Lisiting our home for sale- Seems like we need to do it twice

[TOTV Newbie]

Has anyone ever listed their home with The Villages Listing Service AND The Multiple Listing Service at the same time?

If you list it with The Villages, it stays within the VLS and only Villages agents get access to it. However, they kinda do have a targeted audience.

If you list it with a regular realtor, it goes on the MLS and is seen around the world. However, it is not on the VLS where most people looking into moving into The Villages may be looking.

Wondering if it is best to list on both, but then I wonder how it works commission wise when it sells. I don't want to be paying twice.

[dewilson58]

:popcorn:

[gap2415]

I’m not sure if VLS will allow that and if you did, you might have to pay twice to selling agents. We listed MLS and it sold immediately.

[Wiotte]

Has anyone ever listed their home with The Villages Listing Service AND The Multiple Listing Service at the same time?



If you list it with The Villages, it stays within the VLS and only Villages agents get access to it. However, they kinda do have a targeted audience.



If you list it with a regular realtor, it goes on the MLS and is seen around the world. However, it is not on the VLS where most people looking into moving into The Villages may be looking.



Wondering if it is best to list on both, but then I wonder how it works commission wise when it sells. I don't want to be paying twice.



You can’t do what you suggest. It’s one or the other.


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[Tom C]

For what it is worth ... I am monitoring and looking for a home (for about 6 months +/-) and I didn't really realize the listings are independent till now. I have always just looked at MLS. The VLS listings are VERY SLOW to show photos.... so frustrating that I skipped them. Maybe I will look there again... but it is SLOW.

[Tom C]

me again ... I have found (now) that sometimes the photos NEVER load. When this happens, you can not backup to recover. You must start your search from scratch again. This is enough to make a saint talk like a sailor.

[TraceyMooreRN]

Why not list your house yourself and save yourself tons of money? I did, sold my house in two days. Priced right. Put in the paper and on Zillow. Hire a Attorney for contract/deposit holding and closing. It really is not that hard to sell a house in The Villages if it is priced right!!

[Love2Swim]

I agree. We sold our villa in the Villages by ourself, no problem. Had McLin Bernsed draw up the contracts, and saved having to pay the Villages sales commission.

[crash]

For what it is worth ... I am monitoring and looking for a home (for about 6 months +/-) and I didn't really realize the listings are independent till now. I have always just looked at MLS. The VLS listings are VERY SLOW to show photos.... so frustrating that I skipped them. Maybe I will look there again... but it is SLOW.

MLS sells about 30% of the resales and the VLS sells 70%. The VLS agents will not show a MLS listing and vice a versus.

[ColdNoMore]

me again ... I have found (now) that sometimes the photos NEVER load. When this happens, you can not backup to recover. You must start your search from scratch again. This is enough to make a saint talk like a sailor.

For those looking to purchase a home on the VLS site...that would be beyond frustrating. :oops:

[eweissenbach]

In some markets you can do an "open" listing, which is listing with multiple companies, and only paying the commission to the company that actually closes the sale. In this market I am relatively certain that you must sign an "exclusive" listing, meaning you are listing the property only with that company for a stated period of time (sixty - ninety days). That gives the listing company some assurance that the money they spend on advertising and the time spent marketing your property will not be done in vain. With an MLS realtor you property can be shown by all the cooperating MLS realty associates and the listing and selling agents split the commission. As some have suggested, you may want to list FSBO for thirty days or so to see if you can sell without the commission. A title company can and will do all the paperwork and take care of the closing details for about 2% or less. If you go that route don't overprice your property, and advertise everywhere you can, hold regular open houses (you can get signs at most hardware and home stores). Good luck!

[CFrance]

:popcorn:
:1rotfl:
But I would go with VLS first. They've got the majority of the looky-loos.

[John_W]

me again ... I have found (now) that sometimes the photos NEVER load. When this happens, you can not backup to recover. You must start your search from scratch again. This is enough to make a saint talk like a sailor.

I only have 10 mbps internet speed and the photos on TV website load immediately for me. Are you using a smart phone or tablet? In fact, when you hover your mouse over the dot, a small photo will pop up, and if you want to see more, click and a large image pops up with all the details. It all happens immediately for me. Here's the website, I didn't select price, or type or area, just resale. So you should see every resale TV has. Also the photos on the left you can click and get immediate photos.

