Are view sites worth it?

[Rainger99]

I have been here about two years and my wife is talking about moving. When we got here, we both agreed that we didn't want to back up to a lanai so we back up to a wall. Now, she is talking about getting a house with a view.

The Villages website refers to Home Golf Front Site, Golf View Site, Water Front Site, Water View Site, View Site, and Preserve Site.

Can anyone explain the differences between a Golf Front Site and a Golf View Site and a Water Front Site and a Water View Site and a regular View Site? Why isn't there a preserve view site?

Any pros or cons for these various sites?

I have seen complaints from people that live on golf courses - noise and golf balls in their back yards. Do people with view sites think that it is worth the premium price?

[retiredguy123]

Yes, they are definitely worth it.

[Altavia]

Love our sunset view lot.

They seem to appreciate more at resale than without so the additional investment is probably better than money in the bank.

[SummerDays]

Recently purchased, not living there yet. Seemed like the front vs view difference comes down to whether there is a road or similar between your home and the view, or not. No cars or similar between you and the course is a "front" home.

I've always liked to see out a ways no matter where I've lived, so I chose a golf front location, but only time will tell if there is a golf front negative I didn't consider. Looking forward to finding out when I get there.

[mrf0151]

First home here in TV had homes clustered close together. We moved to a lot with water and open space behind the house, Buena Vista and 466. It is wonderful. This was several years ago so the lot premium was only $30K. Lot premium pricing now days is way out there along with the crazy bond prices.

[Rainger99]

First home here in TV had homes clustered close together. We moved to a lot with water and open space behind the house, Buena Vista and 466. It is wonderful.

These are not the answers I was looking for!!!!

[Normal]

I have seen complaints from people that live on golf courses - noise and golf balls in their back yards. Do people with view sites think that it is worth the premium price?

We went all in on a Water View/Front site. We have zero regrets. Just make sure your rear view faces East or NorthEast. It makes the lanai much more enjoyable.

[Stu from NYC]

If you have the money to pay for the view go for it.

[Boomer]

In TV, we bought a designer that backed up to courtyard villas, so we got the villa’s backyard wall……

The house was my favorite model at the time — and it was a professionally done turnkey in the LSL section. It checked a lot of boxes, including having the most windows I could find — lots of natural light.

What sold me though was when I walked in the front door and saw that wall out the back. The wall gave us privacy, but we could also have the two-car garage and the interior space of a designer.

When you sell, that wall you now have could be a selling point. It was for me. I did not want to see someone else’s backyard or lanai or people back there. (We landscaped and used pavers to create our own (sort of) view, backed by that wall.)

But we have never been full time and never will be. Ohio is home.

All that being said though, in addition to lots of windows, I do love a good, long view.

But don’t forget that if you do not own that view, and/or the expanse of ground you are seeing beyond, you have no say in what could eventually happen to it.

Golf course lots? Depends. How close is it to the path? How vulnerable to broken windows? How much do you have to hear? Golf course lots are lovely, but some locations on the course might get old, fast.

Preserves? For me? What critters are crawling around in there?

Vacant property behind you that you do not own? NEVER! (No matter what that sales rep tells you.)

Have fun shopping. Go to lots of open houses. Take your time.

Boomer

PS: Had we decided to live in TV full-time, the only thing that could make me give up the wall behind our house would be a pool.

[vintageogauge]

A water or golf view is just that, you can see water or part of a golf course however it could be several hundred yards away as there are several like that for sale right now. Front means you pretty much have water or a golf course in your back yard. We lived on a golf course for 13 years and will never do that again as you have no privacy to speak of and it's noisy. We now have a water front lot and really like it, very peaceful and quite also lots of nature to see. Some will say there are too many bugs, snakes, etc., and in the 6 plus years we have been on water we don't find that to be true. 15 years or so ago they used to advertise peak-a-boo lots meaning if you looked between 2 houses you could see a small section of a golf course but you still had lanais facing yours. Don't hear that term anymore for some reason. Good luck in your search.

[Toymeister]

View sites have a visual of ________ (golf, water, etc). The quality of the view varies and can, over time be blocked by the frontage owners landscape. View lots can also have a view by looking over a road. Frontage owners can be confident that the view of the _______ (golf, water, etc.) Will always be there and no automotive traffic.

