cheaper when I want to, and get exactly what I want. To be honest Granite countertops are overrated anyway -the new high res laminate is pretty nice stuff.

[Packer Fan]

I like the windows, and I like the attitude and mindset of the majority of the people who live here. The ones who like The Daily Sun. The ones like back home, The ones that made this great country what it is today. Ordinary, hard working, saving people who are careful with their money and generous with their hearts and their time. Sneaky people who do good things without broadcasting them. Folks who really don't want big yards to care for anymore and like homes all on one floor.

Yep. I am pretty crazy about the windows and I like the quality of the workmanship. And this isn't my first new home in my life. We like new, but used are nice too. But new ones and used ones cost the same

Good morning everyone. It is a coolish day in The Villages, but the sun will shine just as soon as it comes up..

:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

I agree completely - we need more like Graciegirl

[JourneyOfLife]

I have an engineering degree and have owned many homes over the years. I have also supervised the building of commercial structures. The concrete and stucco home I bought here is very good construction. It appears the builders have learned how to build a good home for the climate and area. I felt I got a very well built home at a good price which is why I bought. I was especially impressed with the HVAC and hot water setup. The only complaint is not enough switched outlets in the bedrooms! I think some people have a very negative attitude and should take it back to the Northeast. Btw, it is rented next year already for a very nice price.

Clarify please... Do you mean "Formed and Poured" Concrete exterior walls or Block exterior walls?

[tuccillo]

Regarding the HVAC, I think they could have done better for a small incremental cost. They could have installed air handlers with variable speed fans - next Carrier model up - and they could have used hard ducts instead of flex ducts. Also, they could have used roof sheathing with a built in radiant barrier - small incremental cost. They installed a builder grade hot water heater. For a small incremental cost they could have installed a Marathon water heater, which will last much longer. There is nothing wrong with what they did but for small incremental costs they could have done much better in a number of areas.

I have an engineering degree and have owned many homes over the years. I have also supervised the building of commercial structures. The concrete and stucco home I bought here is very good construction. It appears the builders have learned how to build a good home for the climate and area. I felt I got a very well built home at a good price which is why I bought. I was especially impressed with the HVAC and hot water setup. The only complaint is not enough switched outlets in the bedrooms! I think some people have a very negative attitude and should take it back to the Northeast. Btw, it is rented next year already for a very nice price.

[mickey100]

Where are you getting your statistics on what is selling and what is not? I hear a lot of opinion.. And the house I bought is in Hillsborough, but not on the trail. I personally think the reason the houses on the main drag don't sell fast is the Lanai's are on a busy road- I am sure they have problems selling all the ones like that - it has nothing to do with being a spec home.

The other houses in Hillsborough have sold very briskly.

......

My 2 cents, and we love the villages. If you don't, I am sure there are houses available elsewhere.

For the record, because someone finds the villages less than perfect doesn't mean they don't enjoy living here. Many people love the Villages in spite of its flaws. Can we do without the hostile "love it or leave it" refrain?

[TrudyM]

Number cruncher here. OK I just purchased a preowned. As I looked at houses I compared the same plan that was new construction adjusted for the lot premium or lack of it and then added the cost of the improvements the owner had made and deducted the depreciation on the appliances, heat and air etc. Many of the pre-owned on the market are sitting have been listed for many months because the price they are at is not in line with what it can be replicated for new. At least 12 of those I looked at had been purchased less than 24 months ago had a birdcage added and put back on the market for 75 to 100 thousand more than the original investment plus the improvements. That is not addressing the issue of the developers increase in what they are listing them at. I think the prices are a little high right now and will probably readjust over time. I don't think they will go down much in the long run. But if you look at those north of or close to 466 the price per square foot is much lower, because they feel in a lot of cases that they need a facelift and have been decorated in questionable taste. As with most markets if a house is priced to match its competition it will sell.

[janmcn]

Not so much the warranty try get full sink hole insurance on a resale I've been told impossible.

This could help explain the slowing of sales if true that sink hole insurance is not available on a resale. Who would buy a home in a sink hole prone area and not want to have insurance?

[graciegirl]

This could help explain the slowing of sales if true that sink hole insurance is not available on a resale. Who would buy a home in a sink hole prone area and not want to have insurance?

That was a change state wide, and we all have catastrophic.

