Didn't they say Designer homes in Fruitland Park would would be $500K??

[dotti105]

I just checked out some homes on the Villages website and there are Designer Homes listed in LaBelle starting in the $220's. I was shocked! So much for our rapidly increasing equity........

[dbussone]

I just checked out some homes on the Villages website and there are Designer Homes listed in LaBelle starting in the $220's. I was shocked! So much for our rapidly increasing equity........

Is LaBelle in Fruitland Park? I honestly don't know.

[graciegirl]

I just checked out some homes on the Villages website and there are Designer Homes listed in LaBelle starting in the $220's. I was shocked! So much for our rapidly increasing equity........

I am glad to hear it. That is a reasonable amount and that doesn't of course mean that the range would not extend into the five hundreds for designers as it does now. It is all according to the lot, the size, the view, the additions of course, like it always has.

There are designers now from the lower twos unto the fives.

I think that is a rapidly increasing equity.

[e-flyer]

If my memory is correct, I think LaBelle is in the original "south of 466a" plan, along with Belle Glade CC and 3 executive golf courses. The Fruitland Park expansion is further east, on the other side of the new (un-opened) executive golf courses.

[Jayhawk]

I just checked out some homes on the Villages website and there are Designer Homes listed in LaBelle starting in the $220's. I was shocked! So much for our rapidly increasing equity........

Apples to oranges.....

Here is the highest priced LaBelle home for sale - Price: $562,061

There are 138 homes listed in the Village of LaBelle with prices over $220K so not sure what the point is. There are only 7 listed $220K or lower.

Everything I see shows our equity is appreciating nicely.

[tomwed]

I just checked out some homes on the Villages website and there are Designer Homes listed in LaBelle starting in the $220's. I was shocked! So much for our rapidly increasing equity........
That's what what my salesman told me too about 2 years ago. I didn't believe it [but I sure was hoping]. I think he was repeating was he was told. The salesman find things out when we do. I heard that many times so I guess it's also true.

The price of the house doubling in such a short time with so much building going on and people leaving the villages for one reason or another makes this seem unlikely.

The one I also found hard to believe that also seems true is that the average villager moves 3 times. That's a lot of money in commissions, banking, lawyers and all the little businesses that go into preparing a house for sales.

[Villager Dude]

Keep in mind, I think Fruitland does not have a bond.

[patfla06]

I would imagine that the "bond" will just be built into the price of the house.

[Polar Bear]

I wouldn't jump to conclusions. $220k for some designers shouldn't raise any red flags.

[Waverunner]

LaBelle is not in Fruitland Park. It is in Community Development District 10.

Last week we went to the first evening presentation on CDDs. John Rohan did a wonderful presentation about how our CDDs work, including the history of the development of The Villages, which he has now been with for 22 years. It gives you a new appreciation for this funding vehicle, (both the development bond and the maintenance bond), to keep our local community running and looking beautiful in perpetuity.

John Rohan also mentioned that Fruitland Park will be Community Development District 11, so they will also have a bond.

[Butterfly201]

No, the homes were going to start in the $200,000 range. I remember.

[Bonanza]

LaBelle is not in Fruitland Park. It is in Community Development District 10.

Last week we went to the first evening presentation on CDDs. John Rohan did a wonderful presentation about how our CDDs work, including the history of the development of The Villages, which he has now been with for 22 years. It gives you a new appreciation for this funding vehicle, (both the development bond and the maintenance bond), to keep our local community running and looking beautiful in perpetuity.

John Rohan also mentioned that Fruitland Park will be Community Development District 11, so they will also have a bond.

What am I not understanding?

What does Community Development District 10 have to do with not having a bond? How can Fruitland Park have a bond all of a sudden, when up to this point (before TV started builting there), they never have permitted a bond?

[graciegirl]

I just checked out some homes on the Villages website and there are Designer Homes listed in LaBelle starting in the $220's. I was shocked! So much for our rapidly increasing equity........


If we want "rapidly increasing equity", or even just to protect all of our investments, we must on this forum;

Quell rumors.

And correct incorrect information.

Every day.

[graciegirl]

No, the homes were going to start in the $200,000 range. I remember.