Some lots can be both, we have golf frontage and water view.


IMHO lots that front some type of action generating activity are the most valuable, human being the most prized. For example golf fronts can back up to a path while others view the fairway. Conversely, a preserve view of trees isn't terribly interesting compared to a water view with waterfowl.

Now are GF lots worth 'it', it being $350,000. Well it's hard to say, I can say it's beautiful view and I enjoy people watching.

[retiredguy123]

When you sell your house, if you have a nice view site, it will sell immediately. If you are on a noisy road, it may take forever. If you have a large, expensive house on an interior lot, it will be more difficult to sell than a smaller, cheaper house on an interior lot. When they were building Premier houses, the ones on interior lots were difficult to resell. And, whatever you do, unless you buy a 2 bedroom house, get a 2.5 car garage.

[tophcfa]

Difficult question to answer, the value is in the eye of the beholder. We paid roughly $20K for the wildlife preserve with beautiful sunsets in our back yard and feel it’s totally worth it. However, the view is only part of the value we paid for, the privacy is priceless.

[asianthree]

Golf or water or preserve front, your lot backs to that course, or water.

Partial view you will have an obstructed view, with what can be a peek a boo view of the water or course.

You also need to find out how far the neighbor can add on to pretty much obstruct your view completely, unless you walk to the end of your lot for a view. We almost bought a home that the back of the house faced the neighbors side of their home. Had a beautiful view of the golf course without being directly on it. Our rep pointed out that if neighbors choose to add on the view from the lanai would be gone. One year later they did add on, glad we didn’t buy.

View site can have a road behind the house, but have full view of pond or course.I would back up to a road before a partial view. Road slows down and no worry of neighbors, that partial view can go away at any time

[Pondboy]

So we live on a golf course….we chose the lot and it’s right off the tee box, so we don’t have issues with golf balls. A few houses down, yes. Location is key. We don’t mind the golfers, some are noisy others are not. With the pace of play, they don’t stay long either way. The scenery is ever changing and it’s interesting to people watch. But I’ve seen some houses on golf courses that back up to undesirable things like restrooms, generators and pump houses.

As far as ponds, there is no guarantee that they will have water in them. So keep that in mind. Some ponds are well behaved and others are prone to algae blooms. Most drain from the street so you will on occasion have to deal with trash that gets washed into them. You’ll also have an alligator as well as other wild life. If you have a small dog, don’t take it for walks at the waters edge.

For both locations, you will see service personnel (think mowers) in your back yard. The golf course people are out and about at 6 AM mowing. I’m usually up by then so it’s not an issue for me. If you’re a light (and late) sleeper, you might have problems.

I’d recommend exploring the area of your potential new home by utilizing google earth or even google maps.

Do I think that the (higher) lot price was worth it? You bet! Think I’d go crazy without a view or some space, but that’s just me. View lots are always in demand.

Best of luck.

[tophcfa]

One thing is for certain about view lots on Championship Golf Courses owned by the developer. A homeowners premium view can be here today and gone tomorrow, just ask the poor folks that live near where the clubhouse, restaurant, pool, and tennis courts USED TO BE at Hacienda Hills. They now have a construction site view that will eventually be Villas.

[margaretmattson]

I have been here about two years and my wife is talking about moving. When we got here, we both agreed that we didn't want to back up to a lanai so we back up to a wall. Now, she is talking about getting a house with a view.

The Villages website refers to Home Golf Front Site, Golf View Site, Water Front Site, Water View Site, View Site, and Preserve Site.

Can anyone explain the differences between a Golf Front Site and a Golf View Site and a Water Front Site and a Water View Site and a regular View Site? Why isn't there a preserve view site?

Any pros or cons for these various sites?

I have seen complaints from people that live on golf courses - noise and golf balls in their back yards. Do people with view sites think that it is worth the premium price?

"Worth it" is a term that only YOU the buyer can decide. Are you a nature lover (someone who loves to watch birds, sunrise/sunset, etc)? Than a water front property is for you. The water is literally right behind your lanai. But pay attention to the type of water view. Some are plain jane while others are Gobsmacking beautiful. Remember, in the winter the level of the water may decrease.

