Is someone you knew well was looking for a home here, What one thing would you say?

[graciegirl]

I will add this to make it interesting. In the $250,000 range. What one honest piece of advice would you give them?

I think mine would be to choose close to groceries and doctors.

[JoMar]

Since I don't feel this place is for everyone, if they have no experience with TV my advice would be to rent for a year or too to see if this really is the place for them. If they know this place I would recommend they decide if they want new or pre-owned. I think everything is close to groceries and doctors so anyplace would cover that requirement. Friends who have moved here full time bought into a new neighborhood since all the people were new and made for a more cohesive and closer community....everyone is in the same boat. I have two friends that bought pre owned and while they are ok with the neighborhood they have found that the people that live there have established friends and cliques, and while they are included, they still feel seperated. Having said that, it's all dependent on the people in the neighborhood, just more of a gamble. Remember, this isn't about the house, it's about the social life, the people.

[Chatbrat]

The one that requires as little maintenance as possible--no carpet--walk in shower-true 2 car garage, that is long enough for your future vehicle needs, no eyebrow windows,as little lawn and landscaping as possible

Doctors move, we've changed Dr.'s 3 times in the 5 years we've been here.

[RickeyD]

The one that requires as little maintenance as possible--no carpet--walk in shower-true 2 car garage, that is long enough for your future vehicle needs, no eyebrow windows,as little lawn and landscaping as possible

Doctors move, we've changed Dr.'s 3 times in the 5 years we've been here.



What's wrong with eyebrow windows ? I'm assuming you mean half circle windows. [emoji848]

[tomwed]

Leave your furniture, car and belongings behind. Starting over is fun and makes you feel younger. All the daydreaming and looking for that perfect something fades after awhile when you have a house full. This is the time to go modern, to discover the new you, to buy an impractical car. Your new home will also feel more like a vacation.

[dewilson58]

Great items from TomW.

I would also tell them:

Do a Lifestyle stay.

Talk to friends/locals.

Read ToTV and ask questions.

Then house/villa, golf cart, location, etc., are personal preference.

[VApeople]

Do a lot of research on the computer before coming to TV. Then you will know what to expect.

[BK001]

The one that requires as little maintenance as possible--no carpet--walk in shower-true 2 car garage, that is long enough for your future vehicle needs, no eyebrow windows,as little lawn and landscaping as possible

Doctors move, we've changed Dr.'s 3 times in the 5 years we've been here.

Hi,
I understand all except not sure what the objection to eyebrow windows is. Could you please elaborate. Thank you.

[Mudder]

Good question, Gracie. I guess I would say don't buy more house than you really need, but buy one with a real two car garage. Oh yeah, and get rid of most of your stuff before you move here!

[tomwed]

Hi,
I understand all except not sure what the objection to eyebrow windows is. Could you please elaborate. Thank you.In The Villages after 6 weeks they always get bushy.

[RickeyD]

In The Villages after 6 weeks they always get bushy.



Again, your wit is missed.

[pooh]

Let's see......decide just how much space you really need. Sometimes we need space for "things" we don't really use any longer. Rehome items before you move. Fewer unneeded possessions might give more flexibility in home buying....storage space in many villas and homes could be less than in home they are leaving.

Okay, my two cents on the eyebrow window ..........they are lovely, providing additional light during daylight hours, but also let street light in during darkness. Some rooms need to be dark, others might not. We have two eyebrow Windows.....got pleated fan like coverings for both. Neither window is in a bedroom so the light fabric window treatment filters enough at night. If one of those windows is in a bedroom where one could want more darkness, a window treatment with a darker, thicker or light blocking fabric could be used.

[2BNTV]

I would recommend buying a home with all of your "must haves", on your list. It might save you from the average of three moves, per villager. I am a one and done type of guy.

Research, research and more research and renting for a couple of months to ascertain what village you prefer to live in.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I will add this to make it interesting. In the $250,000 range. What one honest piece of advice would you give them?

I think mine would be to choose close to groceries and doctors.

Buy one.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I don't understand all this talk about eyebrow windows. I don't think I've ever seen one in my 51 months in The Villages.

[Chatbrat]

Window treatments are difficult, also if your house has a lot of sun exposure the less radiant heat the better--we had to have a handyman, cut a piece of plywood to match the eyebrow-put exterior paint to match the exterior & interior paint to match the interior-he found some flexible paintable 1/4 round for trim & my wife installed a rather neat decal--it cut down the heat load significantly

The regular window have Hunter Douglas custom pleated shades--

Eyebrows are not half/round windows

[alemorkam]

My advice would be to get a MLS Realtor� and a Villages Sales Agent. That way they would be able to see ALL the homes available in The Villages. Neither one can show you ALL.