[rustyp]

Villages building many cottage houses on the historic side. I have been observing construction of one which is now about 70% complete.
concrete slab construction - pipes are not sleeved
2 x 4 roof truss on 24 inch center - 1/2 inch flake board over truss with aluminum H clips between truss
2 X 4 wood exterior wall - 1/2 flake board
Double pane aluminum frame windows - I inch thick - only the bottom opens - no tilt
1/2 pvc water supply lines everywhere
1/2 drywall walls - 5/8 drywall ceiling
6 inch fiberglass insulation ceiling - without paper backing
4 inch fiberglass insulation exterior walls - with paper backing
contractor grade fiberglass tub and shower
interior wall metal studs
pressure treated wood if in contact with concrete - no barrier
every piece of wood sprayed for termites from floor to about 3 foot level
fiberglass coated wood front entry door

[graciegirl]

Number cruncher here. OK I just purchased a preowned. As I looked at houses I compared the same plan that was new construction adjusted for the lot premium or lack of it and then added the cost of the improvements the owner had made and deducted the depreciation on the appliances, heat and air etc. Many of the pre-owned on the market are sitting have been listed for many months because the price they are at is not in line with what it can be replicated for new. At least 12 of those I looked at had been purchased less than 24 months ago had a birdcage added and put back on the market for 75 to 100 thousand more than the original investment plus the improvements. That is not addressing the issue of the developers increase in what they are listing them at. I think the prices are a little high right now and will probably readjust over time. I don't think they will go down much in the long run. But if you look at those north of or close to 466 the price per square foot is much lower, because they feel in a lot of cases that they need a facelift and have been decorated in questionable taste. As with most markets if a house is priced to match its competition it will sell.

Thoughtful post.

[graciegirl]

Villages building many cottage houses on the historic side. I have been observing construction of one which is now about 70% complete.
concrete slab construction - pipes are not sleeved
2 x 4 roof truss on 24 inch center - 1/2 inch flake board over truss with aluminum H clips between truss
2 X 4 wood exterior wall - 1/2 flake board
Double pane aluminum frame windows - I inch thick - only the bottom opens - no tilt
1/2 pvc water supply lines everywhere
1/2 drywall walls - 5/8 drywall ceiling
6 inch fiberglass insulation ceiling - without paper backing
4 inch fiberglass insulation exterior walls - with paper backing
contractor grade fiberglass tub and shower
interior wall metal studs
pressure treated wood if in contact with concrete - no barrier
every piece of wood sprayed for termites from floor to about 3 foot level
fiberglass coated wood front entry door


Wouldn't you say that they are built to the local code?

[rustyp]

Wouldn't you say that they are built to the local code?

Of course they are - The Villages couldn't get a C/O if not.

[jimbo2012]

That was a change state wide, and we all have catastrophic.

Sure catastrophic, but that's is not what I'm talking about.

It's partial damage that's repairable that you can't get coverage on!

[jimbo2012]

Villages building many cottage houses on the historic side. I have been observing construction of one which is now about 70% complete.
concrete slab construction - pipes are not sleeved
2 x 4 roof truss on 24 inch center - 1/2 inch flake board over truss with aluminum H clips between truss
2 X 4 wood exterior wall - 1/2 flake board
Double pane aluminum frame windows - I inch thick - only the bottom opens - no tilt
1/2 pvc water supply lines everywhere
1/2 drywall walls - 5/8 drywall ceiling
6 inch fiberglass insulation ceiling - without paper backing
4 inch fiberglass insulation exterior walls - with paper backing
contractor grade fiberglass tub and shower
interior wall metal studs
pressure treated wood if in contact with concrete - no barrier
every piece of wood sprayed for termites from floor to about 3 foot level
fiberglass coated wood front entry door

Ok but what's your point?

[rustyp]

Ok but what's your point?

none - just providing facts

[Mike W]

Villages building many cottage houses on the historic side. I have been observing construction of one which is now about 70% complete.
concrete slab construction - pipes are not sleeved
2 x 4 roof truss on 24 inch center - 1/2 inch flake board over truss with aluminum H clips between truss
2 X 4 wood exterior wall - 1/2 flake board
Double pane aluminum frame windows - I inch thick - only the bottom opens - no tilt
1/2 pvc water supply lines everywhere
1/2 drywall walls - 5/8 drywall ceiling
6 inch fiberglass insulation ceiling - without paper backing
4 inch fiberglass insulation exterior walls - with paper backing
contractor grade fiberglass tub and shower
interior wall metal studs
pressure treated wood if in contact with concrete - no barrier
every piece of wood sprayed for termites from floor to about 3 foot level
fiberglass coated wood front entry door

One has to remember that local and state building codes are the "MINIMUM" requirements. As a plumbing contractor if I had my choice I would use pex water pipe instead of cpvc; protect all piping going through concrete with a sleeve or wrap (maybe termites have something to do with this); water supply distribution would be 3/4" or 1", with 1/2" only supplying one fixture; acrylic or tile instead of fiberglass bath and/or shower units; and use 1/4-turn brass instead of plastic push-on water supply stops.