Homefinder - The Villages(R) Homes and Villas for Sale (https://www.thevillages.com/homefinder/#/?preowned&homesites&map&lng=-81.98980715247814&lat=28.882859959220117&lvl=5)

[TidalWalkers]

Our home is now for sale in Pinellas. Putting it on Zillow was not difficult. It helps to add photos on Zillow. We also chose to have it listed in MLS for a lessor commission rate. PM me for info on our listing agent or if want to see a great premier home in Pinellas.

[jnieman]

In some markets you can do an "open" listing, which is listing with multiple companies, and only paying the commission to the company that actually closes the sale. In this market I am relatively certain that you must sign an "exclusive" listing, meaning you are listing the property only with that company for a stated period of time (sixty - ninety days). That gives the listing company some assurance that the money they spend on advertising and the time spent marketing your property will not be done in vain. With an MLS realtor you property can be shown by all the cooperating MLS realty associates and the listing and selling agents split the commission. As some have suggested, you may want to list FSBO for thirty days or so to see if you can sell without the commission. A title company can and will do all the paperwork and take care of the closing details for about 2% or less. If you go that route don't overprice your property, and advertise everywhere you can, hold regular open houses (you can get signs at most hardware and home stores). Good luck!

The title company will send you a packet on email of everything you need to do to sell it yourself. I had open houses every chance I got. Just put up signs I bought on Amazon (buy extra because community watch will take them). I also baked cookies right before the open house started. One other factor was I hired a housekeeper to do a deep clean on the house and put all of my knickknacks and family photos in boxes in the garage. I also had the carpets cleaned. Also find out your bond balance. You might also buy a large Villages map and have it on hand. Lots of new people come to open houses. I highlighted all of the shopping, squares, etc. on the map then showed them the location of my house on the map. They loved that.

[TOTV Newbie]

MLS sells about 30% of the resales and the VLS sells 70%. The VLS agents will not show a MLS listing and vice a versus.

That is very informative data. Can you provide a source, so I can research it some more? This would make our choice so much more pleasing. Thx much!

[eweissenbach]

That is very informative data. Can you provide a source, so I can research it some more? This would make our choice so much more pleasing. Thx much!

That sounds about right, but my observation would imply that those percentages reflect the number of listings each entity gets. The Villages RE has a number of advantages - Every new home was sold by TV so when the initial buyers want to sell they have an established relationship with a TV salesperson - The Villages website is the go to resource for most people investigating purchase in TV, so it is natural for them to begin researching homes by going to the homes tab on the website first - The best real estate (front and inside front page) on the Daily Sun classifieds section is reserved for Villages resales and the back two pages of the front section for Villages new sales. - Everyone who comes for a lifestyle preview is assigned a TV agent, who has the first chance to develop a positive relationship - The radio station advertises the Villages open houses each day.
These advantages don't assure the Villages Sales will sell quicker or at all, but they do give them a head start with many people.

[Packer Fan]

So what percentage does the VLS charge and what does the MLS realtors charge? I assume MLS asks for 7 but takes 6%?

[427dave]

We listed our house years ago with The Villages. They had the listing for the length of the contract which was 6 months and only showed it two times and had one open house. Needless to say it did not sell for 6 months, then we listed it with Re-Max and it sold in 3 weeks. I think The Villages was using second hand homes to convince people to buy a new one instead. They had ours listed a little high I feel also. When we bought another home in The Villages we ended up buying from a Villages representative. What we were doing was going to open houses of both MLS realtors and Villages realtors.

So that is my experience.

[vintageogauge]

We listed our house years ago with The Villages. They had the listing for the length of the contract which was 6 months and only showed it two times and had one open house. Needless to say it did not sell for 6 months, then we listed it with Re-Max and it sold in 3 weeks. I think The Villages was using second hand homes to convince people to buy a new one instead. They had ours listed a little high I feel also. When we bought another home in The Villages we ended up buying from a Villages representative. What we were doing was going to open houses of both MLS realtors and Villages realtors.

So that is my experience.

That is odd as TV sales agents sold abut 30% more re-sales last year than the MLS agents sold, about 2200 to about 1650 if i'm not mistaken.

[vintageogauge]

Our home is now for sale in Pinellas. Putting it on Zillow was not difficult. It helps to add photos on Zillow. We also chose to have it listed in MLS for a lessor commission rate. PM me for info on our listing agent or if want to see a great premier home in Pinellas.

