Help! Please.. New Member with Questions..

[KevinF]

Hello All,
I'm new to TOTV. My wife and I rented for the month of February 2009 and we loved it. We looked at some homes but were reluctant to buy in an unsettled market. Now MIGHT be the time... but there are so many unanswered questions.. I would appreciate any opinions of residents and "snowbirds" more experienced than we are..
Can I purchase something within 3 miles of Lake Sumter Landing
Priced in the neighborhood of $175,000.
Concrete construction preferably
3 bedrooms, 2 baths, again preferably.
Vaulted ceiling in the living room area.
Don't be reluctant to point out anything unrealistic on my part.
Thanks in advance. My AOL address is dbmchief@aol.com.
KevinF
Brooklyn, NY

[coach]

I think you can do everything your list included except find a 3/2 blook & stucco for $175,000. Lots of homes are in that price range but they will be frame and vinyl siding. Block & stucco will start in the designer series about $190,000 and go up.

Good luck. we have been here for five years and love every day,

[champion6]

Take a look for yourself online by going to http://www.thevillages.com Click on Homes and look at both new and pre-owned.

You should also call or email The Villages and request the free video. You will also get a booklet that shows floor plans including square footage.

The Villages website shows both new and pre-owned homes. The pre-owned are on the VLS (Villages Listing Service) and are shown by TV sales reps. They are NOT included on the MLS that we are already familiar with everywhere else.

Here are some websites for local realtors who have access to the MLS. Each one also has some unique features that will help you learn more about TV.
http://www.lylesellsfla.com
http://www.milfordleedy.com
http://www.presprop.com

Of course many homes are for sale by owner. Here is one FSBO site: http://www.thevillagesfsbo.com Google will find many more for you.

Have fun!!! Good Luck!!!

[Army Guy]

Just bought alomost exactly what you wanted, EXCEPT 2bed/2bath for $174,000. I do not believe as others have said you can find for that price a 3/3.

Army Guy

[tankdvr1950]

do check out the villages web site and look at the homes there (as suggested above)...it is a good place to get a feel for whats out there...and check back often.....the homes there change frequently....but remember....the web site is only a partial listing....you really need to get with a sales agent and spend time going out and looking at whats available...just tell him/her what you are looking for and they will be happy to show you whats out there.....and keep you informed when something pops up on the market....new or pre-owned

we are in a Courtyard Villa (Savannah style, Stoneybrook model) and just closed on the 10th.......you will find concrete homes around $10k higher than frame.....3DR/2BR (new) in the $180's (Foxglove) and it goes up from there.

Questions?????....you have come to the right place to get answers....nothing better than TOTV

[Russ_Boston]

Kevin - Also remember that the new home will also have a bond in the range of 15K-25K depending on what model you end up with. This is in addition to the sales price. The bond on a 'used' home will be the unpaid balance.

You can get a 3bdr (den)/2 bath Concrete home or villa for right around 200K or just under as mentioned. The prices get higher (can be much higher) for the particluar lot/view that you pick or purchase used.

[rshoffer]

Yes--->a Courtyard Villa, interior site can come in close to that price.

[champion6]

One more thing regarding new construction... timing is everything!

We learned that as the developer finishes the building of a neighborhood within a village, the last few unsold homes are often offered at greater-than-normal discounts.

Have fun looking!

[ron56]

I am also a new member of TOTV. This is a great site with lots of great info. I'm still trying to figure out how to start a post and my way around the site. I was at TV in January and looked around at different homes. I have sold my house in Mass and am planning on coming down in September to buy. I was wondering if the new town square is going to be south of 446A. They were building in the Hemmingway area when I was there and I was wondering also if they are done building there. Thanks.

[spk7951]

I am also a new member of TOTV. This is a great site with lots of great info. I'm still trying to figure out how to start a post and my way around the site. I was at TV in January and looked around at different homes. I have sold my house in Mass and am planning on coming down in September to buy. I was wondering if the new town square is going to be south of 446A. They were building in the Hemmingway area when I was there and I was wondering also if they are done building there. Thanks.

Brownwood will be south of 466A, not sure but the distance is around 2 miles???
Hemingway is far from completed. I drove down Odell Circle Sunday and noticed they have started pouring foundations in the newest section of Hemingway that is between the Kilimanjaro and Roosevelt golf courses.

[another Linda]

I think the best thing potential buyers can do is rent for several months. Except for the high season (Jan - March) there should be plenty of places available for a reasonable rent. That gives you plenty of time to look, meet people, and to really experience TV.

Our experience was that the things I was sure I wanted when we started looking became not so important. For me, I was absolutely positive I wanted volume ceilings, had to have them. But then I would find that I would look at a place, leave, and not have noticed whether or not it had volume ceilings. (Duh!) In the end, the things that mattered to us (everyone is different) were location and privacy. Our hot tub under the stars, priceless!