Are you a people watcher,? Golf front is for you! From sunrise to sunset, you will be able to watch and listen to the golfers enjoying their game. Keep this in mind: there will always be someone in your back yard, and you will never get a break! Not only can you watch and listen to them, they will also watch and listen to you. After some years, most homeowners plant trees to block their view. In my opinion, this kind of view is NOT WORTH It! After 6 months of living in one, I had to sell and leave.

A preserve front is basically trees in your backyard. Nice to look at, peaceful and serene but there will be animals lurking in your back yard..bears, racoon's, snakes etc. Lots of noisy birds.

Want privacy? A courtyard villa or veranda offers that with walls built around the back of your home. You can create a private space as you wish...trees, fountains, garden, sitting areas, etc. Very private!

A golf, water, or preserve VIEW Site means you can see that in the distance from your home. Examples: A water feature across the street in the FRONT of your home, near a preserve where you can see trees from a distance, a golf course to the left or right but not on your property etc.

If I were you, I would start by looking at preowned homes with views. You will immediately notice some are AWESOME while others are just so so. If you are buying a new home, learn from the AWESOME sites you have seen and imitate those.

Don't neglect looking at courtyard villas and verandas. Some homeowners have created a paradise in their backyard. You can easily duplicate it at your home.

If you plan to make your next purchase a forever home, making money on the resale is not that important. But, if you plan on selling in a few years, homes with views appreciate more and sell more quickly.

Hope this helps and good luck!

[Rainger99]

"Worth it" is a term that only YOU the buyer can decide. Are you a nature lover (someone who loves to watch birds, sunrise/sunset, etc)? Than a water front property is for you. The water is literally right behind your lanai. But pay attention to the type of water view. Some are plain jane while others are Gobsmacking beautiful. Remember, in the winter the level of the water may decrease.

Are you a people watcher,? Golf front is for you! From sunrise to sunset, you will be able to watch and listen to the golfers enjoying their game. Keep this in mind: there will always be someone in your back yard, and you will never get a break! Not only can you watch and listen to them, they will also watch and listen to you. After some years, most homeowners plant trees to block their view. In my opinion, this kind of view is NOT WORTH It! After 6 months of living in one, I had to sell and leave.

A preserve front is basically trees in your backyard. Nice to look at, peaceful and serene but there will be animals lurking in your back yard..bears, racoon's, snakes etc. Lots of noisy birds.

Want privacy? A courtyard villa or veranda offers that with walls built around the back of your home. You can create a private space as you wish...trees, fountains, garden, sitting areas, etc. Very private!

A golf, water, or preserve VIEW Site means you can see that in the distance from your home. Examples: A water feature across the street in the FRONT of your home, near a preserve where you can see trees from a distance, a golf course to the left or right but not on your property etc.

If I were you, I would start by looking at preowned homes with views. You will immediately notice some are AWESOME while others are just so so. If you are buying a new home, learn from the AWESOME sites you have seen and imitate those.

Don't neglect looking at courtyard villas and verandas. Some homeowners have created a paradise in their backyard. You can easily duplicate it at your home.

If you plan to make your next purchase a forever home, making money on the resale is not that important. But, if you plan on selling in a few years, homes with views appreciate more and sell more quickly.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Thanks for the very detailed response! Very informative!

[patfla06]

We bought a Designer on a waterfront lot in 2013.
The upcharge at the time was reasonable.

We didn’t want a golf course view. Between the mowing, fertilizing, and noisy golfers we opted out.

I would not buy a house with kissing lanais.

I can only imagine what they charge now for view lots.

[Klearhead]

How Important was "Privacy" when selecting the wall. With Golf, it's gone, Birds on and near lakes have droppings, Nature Preserves are always "Animal First"....

[Papa_lecki]

One thing is for certain about view lots on Championship Golf Courses owned by the developer. A homeowners premium view can be here today and gone tomorrow, just ask the poor folks that live near where the clubhouse, restaurant, pool, and tennis courts USED TO BE at Hacienda Hills. They now have a construction site view that will eventually be Villas.

