Coming for a Visit

[Golfer38]

I know this is like beating a dead horse, and yes, I have read tons of info on the Villages. I will be coming down next week for a quick visit and then working a lifestyle visit in June.

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.

We can meet in a public place and I will show you my license and credentials. I will even buy you lunch or dinner anywhere you want to go. Information that many of you have is invaluable and worth every penny for dinner/lunch. You can even bring your spouse or friend.

Sorry, if this is out of line for this forum, not my intention.

Jim

[dewilson58]

:popcorn::popcorn:

[Dusty_Star]

I know this is like beating a dead horse, and yes, I have read tons of info on the Villages. I will be coming down next week for a quick visit and then working a lifestyle visit in June.

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.

We can meet in a public place and I will show you my license and credentials. I will even buy you lunch or dinner anywhere you want to go. Information that many of you have is invaluable and worth every penny for dinner/lunch. You can even bring your spouse or friend.

Sorry, if this is out of line for this forum, not my intention.

Jim

This is an excellent idea. Far better than driving around with agents who make a buck by selling.

[Dotneko]

We have been here almost 4 years now. We would be happy to give you a rundown on our take on the Villages. Show you some maps and point out highlights. We live in St Cats. so a southerners take on the place. We rarely go the northern part - only when we need something at BJs.

[villagetinker]

If you go out with 20 people you will get 20+ answers about the best place to buy, this is a very personal decision, and in my humble opinion no one can tell you what is 'the best place' to buy as they are NOT you. You would probably be better off scheduling the bus ride to the various areas and see what appeals to you. If you do this then you can do some investigation on your own and follow up during your lifestyle visit.

[JohnN]

If you go out with 20 people you will get 20+ answers about the best place to buy, this is a very personal decision, and in my humble opinion no one can tell you what is 'the best place' to buy as they are NOT you. You would probably be better off scheduling the bus ride to the various areas and see what appeals to you. If you do this then you can do some investigation on your own and follow up during your lifestyle visit.

Nothing wrong with 20 opinions, but that's what they are. The bus ride is interesting, and a good idea. Spend a night at a square, listen to music and chit-chat your neighbors there works pretty well too.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I know this is like beating a dead horse, and yes, I have read tons of info on the Villages. I will be coming down next week for a quick visit and then working a lifestyle visit in June.

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.

We can meet in a public place and I will show you my license and credentials. I will even buy you lunch or dinner anywhere you want to go. Information that many of you have is invaluable and worth every penny for dinner/lunch. You can even bring your spouse or friend.

Sorry, if this is out of line for this forum, not my intention.

Jim

Bolded and underlined so you know what I'm asking about:

You want someone to show you around - where, exactly? The Villages is over 60 square MILES of properties, medical, and retail. Are you looking exclusively for new construction, or is pre-owned a consideration? If it's new construction only, then you narrow down the location significantly.

If pre-owned is an option, you'd want to narrow it down even further, since most of The Villages is built and occupied already.

[BrianL99]

I know this is like beating a dead horse, and yes, I have read tons of info on the Villages. I will be coming down next week for a quick visit and then working a lifestyle visit in June.

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.

We can meet in a public place and I will show you my license and credentials. I will even buy you lunch or dinner anywhere you want to go. Information that many of you have is invaluable and worth every penny for dinner/lunch. You can even bring your spouse or friend.

Sorry, if this is out of line for this forum, not my intention.

Jim


Go on Realtor.com or Redfin or Zillow.

Pick out 6-8 pre-owned homes, approximately in your price range, scattered throughout The Villages, north to south. You only want homes represented by MLS Brokers.

Go on the "The Villages Word of Mouth" Facebook Group and post a message about what you want to do.

You'll have 50 Brokers bugging you, to let them drive you around. MLS Brokers don't have a horse in the race ... they don't care where in The Villages you buy and most of them know the territory.

If you end up opting to buy "New", you'll be well prepared to deal with what you'll go through with a representative of the Developer's sales operation when the time comes.

If you haven't noticed yet, this Forum is full of highly opinionated people, who aren't afraid to present their opinions, like they were handed down from a mountaintop, on a stone tablet ... me included in that charaterization..

[msilagy]

You will get biased opinions from one person. So do this yourself.