What surprises me is the use of 4" exterior walls and only 6" of insulation in the the ceiling. Is the proceeding normal in Florida or is that the minimum required by the building code? Up here in the Great White North, ceilings have to be R44 which is about 14" of insulation, exterior walls have to be R19 which is 6" of insulation, and slabs must also be insulated. Obviously the climate is different in Florida than it is in Minnesota :cold:, but I wonder why 50% less insulation is required in the ceiling.

[kleeh]

The slow sales as I see it is, The homes especially court yard villas are
overpriced, I'm gonna get flak but check the prices , I just saw one
cyv for sale for 319 thousand pictures and all , maybe worth 260

I think a lot of people will put a very high price, if they get the over priced sale it pays to sell it, nothing to lose and much more money to gain.
@pivo: That 319,000 was purchased in 2011 for $265,000...so are you saying that The Villages is slipping in value? I don't think you mean that. Right?

[jimbo2012]

Our ceiling is R-30. the cpvc is 3/4"

1" on 3-4 baths larger homes

[kleeh]

Agree with the poster who remarked that the current batch of retirees are more in tune to (in my case) The Eagles, The Who, Chicago, James Taylor, etc and so forth than Lawrence Welk...change the song!

[pivo]

Kleeh- No I didn't mean that, the seller put a very high price on the house, and if somebody buys, then it's worth selling.

[graciegirl]

Agree with the poster who remarked that the current batch of retirees are more in tune to (in my case) The Eagles, The Who, Chicago, James Taylor, etc and so forth than Lawrence Welk...change the song!


????

[JoMar]

lots of reasons. one is, people that are looking for homes now. Are finding that the prices are just too high for florida. Yes I know that the village is a great place, I live here also. However the village has reached a price point that is simple beyond what the homes are worth. No matter what people think, there is a limit on price.

The only limit is what people are willing to pay.....and so far, folks are willing to pay the price......which means this might result in a different demographic from the past. While this place may become out of reach for some, or those that equate the price of the house with the value , I suspect there will continue to be a market for what is here.

[gomoho]

The crux of this argument is reality vs people protecting their investment and validating their choice to buy in The Villages. It is a wonderful, beyond comparison place to be if it floats your boat. I believe some folks would be happy in a teepee if it meant they could live this life style. I think if everyone would be honest we would all admit the houses are over priced - which is why everyone says you are buying a lifestyle. This justifies the decision to pay for an over priced home. But so what - if it's something you can afford and enjoy then it is right for you - if not, it isn't. That's what makes the world go round, the world go round, the world go round!

[Polar Bear]

...I think if everyone would be honest we would all admit the houses are over priced...

Nope.

[shcisamax]

I believe some folks would be happy in a teepee if it meant they could live this life style. I think if everyone would be honest we would all admit the houses are over priced - which is why everyone says you are buying a lifestyle. This justifies the decision to pay for an over priced home.

It is the same reason people pay big dollars to live in Manhattan...lifestyle. Same reason Malibu is expensive...lifestyle. That IS the reason people buy; you can't say a lifestyle is overpriced if it is the environment in which someone wants to live.

[billethkid]

One can go through these posts and pick out the folks who do not own a home here.

It is also easy to pick out those who either do not understand the economics/dynamics of real estate.

Overpriced? The first home we ever built in the 70's ws less than $50,000....one acre wooded corner lot......brick ranch...2100 square feet.....3 bedrooms...2 baths.....sold it 4 years later for almost $200,000.

Overpriced? No. Worth it? Of course, why would it not be?

If you don't like the price of the homes now....just wait a few years and see what happens. Of course the prices will be up even more!

