Some Villagers to see changes in amenity fees

[The Gazette]

The Villages will begin charging more for some amenity fees starting this year. These adjustments from the Consumer Price Index will impact the contractual amenity fee for all homeowners who closed on their houses after Jan. 1, 2023 and all new homes built in The Villages on and after Jan. 1, 2023. Previously, the amenity

More... (https://www.gazettenewsthevillages.com/some-villagers-to-see-changes-in-amenity-fees/)

[Nucky]

Still a bargain. But that's enough for a while!

[Chamo]

Enough already they reel you in now your stuck. When is it going to be enough

[golfing eagles]

Enough already they reel you in now your stuck. When is it going to be enough

Nobody gets "reeled in", prospective homebuyers evaluate their options and make a choice---nobody puts a gun to your head and makes you buy here. Nor is anyone "stuck", they can avail themselves of the option of moving.

As far as when is enough goes:

Amenity fees pay for rec centers, exec golf, flowers in common areas, community watch, and MMPs to name a few. Are the costs of maintaining rec enters and paying those workers going down? Are the prices of fertilizer and gasoline at an all time low? Are nursery prices lower?

Perhaps it will be enough when we get a real change that emphasizes fiscal responsibility rather than willy-nilly spending on pie in the sky projects.

[GizmoWhiskers]

Nobody gets "reeled in", prospective homebuyers evaluate their options and make a choice---nobody puts a gun to your head and makes you buy here. Nor is anyone "stuck", they can avail themselves of the option of moving.

As far as when is enough goes:

Amenity fees pay for rec centers, exec golf, flowers in common areas, community watch, and MMPs to name a few. Are the costs of maintaining rec enters and paying those workers going down? Are the prices of fertilizer and gasoline at an all time low? Are nursery prices lower?

Perhaps it will be enough when we get a real change that emphasizes fiscal responsibility rather than willy-nilly spending on pie in the sky projects.
Partially agree, did that fee include the 8200 plus with 250 under 55 households approved and being built to use the same amenities? TV does not release future plans until they see fit. Does that include the use of 3 golf cart accessible movie theaters TV sells their lifestyle as having? There is a little wiggleroom for downsides of the buddle. But yes, the fee remains acceptable.

[Bogie Shooter]

Nobody gets "reeled in", prospective homebuyers evaluate their options and make a choice---nobody puts a gun to your head and makes you buy here. Nor is anyone "stuck", they can avail themselves of the option of moving.

As far as when is enough goes:

Amenity fees pay for rec centers, exec golf, flowers in common areas, community watch, and MMPs to name a few. Are the costs of maintaining rec enters and paying those workers going down? Are the prices of fertilizer and gasoline at an all time low? Are nursery prices lower?

Perhaps it will be enough when we get a real change that emphasizes fiscal responsibility rather than willy-nilly spending on pie in the sky projects.

What pie in the sky projects are you referring to?

[Dlbonivich]

As an mls agent, the amenity fee is reset every January 1 st. Nothing new. It is for all homes closed after January 1st of the year. It happens every year.

[Papa_lecki]

Partially agree, did that fee include the 8200 plus with 250 under 55 households approved and being built to use the same amenities? TV does not release future plans until they see fit. Does that include the use of 3 golf cart accessible movie theaters TV sells their lifestyle as having? There is a little wiggleroom for downsides of the buddle. But yes, the fee remains acceptable.

It literally has nothing to do with that.
The increase is due to CPI increases - which is spelled out in your documents at closing. You just didn’t think inflation would run at close to 10% for two years and counting.
Have you bought a dozens eggs recently or filled your car up with gas?

[Wondering]

The Villages will begin charging more for some amenity fees starting this year. These adjustments from the Consumer Price Index will impact the contractual amenity fee for all homeowners who closed on their houses after Jan. 1, 2023 and all new homes built in The Villages on and after Jan. 1, 2023. Previously, the amenity

More... (https://www.gazettenewsthevillages.com/some-villagers-to-see-changes-in-amenity-fees/)
This isn't new! Amenity fees for everyone increases every year based on CPI, about 8% last year because of inflation. Mine went up about $14. This isn't new, so get use to it!