[bowlingal]

If you are looking in the southern ( new) are, be aware....the bonds are extremely high, the taxes are for Sumter Cty and the City of Wildwood, you are so far removed from EVERYTHING. If you look at the Daily Sun on a daily basis, you will see there are a LOT of houses in the newer section for sale already. You must ask yourself....WHY? There has GOT to be a reason. Think about it

[margaretmattson]

One of the Village Youtubers may be interested in showing you around. They will jump.on the chance to get 50 thousand plus views.

[GizmoWhiskers]

We have been here almost 4 years now. We would be happy to give you a rundown on our take on the Villages. Show you some maps and point out highlights. We live in St Cats. so a southerners take on the place. We rarely go the northern part - only when we need something at BJs.
That said the OP def would need a long list of tour hosts.
Not a bad tour up 441 or 301 seeing Leesburg or Wildwood. I guess it is reality because the southern most end is a long drive to BJ's and about what, 20 roundabouts away? Never counted them. Would be interesting number to know. A tour on the furthest tip of T V won't take very long.

2018 we discovered T V. Came a handfull of times and rented golf carts. Had a blast. Drove all over T V. People were so friendly. Good thing as we got lost many times. Had help using the app but people were the best. Took Trolley tour. Course back then they were still working toward Fenney.

Once I got a realtor they pushed the new areas. I figured out I needed a second realtor for pre owned areas (unless the new sales realtor is a willing to show pre-owned).

Different strokes for different folks. Decide what you WANT and NEED. I bought in DeLuna but decided I needed what it couldn't offer via golf cart.

466A area is twelve years old. They are still building it out. It will be many, many years before the southern tip has the type of shopping that is on 466A and north on 466 and 401. You can shop in Leesburg and Clermont but... I'd rather have golf cart excursions to the store via pretty mvp's.

If you are not a shopper, then a trip up 301 and 441 to B j's will do it for you. I moved further north from DeLuna for ease of shopping via golf cart and to care for my parents who live up near Lake Sumter Landing.

Enjoy exploring, enjoy the process and good luck finding your perfect house.

[Baringek]

NO WAY — that’s what a realtor is for, and many live in TV.

[midiwiz]

Go on Realtor.com or Redfin or Zillow.

Pick out 6-8 pre-owned homes, approximately in your price range, scattered throughout The Villages, north to south. You only want homes represented by MLS Brokers.

Go on the "Villages Word of Mouth" Facebook Group and post a message about what you want to do.

You'll have 50 Brokers bugging you, to let them drive you around. MLS Brokers don't have a horse in the race ... they don't care where in The Villages you buy and most of them know the territory.

If you end up opting to buy "New", you'll be well prepared to deal with what you'll go through with a representative of the Developer's sales operation when the time comes.

If you haven't noticed yet, this Forum is full of highly opinionated people, who aren't afraid to present their opinions, like they were handed down from a mountaintop, on a stone tablet ... me included in that charaterization..


That FB group is loaded with crap. Why a FB group? it's best to not. such a ridiculous idea. All FB is loaded with crap

[Tomptomp]

Rent for a month and include a cart. I didn’t with my first house and I regret it.

[KenLee100]

I know this is like beating a dead horse, and yes, I have read tons of info on the Villages. I will be coming down next week for a quick visit and then working a lifestyle visit in June.

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.

We can meet in a public place and I will show you my license and credentials. I will even buy you lunch or dinner anywhere you want to go. Information that many of you have is invaluable and worth every penny for dinner/lunch. You can even bring your spouse or friend.

Sorry, if this is out of line for this forum, not my intention.

Jim

Part of the LifeStyle preview is an agent that will do just that, except you can rely on their information.
They will not pressure you
They have enough prospects that they will provide information and you can decide for yourself. We came down in 2012 for our LV and every year after (looking at homes) until we purchased in 2021. Call sales and set it up. You will be happy you did.

[brewbob]

Important things:
* Price you are willing to pay for a house. Huge range in prices here.
* What medical insurance do you have?
* How close do you want to be to doctors and shopping.

Those are my big 3.

Good luck in your journey.

[Mrfriendly]

Go on Realtor.com or Redfin or Zillow.

Pick out 6-8 pre-owned homes, approximately in your price range, scattered throughout The Villages, north to south. You only want homes represented by MLS Brokers.

Go on the "Villages Word of Mouth" Facebook Group and post a message about what you want to do.

You'll have 50 Brokers bugging you, to let them drive you around. MLS Brokers don't have a horse in the race ... they don't care where in The Villages you buy and most of them know the territory.

If you end up opting to buy "New", you'll be well prepared to deal with what you'll go through with a representative of the Developer's sales operation when the time comes.

