Villages in 3 Counties...did you know?

[pfhannan]

So many don't know there are 3 Counties in The Villages. There is Sumter...very expensive to live in, and maintain, There is Marion, not as bad as Sumter, but bonds are a big issue, with many many deed restrictions, and then there is Lake, where the cost is much less, less taxes, no bonds, few deed restrictions, to name a few benefits there.

[graciegirl]

So many don't know there are 3 Counties in The Villages. There is Sumter...very expensive to live in, and maintain, There is Marion, not as bad as Sumter, but bonds are a big issue, with many many deed restrictions, and then there is Lake, where the cost is much less, less taxes, no bonds, few deed restrictions, to name a few benefits there.

I didn't know Sumter is more expensive to live in. Are the taxes higher in Sumter? But why is it more expensive to maintain your home there? Marion has more deed restrictions than Sumter?

I am one who thinks of deed restrictions as a benefit. They are something we have lived with for a long time and seem to keep a neighborhood looking nice and without campers and boats parked here and there and without a LOT of lawn ornaments etc.

Sumter appears to have the greatest amount of homes and of course the newest ones and it seems that we, The Villages are that county's best funder too. Just throwing this out.

I did know that we are in three counties. But mostly Sumter.

[Ohiogirl]

Homes in Lake County are also older, aren't they? Not that that is always a bad thing. Sometimes many upgrades in place and new mechanicals and roof, and mature landscaping is in place.

I think resale prices reflect age, condition, and location, like anywhere else. If there's no bond or the bond is paid off, the resale price also reflects that.

I'd say try to pick what's most important to you (i.e., close to friends, family, rec center, pool, town square, shopping, medical, whether you are a "new house only" person) and choose the new or resale house you can afford and think you'll be happy with. If you can't afford what you'd most like, then it's time to prioritize.

There is no bad location in The Villages IMO.

[skip0358]

I knew of the 3 counties but I don't see where Sumter is so expensive. And I agree with Graciegirl the restrictions are what I wanted.

[Army Guy]

:agree:
I agree 100% with Gracie, I think the increased deed restrictions that have been implemented as TV has gone South are a BIG plus. Personally, I don't think they are restrictive enough.
As far as taxes, I looked at all the rates in the various parts of TV when we were looking to buy, and Sumter we though was very fair, and since TV is the greatest tax base in Sumter and is pretty much here to stay versus counties that have a lot of private business, it should remain very well funded with tax funds. And after having paid our property tax, I think it is very reasonable especially with the Homestead.
I guess that maintain is because of all the facilities that we have, which to me is another plus because it adds to my property value.
As far as the Bond goes, to me again, just our thoughts we like the idea of the bond, it gives us an ownership feel for the facilites and services.
To paraphase that famous Bible scripture, "As for me and my wife, we shall live in Sumter."

Army Guy

[Xavier]

So many don't know there are 3 Counties in The Villages. There is Sumter...very expensive to live in, and maintain, There is Marion, not as bad as Sumter, but bonds are a big issue, with many many deed restrictions, and then there is Lake, where the cost is much less, less taxes, no bonds, few deed restrictions, to name a few benefits there.

One of my favorite skits from Saturday Night Live is called "Really?" We bought in Marion County, but the County didn't figure into the decision. You can look at all of the Deed Restrictions here: http://www.districtgov.org/departments/community-standards/download.aspx and make your own conclusions. I'm with Gracie - love those restrictions! I am a little disappointed with their enforcement recently. Guess I'll have to get involved ... well, maybe. I think if you drive around everywhere in The Villages you may find that perhaps things are a little more lax in the areas without restrictions.

X

[Rag Bagger]

The restrictions are a big big plus.

The bond however really sets me off. It is to pay for infrastructure that is really part of the cost of the property. The builder uses the bond to make it appear the house and property are less expensive than they really are. And what really makes me hot is you cannot pay it back faster. It's either pay it all at once or stretch it out 30 years which makes a 20k bond cost almost 40K with interest. That option to do a total pay off is offered once each year.