The problem with listing for a lower commission is that the agents will show homes paying the max commission before showing the discounted ones. I learned that the hard way years ago. The agent that gives the lower rate is counting on just that so he/she can sell the house and get the full list/sale commission instead of just the listing commission. I'm sure there are exceptions to this but for the most part it is true.

[TOTV Newbie]

So what percentage does the VLS charge and what does the MLS realtors charge? I assume MLS asks for 7 but takes 6%?

VLS 6% period.

MLS asks 6%, but but will deal to 5% when you say you have decided to go with TV.

[TOTV Newbie]

We listed our house years ago with The Villages. They had the listing for the length of the contract which was 6 months and only showed it two times and had one open house. Needless to say it did not sell for 6 months, then we listed it with Re-Max and it sold in 3 weeks. I think The Villages was using second hand homes to convince people to buy a new one instead. They had ours listed a little high I feel also. When we bought another home in The Villages we ended up buying from a Villages representative. What we were doing was going to open houses of both MLS realtors and Villages realtors.

So that is my experience.

What was your conversation with them the entire six months? Didn't you ask for more open houses, different marketing strategies or out of your contract? What did they say?

[Psacc0]

me again ... I have found (now) that sometimes the photos NEVER load. When this happens, you can not backup to recover. You must start your search from scratch again. This is enough to make a saint talk like a sailor.
My pictures load pretty quick (from Villages website, not the app)

[newgirl]

Where is it ? Bed? bath ? I am going to be seriously looking after my June 29th closing on my house... I would like to be within 3 miles of Parr rd , Super Walmart , library area.. under $225.000

[eweissenbach]

Where is it ? Bed? bath ? I am going to be seriously looking after my June 29th closing on my house... I would like to be within 3 miles of Parr rd , Super Walmart , library area.. under $225.000

Check the Villages website, An MLS website (Lyle Gant has a good one), Zillow, and VillageRsfsbo.com

[TOTV Newbie]

Where is it ? Bed? bath ? I am going to be seriously looking after my June 29th closing on my house... I would like to be within 3 miles of Parr rd , Super Walmart , library area.. under $225.000

Off Moyer Loop Over $450,000

[Barefoot]

MLS sells about 30% of the resales and the VLS sells 70%. Buyers these days use the internet and know the value of homes.
A lot of people who sell privately make the mistake of listing their home for an unrealistically high price.

[Wiotte]

VLS 6% period.



MLS asks 6%, but but will deal to 5% when you say you have decided to go with TV.



VLS charges 5% if they handle both the sell and the buy whether it be used or new.


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[Carla B]

It could be that VLS is paying more attention to resale listings now that some new buyers want to live closer in vs. out in Fenney.

[tagjr1]

The developer "hates" resales because they take away buyers from his business. Yes, the VLS will do 5% if you list and buy thru them, but they refuse to negotiate otherwise! When we listed our home thru VLS at the suggested list price it was slow to show. We realize that we were 10k overpriced and adjusted accordingly and finally saw some action. One of our neighbors had their house on the market thru MLS, and during an open house they overheard a VLS agent telling his clients that if they liked this floorplan/house, he could sell them a new house for less. He was asked to leave immediately! The developer hates competition!

[Dan9871]

market thru MLS, and during an open house they overheard a VLS agent telling his clients that if they liked this floorplan/house, he could sell them a new house for less.

Hmmm, if I was buying a house I would be upset if my agent did not tell me about a similar house I might be interested in, esp. a new one, that cost less.

[Wiotte]

Like any marketable item, if what you search for is highly desirable for any number of reasons it will sell and sell quickly.


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[ohiosbestus]

Has anyone ever listed their home with The Villages Listing Service AND The Multiple Listing Service at the same time?

If you list it with The Villages, it stays within the VLS and only Villages agents get access to it. However, they kinda do have a targeted audience.

If you list it with a regular realtor, it goes on the MLS and is seen around the world. However, it is not on the VLS where most people looking into moving into The Villages may be looking.

Wondering if it is best to list on both, but then I wonder how it works commission wise when it sells. I don't want to be paying twice.
Would your home be in the Orange Blossom area or in Silver Lake. As soon as we sell our home we will be buying a home in that area? PM us if your home is in those 2 villages.