Janmcn said 500K at least twice. Here is the only link I could find saying that... and it was from thevillagesfloridabook.com.

http://www.thevillagesfloridabook.com/villages-fruitland-park/ I read it last night in a link from The Fruitland Park News and can't find it this morning.

[Cisco Kid]

I just checked out some homes on the Villages website and there are Designer Homes listed in LaBelle starting in the $220's. I was shocked! So much for our rapidly increasing equity........


If we want "rapidly increasing equity", or even just to protect all of our investments, we must on this forum;

Quell rumors.

And correct incorrect information.

Every day.


That would kill TOTV

[DougB]

I just checked out some homes on the Villages website and there are Designer Homes listed in LaBelle starting in the $220's. I was shocked! So much for our rapidly increasing equity........

C'mon Dotti, you seriously have nothing else to worry about?

[Gordon82]

What am I not understanding?

What does Community Development District 10 have to do with not having a bond? How can Fruitland Park have a bond all of a sudden, when up to this point (before TV started builting there), they never have permitted a bond?

I thought it was the county, not the CDD, that determined if there was a bond or not. Fruitland Park is in Lake County I believe, and that would be the reason it does not have a bond if that is the case. Sumter County has bonds, so any home built there would have a bond.

[graciegirl]

I thought it was the county, not the CDD, that determined if there was a bond or not. Fruitland Park is in Lake County I believe, and that would be the reason it does not have a bond if that is the case. Sumter County has bonds, so any home built there would have a bond.


Not ANY home. That is how The Villages market their homes and Sumter County allows it. The Villages make up a large part of Sumter County. Some would say they control Sumter County. Works for me.

[Villager Joyce]

I just checked out some homes on the Villages website and there are Designer Homes listed in LaBelle starting in the $220's. I was shocked! So much for our rapidly increasing equity........


If we want "rapidly increasing equity", or even just to protect all of our investments, we must on this forum;

Quell rumors.

And correct incorrect information.

Every day.


Does this mean I can no longer tell people we have alligators in the swimming pools, mosquitoes so big they need landing lights, and we are only 10 minutes from a beach? :undecided:

[looneycat]

[quote=graciegirl;1052850]

Does this mean I can no longer tell people we have alligators in the swimming pools, mosquitoes so big they need landing lights, and we are only 10 minutes from a beach? :undecided:

well I have not been bitten by a mosquito in the 8 years here, and we are about 35 minutes from gulf coast 'beaches', the alligators on the other hand......

[dotti105]

Jayhawk, you did more research than I. I just looked at inventory starting at the lowest prices and was surprised to see several LaBelle homes in the bottom range.

Like others, I was not sure where the line is between Fruitland Park and LaBelle.

Not trying to be "Chicken Little", but simply surprised that designers were priced so low in the new areas of construction.

[kstew43]

I just checked out some homes on the Villages website and there are Designer Homes listed in LaBelle starting in the $220's. I was shocked! So much for our rapidly increasing equity........

actually you can get a Jasmin for $214...... and a court yard 2/2 for $185........ that just might be why the resales are not selling...you can buy new cheaper....and LaBell does have a bond they are not in Lake County.

[CFrance]

actually you can get a Jasmin for $214...... that just might be why the resales are not selling...
The Jasmine is very small compared to other designer models--1576 sq. ft. of actual living space. The master bath and closet are very much smaller than most designers.

The area quoted is not in Fruitland Park. The developer never said designers outside of FP would be $500K. And it is true that there are no bonds in FP, so the bond would be built into the price of the house.

But everything is driven by what people will pay. We shall see what designers sell for in FP after they've been on the market for a bit. I think it is a nice area, being off to the side yet close to shopping. I wouldn't pay $500K for a designer, but that is just what the developer told FP when making their proposal. The final price could be less.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

[quote=Villager Joyce;1052859]

well I have not been bitten by a mosquito in the 8 years here, and we are about 35 minutes from gulf coast 'beaches', the alligators on the other hand......

What Gulf Coast Beach do you go to that is only 35 minutes. Every time we got to one it's a two hour drive.

Never been bit by a mosquito in three years and have only seen one alligator.

[dbussone]

What am I not understanding?