If you haven't noticed yet, this Forum is full of highly opinionated people, who aren't afraid to present their opinions, like they were handed down from a mountaintop, on a stone tablet ... me included in that charaterization..

FYI - there are six different Facebook groups called Villages word-of-mouth.

[Vermilion Villager]

That FB group is loaded with crap. Why a FB group? it's best to not. such a ridiculous idea. All FB is loaded with crap

So would you mind sharing your thoughts about Facebook (FB)?

[DrHitch]

We live in St Cats. so a southerners take on the place. We rarely go the northern part - only when we need something at BJs.

Haha....a sincere response!
Yes, you should explore all the way from Spanish Springs up North, down south of the FL turnpike. Covers 4 counties!

Visit The Villages 101 - The Villages 101 (http://www.thevillages101.com) for good links to other deeper resources.

[DrHitch]

We live in St Cats. so a southerners take on the place. We rarely go the northern part - only when we need something at BJs.

Haha....a sincere response!
Yes, you should explore all the way from Spanish Springs up North, down south of the FL turnpike. Covers 4 counties!

Visit The Villages 101 - The Villages 101 (http://www.thevillages101.com) for good links to other deeper resources.

[Justputt]

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.


TV is pretty vast, and your average Villager isn't going to know much more than the places they frequent. IMO, get hooked up with an agent (TV salesperson and non-TV real estate agent) and tell them you want to look at both new builds and resales. Be aware of insurance issues with older homes, and not just the roof and HVAC, but some older homes were built under a different building code, which I have heard can create insurance issues. Note that a TV salesperson is not generally a license real estate agent and can't show you MLS properties, and only TV salespeople can show you new builds in TV.

[hosegooseman]

I know this is like beating a dead horse, and yes, I have read tons of info on the Villages. I will be coming down next week for a quick visit and then working a lifestyle visit in June.

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.

We can meet in a public place and I will show you my license and credentials. I will even buy you lunch or dinner anywhere you want to go. Information that many of you have is invaluable and worth every penny for dinner/lunch. You can even bring your spouse or friend.

Sorry, if this is out of line for this forum, not my intention.

Jim

Hi

I sent you a PM regarding your request.

Saludos !!! 😎

[Nana2Teddy]

If you go out with 20 people you will get 20+ answers about the best place to buy, this is a very personal decision, and in my humble opinion no one can tell you what is 'the best place' to buy as they are NOT you. You would probably be better off scheduling the bus ride to the various areas and see what appeals to you. If you do this then you can do some investigation on your own and follow up during your lifestyle visit.
The trolley tour is only down south now. Leaves from Brownwood and heads down to the newest areas. We see it often when out and about down here.

[BrianL99]

That FB group is loaded with crap. Why a FB group? it's best to not. such a ridiculous idea. All FB is loaded with crap

Anyone who has any knowledge, experience & understanding of FaceBook, knows exactly why that was my recommendation.

That's where all the Brokers who aren't busy, are hanging around, looking for potential clients.

[BrianL99]

FYI - there are six different Facebook groups called Villages word-of-mouth.

No there isn't. There's exactly ONE. With 53,000 members.

[Dusty_Star]

No there isn't. There's exactly ONE. With 53,000 members.

I counted 8

True, only one of those 8 has 53k members. But the others have decent numbers too. 5k, 27k, & so on.

[Golfer38]

Thank you all for your responses. Just a handful of more questions I need to find answers. All comments are welcome.

I currently live in Maryland and will be retiring after 42+ years working in DC and the military. I play lots of golf, so this will play a major part of my decision. I am single (widower) and my current home is much too big but it is nice and quiet in the development. I wold like to have my Villages home be in a bit more quiet area, if there is an area.

I am sure that if I decide to buy into the Villages I will be much smarter in 5 years than I am now. So I am trying to cut that time down a bit. I am going into this a bit blind and, like most of you, it will be a life changer for me. At my age (63) I want (or would like) to make one move and not more if for some reason I do not like my new home. I know its a big spread, but someone asked how much house I am looking for... So around $500K -$1.5M

I understand that I will get a myriad of answers and those are ok with me. I can weed out the points that do not matter and focus on the points that carry a bit more weight.

Bonds: Are the bonds included in the house cost? I know they are listed as separate, but if a bond is paid off, will the house cost more due to the payoff? If there is a bond, would I be better off paying it? Can I include it in the mortgage to pay off?