[tagjr1]

Hmmm, if I was buying a house I would be upset if my agent did not tell me about a similar house I might be interested in, esp. a new one, that cost less.
The purpose of a "open House" is to sell the the house, not use it as an example for something the VLS employee can use to push their own agenda. My neighbor said the clients were quite interested in his house, but the agent interfered. At the very least the agent should have taken the clients outside to have that conversation. The main purpose of VLS agents is to sell new homes, used ones are ok, but new is the main goal. This happened during the initial phase of Fenney, and there was a lot of chatter on here concerning the "tales" and promises made by VLS employees concerning how quickly the developer was going to provide this and that. The VLS people pretty much do what they want to accomplish what they need to do, whether they cross the line or not is up to each person to decide. And let's not forget that the VLS was not going to get any compensation if his clients decided to purchase my neighbor's house! With that in mind, one has to question what his motives were.

[ohiosbestus]

Has anyone ever listed their home with The Villages Listing Service AND The Multiple Listing Service at the same time?

If you list it with The Villages, it stays within the VLS and only Villages agents get access to it. However, they kinda do have a targeted audience.

If you list it with a regular realtor, it goes on the MLS and is seen around the world. However, it is not on the VLS where most people looking into moving into The Villages may be looking.

Wondering if it is best to list on both, but then I wonder how it works commission wise when it sells. I don't want to be paying twice.
Would your home be in the Orange Blossom area or in Silver Lake. As soon as we sell our home we will be buying a home in that area? PM us if your home is in those 2 villages.

[tagjr1]

The problem with listing for a lower commission is that the agents will show homes paying the max commission before showing the discounted ones. I learned that the hard way years ago. The agent that gives the lower rate is counting on just that so he/she can sell the house and get the full list/sale commission instead of just the listing commission. I'm sure there are exceptions to this but for the most part it is true.

If I,as an MLS agent, which I'm NOT, were to bring a ready , willing buyer to YOUR agent the compensation would normally be half. A buyer is a buyer! If the house is priced right and sells quickly, great! Savvy MLS agents know good quick sales opportunities right away, no matter what the compensation is.

[manaboutown]

The developer "hates" resales because they take away buyers from his business. Yes, the VLS will do 5% if you list and buy thru them, but they refuse to negotiate otherwise! When we listed our home thru VLS at the suggested list price it was slow to show. We realize that we were 10k overpriced and adjusted accordingly and finally saw some action. One of our neighbors had their house on the market thru MLS, and during an open house they overheard a VLS agent telling his clients that if they liked this floorplan/house, he could sell them a new house for less. He was asked to leave immediately! The developer hates competition!

Might it be possible the VLS agent encouraged you to list your home $10K too high so that VLS agents could first show your home to buyers, then steer the buyers to the new homes they are motivated to sell by the developer, new homes which might then appear to be a "bargain"?

[Dan9871]

The purpose of a "open House" is to sell the the house.

Certainly the seller's agent holds an open house to sell the house, but the purpose of the buyers agent is to represent the buyer, not the seller.

I'd say it's a bit tacky for the sellers agent to openly tell his client about a better deal while still at the open house, but if I were a buyer I wouldn't have a problem with it. For sure the buyer would want to know the comparable prices of other houses if only to negotiate a better price on your neighbors house.

But I don't understand why a VLS agent would take a client to an MLS listing? I'm sure there was a good reason but, as you said, there was nothing in it for the VLS agent.

[manaboutown]

Many listing agents hold open houses to attract buyers and sellers to employ their services. Whether or not the lookie-loos are are interested in the particular house held open is of little consequence to them. The sellers usually assume the open house is primarily being held to sell their house but that may or may not be the case.

[CWGUY]

The developer "hates" resales because they take away buyers from his business. Yes, the VLS will do 5% if you list and buy thru them, but they refuse to negotiate otherwise! When we listed our home thru VLS at the suggested list price it was slow to show. We realize that we were 10k overpriced and adjusted accordingly and finally saw some action. One of our neighbors had their house on the market thru MLS, and during an open house they overheard a VLS agent telling his clients that if they liked this floorplan/house, he could sell them a new house for less. He was asked to leave immediately! The developer hates competition!

:confused: You're saying a VLS Agent took a buyer to a MLS open house?:shocked:Find that hard to believe.

If I tell this story to someone..... would it be 3rd. or 4th. hand info.? I've lost count.:ho:

[Spikearoni]

VLS 6% period.

MLS asks 6%, but but will deal to 5% when you say you have decided to go with TV.