What does Community Development District 10 have to do with not having a bond? How can Fruitland Park have a bond all of a sudden, when up to this point (before TV started builting there), they never have permitted a bond?


Lake County does not permit the sale of bonds by the developer, while Sumter does.

[Jayhawk]

Dr Winston O Boogie jr wrote - What Gulf Coast Beach do you go to that is only 35 minutes. Every time we got to one it's a two hour drive.

Never been bit by a mosquito in three years and have only seen one alligator.

Crystal River gulf beaches are about 35-40 miles from Brownwood.

Two Florida Beaches near Crystal River| VisitFlorida.com (http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/articles/2004/december/160-crystal-river-area-beaches.html)

[janmcn]

Jayhawk, you did more research than I. I just looked at inventory starting at the lowest prices and was surprised to see several LaBelle homes in the bottom range.

Like others, I was not sure where the line is between Fruitland Park and LaBelle.

Not trying to be "Chicken Little", but simply surprised that designers were priced so low in the new areas of construction.


No homes in Fruitland Park are on the market yet, according to The Villages website. There will probably be an announcement in the paper once they become available.

[Waverunner]

Community Development Districts are allowed by Florida law. (Not a county by county regulation.) There are other existing non-Villages Community Development Districts in Lake County. The Florida law (I recollect) came about sometime in the early 80's. According to John Rohan, the section of The Villages that is known as the historical section, began development before this law came about, and before The Villages knew enough about what they were doing in this area. This is why TV does not have an existing CDD in Lake County. He specifically said that the Fruitland Park development in TV will be CDD 11.

[yabbadu]

Is LaBelle in Fruitland Park? I honestly don't know.

LaBelle is not part of Fruitland Park.

That being said if you are driving west on 466A you will see they are buiding homes in the NEW Fruitland Park area at the far east end of the new development. They are Vinyl and Stucco. Also, there are Courtyard Villas being built. Have not read if this is going to be the lower priced models in the Fruitland Park development.

[JoMar]

I believe that CDD's do not equal bonds. One is a form of government, the other a form of financing. You can have either with the other.

[Waverunner]

Yes, there are different types of CDDs. There are independent and dependent CDDs, both of which we have in The Villages. Yes, you can also have a CDD without a bond. Unlike an HOA, having a CDD is the only way that "fees" can be collected by a government tax authority.

There seems to be a lot of misinformation on TOTV as to whether CDDs are allowed in Lake County. They are.

The Villages Community Development Districts website has a drop down bar labeled "Your District". Click on it and go to District 11 (Fruitland Park). It has organized and they have begun having meetings, have a budget, and a Capital Service Fund and Debt Service Fund totaling $41 million plus. It isn't finished yet, (i.e. no map of the district), but from what has been said in their introduction to the CDDs meeting last week and what is on the official VCDD website, they intend to have CDD 11 run as the rest of the residential Community Development Districts they have organized.

[kstew43]

Lake County does not permit the sale of bonds by the developer, while Sumter does.

they do now....pine ridge has high lake county taxes, fruitland park taxes and a $25K bond......

[graciegirl]

they do now....pine ridge has high lake county taxes, fruitland park taxes and a $25K bond......

Kstew, Is the development where you live in Lake County?

I have heard this said many times, that Lake County initially was not very cooperative or hospitable to the people developing The Villages in the past and The Villages avoided going back "into" their territory for some time..


I love living in Sumter County. Glad there is no pee in Lake Sumter too.

[tomwed]

Dr Winston O Boogie jr wrote - What Gulf Coast Beach do you go to that is only 35 minutes. Every time we got to one it's a two hour drive.

Never been bit by a mosquito in three years and have only seen one alligator.

Crystal River gulf beaches are about 35-40 miles from Brownwood.

Two Florida Beaches near Crystal River| VisitFlorida.com (http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/articles/2004/december/160-crystal-river-area-beaches.html)
16000 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429

McLin Ln, Wildwood, FL
via FL-44 1 h 8 min
48.3 miles
1 h 1 min without traffic · Show traffic

[kstew43]

Kstew, Is the development where you live in Lake County?