It gets worse if you do actually pay your bond off early it will have little or no benifit if you sell your house in say 5 or ten years. You will more than likely get the same price as a home with a full bond left. The home buyers have been put to sleep and they don't even realize how much the bond is really costing.

I still love it here but that little bond issue rubs me the wrong way. Nuff said.

[Army Guy]

Red, I have to disagree. The BIG benefit to paying it off, is that my $12,000 bond is $12,000, and that extra amount of intrest is now in my pocket! It can be looked at it either way.

Army Guy

[Indy-Guy]

So many don't know there are 3 Counties in The Villages. There is Sumter...very expensive to live in, and maintain, There is Marion, not as bad as Sumter, but bonds are a big issue, with many many deed restrictions, and then there is Lake, where the cost is much less, less taxes, no bonds, few deed restrictions, to name a few benefits there.

Below is a copy of a recent posting of Mr. Paul Hannan

As of today there are no challengers for the Lady Lake Ward 4 seat. Commissioners in Lady Lake have two year terms. In the last election of 2008 Paul Hannan defeated Mr. Phil Mathias with over 60% of the vote.

This is the same person who started this thread. Perhaps we should all know that Mr. Hannan is a Politician. He is a Lady Lake Town Commissioner. He is beating his own drumb.

I thought many of you would like to know where he is comming from.

[Bogie Shooter]

Below is a copy of a recent posting of Mr. Paul Hannan

As of today there are no challengers for the Lady Lake Ward 4 seat. Commissioners in Lady Lake have two year terms. In the last election of 2008 Paul Hannan defeated Mr. Phil Mathias with over 60% of the vote.

This is the same person who started this thread. Perhaps we should all know that Mr. Hannan is a Politician. He is a Lady Lake Town Commissioner. He is beating his own drumb.

I thought many of you would like to know where he is comming from.

Thanks.
Now it makes more sense. I did not know where the poster was coming from.

[Xavier]

Below is a copy of a recent posting of Mr. Paul Hannan

As of today there are no challengers for the Lady Lake Ward 4 seat. Commissioners in Lady Lake have two year terms. In the last election of 2008 Paul Hannan defeated Mr. Phil Mathias with over 60% of the vote.

This is the same person who started this thread. Perhaps we should all know that Mr. Hannan is a Politician. He is a Lady Lake Town Commissioner. He is beating his own drumb.

I thought many of you would like to know where he is comming from.

Thanks for filling in the blanks. I was wondering what the motivation would be for starting such a thread. I still don't know so I'll still wonder. Now that I know that it comes from a politician I'm even more skeptical!

[Xavier]

Thanks.
Now it makes more sense. I did not know where the poster was coming from.

I'd guess that he's coming from either left or right field! :angel:

[Pturner]

Below is a copy of a recent posting of Mr. Paul Hannan

As of today there are no challengers for the Lady Lake Ward 4 seat. Commissioners in Lady Lake have two year terms. In the last election of 2008 Paul Hannan defeated Mr. Phil Mathias with over 60% of the vote.

This is the same person who started this thread. Perhaps we should all know that Mr. Hannan is a Politician. He is a Lady Lake Town Commissioner. He is beating his own drumb.

I thought many of you would like to know where he is comming from.

Thanks Indy. I thought the intial post lacked credibility even before I knew the hidden agenda. Yes, it was at least partially accurate, in that the Lake County portion of TV has fewer deed restrictions (a negative in my book) and the homes in Lake County don't have a bond. No evidence or examples were provided to support the assertions that homes in Sumter are more expensive to maintain or that TV has more deed restrictions in Marion than in Sumter.

[Bryan]

What's great about this forum is that anyone - even politicians - can post.

I was just wondering, does anyone know the percentage distributions between the three counties? I am guessing probably 75% of TV is in Sumter County, probably 15% in Marion County, and probably 10% in Lake County/Lady Lake. That's only my guess so if anyone has something more definitive, please pass it on.