The golf courses aren’t going anywhere, they are part of the water management plan by the developer.
We have a great sunrise view. Wife and I are early risers, and love coffee as the sun comes up.
I would hesitate to live on an executive - golfers from 7 to 7, every day. Especially stay away from tee box or green.
Championship might be different. Not as much volume of golfers and multiple tee boxes, spaced farther apart. Try to find a home between where shots were designed to land.
Remember, with golf courses, there are mowers starting at 5AM.

[banjobob]

My suggestion look for a home with a view that is on a decorative pond, not a retention pond, the latter will have water only at certain times other times a weed field and no grantee of water.

[IndianaJones]

Can anyone explain the differences between a Golf Front Site and a Golf View Site and a Water Front Site and a Water View Site and a regular View Site? Why isn't there a preserve view site?

Be wary of the term “view” - a friend bought a “golf course view” property and yes, you can view a tee box if you stand on the very back corner of the property stretch out as far as possible & look left. If you want to see the water, better have binoculars. Go see the place (drive by, look in the backyard) to judge the “view”.
We bought a golf front site (actually the back yard faces west so sunsets are spectacular) - we’re on the black tee box so very little noise, no golf balls, just a great view! The maintenance workers are there & gone, minor interruption & the evenings are quiet & beautiful.

[MidWestIA]

I'd look for a 2 car plus golf cart garage first. I don't think it's worth the $ for me if I'm in the house I'm on the computer or watching tv otherwise I am not home except at night. But I had a house up north where my computer/tv room looked out on a woods and that was great.

[Bay Kid]

I moved from looking at 5 neighbors to a beautiful sunset overlooking a golf course. A championship course does have less traffic. Well worth the money.

[Ellwoodrick]

My wife an I just bought in an older section on the Northern side of the Villages. As a professional Appraiser I understand the benefit that the View and Location can have on a home. The home we purchased has a typical street view of the homes in the Neighborhood. One of the things that actually sold us on the home was a very large Lani (Bird Cage) looking out to what appears to be an undeveloped fire lane and hedge row. On the other side of that is a Block wall that separates our neighborhood from a neighborhood of Villas. Our only neighbors are on the right and left. The privacy was a great selling feature to us. If we all liked the same things what a boring place it would be....

[MandoMan]

I have been here about two years and my wife is talking about moving. When we got here, we both agreed that we didn't want to back up to a lanai so we back up to a wall. Now, she is talking about getting a house with a view.

The Villages website refers to Home Golf Front Site, Golf View Site, Water Front Site, Water View Site, View Site, and Preserve Site.

Can anyone explain the differences between a Golf Front Site and a Golf View Site and a Water Front Site and a Water View Site and a regular View Site? Why isn't there a preserve view site?

Any pros or cons for these various sites?

I have seen complaints from people that live on golf courses - noise and golf balls in their back yards. Do people with view sites think that it is worth the premium price?

I’ve lived most of my life in forests with few or no other houses in sight. I bought a house here because it had a pool, then several shady trees, then a fairway, then more trees. When I sat in the living room, I could see no other houses. Few houses like mine have that much privacy. I loved the sense of openness. I have a friend who lives in a house with a kissing lanai. She and her neighbors get along, but she always has to close the curtains at night. If she steps onto her patio, neighbors come out for a chat. No privacy. I have another friend with a much nicer home than mine, corner lot, bare wall and no windows on one side, six foot plastic privacy fence on the other. She can’t see into her neighbors’ homes, but she would have loved a view like I had.

I sold the home with pool on a golf course a few months ago for $525. Now I am mortgage free and saving thousands a year on pool cleaning, mowing, fertilizing, etc. I bought a ten year old courtyard villa in a very attractive and quiet neighborhood. Yes, I can see houses and housetops out my windows, but no one can see in. I’ve only heard neighbors outside a couple times. I don’t need to close curtains, as no one can see in. If I felt like trimming the shrubs in the courtyard in the buff, no one else would know (but I don’t). It’s a very attractive, low maintenance courtyard. At the other place, it seemed like nearly every day there were lawn crews on the block cutting grass, or else on the golf course. Pretty loud. Here, the lawns are like postage stamps. They get mowed once a week, but the crews are gone in half an hour. Then it’s quiet again.

It’s a little like living in a monastery with a wall around it, but it is much better than kissing lanais. I enjoyed my previous view, and miss it, but not having it is saving me $2,500 a month. I do have a lot of beautiful paintings in my house, though, many of them landscapes and rivers, so that gives me something view-like to enjoy.