I have heard this said many times, that Lake County initially was not very cooperative or hospitable to the people developing The Villages in the past and The Villages avoided going back "into" their territory for some time..


I love living in Sumter County. Glad there is no pee in Lake Sumter too.

Lake county, established right around the same time as the Villages....unincorporated Leesburg, reality Okahumpka....

no bond then and now. Last new home built 2008.

There are about 10 other 55+ communitites in our area. Still no Bonds. Just saying.....it can be done.

[graciegirl]

Lake county, established right around the same time as the Villages..????..unincorporated Leesburg, reality Okahumpka....

no bond then and now. Last new home built 2008.

There are about 10 other 55+ communitites in our area. Still no Bonds. Just saying.....it can be done.


It can be done. But not as well. If you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door. I love THE VILLAGES!!!

Florida's The Villages is the Fastest-Growing City in America | Fox Business (http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2015/03/26/florida-villages-is-fastest-growing-city-in-america/)

[Polar Bear]

Lake county, established right around the same time as the Villages....unincorporated Leesburg, reality Okahumpka....

no bond then and now. Last new home built 2008.

There are about 10 other 55+ communitites in our area. Still no Bonds. Just saying.....it can be done.
Apples and oranges.

[kstew43]

your absolutely right.....

You get what you pay for.........or do you?

The recreation is available, but not for you due to over crowding,

classes are offered, but full,

and the most important to my Hubby.....the club he wanted, which I promised he would enjoy if he would just let me spend the extra money to be in the Villages, is available, but full with a 2 year wait list. Bummer........

So, the Villages offers the Illusion of clubs/recreation, but not the reality.

get your name on the waiting list and then wait 2-3 years. You'll get to enjoy it eventually.

[Big O]

your absolutely right.....

You get what you pay for.........or do you?

The recreation is available, but not for you due to over crowding,

classes are offered, but full,

and the most important to my Hubby.....the club he wanted, which I promised he would enjoy if he would just let me spend the extra money to be in the Villages, is available, but full with a 2 year wait list. Bummer........

So, the Villages offers the Illusion of clubs/recreation, but not the reality.

get your name on the waiting list and then wait 2-3 years. You'll get to enjoy it eventually.


I don't know where you live but I have lived in the Villages for a year and a half and:
1. I have never been unable to get a tee time. A lot of times it is not my first choice of location or time but I get a tee time.
2. During high season we just eat later when going out. Sometimes we have had to wait an hour, just like where we came from. (Toledo)
3. My wife likes to take art classes, sometime 3 or 4 a week. She has never been denied a spot.
4. I don't know about the club that is full you refer to. If it is full, start another one. The Villages makes it easy to do so.

I think the illusion you refer to is the one you might get listening to the constant complainers on TOTV and even they might tell you they were embellishing their problems to make a point.

[Polar Bear]

your absolutely right.....

You get what you pay for.........or do you?

The recreation is available, but not for you due to over crowding,

classes are offered, but full,

and the most important to my Hubby.....the club he wanted, which I promised he would enjoy if he would just let me spend the extra money to be in the Villages, is available, but full with a 2 year wait list. Bummer........

So, the Villages offers the Illusion of clubs/recreation, but not the reality.

get your name on the waiting list and then wait 2-3 years. You'll get to enjoy it eventually.

Like Big O, my wife and I have never experienced this.

[kstew43]

we moved in in 2007 and out in 2009. Renting our Villages home to unsuspecting northerns is much more profitable to us. maybe in 10 years or so we will give it another try.

So glad you love it there.

[dbussone]

they do now....pine ridge has high lake county taxes, fruitland park taxes and a $25K bond......


Wow! Thanks for the update.

[Chatbrat]

What does the cost of any house in the Villages mean to you unless you plan on buying one ?

[CFrance]

Kstew, Is the development where you live in Lake County?

I have heard this said many times, that Lake County initially was not very cooperative or hospitable to the people developing The Villages in the past and The Villages avoided going back "into" their territory for some time..


I love living in Sumter County. Glad there is no pee in Lake Sumter too.
I could fix that... Oh WAIT. I meant to say I agree with all your posts on this issue. Especially with living in Sumter.

[bagboy]

What does the cost of any house in the Villages mean to you unless you plan on buying one ?