[Two Bills]

Standards of living anywhere may go down, but the cost of living? Never!

[Pachine58]

This isn't new! Amenity fees for everyone increases every year based on CPI, about 8% last year because of inflation. Mine went up about $14. This isn't new, so get use to it!

Why do we have to get used to it ?

[Papa_lecki]

Why do we have to get used to it ?

Because inflation is not showing any signs of receding, so there will be another 6 to 8% increase next year.

[newgirl]

I was told when I bought my house that my rate would never go up more then 5%, it was grandfathered in. Yet, it went from $145 to $170 ..if they keep this up people who budgeted to live here will be put out of their homes.
I personally think it is wrong to promise people who purchased years ago one thing and then just say, we changed our minds.

[golfing eagles]

I was told when I bought my house that my rate would never go up more then 5%, it was grandfathered in. Yet, it went from $145 to $170 ..if they keep this up people who budgeted to live here will be put out of their homes.
I personally think it is wrong to promise people who purchased years ago one thing and then just say, we changed our minds.

I think that anyone who is "put out of their home" by a $25/month increase has not planned their retirement too well.

[Bill14564]

I think that anyone who is "put out of their home" by a $25/month increase has not planned their retirement too well.

Perhaps not, but add that $25/month to the 20% electric increase, 25% proposed water increase, gas price increases, home insurance increases, food price increases, and various other increases and it starts to look like real money that an 8.7% SS COLA isn't quite going to cover.

[golfing eagles]

Perhaps not, but add that $25/month to the 20% electric increase, 25% proposed water increase, gas price increases, home insurance increases, food price increases, and various other increases and it starts to look like real money that an 8.7% SS COLA isn't quite going to cover.

True, but SS was never intended to be the sole means of income in retirement. It was started in the 1930's as a social safety net during the great depression so seniors would not be out in the streets homeless or in "Hoovervilles". The Villages is not the cheapest place to live, so good planning would have allowed for a "cushion" to hedge against such inevitable price increases. Let's hope we never face runaway inflation, which no one will be able to hedge against.

[JoMar]

True, but SS was never intended to be the sole means of income in retirement. It was started in the 1930's as a social safety net during the great depression so seniors would not be out in the streets homeless or in "Hoovervilles". The Villages is not the cheapest place to live, so good planning would have allowed for a "cushion" to hedge against such inevitable price increases. Let's hope we never face runaway inflation, which no one will be able to hedge against.

Totally agree BUT, facts never satisfy those in TV whose sole goal is to complain about reality and forget why they moved here. So many did not do their research and drank the Kool Aid and now wonder "what happened".

[Bill14564]

True, but SS was never intended to be the sole means of income in retirement. It was started in the 1930's as a social safety net during the great depression so seniors would not be out in the streets homeless or in "Hoovervilles". The Villages is not the cheapest place to live, so good planning would have allowed for a "cushion" to hedge against such inevitable price increases. Let's hope we never face runaway inflation, which no one will be able to hedge against.

Yeah, forgot about that, the part of my retirement that decreased by almost 20% last year.

Personally, I'm not close to needing to worry about that $25/month but I recognize that the my position could change if the planning I did a few years ago doesn't match the reality of ten years from now. Others may have hit that point already.

[PugMom]

Why do we have to get used to it ?

it's still waaaay cheaper than a monthy $500.00 HOA fee

[John Mayes]

Nobody gets "reeled in", prospective homebuyers evaluate their options and make a choice---nobody puts a gun to your head and makes you buy here. Nor is anyone "stuck", they can avail themselves of the option of moving.

As far as when is enough goes:

Amenity fees pay for rec centers, exec golf, flowers in common areas, community watch, and MMPs to name a few. Are the costs of maintaining rec enters and paying those workers going down? Are the prices of fertilizer and gasoline at an all time low? Are nursery prices lower?