I lived right on a lake for ten years and loved it, but a lot of the “lakes” here are really man-made drainage for flood control, often essentially rectangles a hundred yards long. Or else, a sea of plants most of the time. Many golf course houses have views of other houses on the other side of the course.

One thing to note about a golf course lot is where is the cart path? If it is on the other side of the fairway, your yard will be much quieter. Another is whether the house is on an executive course or a country club course. I don’t have statistics, but I was on Tierra del Sol, and my sense was that often the course wasn’t very busy. There were busy times, but other times when there might be ten minutes or more between players. Executive courses might be much busier, especially with the shorter fairways.

[La lamy]

A waterfront property is TOTALLY worth the premium price for me. Being able to look out and bird/turtle watch is an absolute pleasure. Watching the young chicks grow up is the best!!!
I saved a lot by being in the historic section where the bond was paid, and I didn’t mind updating an older home. The lots are much bigger than the southern villages, providing more privacy from neighbors.
A golf front property would not work at all for me.
Good luck with your search!

[lmack]

I have been here about two years and my wife is talking about moving. When we got here, we both agreed that we didn't want to back up to a lanai so we back up to a wall. Now, she is talking about getting a house with a view.

The Villages website refers to Home Golf Front Site, Golf View Site, Water Front Site, Water View Site, View Site, and Preserve Site.

Can anyone explain the differences between a Golf Front Site and a Golf View Site and a Water Front Site and a Water View Site and a regular View Site? Why isn't there a preserve view site?

Any pros or cons for these various sites?

I have seen complaints from people that live on golf courses - noise and golf balls in their back yards. Do people with view sites think that it is worth the premium price?

I agree with other posters, ‘front’ means directly connected and ‘view’ means you can see over whatever is connected (like over a road).

We bought a golf front home on a water hole as we like golf and water. We love it, have had it since 2011 (having moved from a non-view home we bought just the year before).

We love to watch the golf and birds at the pond. You can see and hear carts, golfers and course workers but the sound (I won’t call it noise) is usually just in the background. We do have a cart path behind us and we don’t mind that. Occasionally a ball in the yard (I get about 6 a year) but one has never broken a window (that would be a pretty impossible shot). Extremely rare for a golfer to go into the yard or address us on the lanai but we are social people and don’t mind that (just took exception the one guy in 12 years that actually lined up to play his ball from where it laid well into our yard).

Golfers do start early and go until dark, course workers start even earlier. It doesn’t bother us, we don’t get up at the crack of Dawn and don’t hear anything unless the windows are open (and even then, the body gets accustomed to some background noise).

So, we’d say, it’s well worth it for us. We paid a lot premium of $145k and it’s also been a good investment (but we aren’t going anywhere 🤩).

[jmaccallum]

We just bought our second house in the Villages and it backs to the Owl/Turtle Preserve in Santo Domingo up near Spanish Springs, and we love it! The sunrise view is spectacular! Nobody behind us as far as the eye can see!

It is a block and stucco home that only had one owner since it was built. Yes, we did have to replace some carpet with LVP but it wasn’t that much $$’s. And it has NO Bond. It was paid off long ago. Great location too. Can’t believe how many stores, restaurants, the Spanish Springs Town Square, and everything else is so convenient to get to by golf cart!

In our search, we learned the difference between Golf Front and Golf View is that Golf Front is right on the golf course. Golf View means turn your chair, look past the neighbors house and that big oak tree, and you’ll see a bit of fairway. The same holds true for Waterfront versus Waterview.

And a note about Golf Front, we rented a house in St. Cathrines that backed to the Putting Course between Sawgrass and Ezell Recreation. Thought the view would be nice until we were awakened almost everyday at 5:30 am by mowers and weed eaters and who knows what other kind of maintenance machines working that little itty bitty course. Cured us of wanting Golf Front!

Good luck in your search!