Great question !!!

[CFrance]

we moved in in 2007 and out in 2009. Renting our Villages home to unsuspecting northerns is much more profitable to us. maybe in 10 years or so we will give it another try.

So glad you love it there.
Wow. Unsuspecting northerners.

[Polar Bear]

Wow. Unsuspecting northerners.

Yeah. No sarcasm there. LOL!! I'm sure kstew is really SO GLAD we 're happy here!! ;)

[JoMar]

we moved in in 2007 and out in 2009. Renting our Villages home to unsuspecting northerns is much more profitable to us. maybe in 10 years or so we will give it another try.

So glad you love it there.

As we always say, this place isn't for everyone. Some just can't handle the change, doesn't matter where you are from, some buy without doing due diligence, some just don't fit in and some just change their mind. The good news is that those like kstew43 get out of here, there are many that stay and live miserably here.

[asianthree]

So far I am only seeing cottages for sale in the dairy section? Have they started the designers yet

[janmcn]

So far I am only seeing cottages for sale in the dairy section? Have they started the designers yet


According to The Villages website, there are five pages of new homes for sale in Pine Ridge, and only one is a designer home. All the rest are courtyard villas and cottages. No photo yet for the designer home.

[graciegirl]

According to The Villages website, there are five pages of new homes for sale in Pine Ridge, and only one is a designer home. All the rest are courtyard villas and cottages. No photo yet for the designer home.


Is it five hundred thousand?:wave:

[yabbadu]

No homes in Fruitland Park are on the market yet, according to The Villages website. There will probably be an announcement in the paper once they become available.

If I am not mistaken Pine Ridge homes are available as part of the FRUITLAND PARK of Lake County. Labelle is district 10 and still part of the Villages and not considered as part of Fruitland Park and is part of Sumter County. It helps to keep the facts straight!

[janmcn]

Is it five hundred thousand?:wave:


On sale for $455,158 plus the bond, of course.

[golfing eagles]

we moved in in 2007 and out in 2009. Renting our Villages home to unsuspecting northerns is much more profitable to us. maybe in 10 years or so we will give it another try.

So glad you love it there.

Amazing that there are probably 90-100K "unsuspecting northerners" living here---did the average IQ north of the Mason-Dixon line suddenly drop, or was it just mine?

[The20Percent]

I'm getting mix signals after reading these threads about the bonds (or lack of) in the new Fruitland Park section. Are these bonds to be issued as normal or are these bonds built into the purchase price of each new home? I know there has to be a bond in the Fruitland Park area because I invested in District 11 municipal bonds a few months back. Now if these bond prices are built into the purchase price of each house, I could see my investment being paid off much sooner than hoped for since a lot of folks pay cash for their homes in TV and this, I assume, would automatically pay off their bond debt in the process.

[outlaw]

I'm getting mix signals after reading these threads about the bonds (or lack of) in the new Fruitland Park section. Are these bonds to be issued as normal or are these bonds built into the purchase price of each new home? I know there has to be a bond in the Fruitland Park area because I invested in District 11 municipal bonds a few months back. Now if these bond prices are built into the purchase price of each house, I could see my investment being paid off much sooner than hoped for since a lot of folks pay cash for their homes in TV and this, I assume, would automatically pay off their bond debt in the process.

You may want to check with your bond broker. I was looking at villages bonds also. Here is what I found: Most of the bonds have a date far out; yours may be 2030, 2040, 2050. There is also a callable date of maybe 2020 or something like that, when the bond can be called anytime after that date. There is also a provision in most, but not all, of these bonds that allows the bond to be paid off much sooner, even as early as six months or less after you purchased it. It's called something like "extraordinary circumstance", or something like that. Basically, whenever enough people pay the bond off, several of the bonds are called in and paid off. The risk is that if you paid a premium for the bond, which you probably did, then you could lose money if it is paid off in six months, or three months, or whenever, but you can calculate when you would break even. That's the way I understand how these bonds work. If you don't specifically ask the broker about this possibility of early payoff, they may not tell you. I had to talk to a bond broker at USAA to find this out.