[rjm1cc]

Rent

[bbbbbb]

Do a lot of research on the computer before coming to TV. Then you will know what to expect.

OK to move here:
1. LOCATION,,,,,do you want to be close to any features, stores, doctors or do you like to drive to everything. In the summer, your car is an oven in their lot. We do not do that, bicycles are the way to go for us.
2. Do you want a Villa with fencing, for privacy, we love it, or do you want a house with 3 or 2 car garage.
3. Do you know of the "sound items" to consider, the trains, the music (noise) on the squares
4. Do you want a new or used home, there are some bargains, but BE CAREFUL, ALL YOU SEE IS NOT A BARGAIN.
5. It is best to,,,,,,,,,,,, get with three or more realtors, the Village has a lifestyle program for getting the view of the Villages. Just outside of Villages, there is REMax, Executive Realty, Grizzard, all good people and it is an eye opener if you keep your eyes open when looking and do not get DIVERTED AWAY. There is also for sale by owner, some real deals there.
If you look in the Sun paper, they are all there. At Grizzard realty, Mr. Foster will really show you what you want and will tell you HONESTLY what is a good deal and a good price.
bbbbbb :pepper2:

[Rango]

Rent first, several times and in different areas.

[Sandtrap328]

I would suggest buying in an established neighborhood instead of new areas. You will have much lower bond, established mature landscaping, no surprises popping up like a kissing lanai next door or a memory center closeby. Get a double garage PLUS golf cart garage. A glassed in all season lanai is wonderful. Be sure to get one that faces East for morning light and is NOT in the Western exposure which will totally bake you in the afternoon.

Use BOTH MLS realtor and Villages realtor to see houses. In a pre-owned home, you can negotiate price with the seller. In a new home, no negotiation. Preowned also comes with a warranty if you ask for it.

[Barefoot]

Buy resale, not new.
While new can be more emotionally satisfying, resale is a better deal financially.
Plus you can get a view lot for way less money.
Just one humble opinion.

[Villageswimmer]

I would suggest buying in an established neighborhood instead of new areas. You will have much lower bond, established mature landscaping, no surprises popping up like a kissing lanai next door or a memory center closeby. Get a double garage PLUS golf cart garage. A glassed in all season lanai is wonderful. Be sure to get one that faces East for morning light and is NOT in the Western exposure which will totally bake you in the afternoon.

Use BOTH MLS realtor and Villages realtor to see houses. In a pre-owned home, you can negotiate price with the seller. In a new home, no negotiation. Preowned also comes with a warranty if you ask for it.


Just curious..why would a memory center be a negative? I could think of a lot worse things that could "pop up."

[jnieman]

I will add this to make it interesting. In the $250,000 range. What one honest piece of advice would you give them?

I think mine would be to choose close to groceries and doctors.

I always tell my friends who are looking for a house to buy one of those large Villages maps. Use a yellow highlighter and highlight all of the places they will go to often (inc grocery, golf courses, pharmacy, restaurants, square, etc.). Then circle the neighborhoods that are within 15 minutes of there by golf cart. Do a search on The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Retirement Hometown - New Home Sales, Home Resales, Build Your Dream Home, Brownwood Paddock Square (http://www.thevillages.com) pre-owned homes and search by price and neighborhood. To me the qualities in a home I would like are a 2 car garage (if in the budget a golf cart garage), 1500 sq feet plus, split floorplan, no pool or possibility of a pool behind you, offset home site, laminate floors, ample closet space, pantry in the kitchen, tile in the wet areas.

[graciegirl]

I think two car and a golf cart garage is a must. Your garage sort of becomes your basement for storage and projects.

[RickeyD]

I think two car and a golf cart garage is a must. Your garage sort of becomes your basement for storage and projects.



As well as a large storage area above the garage with enough headroom to stand up. These houses can be found that have a gable above the garage.
Not only can you store stuff on the floor, you can also install shelving.

[Sandtrap328]

Just curious..why would a memory center be a negative? I could think of a lot worse things that could "pop up."

What I was getting at was a large building or complex might be built next to you if you had a home just at the end of the brand new residential area.

When I was looking 7 years ago, the sales agent would say, "look at the beautiful horse field right next to your property". Guess what is there now?

I bought a preowned home in Glenview on the perfect spot on the Fox Run golf course. Bond has $1500 on it, I was able to negotiate price, house had features in it I did not have to buy extra, and we are just very happy Villagers now.