I believe that TV will charge 5% if you are purchasing another TV home. That being said, I recall when we were first looking, our TV sales rep would show us a preowned home that we wanted to see, and then mention that similar new homes had nicer features. I wondered whether TV sales reps make a higher commission upon selling a new TV home as we were not too subtly encouraged in that direction. Perhaps it was just how our salesperson operated, but it might be a consideration when deciding with whom to list your property.

[Barefoot]

The purpose of a "open House" is to sell the the house ...
Speaking as a retired real estate broker, the purpose of an open house is for the agent to pick up new clients.
If the home sells during an open house, it's a bonus!

[Barefoot]

I recall when we were first looking, our TV sales rep would show us a preowned home that we wanted to see, and then mention that similar new homes had nicer features.
We had no problem with the Villages agent understanding that we wanted a preowned home with a view lot.

[CFrance]

I believe that TV will charge 5% if you are purchasing another TV home. That being said, I recall when we were first looking, our TV sales rep would show us a preowned home that we wanted to see, and then mention that similar new homes had nicer features. I wondered whether TV sales reps make a higher commission upon selling a new TV home as we were not too subtly encouraged in that direction. Perhaps it was just how our salesperson operated, but it might be a consideration when deciding with whom to list your property.
Whatever the reason, I believe the TV sales agents are now very interested in showing pre-owned homes. Basically, there is a "build-out," if you will, between 466 and a little south of 466A. Nothing new available south of 44 (maybe in Pine Ridge? But they have higher taxes.)


When we listed our house with TV, it was because they gave us a presentation that convinced us that they were very much interested in showing used homes. This was not the case when we were house hunting in 2011.

[vintageogauge]

[QUOTE=CFrance;1555745]Whatever the reason, I believe the TV sales agents are now very interested in showing pre-owned homes. Basically, there is a "build-out," if you will, between 466 and a little south of 466A. Nothing new available south of 44 (maybe in Pine Ridge? But they have higher taxes.)


I think you might have your route numbers mixed up just a bit.

[tagjr1]

Speaking as a retired real estate broker, the purpose of an open house is for the agent to pick up new clients.
If the home sells during an open house, it's a bonus!


I'm so glad you posted this! In the future if I market my home I will insist that the realtor NOT solicit new clients! If my "open house" is nothing but a lure then I expect some form of compensation, say a reduction in the commission for each head that walks thru the door, serious buyer or not!

[tagjr1]

[QUOTE=CFrance;1555745]Whatever the reason, I believe the TV sales agents are now very interested in showing pre-owned homes. Basically, there is a "build-out," if you will, between 466 and a little south of 466A. Nothing new available south of 44 (maybe in Pine Ridge? But they have higher taxes.)


I think you might have your route numbers mixed up just a bit.
"Build out" is a myth!

[Wiotte]

I'm so glad you posted this! In the future if I market my home I will insist that the realtor NOT solicit new clients! If my "open house" is nothing but a lure then I expect some form of compensation, say a reduction in the commission for each head that walks thru the door, serious buyer or not!



It’s the price you pay along with the commission to sell a house. You could always opt not to have any open houses. It’s your call.


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[Barefoot]

I'm so glad you posted this! In the future if I market my home I will insist that the realtor NOT solicit new clients! If my "open house" is nothing but a lure then I expect some form of compensation, say a reduction in the commission for each head that walks thru the door, serious buyer or not!As Wiotte wisely states:
It’s the price you pay along with the commission to sell a house.
You could always opt not to have any open houses. It’s your call.

[Wiotte]

As Wiotte wisely states:
It’s the price you pay along with the commission to sell a house.
You could always opt not to have any open houses. It’s your call.



Hey, how’s the pizza in the North country ? Lol


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[Wiotte]

///

[mysunshine1948]

I have sold two homes here by owner! Put a sign in the window, took good pictures and posted on Zillow. Advantage Trust is so easy to work with. Saves a lot of money. You do not need a realtor!!!

[Uptwnprop]

Liability and lawsuits

[TOTV Newbie]

I have sold two homes here by owner! Put a sign in the window, took good pictures and posted on Zillow. Advantage Trust is so easy to work with. Saves a lot of money. You do not need a realtor!!!

What was your price range?

[427dave]

What was your conversation with them the entire six months? Didn't you ask for more open houses, different marketing strategies or out of your contract? What did they say?