[graciegirl]

You may want to check with your bond broker. I was looking at villages bonds also. Here is what I found: Most of the bonds have a date far out; yours may be 2030, 2040, 2050. There is also a callable date of maybe 2020 or something like that, when the bond can be called anytime after that date. There is also a provision in most, but not all, of these bonds that allows the bond to be paid off much sooner, even as early as six months or less after you purchased it. It's called something like "extraordinary circumstance", or something like that. Basically, whenever enough people pay the bond off, several of the bonds are called in and paid off. The risk is that if you paid a premium for the bond, which you probably did, then you could lose money if it is paid off in six months, or three months, or whenever, but you can calculate when you would break even. That's the way I understand how these bonds work. If you don't specifically ask the broker about this possibility of early payoff, they may not tell you. I had to talk to a bond broker at USAA to find this out.



You can pay that bond (the one for the cost of the infrastructure) off the day you close if you wish.(Well actually the day it comes due I think which is tax bill time) We paid cash for both homes but kept the bond so that if we decided to move again within The Villages we would not have to add the bond price to the asking price of the home. Many people do this.

[The20Percent]

You may want to check with your bond broker. I was looking at villages bonds also. Here is what I found: Most of the bonds have a date far out; yours may be 2030, 2040, 2050. There is also a callable date of maybe 2020 or something like that, when the bond can be called anytime after that date. There is also a provision in most, but not all, of these bonds that allows the bond to be paid off much sooner, even as early as six months or less after you purchased it. It's called something like "extraordinary circumstance", or something like that. Basically, whenever enough people pay the bond off, several of the bonds are called in and paid off. The risk is that if you paid a premium for the bond, which you probably did, then you could lose money if it is paid off in six months, or three months, or whenever, but you can calculate when you would break even. That's the way I understand how these bonds work. If you don't specifically ask the broker about this possibility of early payoff, they may not tell you. I had to talk to a bond broker at USAA to find this out.

Yes, your pretty much correct. Even though my district 11 bonds have a maturity of 2045, Village bonds are always paid off sooner. I bought them knowing they would most likely be paid off in full in 10-15 years. I don't see there being any risk for them being completely paid off in only a few short years though. As you said, when enough people pay off their bonds in a district, the money is divvied up, split and distributed to all the bond investors of that particular district. I have only had this happen once when I was reimbursed only a small amount ($2k) of my initial investment back from some older district 6 Village bonds which I had purchased a year ago.

[garsha]

Just confirming that there is a bond in the Fruitland Park areas. There are two Villages there: Pine Ridge and I think Pine Hills. The bonds are a little higher than the ones in District 10. Designer area is running about $23,000. This area is in Lake County. Looks like it is going to be another beautiful area.

[Chatbrat]

The prices of houses in the Villages is far from extravagant, I feel they are fairly priced as well as the amenity fees-combined with low taxes--this place is a steal

Point of comparison--go to Zillow-Chatham,NJ --hang on to hats as your mouths drop-this is where I used to live-rentals are @ 5K a month-houses make our biggest premiers look cheap price wise

[HoneyofaDeb]

It is true that most residents move 3 times but there are many reason that happens...some good and some not so good. A good Realtor sits with you and listens to what your needs are and finds a home that best suits your needs and budget. A sales person sells you a house without a care in the world as the whether or not it suits your needs therefore most move in and don't feel comfortable, start to look around and trust a sales agent again and get sucked in again. The third time around they find a Realtor that gets them where they need to be, in a comfortable home that fits their budget and meets all of their needs! Now some downsize after the death of a spouse or upsize after downsizing due to a new marriage...yep it happens...in The Villages!

[geobar]

La Belle as it is South of 466A and East of Morse Blvd. which is the most Easterly part of The Villages is within "Fruitland Park" as well as in "Lake County".

[looneycat]

It is true that most residents move 3 times but there are many reason that happens..

baloney, substantiate your claim please!

[NYGUY]

La Belle as it is South of 466A and East of Morse Blvd. which is the most Easterly part of The Villages is within "Fruitland Park" as well as in "Lake County".

If you check out the sale listings, you will discover Labelle is located in Sumter County.

[Polar Bear]

baloney, substantiate your claim please!