[mickey100]

The crux of this argument is reality vs people protecting their investment and validating their choice to buy in The Villages. It is a wonderful, beyond comparison place to be if it floats your boat. I believe some folks would be happy in a teepee if it meant they could live this life style. I think if everyone would be honest we would all admit the houses are over priced - which is why everyone says you are buying a lifestyle. This justifies the decision to pay for an over priced home. But so what - if it's something you can afford and enjoy then it is right for you - if not, it isn't. That's what makes the world go round, the world go round, the world go round!

I agree. Its whatever floats your boat. And obviously its right for many of us or we wouldn't be living here. But it would be nice if reality would kick in for some people.

[twoplanekid]

I purchased a new home in The Villages last December, a good friend/ high school classmate purchased one in January and now my brother will own one down the street from me in March. Surely all three of us didn�t make the same mistake? We are all going to have fun no matter what others might say about this cruise ship on land.

[Stdole]

While I am living in the home... I would like my home to be priced near Zero... and not have the worry or stress to know what it is worth tomorrow... I only hope it will be market value when I sell or leave this wonderful place! It might sound foolish but you have to admit its the truth in most cases... Well, then again no taxes for the politicians to work with either if my home does not have market value... so there is no way to please me..

Maybe a nice way to close this thread ... We can only please 50% of us on most subjects... I think most us (over 51% are happy we have moved here) I know I am... !!!

[graciegirl]

One can go through these posts and pick out the folks who do not own a home here.

It is also easy to pick out those who either do not understand the economics/dynamics of real estate.

Overpriced? The first home we ever built in the 70's ws less than $50,000....one acre wooded corner lot......brick ranch...2100 square feet.....3 bedrooms...2 baths.....sold it 4 years later for almost $200,000.

Overpriced? No. Worth it? Of course, why would it not be?

If you don't like the price of the homes now....just wait a few years and see what happens. Of course the prices will be up even more!


You are right once again.

It is the same people over and over who have an agenda to be negative.
There are some who are realtors who have not been allowed to sell new homes by the builder. Some are those who live outside The Villages and are envious. Some are very involved with certain groups that start with a P that do not get big donations from the Morse family. It is mostly sour grapes.

And some are just not happy here. This place is for people who like to be involved with people. Some are happier in a more secluded area or somewhat distanced from neighbors. Some people have never had rules about deed restrictions and they don't like being told they can't do this or that.

All homes in our village are less than three years old. Our neighbor across the street sold their home last year and made slightly more than $90,000 more than they paid for it. Lots of you know where we live and you can look it up.

There are a lot of homes on the market right now, more than usual, as they gear up to finish. They are building, building, building. They will all sell and then when there are no more being built...well just wait and see.

We have lived here for eight years and they have been the most fun and least stressful time of our lives.

When you have been on the forum as long as Bille and I have you get to know who says what and why.

When you see a negative post, read back on their posts, most of them will be negative. Some people are NEVER happy.

[Packer Fan]

Clarify please... Do you mean "Formed and Poured" Concrete exterior walls or Block exterior walls?

The villages builds them both ways actually.

[Greg Nelson]

This whole subject reminds me of a group I belong to called Thunderbird Nest. A very popular blog question (poll) there is 'future value of our retros'. But I posted there that 20 years from now who cares, or will even be alive. I said to them 'drive it like you stole it'. We are not negative on The Villages, as we've already rented for later this year. The 800+ homes development that we're currently renting in near Bradenton, Fl is one of dozens around here like it. And ironically, the 'locals' would rather not have renters or at least limit the rentals to a minimum of 6 months....

[mickey100]

Although there are things about the Villages I would improve if I had the chance, I don't see where anyone says they are unhappy living here. And I don't know where that misconception arises??? Are there posts somewhere I've missed? When I read back through the posts, most if not everyone living here says they enjoy it, and have compromised or learned to live with the things that are less than desirable. The crux of the matter is that some people are able to admit that the Villages is not perfect. And perhaps they like to point out things to newbies so people can get a balanced view of reality prior to purchase. Simple as that. Saying that The Villages is not perfect doesn't make the lifestyle here unacceptable, nor does it mean people are unhappy. It simply means there are a few things that aren't perfect. Why people have to twist that into some nefarious agenda is really pretty sad. I can only guess some people feel threatened when the truth comes out.