I think I may rent first as an option if I don't find something next week or in June. Many folks recommend this approach.

With the Lifestyle visit, how long can I stay? What does it cost? Is it a house?

I apologize for the long-winded response. So if it puts you to sleep, you can thank me later for the nice nap.

Jim

[jacqueline larsen]

I’m a retired architect living near the Brownwood Hotel who would be happy to drive you around. I have nothing to sell but a lot of knowledge to share.
ala2025@aol.com

[Golfer38]

I am trying to reply but the response will not go through

[jimjamuser]

I know this is like beating a dead horse, and yes, I have read tons of info on the Villages. I will be coming down next week for a quick visit and then working a lifestyle visit in June.

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.

We can meet in a public place and I will show you my license and credentials. I will even buy you lunch or dinner anywhere you want to go. Information that many of you have is invaluable and worth every penny for dinner/lunch. You can even bring your spouse or friend.

Sorry, if this is out of line for this forum, not my intention.

Jim
You should read today's NewsBreak about the temperatures in the Atlantic being now as high as normally in June. That HEATED WATER produces the strong hurricanes. That is important if you intend on living here year-around. Florida is virtually an island and the made the weather great 15 years ago. Now the weather is not great in the summer and getting worse. Florida home insurance is the highest in the nation. The bad parts about life here are hard to see and most residents here do NOT want to admit to things about the bad parts.

[Debfrommaine]

If you are looking in the southern ( new) are, be aware....the bonds are extremely high, the taxes are for Sumter Cty and the City of Wildwood, you are so far removed from EVERYTHING. If you look at the Daily Sun on a daily basis, you will see there are a LOT of houses in the newer section for sale already. You must ask yourself....WHY? There has GOT to be a reason. Think about itI've been hearing this for years. 4th home, yes down south, very reasonable bond, last house up north was more. Taxes are reasonable. For the near 14 yrs we've been here, the developer has lowered prices on neighborhoods they want to finish and move on. Our three homes all near Lake Sumter were bought at reduced prices. We are not removed from everything, it's all in the eyes of the beholder. We like new and prefer not to remodel older homes, to each their own.

[JMintzer]

You should read today's NewsBreak about the temperatures in the Atlantic being now as high as normally in June. That HEATED WATER produces the strong hurricanes. That is important if you intend on living here year-around. Florida is virtually an island and the made the weather great 15 years ago. Now the weather is not great in the summer and getting worse. Florida home insurance is the highest in the nation. The bad parts about life here are hard to see and most residents here do NOT want to admit to things about the bad parts.

Speaking of "Beating a Dead Horse"...

[MrChip72]

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.


Based on my two years of owning in the Villages, I believe that it's possible that the opposite might be true!

Good luck in your search though. Definitely take the trolley tour though to start out.

[BrianL99]

I counted 8

True, only one of those 8 has 53k members. But the others have decent numbers too. 5k, 27k, & so on.


The other 7 have different variations of the name.

The one with 53,000 members is likely to yield better results for the OP.

[margaretmattson]

You should read today's NewsBreak about the temperatures in the Atlantic being now as high as normally in June. That HEATED WATER produces the strong hurricanes. That is important if you intend on living here year-around. Florida is virtually an island and the made the weather great 15 years ago. Now the weather is not great in the summer and getting worse. Florida home insurance is the highest in the nation. The bad parts about life here are hard to see and most residents here do NOT want to admit to things about the bad parts.IMO, every buyer should come to Florida in September. Experience the wicked humidity and the stress of watching hurricanes form in the Gulf of Mexico. The persistent afternoon rain, the lightening and homes catching fire, the sweat running down your forehead, swimming pools that often no comfort because the water is warm, staying cooped up because you need AC, and the bugs. If you survive until the end of the month, Florida is right for you!

BTW: Florida is a peninsula not a virtual island. But yes, the summers seem to get WORSE as each year passes. When I first moved to this state in the eighties, the weather was not much of a concern. It was sunny and calm most of the year.

It is interesting that people do not want to talk about the bad parts of living in the Villages. Some even get angry when you do! Every place has its pros and cons. The Villages is no different. Yet, some become extremely offended when you point this out. I have never seen such reaction except in the Villages. Those who notice call it the Stepford Syndrome.