It's a common claim/rumor/story/whatever that on average, TV residents move three times. I too find it highly questionable.

[villagerjack]

I would imagine that the "bond" will just be built into the price of the house.

The bond only pays for improvements in a diffent way. You will not get them for free.

[dewilson58]

Hi Villages residents,

My name is Christal Hayes and I'm a reporter for the Orlando Sentinel. I'm working on a story about roundabouts that are popping up around the area and wanted to get your view on them. Do you like them? Are they easy to drive through? Do you see other drivers navigating them incorrectly?
Feel free to email me- Chayes@orlandosentinel.com

Ur kind'a bouncing around to different threads..............as suggested by others, you might want to start a new thread or jump on a thread relating to roundabouts.

[Albany]

We just sold our 2 bedroom courtyard villa, which was new when we bought it in 2012. We very carefully improved it. (meaning we did NOT over-improve it) We made $50K profit, and used it to buy a 3 year old house in Sanibel that had what the villa did not, a 3rd bedroom, an inside laundry, and a 2-car garage. And oh yeah, a straight driveway! We believe that our new house, which was reasonably priced, will also be sold at a profit should we choose to sell.

[lizboopy55]

Is LaBelle in Fruitland Park? I honestly don't know.
Labelle is not in Fruitland Park it is opposite Charlotte and encompasses the area east of Morse Blvd

[lizboopy55]

It is true... since we are now a community of 100,000 the average is about right. Don't forget going from a Villa to a cottage or designer, back to a Courtyard or a newer neighborhood and finally the independent and assisted living facilities could add to the equation. By the way several folks have moved more than 3 times.

[Walt.]

It is true that most residents move 3 times but there are many reason that happens...some good and some not so good. A good Realtor sits with you and listens to what your needs are and finds a home that best suits your needs and budget. A sales person sells you a house without a care in the world as the whether or not it suits your needs therefore most move in and don't feel comfortable, start to look around and trust a sales agent again and get sucked in again. The third time around they find a Realtor that gets them where they need to be, in a comfortable home that fits their budget and meets all of their needs! Now some downsize after the death of a spouse or upsize after downsizing due to a new marriage...yep it happens...in The Villages!

Why do I get the feeling that you are a Realtor?

[NYGUY]

It is true... since we are now a community of 100,000 the average is about right. Don't forget going from a Villa to a cottage or designer, back to a Courtyard or a newer neighborhood and finally the independent and assisted living facilities could add to the equation. By the way several folks have moved more than 3 times.

We have neighbors that are on their 4th house!!

[cmj1210]

Just confirming that there is a bond in the Fruitland Park areas. There are two Villages there: Pine Ridge and I think Pine Hills. The bonds are a little higher than the ones in District 10. Designer area is running about $23,000. This area is in Lake County. Looks like it is going to be another beautiful area.


Taxes are also higher

[RickeyD]

Taxes are also higher


Approx 45% higher, Ouch !

[perrjojo]

baloney, substantiate your claim please!

We have several in our neighborhood who are in their 3rd home. We know one couple who have just moved into their 8th home here in 13 years.

[Jim Stickel]

Hopping Green and Sams (great outfit) has an info sheet entitled "An Introduction to Community Development Districts and Stewardship Districts). Google it, it's a great read. Although the District (Rohan) does a good job the real pro is Gary Moyer (now a VP with the Developer) he was the District Manager before Janet Tutt and Pete Wahl. Gary was an architect of Chapter 190 the foundation F.S. for CDDs. Because a CDD is a Special District it is entitled to issue bonds (no problem for infrastructure bonds like those of the numbered districts but there is problem with the IRS whether the bonds issued by the VCCDD are muni's)....contrary to the SUN, the fat lady is not ready to sing. Wouldn't be surprised if the VCCDD and the PWA don't form a Stewardship district in the future. Most folks know the bonds as impact fees usually funded by the developer and included in the home price...our bonds are the direct responsibility of the homeowner....even if a house is never built.