[ron56]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of renting but I know I would like to be between Mallory Square and 466A. I also know what size house I want. Being single I won't need a lot of room. Has anyone checked out the new Cottage type homes. I understand they are like the ranch houses without a few of the upgrades. Now I just have to decide on new or pre-owned.

[Russ_Boston]

Being single I won't need a lot of room.

Better save some room for all the casseroles you'll be getting! :)

I saw some of the cottage style homes and other affordable plans being built in the St. Charles area. Some interesting new designs on villas as well. We were looking for something a little bigger so I didn't investigate the homes that much.

[ron56]

Thanks Russ. I like that line about the casseroles. Got a good laugh out of it. I see you are from Norton. I live in Natick. Can't wait to be in TV this winter. I know a couple guys I used to work with that live in TV and they both love it. Both avid golfers so I guess that helps.

[senior citizen]

Posting a question for a dear friend who is not a member. Long story, but they have had difficulty getting connected.

Perhaps this might be more of a survey directed to the widows and widowers out there who are either contemplating or have made the leap of faith and moved from their long time residence up north to TV.

Annie has given it the required six months or more before even thinking of relocating. In some ways she feels she really needs a change of scenary and a warmer climate plus an easier to care for home, now that hubby is gone.

Please, all you widows or widowers who would care to share "your story" of how you made the final decision, if you sold all the northern furniture before you moved down.......what type of home you ultimately decided on......plus any other pertinent info you'd care to share to help my friend "think" about the path she should take in the future.

A more simple lifestyle is uppermost with lower home maintenance; close to the town square and to shopping, groceries, post office, libary, etc.
Not necessarily a villa as she would have visiting children and grandchildren and need the 3 bedrooms.

Thank you all in advance for any stories you might wish to share regarding your personal moves down to TV after widowhood , etc. Was it a hardship being away from the children and grandchildren? Did you miss the old homestead.........or did you feel like it was a clean slate? An adventure?

[graciegirl]

Senior! Glad to see you again. If you are not careful, something here is bound to convince you to come and see TV for yourself, and than you are a goner!

I have a friend who moved here at the same time as we did, a year ago. She was a widow and thought she would enjoy the lifestyle. I believe she is sporting a left hand ring at this time, although it wasn't in her plans.

Anything can happen in TV. But you don't have to have a significant other to enjoy this place. People are people here and I know a lot of singles who are having the time of their lives and don't plan to marry at all.

[senior citizen]

You may well be right as far as us, considering all the rain the northeast has had; it is 63 degrees out on the second day of summer!

But, nope, her query was not about finding romance although that might be a nice surprise. It was more about wanting a total change of scenary, and wanting to hear from widows or widowers who have done it alone; meaning moving down totally alone, and whether or not they sold all their northern furniture , what type of home they selected for "one person" with anticipated visitors......did they buy a furnished home to save the hassles or new one and decorate it themselves. She noticed on some of the resales that the homes came furnished.

Also, she was wondering about the "adjustment period" from living close to the children and grandchildren to living totally alone in a new environment. They were a very close couple. She knows not to jump into anything new nor to sell the family home too soon, but is just weighing her options.

I know for a fact that meeting a replacement hubby is NOT on the agenda.

Now, we are awaiting the arrival of our son from Colorado and sure hope he brings the sunshine, plus our daughter's family and the 3 grandkids this coming weekend. On my friend's behalf, now that I'm thinking of it..........what does one do with all the toys and toyboxes that they've (and we've) accumulated for when the grandkids visit? When ours left the nest, we decluttered and simplified.............now it's all back again for the pleasure of the grandchildren. So, any widows out there who moved down to TV alone and how did you handle it all???

[champion6]

senior citizen, there is a section in this forum titled, Singles. Take a look at the posts that are there. Maybe some will provide insight into TV residents that are/were in the same situation as your friend.

I must confess that I haven't read any messages there because I'm not in a situation like that. I hope it helps!

[Bogie Shooter]

You may well be right as far as us, considering all the rain the northeast has had; it is 63 degrees out on the second day of summer!

But, nope, her query was not about finding romance although that might be a nice surprise. It was more about wanting a total change of scenary, and wanting to hear from widows or widowers who have done it alone; meaning moving down totally alone, and whether or not they sold all their northern furniture , what type of home they selected for "one person" with anticipated visitors......did they buy a furnished home to save the hassles or new one and decorate it themselves. She noticed on some of the resales that the homes came furnished.

Also, she was wondering about the "adjustment period" from living close to the children and grandchildren to living totally alone in a new environment. They were a very close couple. She knows not to jump into anything new nor to sell the family home too soon, but is just weighing her options.