Perhaps it will be enough when we get a real change that emphasizes fiscal responsibility rather than willy-nilly spending on pie in the sky projects.

Amen brother!

[Papa_lecki]

Nobody gets "reeled in", prospective homebuyers evaluate their options and make a choice---nobody puts a gun to your head and makes you buy here. Nor is anyone "stuck", they can avail themselves of the option of moving.

As far as when is enough goes:

Amenity fees pay for rec centers, exec golf, flowers in common areas, community watch, and MMPs to name a few. Are the costs of maintaining rec enters and paying those workers going down? Are the prices of fertilizer and gasoline at an all time low? Are nursery prices lower?

Perhaps it will be enough when we get a real change that emphasizes fiscal responsibility rather than willy-nilly spending on pie in the sky projects.

AMEN
People reading this think The Evil Developer is raising amenity fees to make more profit - it’s actually representatives WE elected setting the budget, to pay for the “things” we use.

[DAVES]

Enough already they reel you in now your stuck. When is it going to be enough

Far as price increases, it is everywhere and everything.

[joshgun]

As an mls agent, the amenity fee is reset every January 1 st. Nothing new. It is for all homes closed after January 1st of the year. It happens every year.

You can’t be a very good MLS agent in the Villages if you don’t know the deed restrictions say the amenity fee resets at the anniversary of the closing date not January 1.

[yankygrl]

The Villages will begin charging more for some amenity fees starting this year. These adjustments from the Consumer Price Index will impact the contractual amenity fee for all homeowners who closed on their houses after Jan. 1, 2023 and all new homes built in The Villages on and after Jan. 1, 2023. Previously, the amenity

More... (https://www.gazettenewsthevillages.com/some-villagers-to-see-changes-in-amenity-fees/)
I have lived here for over 12 years and have moved 3 times. Each time I moved my amenities have increased to the “current” rate. I think they are over $175/month now. I really do not appreciate the increases especially when I only use limited amount of what is offered but understood from the beginning about the process

[Pairadocs]

Enough already they reel you in now your stuck. When is it going to be enough

Not trying to be purposely contrarian, but just a couple points. Is it honestly a shock to most people that prices of everything has gone UP ? From asphalt on cart paths, to the price of chlorine, to the cost of plants, flowers, and tress, and right down to the cost of liquid SOAP in every restroom in every rec center and pool and golf course in the V's. Again, NOT trying to be contrary, but seems everything to keep our community up, event he cost of PAINT to keep our buildings from looking shabby, has risen ! And again, I am not one of "those people", who, if anyone makes any complaint, immediately tells them to "get out if you don't like it", not at all. But right now especially, with home prices so high, and demand so great that those who want a new house built must get on a list to enter a "lottery".... well, I fully understand someone who came here with an expectation they would be able to afford to live here, but life surprises us with INFLATION, but right now no one is "stuck" for sure ! Your home it worth more than ever, and sales are brisk, so people who want out should be able to do that in record time. ONE LAST TIME.... I am not saying to anyone, "get out", simply saying if you would like to move on, there has never been a better time. In fact, our relatives did exactly that ! They decided that paying out nearly $200 a month in retirement, when they had no interest in playing golf, or tennis, was not sustainable for them. And the activities they enjoyed, cards, ballroom dance groups, and various classes are free in any community at the senior centers, the YWCA and YMCA's, churches, college campuses, libraries, and park districts, so the moved to a lovely community in central Florida with no fees or charges for these things. We'd probably follow their example, but we play golf often, so it would be a "wash" for us even if we played only at public courses ! I would also add, that some of the burden in times such as these SHOULD be on The Villages. Things MUST be kept up, pools need to be cleaned, painting needs to be kept up, furniture needs to be replaced from time to time.... BUT... could we reduce the number of vehicles constantly driving and burning gasoline, could we reduce the need for paid employees in "gate houses" which, are actually "guarding" completely public roads (and at this time of the year cause mind bending traffic back ups while people sit in autos and burn more gasoline. There is a counter to every suggestion or idea, but surely, just like state and federal governments, there are ways to REDUCE the costs here for the residents...IF the will exists to do so. ?