[margaretmattson]

I've been hearing this for years. 4th home, yes down south, very reasonable bond, last house up north was more. Taxes are reasonable. For the near 14 yrs we've been here, the developer has lowered prices on neighborhoods they want to finish and move on. Our three homes all near Lake Sumter were bought at reduced prices. We are not removed from everything, it's all in the eyes of the beholder. We like new and prefer not to remodel older homes, to each their own.I would love to see you find a house in the north with a larger bond than one in the south. When you do, let us all know! We will stand corrected.

The developer lowered prices after the 2008 market crash. Homes EVERYWHERE in the USA lost value. It was not a Villages only scenario.

Is it different in Dabney? Are buyers simply not interested in that area? Or, is something bigger looming? Could it be real estate is softening and prices will continue to fall? We must wait and see.

[SHIBUMI]

There is only 1 way to get a real feel of the Villages. Rent a golf car for a day. Plan on spending about 8 hours traveling on the ground thru the Villages. You can use the golf car app. for the Villages for directions. Start at the top, Spanish Springs and work your way south thru all the areas. Get a coffee and donut in the morning, stop somewhere for lunch, stop somewhere for dinner, attend a square for some music and a few drinks. You will get to see and know more about the areas.You can see where the shopping, golf courses, restaurants are in relation to areas.
DUE DILIGENCE IS PRICELESS!

[I know this is like beating a dead horse, and yes, I have read tons of info on the Villages. I will be coming down next week for a quick visit and then working a lifestyle visit in June.

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.

We can meet in a public place and I will show you my license and credentials. I will even buy you lunch or dinner anywhere you want to go. Information that many of you have is invaluable and worth every penny for dinner/lunch. You can even bring your spouse or friend.

Sorry, if this is out of line for this forum, not my intention.

Jim

[Golfer38]

Thank you all for the comments and replies. They are well accepted.

I just signed up for a lifestyle visit for the first part of June. They said I will be staying in the southern area of the Villages. I assume thats where the area of the new developments are located.

Thanks all..

BTW, I tried to reply with other comments but the forum never posted them. I will try again...

[ackissmary@gmail.com]

I know this is like beating a dead horse, and yes, I have read tons of info on the Villages. I will be coming down next week for a quick visit and then working a lifestyle visit in June.

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.

We can meet in a public place and I will show you my license and credentials. I will even buy you lunch or dinner anywhere you want to go. Information that many of you have is invaluable and worth every penny for dinner/lunch. You can even bring your spouse or friend.

Sorry, if this is out of line for this forum, not my intention.

JimI would be happy to talk to you, I have lived here since 2005 & love it here, a great place to retire. I am from NC, where are you coming from? Mary ☘️

[ackissmary@gmail.com]

I know this is like beating a dead horse, and yes, I have read tons of info on the Villages. I will be coming down next week for a quick visit and then working a lifestyle visit in June.

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.

We can meet in a public place and I will show you my license and credentials. I will even buy you lunch or dinner anywhere you want to go. Information that many of you have is invaluable and worth every penny for dinner/lunch. You can even bring your spouse or friend.

Sorry, if this is out of line for this forum, not my intention.

Jim. I sent a reply I thought, I am happy to share information, I have lived here full time for 18 years. Mary at: ackissmary@gmail.com

[Stu from NYC]

Find someone to have breakfast with each morning and pick their brains as to what they like and do not like.

This is a huge place and hard to find out enough in a few days.

Before we moved here we rented for a month to enable us to explore and learn more about this place.

Most of us will agree that this is a great place to live and you will get out of this place what you put into it.

[ackissmary@gmail.com]

I know this is like beating a dead horse, and yes, I have read tons of info on the Villages. I will be coming down next week for a quick visit and then working a lifestyle visit in June.

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.

We can meet in a public place and I will show you my license and credentials. I will even buy you lunch or dinner anywhere you want to go. Information that many of you have is invaluable and worth every penny for dinner/lunch. You can even bring your spouse or friend.

Sorry, if this is out of line for this forum, not my intention.

Jim I will be happy to update you on the Villages, great place to retire, loved living here for 18 years👍. My email is listed, Mary A

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Also, golfer38 - be cautious if you respond to people offering to give you a hand. This forum has unrestricted access to the public - anyone can sign up to post. There are people who will prey on potential newcomers. Giving your personal information to someone who (for example) signed up in 2020, has only 4 posts total, three of which are in this thread - is a risk. Someone that eager to get you to send them a private message might not have your best interests at heart.