[Tennisnut]

Although there are things about the Villages I would improve if I had the chance, I don't see where anyone says they are unhappy living here. And I don't know where that misconception arises??? Are there posts somewhere I've missed? When I read back through the posts, most if not everyone living here says they enjoy it, and have compromised or learned to live with the things that are less than desirable. The crux of the matter is that some people are able to admit that the Villages is not perfect. And perhaps they like to point out things to newbies so people can get a balanced view of reality prior to purchase. Simple as that. Saying that The Villages is not perfect doesn't make the lifestyle here unacceptable, nor does it mean people are unhappy. It simply means there are a few things that aren't perfect. Why people have to twist that into some nefarious agenda is really pretty sad. I can only guess some people feel threatened when the truth comes out.

Well said. Whenever you identify some aspect of life on TOTV as less than perfect, you will ALWAYS be attacked. Whether it is about The Villages or the world in general, it comes with the territory as some feel threatened by constructive criticism.

[billethkid]

Although there are things about the Villages I would improve if I had the chance, I don't see where anyone says they are unhappy living here. And I don't know where that misconception arises??? Are there posts somewhere I've missed? When I read back through the posts, most if not everyone living here says they enjoy it, and have compromised or learned to live with the things that are less than desirable. The crux of the matter is that some people are able to admit that the Villages is not perfect. And perhaps they like to point out things to newbies so people can get a balanced view of reality prior to purchase. Simple as that. Saying that The Villages is not perfect doesn't make the lifestyle here unacceptable, nor does it mean people are unhappy. It simply means there are a few things that aren't perfect. Why people have to twist that into some nefarious agenda is really pretty sad. I can only guess some people feel threatened when the truth comes out.

Also keep in mind the "some" of the people that do or react as described are the minority representation which always seems to get the attention. Add to that there will always be a number of posts on either side of an issue by folks who are not residents. And an even smaller group of snipers and trolls.
The other 95% of us love it like it is and that it gets better with every year.

[Barefoot]

I think if everyone would be honest we would all admit the houses are over priced - which is why everyone says you are buying a lifestyle. This justifies the decision to pay for an over priced home.

Nope. Homes in The Villages sell at market value which means they are not "overpriced".
Yes, you can pay less in surrounding areas, but as Shcisamax pointed out:
"you can't say a lifestyle is overpriced if it is the environment in which someone wants to live"

DEFINITION OF MARKET VALUE

The highest price a willing buyer would pay and a willing seller would accept, both being fully informed,
and the property being exposed for sale for a reasonable period of time.

[perrjojo]

Back to The OP....prices are higher and sales are lower but the sky is not falling! TV is a wonderful place to live and it will continue to prosper at whatever rate and price the market will bear.

[ROCKETMAN]

The add that is in the paper for resale homes shows in last 12 months new home sales average 210 a month. One year ago this was 250 a month. Resales are also down but not as much. But if you take the dollar value of the new homes sold now, given there are not any new houses below $200,00 any more and more and more $250,000-$300,00, cash flow probably isn't much different. Thus the developer can afford to have a large inventory sitting empty. Eventually they will all sell.

[tomwed]

Each new section of the villages had the golf and the promise of more things to come. There are numerous examples of unique activities in the north end of town. As you head south the lure was a central location and numerous execs surround you and another square with water views. Brownwood was pitched well because it was another new themed square. Walking to a square for breakfast or a some dancing sounds very attractive. So buy close to Brownwood. That's value added in the purchase.

I'm not sure how they are pitching Fruitland Park unless it's "buy now" to own a new house in the last part of the villages. It will be closest to the turnpike. They say location is most important. My fairly new home was up around 15% in less than 2 years but I think it's slipping a little after looking at new home prices.

I'm not complaining. I still can't believe my lifestyle. I'm just trying to figure out what to expect.

[Greg Nelson]

I am a nobody, and nobody is perfect, therefore I am perfect...just kidding

[Packer Fan]

I would suggest that you look at the following link -The Villages - Quality Pre-Owned Homes, Home Resales. Our pre-owned homes are located throughout The Villages and represent years of popular home styles. (http://www.thevillages.com/homes/new-neighborhoods.htm)

Look at unit 216 and 217 under Neighborhood maps - the main issue is as always LOCATION. The houses that have Lanai's onto Hillsborough are the properties that have not sold, because nobody wants to look out onto traffic. Since all of these are "spec" homes, that has to be having an affect. I think the issue with the prices going up is important also, but WHO CARES, they are still selling a lot of houses every month, and will have them all sold in the next few years.