[Pairadocs]

I think that anyone who is "put out of their home" by a $25/month increase has not planned their retirement too well.

That's probably correct, BUT... as in the case of our relatives, they definitely planned AND saved all their lives, taking in-state vacations with the family at places like state parks, in order to better take of their needs in the retirement years. They DID plan on inflation, but 5-6%, not even the "experts" told them to expect more. So, while $25 is a pittance to many, The Villages was always sold as the "poor mans dream", a place where "ordinary people" can belong to a country club and live like Kings and Queens (to quote Chi Chi Rodriguez back in the day). So our relatives were actually "put out of their house" (translate, no longer affordable), not by $25 alone, but by $3-$4 gasoline, $150 and more "co-pays" after our government made our monthly insurance premiums so much more "affordable", $5 a pound hamburger, 40% increase in utilities, and the list goes on as you too probably know. Unfortunately, their public school pensions (they get NO social security even though they did pay theirs, but their state forbids "double dipping" so you pay into both and then must choose which ONE you wish to take benefits from at the the time of your retirement. The annual COLA for their pension amounts to $78 a month more for 2023... it just was not sustainable in The Villages. We have recently been concerned about the number of people we know here who have lost a spouse and found their income reduced by 50%. Now that would be the same in any community, but in the Villages it is especially difficult... even a McDonald's burger here costs more than the community our relatives moved to less than 40 miles away ! So, don't be too harsh or just assume people who find themselves in a tight budget are just silly people who knew nothing about planning or saving. Not always the case.

[ROCKETMAN]

Flowers in round a bouts and anywhere else don’t come from amenity fees. That’s the section on your tax bill that is usually around 500 bucks. Can’t remember the title but there is a phone number to call if you want an explanation.

[JWish]

We closed on a pre-owned home in January 2021 and our amenity fee just increased this month, January, too. Didn’t everyone’s go up? Won’t they always increase with the cost of living index?


The Villages will begin charging more for some amenity fees starting this year. These adjustments from the Consumer Price Index will impact the contractual amenity fee for all homeowners who closed on their houses after Jan. 1, 2023 and all new homes built in The Villages on and after Jan. 1, 2023. Previously, the amenity

More... (https://www.gazettenewsthevillages.com/some-villagers-to-see-changes-in-amenity-fees/)

[Bill14564]

We closed on a pre-owned home in January 2021 and our amenity fee just increased this month, January, too. Didn’t everyone’s go up? Won’t they always increase with the cost of living index?

The date for the increase may not be the anniversary of your closing. It is tied to either the date the house initially went on the market or the very first closing date. It was just a coincidence that you closed in that same month.

As of now, everyone's rate should be increasing on their particular date. Not so long ago the rate was capped/frozen/deferred at a certain amount, but that was removed. If I remember correctly, the AAC proposed to again cap/freeze/defer the rate for CDDs 1-4 but that ran into problems when it was determined that the AAC could not take that action without the PWAC taking a similar action.

The $179 rate discussed in the article will apply to homes with closing dates after Jan 1, 2023. If you currently pay less than that then you will always pay less than those homes. If you currently pay more than that (not sure if that's possible) then you will always pay more than those homes.