Contrast that with friends who bought at same time - brand new in St. Charles. They were first house on the street and a year later the back neighbor built an extended pool area that comes very close to the property line (and never invites them for a swim). $20,000 bond. Landscaping was poor and had to be replaced. House extras had to be bought and installed. List price was not negotiable. Construction in the area for a year.

[rubicon]

If someone I knew well was looking for a home here, what one thing would i say.

Friend I don't like giving recommendations for doctors, lawyers, mechanic investment companies ......and as to The Villages its a different kind of place and like scotch some have to acquire a taste for it. so my advice is that I am not going to give you advice but your welcome to pay me a short visit and experience it yourself, talk to residents, people employed here, etc.

[Gpsma]

When having pizza with your new friends. Avoid the urge to explain that pizza is not flatbread with pineapple and ham on soggy crust eaten with a knife and fork.

Close eyes and become nostalgic about totonnos in Coney Island. Smile. Pay your separate bill, leave, avoid asking spouse why you moved to an old horse pasture in Florida.

[dietpepsi]

becareful dont gulp the koolaid! the morris ( mispelled on pourpose ) family wants to get in ur billfold EVERY chance they can! dont hang around the square with ur grandkids, old drunk women get in fights, and if they dont know about the birds and the bees, they can watch people having sex on the square! becareful for those who dont clean up after there: dogs, drunk adult children! watch ur grandchildren at the pool there have been fights with old men! watch for the emerging thievery that is going on at the squares! if ur are a non-smoker dont go to spanish springs at night ur clothes will reek of cig smoke when u get home. if you are a texas holdem player, in the rec news if it is listed as "organized cards" that is a holdem tournament, bring a $100 and ur in for a good time, gotta hide the gambling , although they play bunco for money!?!?!?,,,, NEVER EVERput ur keys on the table at ANY event that is a secret signal to swingers , believe me my wife and i found this out the hard way , we were invited to a persons house , talk about shock when we got there! so those are my hints to a new person

[bbbbbb]

Good advice, rent first, we did that three times, different months and different locations in the Villages, good luck, be patient and be wary.
Rent a golf cart from an independent cart rental group for the best deals and they usually bring it out and pick it up.
TAKE YOUR TIME, BE CAREFUL, DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR.

[Walt.]

Ask where the railroad tracks are and be there when a train goes by.
Actually give a test drive from the house to the nearest Publix. At one open house the hand-out said "just around the corner from Publix." Well... that was a lie. We live here and knew that Publix was located about 3 miles away.

[HoosierPa]

Get rid of all you"stuff" and start a new beginning in TV.

[tomwed]

I know many realtors will tell you otherwise but having the back of your house facing east has made a huge difference to me, summer, spring, winter or fall. It's warm when I want it warm and cool when I want it cool. It's a lot like the mighty thermos keeping hot things hot and cold thing cold but never knowing why.

[thelegges]

It's OK if your first house turns out to be not quite right. Turns out TVs can move up to 2.5 times.
I like my stuff, so I am slowly bringing it down.
Golf cart garage a must
Big master closet with tall ceiling, It's your best inside storage.
Pre owned neighbors can be just as nice as new neighborhood people. Besides neighbors change over the years.
Could care less how close the squares, doctors, or grocery.
Its about the house you make into to your home

[Fraugoofy]

I will add this to make it interesting. In the $250,000 range. What one honest piece of advice would you give them?

I think mine would be to choose close to groceries and doctors.
I'd tell them for sure to read TOTV and for sure read the political forum. It gives good insight into The Villages...

Sent from my SM-N910R4 using Tapatalk

[virgind]

I would tell them to come buy my house as it is for sale. Enjoy your own pool and all that goes with it. (plug)

[OldManTime]

Buy in the Historic District, a New Home on the Golf Course

[dewilson58]

Drink Koolaid, don't drink DietPepsi.

[graciegirl]

Drink Koolaid, don't drink DietPepsi.


:bigbow::coolsmiley::1rotfl::clap2:

[twoplanekid]

I love the smell of coal dust and the shaking of our house as freight trains would pass by in the back yard. The blast of their horn for the crossing down the street was music to our ears. The sounds of truck engine braking for the crossing added to the enjoyment. Watching the drunks waddle down the street in front of our house in the evenings was another cherished delight that brings back the memories.

Having spent 35 plus years in another house surrounded by the sounds of silence with trees blocking our every view of the outside world, we decided to go for a home in the Villages that would be similar to our first home.

While I can barely hear the train whistle, every morning I can watch people passing by as they take their walks. I know what time it is by the frequency of the faint sound of car traffic passing by the bed room windows. We have no trees to block the view of sunrise. And our lanai faces west so that we can watch the setting sun.

It�s time for back to the future and we like it.:icon_wink: