Buying A Home - MLS or The Villages Realtor

[DiviAruba]

Hi,
I am looking at buying a home in TV. Is there a big difference on who you buy it from? I was told if it was an MLS that TV Real Estate cannot be involved with that.
Any information?

[retiredguy123]

If you want to consider all houses for sale in The Villages, you need a VLS agent and an MLS agent. VLS agents sell new houses and resales listed by The Villages. MLS agents sell resales listed by the MLS system.

[Stu from NYC]

They do not play well together so if you want a resale find one of each.

[brianherlihy]

stay a way from the Villages Realtor/ go to mls dont li

[kkingston57]

Hi,
I am looking at buying a home in TV. Is there a big difference on who you buy it from? I was told if it was an MLS that TV Real Estate cannot be involved with that.
Any information?

MLS is best way to go. Villages reps can only sell properties that The Villages are listing agent and new construction. Made mistake of using Villages agent. They can only show you limited amount of properties.

[retiredguy123]

MLS is best way to go. Villages reps can only sell properties that The Villages are listing agent and new construction. Made mistake of using Villages agent. They can only show you limited amount of properties.
MLS agents can only show a limited amount of properties also. So, you need 2 agents to have access to all Villages properties.

[JMintzer]

They do not play well together so if you want a resale find one of each.

Not necessarily true. Our VLS agent had her friend, an MLS agent, show us a few houses. The MLS agent would return the favor.

They both wanted a happy customer...

If we had bought with the MLS agent, I STILL would have recommended our VLS agent to people. She was great!

[JMintzer]

MLS is best way to go. Villages reps can only sell properties that The Villages are listing agent and new construction. Made mistake of using Villages agent. They can only show you limited amount of properties.

And MLS can't show VLS listed properties. So it's not always "the best way to go"...

[ThirdOfFive]

Hi,
I am looking at buying a home in TV. Is there a big difference on who you buy it from? I was told if it was an MLS that TV Real Estate cannot be involved with that.
Any information?
I can only go by our experience. We had both, and ended up buying from the MLS agent. The Villages agent was totally supportive of our choice (sent us a congratulatory card on our purchase) and checked with us several times after the sale to see if he could be of any assistance.

A lot must depend on what you want. If it is new construction than the Villages agent is the only way to go--MLS does not show new Villages properties. But we had decided early on that we wanted to buy in an older, established neighborhood. Several reasons: any "new construction" bugs would have been solved, low bond (in our case, no bond), etc. We couldn't be happier with our choice, and the supportiveness of both agents was most welcome.

[jimdecastro]

If you want to consider all houses for sale in The Villages, you need a VLS agent and an MLS agent. VLS agents sell new houses and resales listed by The Villages. MLS agents sell resales listed by the MLS system.

Just buy mine. VLS 238299. :-)

[Bobendres]

Hi,
I am looking at buying a home in TV. Is there a big difference on who you buy it from? I was told if it was an MLS that TV Real Estate cannot be involved with that.
Any information?

Biggest difference : VLS agent has a fiduciary obligation to SELLER. Not to buyer. Unfortunately - MLS agents can’t show VLS listed homes

[Dusty_Star]

Hi,
I am looking at buying a home in TV. Is there a big difference on who you buy it from? I was told if it was an MLS that TV Real Estate cannot be involved with that.
Any information?

What everyone else has said is true the MLS & the VLS are separate markets & to see all of the houses available you need to look at both. If you want a new house, then the VLS is the place to look. The VLS has both used & new houses, but not all of the used houses on the market, to see those you look at the MLS. You might try looking at both online to get an idea of what you like. There are so many decisions to be made: new or used, what style of house, what neighborhoods appeal. Good luck!

[kenoc7]

Hi,
I am looking at buying a home in TV. Is there a big difference on who you buy it from? I was told if it was an MLS that TV Real Estate cannot be involved with that.
Any information?

Villages Realtors can show you a very large number of resale homes (including our home in Briar Meadowwhich is for. sale) and new homes. We have had nothing but satisfaction with the two Villages agents we have worked with.

[MidWestIA]

great plan if you don't want to see many houses MOST are villages realtor

[jfkilduff]

Why not use both!!!

[toeser]

Hi,
I am looking at buying a home in TV. Is there a big difference on who you buy it from? I was told if it was an MLS that TV Real Estate cannot be involved with that.
Any information?

As a seller, you have to pick one or go FSBO.

As a buyer, you can buy from anyone using any realtor service. Look at both and see who offers the best house for the lowest price.

[ron32162]

They both do a good job but The villages is more high pressure sales tactics than mls meet them both see who you click with.

[retiredguy123]

They both do a good job but The villages is more high pressure sales tactics than mls meet them both see who you click with.
I don't know about most people, but high pressure sales tactics never work on me. In fact, they usually have the opposite result.

[OhioBuckeye]

If you go with TV realtor don’t try & make an offer they’ll just tell you they’ll sell it for the listed price. A realtor outside TV will. So if you’re not planning on making an offer it does make any difference!

[Carol Fiore]

Hi,
I am looking at buying a home in TV. Is there a big difference on who you buy it from? I was told if it was an MLS that TV Real Estate cannot be involved with that.
Any information?

If you are buying Sumter County, they tax you on the model you will buy.

Here is an example of pre-owned home.
IRIS Sold 2/21 $435,000 DH71 168(sq ft price)
LANTANA Sold 2/21 $406,000 DH72 183(sq. ft price)

The cheaper house (Lantana) may pay higher taxes of $700 per year. I have the 2022 report. If you would like a copy private message me.

You can email Sumter and ask for the 2023 Model sq. ft price.
Valuation Division
James Stephens, Director
James.Stephens@sumtercountyfl.gov

[JSR22]

If you go with TV realtor don’t try & make an offer they’ll just tell you they’ll sell it for the listed price. A realtor outside TV will. So if you’re not planning on making an offer it does make any difference!

Not our experience. We bought a resale and absolutely put in an offer. We did not pay the listed price.

[2newones]

Or just by mine. Not listed with anybody! FSBO

[photo1902]

Not our experience. We bought a resale and absolutely put in an offer. We did not pay the listed price.

Absolutely. I think the poster was confusing new homes. Pre-owns you can most certainly negotiate.

[manaboutown]

Absolutely. I think the poster was confusing new homes. Pre-owns you can most certainly negotiate.

Yes, whether it on a Realtor's MLS listing or an agent's VLS listing on pre-owned.

[golfgal44]

Hi,
I am looking at buying a home in TV. Is there a big difference on who you buy it from? I was told if it was an MLS that TV Real Estate cannot be involved with that.
Any information?

I built my home in citrus grove a year ago. Now that I am a bit more experienced I will say that there are a few things to consider before buying. If you don’t want the expense of the bond, you must buy in an older neighborhood. I like my neighborhood because it is not as crowded as further north but it has its’ disadvantages. There are no shops, markets, stores, gas stations, etc. very close by. No such thing as hopping in the car for a quick ride because you ran out of an ingredient. Coming from Long Island, where everything was within a stone’s throw, it takes some getting used to. It will take a while, to develop the other side of the turnpike which is ok As long as age is on your side.
We don’t have a traditional town square. We have sawgrass which to me, is just a place for an expensive quick bite, boozing, and listening to some music. bring your own chairs because there are not enough supplied. No shopping or varied dining establishments.
In my opinion, homes are much closer together and streets are narrower in the south. I believe when building continues further south from citrus grove, your taxes will be even higher because you will be in another county.
The turnpike noise can be annoying, especially at night when the wind blows, and meggison rd. Is going to be a very well traveled road once building continues south of here. It is the only access road to the rest of the villages.
Most villages south, are very close to the turnpike and those ugly (and dangerous) power towers.
Something to consider also, is that the further north you go, the older your neighbors will be because many of them bought at the time their village was developed.
The landscaping will look much prettier north, because it has had time to mature. Landscaping is very expensive but you will not be choosing your own style of landscaping.
I believe many people keep selling to relocate to newer villages, to keep the value of their home. Most people like newer homes, therefore after five years I believe the resale loses some of its’ appeal due to the older styles and designs.
In regards to the realtor, most definitely get both agents. TV will push new builds. I know people who listed their homes with TV and in six months, their house was never shown once. MLS handles only resales so they have a much larger inventory of used homes.
TV salespeople are not obligated to tell you what is going to be built on the vacant land across from you. You may like that open green field across from your house only to find in six months that you have a garbage recycling plant next to you. DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST. Look at tv map and research what the green areas are, which represent private property.
Good luck and once again, do your own homework. TV agents will tell you as little as possible.

[Villages Kahuna]

Work with one of each. The Properties of The Villages sales reps have a reputation of listing pre-owned homes but selling new homes. They do that because they have no competition selling new homes—independent brokers are prohibited from selling new homes in The Villages.

If you’re convinced that all you want is a new home, then you’re fine using a TPoTV rep. But if you want to deal with a realtor who knows and will show you pre-owned properties, deal with an independent.

[Pill23]

About 5 years ago we flew from Indiana to look a resale with a pool. Met the realtor at the office to go see the house. She informed us that she couldn’t show us the house because they already had an offer on it and once that happens their policy is they can’t show it to anyone else. I asked “What if they can’t get financing? What if I offer more?” She said “Sorry, that’s our policy.” I said “ So you knew this on Thursday and didn’t call to tell me and we flew down and rented a car for no reason?” She said she had other houses to show us. I told her I would NEVER do business with TV Realty again. I don’t know if that is still their policy.

[JMintzer]

They both do a good job but The villages is more high pressure sales tactics than mls meet them both see who you click with.

Pretty broad brush... Our Villages agent was nothing close to "high pressure"...

[DiviAruba]

Just buy mine. VLS 238299. :-)

Sorry. That one is too big for me.

[DiviAruba]

I have sent you a message.

[OhioBuckeye]

Thanks for that info. When we bought our first home there we bought a Courtyard. We asked our realtor if they would take an offer but they just told us they had another buyer that was interested, so they said if we didn’t want it now it’ll probably be gone in a week. But that’s nice to know that that’s changed.. But also this was 12 yrs. ago. Thank you for clearing that up! Our 2nd house we used an outside the bubble realtor & our realtor came to us with a rediculous offer. But thank you for that information!

[retiredguy123]

About 5 years ago we flew from Indiana to look a resale with a pool. Met the realtor at the office to go see the house. She informed us that she couldn’t show us the house because they already had an offer on it and once that happens their policy is they can’t show it to anyone else. I asked “What if they can’t get financing? What if I offer more?” She said “Sorry, that’s our policy.” I said “ So you knew this on Thursday and didn’t call to tell me and we flew down and rented a car for no reason?” She said she had other houses to show us. I told her I would NEVER do business with TV Realty again. I don’t know if that is still their policy.
An offer is not a contract. If it was just an offer that had not been accepted, she should have shown the house.

[J1ceasar]

Whatever you do, remember that the Realtors are working for the owners of the homes and not for you, and do not believe anything they say verbally unless they put it in writing and even then make sure you confirm it yourself

So never ever say this is the maximum I'll pay after you put in a bid that is lower than what you say.


Hi,
I am looking at buying a home in TV. Is there a big difference on who you buy it from? I was told if it was an MLS that TV Real Estate cannot be involved with that.
Any information?

[sctatay@aol.com]

We have a great home for sale VLS 238119. Fabulous neighborhood in a great location

[yankygrl]

Whatever you do, remember that the Realtors are working for the owners of the homes and not for you, and do not believe anything they say verbally unless they put it in writing and even then make sure you confirm it yourself

So never ever say this is the maximum I'll pay after you put in a bid that is lower than what you say.
Not true….VLS realtor in TV work for the developer. MLS work for seller

[retiredguy123]

Not true….VLS realtor in TV work for the developer. MLS work for seller
What is not true? When the VLS agent is selling a new house, they are working for the developer, who is the owner and the seller. When the VLS agent is selling a pre-owned house, they are working for the seller. So, in both cases, the VLS agent works for the seller. MLS agents also work for the seller.