I know for a fact that meeting a replacement hubby is NOT on the agenda.

Now, we are awaiting the arrival of our son from Colorado and sure hope he brings the sunshine, plus our daughter's family and the 3 grandkids this coming weekend. On my friend's behalf, now that I'm thinking of it..........what does one do with all the toys and toyboxes that they've (and we've) accumulated for when the grandkids visit? When ours left the nest, we decluttered and simplified.............now it's all back again for the pleasure of the grandchildren. So, any widows out there who moved down to TV alone and how did you handle it all???
I do believe this is the beginning of another novel.

[senior citizen]

senior citizen, there is a section in this forum titled, Singles. Take a look at the posts that are there. Maybe some will provide insight into TV residents that are/were in the same situation as your friend.

I must confess that I haven't read any messages there because I'm not in a situation like that. I hope it helps!


Thank you Champion.........I'll do just that. Appreciate the suggestion.

Guess I mistakenly thought the "singles" section was a type of matchmaking section for singles looking for a "connection".

She was just interested in how widowed or widowered people coped & managed making their individual choices alone.......after the spouse passed on..........and whether to begin totally fresh without the old "stuff" or bring along the memories.

Don't want to get too long winded here as it seems to bother some people.

But, thank you again. I will search for whatever is appropriate for her circumstances & print them out. She had thought I could do a "survey" of sorts to get various opinions from the widowed people who did move to TV.

[graciegirl]

Senior,

Single or double, all of us go through the same decision making about our furniture and possessions. All of them contain memories and good or bad these memories are part of the substance of our lives. Although our grandmother's Meissen Coach has always been in the family, is it beachy? Those are the kinds of things we go through, all of us.

I remember when my folks sold almost everything they owned and moved to Venice, Florida. I thought they were crazy or at least insensitive. Now I look at things differently.

I am astonished by the lovely and in good condition furniture available at consignment stores. Heretofore I was a thrift store snob, but now I know that buying things that are different and new (to you) is kind of signal of a new way of life which is probably healthy and good, and buying them at a reduced cost is just good common sense in this economy. Someone told me that it costs about fifty cents a pound to move stuff here. That would give you pause in itself.

I wish I knew the answer to help your friend but I don't know the answer for myself. I know that the smaller Camellia we own in Florida is so much easier to take care of. I used to love having all of this space, but although I hope I will always remember all the great parties, they are a LOT of work, just as keeping clean five bathrooms.

My formica countertop in Florida doesn't show water spots like the granite I so wanted here in Cincinnati. Easy, breezy, out the door to friends or the college or just for a little ride in the golf cart to see what new flowers are planted with maybe a stop at the grocery for some nice cookies.....

It is hard to sort out. But the joy of life in The Villages is unlike any I have ever experienced. It is so nice to be with grown ups in the same place on our journey of life.

[senior citizen]

Senior,

Single or double, all of us go through the same decision making about our furniture and possessions. All of them contain memories and good or bad these memories are part of the substance of our lives. Although our grandmother's Meissen Coach has always been in the family, is it beachy? Those are the kinds of things we go through, all of us.

I remember when my folks sold almost everything they owned and moved to Venice, Florida. I thought they were crazy or at least insensitive. Now I look at things differently.

I am astonished by the lovely and in good condition furniture available at consignment stores. Heretofore I was a thrift store snob, but now I know that buying things that are different and new (to you) is kind of signal of a new way of life which is probably healthy and good, and buying them at a reduced cost is just good common sense in this economy. Someone told me that it costs about fifty cents a pound to move stuff here. That would give you pause in itself.

I wish I knew the answer to help your friend but I don't know the answer for myself. I know that the smaller Camellia we own in Florida is so much easier to take care of. I used to love having all of this space, but although I hope I will always remember all the great parties, they are a LOT of work, just as keeping clean five bathrooms.

My formica countertop in Florida doesn't show water spots like the granite I so wanted here in Cincinnati. Easy, breezy, out the door to friends or the college or just for a little ride in the golf cart to see what new flowers are planted with maybe a stop at the grocery for some nice cookies.....

It is hard to sort out. But the joy of life in The Villages is unlike any I have ever experienced. It is so nice to be with grown ups in the same place on our journey of life.

Gracie,

I agree, and can relate to everything you've just mentioned. Thanks for taking the time to write. You always paint a picture that is pleasing to the imagination. Good common sense advice as well. Letting go of the "old" would be a major step for her.......leading into a new life.

[Shirleevee]

I do believe this is the beginning of another novel.

Personally, I like a good novel.........

[graciegirl]

Personally, I like a good novel.........

Ouch!