[graciegirl]

Hopping Green and Sams (great outfit) has an info sheet entitled "An Introduction to Community Development Districts and Stewardship Districts). Google it, it's a great read. Although the District (Rohan) does a good job the real pro is Gary Moyer (now a VP with the Developer) he was the District Manager before Janet Tutt and Pete Wahl. Gary was an architect of Chapter 190 the foundation F.S. for CDDs. Because a CDD is a Special District it is entitled to issue bonds (no problem for infrastructure bonds like those of the numbered districts but there is problem with the IRS whether the bonds issued by the VCCDD are muni's)....contrary to the SUN, the fat lady is not ready to sing. Wouldn't be surprised if the VCCDD and the PWA don't form a Stewardship district in the future. Most folks know the bonds as impact fees usually funded by the developer and included in the home price...our bonds are the direct responsibility of the homeowner....even if a house is never built.



How does that work? You can't close on a home here until it is finished in every way. Perhaps I didn't understand your point? Oh, and what is the PWA? And welcome to the forum. Been here long?

[Jim 9922]

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How does that work? You can't close on a home here until it is finished in every way. Perhaps I didn't understand your point? Oh, and what is the PWA? And welcome to the forum. Been here long?

He is correct, the lien is against the LAND and any improvements that may eventually be made to it. It would exist whether or not it was built upon, which doesn't happen because of the way properties are sold in The Villages.

[asianthree]

It's a common claim/rumor/story/whatever that on average, TV residents move three times. I too find it highly questionable.

On our third house

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

We have several in our neighborhood who are in their 3rd home. We know one couple who have just moved into their 8th home here in 13 years.

Sure, there have to be people that have moved more then three times. Three times is an average. I'm sure a lot of people here buy once and never move. Somebody has to make up for that for the average to be three.

[CFrance]

We're the ones that stayed put. But half of the houses on our street have changed hands.

[Allegiance]

Its a retirement community and i would guess more than half never move, unless you count the final move. To say an average of three moves is totally unbelievable. Imo

[rubicon]

There seems to have been in the past a lot of movement within the villages itself. People I know who are moving and told me they viewed The Villages as a buyers market right now.

I made certain that the home I purchased was one that I intended to stay in for the duration. We worked out all the kinks decorated and furnished it accordingly and immediately paid off the bond. In time we replaced the HVAC with a top of the line as we did appliances garbage disposal. We will replace the hot water heater shortly. We would have made some additions to the home but its clear the kids are not going to relocate here so they can sell it.

In my view as of today we still could not recoup our expenditures and make a profit and to me a home has always been an investment. So we have stayed put for going on 9 years because retirement money is a scarce resource since it is difficult to replenish.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I just checked out some homes on the Villages website and there are Designer Homes listed in LaBelle starting in the $220's. I was shocked! So much for our rapidly increasing equity........

Here's something you might find interesting. Go on to thevillages.com. Click on Homes and click on Model Home Gallery. Click on Cottage Homes. Find the Sunkist and take the model tour. Go back to the Model Home Gallery and Click on Designer Homes and find the Begonia. Take the model tour. Open the floor plan for each of these homes and keep them open on your screen and compare them.

[CFrance]

Here's something you might find interesting. Go on to thevillages.com. Click on Homes and click on Model Home Gallery. Click on Cottage Homes. Find the Sunkist and take the model tour. Go back to the Model Home Gallery and Click on Designer Homes and find the Begonia. Take the model tour. Open the floor plan for each of these homes and keep them open on your screen and compare them.
I don't understand your point. While the Sunkist looks the same, it is 600 sq ft. smaller than the Begonia and has no golf cart garage. And the lanai is quite a bit smaller. No laundry room.

There is a Premier with the exact same floor plan as the Begonia/Gardenia, only bigger.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I don't understand your point. While the Sunkist looks the same, it is 600 sq ft. smaller than the Begonia and has no golf cart garage. And the lanai is quite a bit smaller. No laundry room.

There is a Premier with the exact same floor plan as the Begonia/Gardenia, only bigger.

I'm sorry, I meant the Bourganvillea, not the Begonia. The Boruganvillea and Sun Kissed are exactly the same house, but one is a Cottage Home and one is a Designer Home. The only difference is the appointments.

In fact a friend of mine has an Amarillo which was marketed and listed as a Ranch Home and it is also the same as these two.

[CFrance]

OK. Now I get it.