[graciegirl]

I would suggest that you look at the following link -The Villages - Quality Pre-Owned Homes, Home Resales. Our pre-owned homes are located throughout The Villages and represent years of popular home styles. (http://www.thevillages.com/homes/new-neighborhoods.htm)

Look at unit 216 and 217 under Neighborhood maps - the main issue is as always LOCATION. The houses that have Lanai's onto Hillsborough are the properties that have not sold, because nobody wants to look out onto traffic. Since all of these are "spec" homes, that has to be having an affect. I think the issue with the prices going up is important also, but WHO CARES, they are still selling a lot of houses every month, and will have them all sold in the next few years.


Homes looking out onto a street are more desirable than interior lots and are considered premium lots and they cost more. Many people enjoy the privacy of looking out onto a street rather than another home. We originally thought the same about homes on streets but now know many people who love their privacy after nine at night, not much traffic at all.

I was surprised when someone said they didn't want an "end" lot. I think having an "end" lot is very nice. What one person thinks is often perceived differently by others.

[Barefoot]

Whenever you identify some aspect of life on TOTV as less than perfect, you will ALWAYS be attacked.

I don't agree that posters are ALWAYS attacked for identifying some aspect of life in TV that is less than perfect.
Disagreement with a comment made by a poster is not necessarily an attack, it's a discussion on an open Forum.
If there is an attack that is personally directed at another member, the Mods will spot it and delete it.

[Packer Fan]

Homes looking out onto a street are more desirable than interior lots and are considered premium lots and they cost more. Many people enjoy the privacy of looking out onto a street rather than another home. We originally thought the same about homes on streets but now know many people who love their privacy after nine at night, not much traffic at all.

I was surprised when someone said they didn't want an "end" lot. I think having an "end" lot is very nice. What one person thinks is often perceived differently by others.

Take a look at the maps showing what has sold and what has not.... It tells a different story. Not a surprise that all the marsh view and most golf view are gone though
:posting:

[Greg Nelson]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! If or when we buy in TV I'm not really concerned about the price. It is interesting to me what I've found for pricing here in Florida. For example, simple/small trailer lots in Key Largo on a canal are going for half a million! Back home they go for under 10 grand..maybe. Here in the gated/guarded River Wilderness, we've seen some older (over 10 years) for varying prices. We looked at one that was nearly 4000 sq/ft for $299,000, but another under 2000 sq/ft listed at $366,000. I do know if we buy in TV I'd not want a home with a street out front and other homes on 3 sides...my opinion!

[Chatbrat]

Every time I see the topic of rentals come up, I have the same knee jerk reaction. Are you an owner? If you have a mortgage , you are a renter- you are renting from your lender !!!

To people who like to put down renters--be honest

[jimbo2012]

Homes looking out onto a street are more desirable than interior lots and are considered premium lots and they cost more. Many people enjoy the privacy of looking out onto a street rather than another home. We originally thought the same about homes on streets but now know many people who love their privacy after nine at night, not much traffic at all.



As usual always spot on darling!!

After 9 zero car & cart traffic



. The houses that have Lanai's onto Hillsborough are the properties that have not sold, because nobody wants to look out onto traffic. .

Well I think you're wrong about that I have mine on Hillsbrough, the traffic now will not be there in few months when construction completes.

Also that isn't traffic per se

the fact that there are no kissing lanais makes them very desirable.

Moreover, the side without the sidewalk is even better,



.

[twoplanekid]

Everyone does have their own opinion on a house location. If I had more money, I would have purchased a home across the street to face the beautiful golf course. As I didn’t want a house too close in back, my brother and I purchased two homes that are on Quietwoods Drive and have Warnock to the rear. In retrospect, I should have suggested to my brother that he purchase a home with a great view.

[kstew43]

The problem with buying on a corner is you do not own the property because of the large easements the villages have.

We looked at so many corner lots just dreaming of the pools, and bird cages that we would build. Only to find out the property line ends at the edge of the home. Look at a plot, seems a shame.

But even though you do not have the use of the land...you still have to water, mow and weed it. They call it maintainable lot.....read any new home for sale add.....very tricky in my opinion......

Totally not fair...:sigh:

[graciegirl]

The problem with buying on a corner is you do not own the property because of the large easements the villages have.

We looked at so many corner lots just dreaming of the pools, and bird cages that we would build. Only to find out the property line ends at the edge of the home. Look at a plot, seems a shame.