[Snowdancer]

Absolutely worth it
..especially if you back up to a preserve

[edtherock]

We live on the Palmer laurel valley course around the 4th tee and 6th green ( view of both) Very close to the cart path. We have a view of the course and a water pond and a gorgeous sunrise most every morning. They come to cut the grass and tee boxes early in the morning and it has NEVER caused us any issues from noise to getting woken up. We don’t hear that inside the house. The wife actually likes to be close to the cart path so she can socialize with the golfers as they come by. It all comes down to what you want. Totally happy with no negatives but we could not stand to live with no privacy and our back lanai 20 feet from my neighbors. Might as well get a condo IMO. Again it’s all what you are accustomed to and what you are looking for. I can say this , the water view really makes it worthwhile. The amount of wildlife we see everyday is Astounding. From every type of bird and the alligator and turtles and fish jumping It is wonderful and something new everyday. Well worth the extra price IMO. Good luck

[sallyg]

Most "views" have a down side. The water views dry up, get scummy and smell during the dry season. Preserves are very often a dead zone where massive power lines are run. Golf course views can sometimes be next to golf cart paths and you might have a lot of traffic. There is always something. Just have to decide what's most important. We bought our second house backing to a wall and have been very happy with the location and privacy. Best of luck.

[mrf0151]

Most "views" have a down side. The water views dry up, get scummy and smell during the dry season. Preserves are very often a dead zone where massive power lines are run. Golf course views can sometimes be next to golf cart paths and you might have a lot of traffic. There is always something. Just have to decide what's most important. We bought our second house backing to a wall and have been very happy with the location and privacy. Best of luck.
We have lived with a water view out the back for 18 years and the water has never been very low as you say. We love watching all the birds and other animals. Some said it is like living in Candy Land. So sorry you have been having a bad home experience since you have lived here. A wall?

[Villagesgal]

I have been here about two years and my wife is talking about moving. When we got here, we both agreed that we didn't want to back up to a lanai so we back up to a wall. Now, she is talking about getting a house with a view.

The Villages website refers to Home Golf Front Site, Golf View Site, Water Front Site, Water View Site, View Site, and Preserve Site.

Can anyone explain the differences between a Golf Front Site and a Golf View Site and a Water Front Site and a Water View Site and a regular View Site? Why isn't there a preserve view site?

Any pros or cons for these various sites?

I have seen complaints from people that live on golf courses - noise and golf balls in their back yards. Do people with view sites think that it is worth the premium price?
Golf course means you are actually on the golf course, golf view means from somewhere in your home you can see the golf course, but you are not actually on the golf course, same holds true for Water or water view home sites. If the people actually on the course or lake plant something and it blocks your view, there is nothing you can do about it. They are allowed to.

We bought 22 years ago on a championship golf course by the tee box with a lake view as well. Best money we ever spent. Every morning even after 22 years when we open the blinds we take in the view and love it. We will never move. Championship golf courses are quiet because less people play plus it is closed 2 days a week. Its like having a private park behind us. Never had a ball land in our yard, never. My friend bought with a lake view (not on a golf course), it's basically a large pond that amplifies the sound of her neighbors talking on their patio. We have never had that problem because we can barely even see across the golf course and our next door neighbors, also long term, are very respectful. Most people who tell you not to buy on a championship golf course can't afford to live on one so make up things. That said, I would not buy on an executive course, way too much play, morning to night 7 days a week. Our second choice was a preserve lot which would also have been a wide open view and quiet, but this lot became available first and we are so glad it did and we bit the bullet and bought it. By the way, the resale of houses on the course has skyrocketed compared to those not on the course, so not only is it an amazing place to live with an amazing view, but it has proven to be an amazing investment too. Buy a golf course lot on a championship course. You will never regret it. I wish you all the best.

[JoelJohnson]

We live on Santa Clara Cir, which backs up to the power lines. We have a large field behind us and while it's not a water view it's a lot better than looking at somebody's yard (which we had before).

[Sandy and Ed]

I have been here about two years and my wife is talking about moving. When we got here, we both agreed that we didn't want to back up to a lanai so we back up to a wall. Now, she is talking about getting a house with a view.

The Villages website refers to Home Golf Front Site, Golf View Site, Water Front Site, Water View Site, View Site, and Preserve Site.

Can anyone explain the differences between a Golf Front Site and a Golf View Site and a Water Front Site and a Water View Site and a regular View Site? Why isn't there a preserve view site?

Any pros or cons for these various sites?