[JoMar]

Not trying to be purposely contrarian, but just a couple points. Is it honestly a shock to most people that prices of everything has gone UP ? From asphalt on cart paths, to the price of chlorine, to the cost of plants, flowers, and tress, and right down to the cost of liquid SOAP in every restroom in every rec center and pool and golf course in the V's. Again, NOT trying to be contrary, but seems everything to keep our community up, event he cost of PAINT to keep our buildings from looking shabby, has risen ! And again, I am not one of "those people", who, if anyone makes any complaint, immediately tells them to "get out if you don't like it", not at all. But right now especially, with home prices so high, and demand so great that those who want a new house built must get on a list to enter a "lottery".... well, I fully understand someone who came here with an expectation they would be able to afford to live here, but life surprises us with INFLATION, but right now no one is "stuck" for sure ! Your home it worth more than ever, and sales are brisk, so people who want out should be able to do that in record time. ONE LAST TIME.... I am not saying to anyone, "get out", simply saying if you would like to move on, there has never been a better time. In fact, our relatives did exactly that ! They decided that paying out nearly $200 a month in retirement, when they had no interest in playing golf, or tennis, was not sustainable for them. And the activities they enjoyed, cards, ballroom dance groups, and various classes are free in any community at the senior centers, the YWCA and YMCA's, churches, college campuses, libraries, and park districts, so the moved to a lovely community in central Florida with no fees or charges for these things. We'd probably follow their example, but we play golf often, so it would be a "wash" for us even if we played only at public courses ! I would also add, that some of the burden in times such as these SHOULD be on The Villages. Things MUST be kept up, pools need to be cleaned, painting needs to be kept up, furniture needs to be replaced from time to time.... BUT... could we reduce the number of vehicles constantly driving and burning gasoline, could we reduce the need for paid employees in "gate houses" which, are actually "guarding" completely public roads (and at this time of the year cause mind bending traffic back ups while people sit in autos and burn more gasoline. There is a counter to every suggestion or idea, but surely, just like state and federal governments, there are ways to REDUCE the costs here for the residents...IF the will exists to do so. ?

Reducing the costs changes the lifestyle, changes the environment we enjoy, changes the upkeep of those things we enjoy. Reductions have a cost and maybe you are ok with downside changes, there are many of us that are not.

[Aces4]

That's probably correct, BUT... as in the case of our relatives, they definitely planned AND saved all their lives, taking in-state vacations with the family at places like state parks, in order to better take of their needs in the retirement years. They DID plan on inflation, but 5-6%, not even the "experts" told them to expect more. So, while $25 is a pittance to many, The Villages was always sold as the "poor mans dream", a place where "ordinary people" can belong to a country club and live like Kings and Queens (to quote Chi Chi Rodriguez back in the day). So our relatives were actually "put out of their house" (translate, no longer affordable), not by $25 alone, but by $3-$4 gasoline, $150 and more "co-pays" after our government made our monthly insurance premiums so much more "affordable", $5 a pound hamburger, 40% increase in utilities, and the list goes on as you too probably know. Unfortunately, their public school pensions (they get NO social security even though they did pay theirs, but their state forbids "double dipping" so you pay into both and then must choose which ONE you wish to take benefits from at the the time of your retirement. The annual COLA for their pension amounts to $78 a month more for 2023... it just was not sustainable in The Villages. We have recently been concerned about the number of people we know here who have lost a spouse and found their income reduced by 50%. Now that would be the same in any community, but in the Villages it is especially difficult... even a McDonald's burger here costs more than the community our relatives moved to less than 40 miles away ! So, don't be too harsh or just assume people who find themselves in a tight budget are just silly people who knew nothing about planning or saving. Not always the case.



..to say nothing of the difference in wages people were paid 10-15-20 years ago compared to today’s standards. A burger flipper now makes about the same as a retiring RN made 20 years ago.

I remember an elderly couple telling us years how they had saved diligently for retirement and thought they would live quite comfortably. They were in their nineties and, although they had lived their retirement very conservatively, inflation was making them fearful of their money running out. They were such good neighbors and it pains us to think about their last years being fraught with worries about money.

I’m not going to judge anyone’s financial issues in retirement. We’re comfortable but the right set of circumstances could change any of our situations.

The Villages is a pricey retirement location. People can find very nice locations for lower costs and should consider them if it’s getting difficult to make ends meet. Having a peaceful, affordable retirement is gold.