But even though you do not have the use of the land...you still have to water, mow and weed it. They call it maintainable lot.....read any new home for sale add.....very tricky in my opinion......

Totally not fair...:sigh:

Nope. Have to disagree. They are building a pool out there right now in our side yard..

Have you found a home here yet, KStew?

[SouthOfTheBorder]

The problem with buying on a corner is you do not own the property because of the large easements the villages have.

We looked at so many corner lots just dreaming of the pools, and bird cages that we would build. Only to find out the property line ends at the edge of the home. Look at a plot, seems a shame.

But even though you do not have the use of the land...you still have to water, mow and weed it. They call it maintainable lot.....read any new home for sale add.....very tricky in my opinion......

Totally not fair�:sigh:


Sorry, but our corner lot has the same size (street) easements as all the other homes on our street(s). Our property lines do not end at the edge of our home. By their nature many corner-lot homes are placed deeper into their lot, leaving most of the expansion area on one side of the home. We have ample room to build on one side of our home.

We throughly enjoy our corner location especially getting to see, and being a part of, all the comings and goings.


I think your opinion that the developer is trying to trick prospective corner-lot buyers can't be supported by fact or practice. It concerns me that other buyers may get the wrong impression of buying in TV when I read some comments that may be just too broadly presented.

I know you looked at many corner lots but just maybe you didn't look at enough. :smiley: :smiley:

Keep looking, I'll bet you will find your perfect location in TV. :thumbup:

Don

[asianthree]

Nope. Have to disagree. They are building a pool out there right now in our side yard..

Have you found a home here yet, KStew?

I agree our corner lot can be expanded at one side also. Maybe the house you were looking at had already been expanded to the limit

[mickey100]

I think a corner lot is a personal choice. We have friends who paid a premium for one and they love it. But, I look at it, and to me they have less privacy. Everyone driving or walking by can look right in their windows. Personally I would hate that. They still have neighbors behind them as well. And they're paying to water it, and probably greater taxes. To each his own.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Every time I see the topic of rentals come up, I have the same knee jerk reaction. Are you an owner? If you have a mortgage , you are a renter- you are renting from your lender !!!

To people who like to put down renters--be honest

Absolutely not true. There is a huge difference between owning and renting. Number one, by law, you, not the bank, not the lender own the home. You are responsible for every aspect of it. It the water heater goes, you don't call the lender to have it repaired. When you pay the loan off, the house is yours. Renting is a dead end street. You never own anything and you'll keep paying rent for the rest of your life.

If you sell the house before the loan is paid off, much of what you paid back to the lender is recovered by you. You pay the lender interest but in return you get the appreciation.

Unless you have an arm, your mortgage will stay the same for the length of your loan. Rent can increase every year with a lease and at the whim of the owner without a lease.

A home owner has equity in a home against which he can borrow money. A renter has no such option unless you have a long term lease (100 years or so) on a commercial property.

An owner can opt to rent out his property. A renter cannot unless he gets permission from the owner to sub let.

There are many more differences between renting and owning. In many cases renters don't take as good care of a property as an owner might. The owner has something invested whereas the renter doesn't. A renter can trash a house and walk away. It is in the owners best interest to maintain a property as best they can so as to protect their investment. I'm not saying that all renters trash properties, in fact most don't. But if you own a home and rent it out, you are taking all the risk where the renter takes none.

And, even if true, your point would hold less water here where more people have sold their homes up north and paid cash for their homes. Because of this, I would think that there is a much higher than average, percentage of people who own their homes outright in The Villages, or any retirement community for that matter, than in other parts of the country.

[kstew43]

here is my lastest interest......proof that you can not use the land, just maintain it....
538 HARLOW LANE... Anchor In Labelle

But I can't get the sales document to copy to this site.......bummer...

[Barefoot]

here is my lastest interest......proof that you can not use the land, just maintain it.... 538 HARLOW LANE... Anchor In Labelle

It's possible that the property on Harlow Lane is an anomaly.
My neighbors just built a large addition on their corner lot.

[kstew43]

It's possible that the property on Harlow Lane is an anomaly.
My neighbors just built a large addition on their corner lot.


Good thought, but the second attempt we made was the At East, corner of junction/boardroom, not on the market yet but realtor sent us that plot as well. Boundry. end at corner of home.

Also the At Ease off Hillsboro that sold last year. We loved that one till our realtor told us we could not even add a hot tub to all that land. I mean....geeze..