I have to almost agree with Army Guy on the deed restrictions. The "almost" part comes on whether we need more restrictions or not. I am not sure there. In general, I think we have enough "laws" (i.e. deed restrictions) and what we need is some real enforcement of the existing laws - not more laws that won't be enforced either!

[redwitch]

Don't know the percentages but I believe it is more Lake than Marion County.

Being from California, I'm used to bonds. They are pretty much the norm in new developments -- heck, I thought bonds came with every purchase. And, like here, the bonds pay for the sewers, lighting, roads, etc. So, I was really confused when people here hadn't heard of bonds.

I'm one of the oddballs -- I really don't like the restrictions. I may not like your pink flamingoes or colorful gnomes but I'm glad you can put them out if it floats your boat. Yes, I do believe there should be SOME restrictions but when people can't up a trellis for their bougainville or a bird feeder in their back yard, I think restrictions have gone too far.

One thing I do appreciate is that we have so many choices here. I can live where there are few restrictions; you can live where there are more. We'll both be happy with what we have and, more importantly, we both can enjoy all that TV has to offer.

[Army Guy]

Thanks Indy!!! Yes, now it does all make sense.

Bryan, I agree we defintiely need more and better enforcement of the existing laws, etc. Should not have to depend on us calling CW about them tto make them do something.

Army Guy

[Ooper]

Saying it is more expensive to live in Sumter County is not necessarily true. Taxes in Marion are much higher than Sumter. But it depends on where in Sumter County you live. Those homes north of 466 in Sumter has much smaller bonds and amenity fees than those south of 466. They also have less restrictions and smaller utility bills.

[graciegirl]

Saying it is more expensive to live in Sumter County is not necessarily true. Taxes in Marion are much higher than Sumter. But it depends on where in Sumter County you live. Those homes north of 466 in Sumter has much smaller bonds and amenity fees than those south of 466. They also have less restrictions and smaller utility bills.

Hi Ooper!

I didn't know taxes in Marion County were higher. I did know that some homes north of 466 has fewer restrictions just because I saw more ornaments in the yards. It also makes sense that the bonds are lower because they were built a few years ago, and some are paid off or paid down, but how is it that the utility bills are different? A different company supplies it?

[Ooper]

Hi Ooper!

I didn't know taxes in Marion County were higher. I did know that some homes north of 466 has fewer restrictions just because I saw more ornaments in the yards. It also makes sense that the bonds are lower because they were built a few years ago, and some are paid off or paid down, but how is it that the utility bills are different? A different company supplies it?

I generalized in the fact of the utilities as I believe there is natural gas more available north of 466 than south of 466 which is cheaper than electricity. Also, the fact of the added expense to install 2 water systems in residences south of 466 compared to 1 sytem in the north. As far as the ammenity fees and bonds being higher in the south, there are more swimming pools per capita and, of course, many sidewalks, for example, that the rest of TV do not enjoy. I am not saying the higher fees are not worth it, it is just a fact. In the OB and Silver Lake areas East of 441, those residents that have been there a while still have perks such as free garbage pick-up and, I believe, free cable.

[Xavier]

Saying it is more expensive to live in Sumter County is not necessarily true. Taxes in Marion are much higher than Sumter. But it depends on where in Sumter County you live. Those homes north of 466 in Sumter has much smaller bonds and amenity fees than those south of 466. They also have less restrictions and smaller utility bills.

What information do you have that would make you think that taxes are so much higher in Marion County? My personal experience is that they are really quite reasonable on our Gardenia in Marion County. I did take the time to make some comparisons within all three counties when we bought.

[Russ_Boston]

Wow, a politician banging his own drum. Whoda thunk it?

But I'm not sure his drum is tuned up properly:)

Would never vote for a guy who uses questionable viral techniques like this. But since I'll be in Sumter then I guess I don't have the chance to vote for his opponent.