I have seen complaints from people that live on golf courses - noise and golf balls in their back yards. Do people with view sites think that it is worth the premium price?
Don’t know but: would not want my lanai facing street (noice and privacy), would not want facing preserve (wildlife and mosquitoes), would not want to face another lanai (privacy), would not want adjacent to some rec centers (pickle ball noise). Probably backing up to a golf course where I was not in the line of fire would be nice. Preferably on higher ground than course level. IMHO. Me, I live in a CYV so take above with a grain of salt. Of course none of this answers your questions

[bp243]

I have been here about two years and my wife is talking about moving. When we got here, we both agreed that we didn't want to back up to a lanai so we back up to a wall. Now, she is talking about getting a house with a view.

The Villages website refers to Home Golf Front Site, Golf View Site, Water Front Site, Water View Site, View Site, and Preserve Site.

Can anyone explain the differences between a Golf Front Site and a Golf View Site and a Water Front Site and a Water View Site and a regular View Site? Why isn't there a preserve view site?

Any pros or cons for these various sites?

I have seen complaints from people that live on golf courses - noise and golf balls in their back yards. Do people with view sites think that it is worth the premium price?

Love love love our golf view site and it is well worth the premium price that will hopefully be returned when it is sold.

[Pennyt]

For those who cannot afford the price of a "view" don't totally rule out backing to someone's house/lanai. Our house's lanai backed to the neighbor's lanai. We planted a tree row with viburnum, weeping bottlebrush, and ligustrum trees. When you look out our back windows, you can't see their house at all. All we see is trees, birds, squirrels and rabbits. We have total privacy when outside and it is usually very quiet. We do hear voices if the neighbors are out and we are sitting outside, but you'd hear that if you backed to a golf course. If you can afford a vast view, then go for it. But if you can't, there are ways to create your own view.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I have a "peekaboo" view of the golf course out the front of my house. We can see between the houses across the street to the fairway.

I'm glad we don't have direct "frontage" (weird word since it'd be the back yard, not the front) at the golf course. I don't want people driving past my house all day long with their noisy golf carts, stopping maybe right at the edge of my back yard to chit-chat with their fellow golfers, or even coming onto my property to take the shot they missed.

I like being able to see the course. I just don't want to be a physical part of it. There are a couple of houses on our course that have really gorgeous trees dividing their yard from the course. Something like that, I'd probably really love. It's enough privacy and physical barrier that I can see the whole thing, but they probably can't see me unless they were looking on purpose. Plus they can't bring their carts right to my back yard because the trees are in the way. That'd be acceptable to me.

For a yard that backs to a retention pond - absolutely not. I don't want alligators sunning themselves just a few yards away from me when I decide I want to sit out on the back porch and enjoy the view. I also don't think a view of a dry pond during a drought is worth paying extra for.

For a yard that backs to an actual lake - maybe. Around two months ago I was down at Silver Lake, enjoying the view while taking a break during a bike ride. Looked down and saw - hundreds of small dead fish up against the shoreline. If that was a fluke, and not an actual "situation" that occurs regularly, I'd probably be okay with a lake view. If that happens regularly, then absolutely not.

[sowilts]

I have been here about two years and my wife is talking about moving. When we got here, we both agreed that we didn't want to back up to a lanai so we back up to a wall. Now, she is talking about getting a house with a view.

The Villages website refers to Home Golf Front Site, Golf View Site, Water Front Site, Water View Site, View Site, and Preserve Site.

Can anyone explain the differences between a Golf Front Site and a Golf View Site and a Water Front Site and a Water View Site and a regular View Site? Why isn't there a preserve view site?

Any pros or cons for these various sites?

I have seen complaints from people that live on golf courses - noise and golf balls in their back yards. Do people with view sites think that it is worth the premium price?
We live in Linden. My wife picked the lot and it faces with the front East and the Back West. And the Lanai has a retention pond view. We couldn’t have chosen a better location. Will never move. I also play a lot of early Golf and would not want to live so close to the tee box. The start stop of the carts would get old. The sunsets are spectacular. I also built fences and walls and never understood why anyone would like the view. Cheers Steve

[maistocars]

A "View" site usually means you can see it but it is not directly behind your house. It may be off to the side behind your neighbor's house or a house 2 doors down. A "front" site is usually when the view is directly behind you.