Yes we constantly asked why it wasn't selling, did we need to lower the price etc. They said open houses didn't do that much good, however there are a lot of them in the paper. Ask to be out of contract, they said that we signed the contract for 6 months. The representative was not doing a good job, left most everything and communications to his assistant. Most all the Villages representatives have an assistant. It is also my understanding the Villages sales reps do not need a real estate license, they are not realtors just sales agents for the developer. We were not very happy with the Villages selling our house. However when we moved back after 4 years away we bought from a Villages sales rep and were very happy with them.

[EPutnam1863]

Why not list your house yourself and save yourself tons of money? I did, sold my house in two days. Priced right. Put in the paper and on Zillow. Hire a Attorney for contract/deposit holding and closing. It really is not that hard to sell a house in The Villages if it is priced right!!

Agreed! We listed our house in Viera, FL by ourselves in Zillow and sold it the same day. We paid only $1.00.

But if you decide to go with a realtor, don't pay the 6% commission. Instead on the listing agreement you agree to pay 4% if they sell within 30 days or before they post at MLS.

However I see from Zillow that there is a lot of houses for sale in TV. So if you post at Zillow, you need to take good pix and write enticing descriptions.

For example at Zillow I wrote our property had so much privacy that we could go outside in our birthday skins. It worked.

[eweissenbach]

However I see from Zillow that there is a lot of houses for sale in TV. So if you post at Zillow, you need to take good pix and write enticing descriptions.

For example at Zillow I wrote our property had so much privacy that we could go outside in our birthday skins. It worked.

Ahhh, marketing to nudists! Great idea!

[CWGUY]

Agreed! We listed our house in Viera, FL by ourselves in Zillow and sold it the same day. We paid only $1.00.

But if you decide to go with a realtor, don't pay the 6% commission. Instead on the listing agreement you agree to pay 4% if they sell within 30 days or before they post at MLS.

However I see from Zillow that there is a lot of houses for sale in TV. So if you post at Zillow, you need to take good pix and write enticing descriptions.

For example at Zillow I wrote our property had so much privacy that we could go outside in our birthday skins. It worked.

Ahhh, marketing to nudists! Great idea!

:confused: Did they say "good descriptions" and "enticing pix"?:a20:

[Tom C]

UPDATE: I posted a note that the load times were excessive if not never-ending. I was viewing the site from work and we have a VERY RESTRICTVE firewall in place. When I went home, and was routed thru my home router and connection, it was quick. Sorry for the confusion and angst.

[KathieI]

We listed our house years ago with The Villages. They had the listing for the length of the contract which was 6 months and only showed it two times and had one open house. Needless to say it did not sell for 6 months, then we listed it with Re-Max and it sold in 3 weeks. I think The Villages was using second hand homes to convince people to buy a new one instead. They had ours listed a little high I feel also. When we bought another home in The Villages we ended up buying from a Villages representative. What we were doing was going to open houses of both MLS realtors and Villages realtors.

So that is my experience.


Right on, Dave!!!
My experience also, except The Villages listing never sold after 1 year, I started at the price they recommended and reduced and reduced. Finally listed with Realty Execs, sold in 1 month, however at a much lower price. People watch the listings very intently and when they see one on the market for a year, they know we're desperate. I lost my shirt, carrying 2 houses for 1 year and also selling at a much reduced price. Never again will I SELL through TV, they use preowned homes to persuade buys that new is better.



I agree with others, try FSBO first, you have nothing to lose.

[Sgroemm]

I am a recent buyer and will tell you I honestly looked all three places for my home (FSBO, Realty Exec. in TV, and MLS). Most diligent buyers will look at these three places so I agree with the advice given above to try FSBO first. If you have no bond or a low bond left on your home, I would suggest MLS second. As a buyer, those new homes were often presented at a lower price point by Realty Exec. in TV, but those high bonds!! The homes with no or low bond (resale) won every time for me. There are those buyers who are strictly looking for a new home (been there done that) and your listing with TV won't change that. MLS is nation-wide and also widely trusted by out of town buyers for years. Realty exec. in TV were professional, but I could clearly feel their motivation to sell me a new home. I ended up using ERA Grizzard in TV and was very happy with their service, willingness to show me the homes I wanted to see and easy closing. Best of luck!

[vintageogauge]

This post has been up so long the home is probably sold by now. Next.

