Preview Visit Planning

[ebliss1]

Ok all you fountains of knowledge and wisdom, I need a little help.

I managed to throw enough tidbits out to the wife to get her to suggest that we come down to see what TV is really like first-hand. (Getting her to suggest the idea is the real key to getting things moving with us.)

That part of the campaign successfully completed, I need to know a little more about the Lifestyle preview visit itself.

Specifically, I'm looking for information about:

a) when to come? Do we want to come down during the summer when the snowbirds are away or during the winter when everyone is around or do we want to split the difference with a fall or spring visit? What are the pros/cons to each?

b) how long do we need to stay in TV to get a feel for things?

c) what are the "must see/do" things we should plan on accomplishing during the visit? (neither of us golf currently unless there's a windmill hole involved so trying out the courses isn't high on the list for us).

d) when looking at houses (mew or pre-owned) what should we be looking for as far as a "desirable" location? (i.e. is proximity to the town squares as important to proximity to the rec centers? are more established neighborhoods preferable to being in one that is recently completed or still under construction? etc... I'm kind of fishing on this one, I know, but you never know what the responses will be)

e) what will we get and what will we be expected to do/provide during the trip?

f) I understand that the sales people are not the hard-sale types you see at time-share conventions, but is that a general thing or more a function of differing styles by the sales types?

g) are we on a schedule with the TV reps or are we just sort of plunked into a house and given free-reign to self-explore?

Anything else you can provide will be very much appreciated.

Thanks for your help.

[villages07]

ebliss,

Here are a few quick answers...most of these topics have been covered in great detail before. Use the search button up at the top and check it out (e.g. search for 'preview')

a. When? from mid oct to mid Dec to me are some of the nicest times to be here...not too crowded yet, weather is great; Jan-Mar are the busiest; April and May are nice too

b. You can get a 'feel' within a week; preview is limited to 6 days I believe so anything longer you would have to arrange for a rental. The wife should be able to get a good feel within 6 days...then you might want to rent for a month or longer at some other time of the year (most of the Jan-Mar rentals are already taken).

c. Must/see and do.... again search for previous threads.

d. Locations...whatever feels right for you; all new construction is on south end; lots of prior threads on this topic.

e. Preview 'freebies' ..... search will reveal

f. All the agents I am aware of are low key

g. Your time is your own...you spend as little or as much time with an agent. Best to spend the first couple of days on your own looking around; there are new and resale open houses just about every day.

Anything else???? ..... read, read, read....lots of info on this site.

Welcome and Enjoy!!!

[JohnN]

Villages07 hit the key items very nicely, esp. time of year to visit.

-New homes are all in the south, if you've a preference. You need to decides if it's imporant to live by the squares, or shopping, or wherever. What are your priorities. That said, most everything is close, there really aren't bad locations just different ones.
-We didn't rent a golf cart because we wanted to use our time wisely and explore all areas and TV is big.
-The freebies are great, enjoy them.
-We chose to stay in a villa, because that's the type of housing we were looking to live in and wanted the neighborhood feel. The "cottages" at LSL are fabulous, but not something you can buy, so choose whichever best meets your needs.
-We don't golf. We spent a lot of time at the squares in the evening listening to music and dining and met plenty of great folks who were more than willing to share about TV.

Enjoy the trip.
Drink the "kool aid" and you'll end up here, we did and love it so far.

I agree about women, when it's their idea (whether it is or not), it sure works out better LOLOL

[tankdvr1950]

Villages07 kind of covered most everything

my wife and I did our first visit in February and are coming back for our second the end of September...we loved the first one (4 nights) and am sure we will love the second (6 nights)

upon check in you and your wife will each receive a card which gets each of you the following:

$12 Breakfast or Lunch at the Veranda Restaurant
$15 Lunch at the Palmer Legends Country Club
$20 Lunch or Dinner at the Lighthouse Grille
$40 Lunch or Dinner at the Cane Garden Country Club
$50 Lunch or Dinner at either the Cattle Baron Club or Katie Belle’s

2 movie tickets good at Rialto or Old Mill theatre
2 rounds of golf, championship or executive course
2 games of championship tennis
Championship Course: Large Bucket of Balls
20% off total of one purchase at the Market or Banner Mercantile
20% off one service at Tuscany Day Spa & Salon
20% off one service at Salon Fifth Avenue


we rented a golf cart our first trip and will do so again in September.....in our humble opinion, its the only true way to get The Villages experience...since neither you or your wife are golfers, you will have plenty of time to explore on your own all that TV has to offer and there is no better or more enjoyable way to do that than in a golf cart

enjoy!!!!

[SteveFromNY]

I agree about the golf cart. It is one of the things that makes TV unique.

[rshoffer]

If we had it to do all over again we defintely would have rented the first 6 or so months. On our first trip we got so wrapped up in playing (golf, wellness center, swimming, partying at Katie B's) that we hardly looked at any homes. Then when the prices came down in Dec. we came again and bought... in retrospect we would have done better renting because there are sooooooo many beautiful styles, locations and other things that I think you need a few months under your belt to make the best decision.

[JohnN]

and to clarify, the golf cart capability was important in our decision and we'll get one soon, but for a few days, if you've a lot of ground to cover, you may want to use the car.
however, as above, many opt for the cart, so it's personal preference. enjoy

[SteveFromNY]

Renting a cart doesn't make it your sole mode of transportation. You can still use your car to ride from one house to another, or to a restaurant or store.
I only meant you should rent one and use it for some part of your stay so you could experience what it means to live in a "golf cart community". It truly is one of the things that makes TV so much fun (at least for me, anyway), and even if you rented only for a day or so to get a feel for driving on the paths and thru the tunnels, it just seems like an important part of your experience.

[njgranny]

We went down in July because we wanted to experience the summer weather there. It was more pleasant in TV than it was in south Jersey.

We were given a cottage at LSL which included a golf car, bicycles with helmets, and wireless internet. We stayed for 6 days and ate well with the freebie coupons. The pool was half a block from our cottage.

We only met with our agent one day because we chose to do so. We wanted to see the new houses that were being built. She just hangs out and lets us look. She also took us to the woodshop because my husband wanted to see it, and for a mini tour.

The trolley is worth taking. Gives you a good overview of TV. We talked to people anywhere we could to get opinions, etc.

Enjoy - it's great!!!!!

[graciegirl]

In preparation for our lifestyle visit, being the anal first born that I am, I had a notebook with a map of TV, all of the different models of homes available both in block and stucco and in frame, A list of all of the recreation centers, pools, Country Clubs, golf courses and restaurants...... AND a bunch of other information including golf cart prices and where to buy them, furniture stores and window covering people, landscapers and pest control people............ and..........

I might as well left the danged thing home.

When I got there, it all just was so unbelievable that I was higher than a kite with the experience. I talked to people and learned so much. We weren't going to buy and we bought.

I am so glad we did.