Could be just my luck but we are 0 for 3 attempts...

got out the plot...on the 538 harlow anchor lot is huge...right side of home..20ft easement starting 1 ft off side of garage, then additional 13.5 easement to the road... someone did buy it.....they might be in for a shock, unless they don't care. My first question to the realtor is, bond price, second, show me the plot.

[asianthree]

Good thought, but the second attempt we made was the At East, corner of junction/boardroom, not on the market yet but realtor sent us that plot as well. Boundry. end at corner of home.

Also the At Ease off Hillsboro that sold last year. We loved that one till our realtor told us we could not even add a hot tub to all that land. I mean....geeze..

Could be just my luck but we are 0 for 3 attempts...

There are a few preowned cottage with pools.

[Whit53]

We presently have an At Ease on a corner lot, we love being on the corner so much we just purchased another home on a corner lot. We like the openness of it. We don't care for kissing lanais. Can find a lot that suits everyones needs here.

[Ed Krik]

Good thought, but the second attempt we made was the At East, corner of junction/boardroom, not on the market yet but realtor sent us that plot as well. Boundry. end at corner of home.

Also the At Ease off Hillsboro that sold last year. We loved that one till our realtor told us we could not even add a hot tub to all that land. I mean....geeze..

Could be just my luck but we are 0 for 3 attempts...

got out the plot...on the 538 harlow anchor lot is huge...right side of home..20ft easement starting 1 ft off side of garage, then additional 13.5 easement to the road... someone did buy it.....they might be in for a shock, unless they don't care. My first question to the realtor is, bond price, second, show me the plot.

This post is a little confusing. You posted earlier in this thread you moved to

the Plantations, which you feel is better than the Villages, because of over

crowding here and you are now renting your Village home. Now your talking

about looking at corner lots so you can build out on the side. I'm not sure

what the purpose of your posts is? I am happy you found what you are

looking for at Plantation.

[Pno212@aol.com]

Almost anything that's priced right sells in less than 60 days.
The only homes that do not sell in The Villages are the ones that are OVERPRiCED.

[RickeyD]

Almost anything that's priced right sells in less than 60 days.

The only homes that do not sell in The Villages are the ones that are OVERPRiCED.


This pretty much applies everywhere, the Villages are not unique to this.

[Mleeja]

This pretty much applies everywhere, the Villages are not unique to this.

In addition to houses, it applies to cars, golf carts, dental floss........

[asianthree]

Our first home sold in 37 hours, the home we bought was on the market for less than a day. Since we sold the first home there have only been a few homes that sold for a higher amount, so we sold at the right time. The house we bought was the model we wanted, a corner lot, golf cart garage, and a street behind, that over looks a pond. What ever we paid was priceless to us.

[baustgen]

Only 210 per month. The sky is falling. Run for the hills.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I heard from a reliable source that they plan to build 250 new homes in the Historic District this year.

[Mleeja]

I heard from a reliable source that they plan to build 250 new homes in the Historic District this year.

OH NO!! What's next?:a040::a040:

[Challenger]

Every time I see the topic of rentals come up, I have the same knee jerk reaction. Are you an owner? If you have a mortgage , you are a renter- you are renting from your lender !!!

To people who like to put down renters--be honest

Renting is far different than owning even if there is a lein on the owned property. There is a whole body of law taught in law schools titled "Landlord and Tenant "which is usually a full semester course. There are very different responsibilities and privileges accruing to each. Some long term leases can , by contractual agreement, create rights and responsibilities that take on ownership like chacteristics.

[Spikearoni]

Catastrophic insurance on a preowned home does not cover all the bases if a sinkhole develops. We were told by an insurance agent in TV that SPECIFIC sinkhole insurance offered on new properties is more extensive in coverage than catastrophic, especially in cases where the house is not totally in ruins. IMHO, I believe that catastrophic insurance for total peace of mind regarding sinkholes, is not the way to go. The best course of action is to check with your insurer.

[Challenger]

I heard from a reliable source that they plan to build 250 new homes in the Historic District this year.

Hope you are correct- this type of activity would lead to an overall increase in value and help to extend the useful life and viability of the area. IMHO

[Cisco Kid]

i heard from a reliable source that they plan to build 250 new homes in the historic district this year.

sweet !!!!!!!

[Packer Fan]

They are already selling houses in the Historic district - they have bought up a bunch of mobile homes and replaced them with Cottage Homes. Look on the website.