[rsmurano]

Most ponds smell and look like ——! Right now, ponds have been down 5 or 6 feet and it looks like Lake Mead. Most ponds have algae and whatever growing in them which also makes them look like ——-! Our realtor told us there is no guarantee that these ponds will have water in them and there are a few ponds near us that have been overgrown with grass. I would be ——- if I bought a pond front lot and now it’s all weeds. The smell from ponds can be very bad depending on heat and wind direction.
Golf front lots can be iffy depending on where they are located. I had a friend that replaced their large glass window 5 times because of golf balls hitting it, and the owners had to pay for it. Golfer are not liable for damage they do.
As for interior lots, it all depends on the circumstances if it will be a good sell or not. I for 1 would rather buy an interior lot than say a bigger lot that backs up to the high voltage lines, imo, those are the worst lots to buy and they got a small premium for some of these lots that were big enough to put a pool in so you can look and listen to the high voltage lines

[christiewright]

I would live no other place than a maximum view. We view pond, pool and fairway. We only get 1 golf ball every two weeks. The lanai around the patio and pool keeps all the golf balls off our property.

[mraines]

I have been here about two years and my wife is talking about moving. When we got here, we both agreed that we didn't want to back up to a lanai so we back up to a wall. Now, she is talking about getting a house with a view.

The Villages website refers to Home Golf Front Site, Golf View Site, Water Front Site, Water View Site, View Site, and Preserve Site.

Can anyone explain the differences between a Golf Front Site and a Golf View Site and a Water Front Site and a Water View Site and a regular View Site? Why isn't there a preserve view site?

Any pros or cons for these various sites?

I have seen complaints from people that live on golf courses - noise and golf balls in their back yards. Do people with view sites think that it is worth the premium price?

I live on Silver Lake golf course and I love my view. I am far enough from the green that I have never (so far) been hit by golf balls. I have a view of the 4th green and 5th tee and a "water view". Beware of that one. It is a retention pond and some of them go dry. But I love my view and to me it is worth it. Just check them out.

[Dilligas]

I have been here about two years and my wife is talking about moving. When we got here, we both agreed that we didn't want to back up to a lanai so we back up to a wall. Now, she is talking about getting a house with a view.

The Villages website refers to Home Golf Front Site, Golf View Site, Water Front Site, Water View Site, View Site, and Preserve Site.

Can anyone explain the differences between a Golf Front Site and a Golf View Site and a Water Front Site and a Water View Site and a regular View Site? Why isn't there a preserve view site?

Any pros or cons for these various sites?

I have seen complaints from people that live on golf courses - noise and golf balls in their back yards. Do people with view sites think that it is worth the premium price?
Only you can answer the question “is it worth it”.
“View” means doesn’t back up to site…..may be a narrow view across neighboring yard, or across the street. Sometimes the home May back to the golf course but limited or no view due to hills you can’t see over.

[Normal]

A true water “view” site will likely cost you about 150 K and the “designer” home you build on it won’t be so designer, but more like cookie-cutter prefabbed. Don’t count on much availability till after some more development is initiated south of the turnpike. Many of the view sites in Dabney and Denham aren’t really that great. Just be patient.

[mermaids]

Only you can answer the question “is it worth it”.
“View” means doesn’t back up to site…..may be a narrow view across neighboring yard, or across the street. Sometimes the home May back to the golf course but limited or no view due to hills you can’t see over.

Our first house, a court yard villa, had a 2 car garage, small pool & was on an executive golf course. Unfortunately the golf cart path was very close to our back fence. No privacy & unless you're here full time a pool is a money pit. Now I'm in a courtyard villa, 2 car garage, on an executive golf course & path is on the other side. Love the beautiful view and large private courtyard. So many neighborhood pools & I've met a lot of nice people there! Good luck!

[Twindham]

A golf front means your property backs up directly to the golf course. A golf view means you can see a golf course somewhere in the distance. You typically cannot look straight at it. You'll have to go outside to see it to the left or right or across the street. We have a golf front between the green and tee box so we are not in the line of fire for errant golf balls. We have not been woken up or bothered by lawn mowers at all. We love our view.