[GoodLife]

I am a recent buyer and will tell you I honestly looked all three places for my home (FSBO, Realty Exec. in TV, and MLS). Most diligent buyers will look at these three places so I agree with the advice given above to try FSBO first. If you have no bond or a low bond left on your home, I would suggest MLS second. As a buyer, those new homes were often presented at a lower price point by Realty Exec. in TV, but those high bonds!! The homes with no or low bond (resale) won every time for me. There are those buyers who are strictly looking for a new home (been there done that) and your listing with TV won't change that. MLS is nation-wide and also widely trusted by out of town buyers for years. Realty exec. in TV were professional, but I could clearly feel their motivation to sell me a new home. I ended up using ERA Grizzard in TV and was very happy with their service, willingness to show me the homes I wanted to see and easy closing. Best of luck!

You need to be more careful in your wording. Realty Executives is an MLS brokerage and do not sell new homes in the Villages, only resales on the MLS. Most likely you are talking about The Villages Realty, which sells all the new homes plus resales listed on VLS

[tagjr1]

It’s the price you pay along with the commission to sell a house. You could always opt not to have any open houses. It’s your call.


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It's the price I pay because the agent has not been honest about it! If the real intention for having a open house is to bring in new contacts and not to sell my house then some ones ethics should be called in to question.

[tagjr1]

Yes we constantly asked why it wasn't selling, did we need to lower the price etc. They said open houses didn't do that much good, however there are a lot of them in the paper. Ask to be out of contract, they said that we signed the contract for 6 months. The representative was not doing a good job, left most everything and communications to his assistant. Most all the Villages representatives have an assistant. It is also my understanding the Villages sales reps do not need a real estate license, they are not realtors just sales agents for the developer. We were not very happy with the Villages selling our house. However when we moved back after 4 years away we bought from a Villages sales rep and were very happy with them.
the state requires anyone who sells real estate for a commission be licensed. The National Association of Realtors has their Realtors sign a code of ethics, while Villages agents do not. This would explain why they seem to get away with some of this crap!

[eweissenbach]

The state requires anyone who sells real estate for a commission be licensed. The National Association of Realtors has their Realtors sign a code of ethics, while Villages agents do not. This would explain why they seem to get away with some of this crap!

While it is true that Villages agents are not Realtors(tm), I don't think they are any more or less honest or honorable than other agents. I have met a lot of agents over the past nine years going to hundreds of open houses, and have only heard two Village salespeople saying things that I thought were blatantly wrong.
One responded, when I said I always just add the bond remaining to the asking price to determine the real price, "Oh you can't do that, the bond is paid with the taxes, and you won't even notice it." To which I replied - Really! I won't notice that extra fifteen hundred dollars per year m/l? I think you confuse me with a fool!
I overheard another VLS salesperson tell someone "I GUARANTEE that this house will be worth another $20,000 in another year" Anyone who has been in any real estate or financial position, or anyone with a brain knows you can't predict, much less guarantee future prices. Again, that is two instances out of hundreds so not noteworthy as a trend. I worked with Tony Trussler with the Villages and Lyle Gant with MLS, and can absolutely vouch for their credibility, honesty, and character.

[Topspinmo]

Hmmm, if I was buying a house I would be upset if my agent did not tell me about a similar house I might be interested in, esp. a new one, that cost less.

The house my be for less, but the hidden charges like bond, land scaping, and furnishings may add up to much more? Most don't realize that till after the brought. .

[New Englander]

the state requires anyone who sells real estate for a commission be licensed. The National Association of Realtors has their Realtors sign a code of ethics, while Villages agents do not. This would explain why they seem to get away with some of this crap!

I can tell you honestly, that I (briefly) dealt with a licensed realtor up north that had 0 ethics. I'm betting he's not the only one.

[Wiotte]

the state requires anyone who sells real estate for a commission be licensed. The National Association of Realtors has their Realtors sign a code of ethics, while Villages agents do not. This would explain why they seem to get away with some of this crap!



The realtor code of ethics is a fig leaf, means nothing. Unethical personalities will sign anything if it’s personally beneficial. The only thing that matters is did your agent violate state statute in regard to real property law. If not, he did nothing wrong.


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[Barefoot]

While it is true that Villages agents are not Realtors(tm), I don't think they are any more or less honest or honorable than other agents.:agree: I've used both MLS and TLS. I've been very satisfied with both agents.

[TOTV Newbie]

Turns out going with The Villages was the right way to go for our situation.