[ackissmary@gmail.com]

I will be happy to chat with you, I have been here 18 years, love it, Mary, my email is listed ☘️

[Laker14]

I know this is like beating a dead horse, and yes, I have read tons of info on the Villages. I will be coming down next week for a quick visit and then working a lifestyle visit in June.

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.

We can meet in a public place and I will show you my license and credentials. I will even buy you lunch or dinner anywhere you want to go. Information that many of you have is invaluable and worth every penny for dinner/lunch. You can even bring your spouse or friend.

Sorry, if this is out of line for this forum, not my intention.

Jim

Your screen name is "Golfer38", and excuse me if I'm jumping to conclusions here, but I am assuming golf is important to you in your decision to explore The Villages. Understand this: despite The Villages website not being clear about this, if proximity to golf is important to you, you need to know that there are not many golf courses south of 44.
If you look at maps and check things out carefully, you will see that between 466 and 466A, (these are 20 year old areas, approximately) there are many many many (a lot) more courses, both executive and championship, within a 15 minute golf cart ride than you will find south of 44.

The brand new homes being built in the brand new villages have many things going for them, but easy access to many golf courses is definitely not one of them.

While The Villages real estate representatives do list and show pre-owned homes, the focus will be on convincing you to buy new. Nothing wrong with that, but you need to know that's where they are coming from.

Enjoy your trip. It's a fun place to be.

[mtdjed]

I know this is like beating a dead horse, and yes, I have read tons of info on the Villages. I will be coming down next week for a quick visit and then working a lifestyle visit in June.

There is no better feedback than having a ride along with a Villages Owner.

I know this may seem out of the ordinary, but would anyone be willing to show me around? Give me the full monty of the place. Especially the best places to buy.

We can meet in a public place and I will show you my license and credentials. I will even buy you lunch or dinner anywhere you want to go. Information that many of you have is invaluable and worth every penny for dinner/lunch. You can even bring your spouse or friend.

Sorry, if this is out of line for this forum, not my intention.

Jim

My gut reaction says nice idea, but my brain says No. I think you would better served spending your time with a real estate agent. At the very least you would need to define your expectations. Age, marital status hobbies, sports, new home, resale, size, style (Villa, designer, premier), location (near town centers, remote).

A strong recommendation is a leisurely drive from the top of The Villages. CR42 down Buena Vista observing the neighborhoods as you go south. Recognize, that The Villages was developed from North to South. When you get to CR 44, you will find the newer developments as you continue south.

You will note that as you drive south, the homes are newer and so is the bulk of the people.
You will also note that the infrastructure of restaurants, stores etc is more developed in the north.

Also, explore US441/27, CR 466, CR466A, CR44 (more or less east west) for commercial Development.

[yankygrl]

Thank you all for the comments and replies. They are well accepted.

I just signed up for a lifestyle visit for the first part of June. They said I will be staying in the southern area of the Villages. I assume thats where the area of the new developments are located.

Thanks all..

BTW, I tried to reply with other comments but the forum never posted them. I will try again...
Get with an MLS realtor NOT a village rep. Most of them are not licensed realtors and will show you what you want then “encourage” you to go south of 44 and buy new. MLS can only show you preowned homes.

[Marathon Man]

Get with an MLS realtor NOT a village rep. Most of them are not licensed realtors and will show you what you want then “encourage” you to go south of 44 and buy new. MLS can only show you preowned homes.

Not my experience at all. I told our VLS sales agent that we were not interested in new construction, and it never came up again. Salespeople want to make sales. They don't want to waste their efforts by "encouraging" someone toward something that they will never buy.

Both MLS and VLS is needed to see all homes for sale.

[JMintzer]

Not my experience at all. I told our VLS sales agent that we were not interested in new construction, and it never came up again. Salespeople want to make sales. They don't want to waste their efforts by "encouraging" someone toward something that they will not but.

Both MLS and VLS is needed to see all homes for sale.

Same here. It's amazing that same, tired nonsense keeps getting repeated over and over again...

[MrChip72]

Not my experience at all. I told our VLS sales agent that we were not interested in new construction, and it never came up again. Salespeople want to make sales. They don't want to waste their efforts by "encouraging" someone toward something that they will not but.

Both MLS and VLS is needed to see all homes for sale.

We told ours the same and she showed us all pre-owned for half a day and then she asked us if we were open to take 10 minutes to look at a new one. We did and we both changed our minds about new construction within about 2 minutes of entering the home.

I think it's good not to rule out anything (pre-owned vs new, location, home model) without seeing things for yourself.

[Jayhawk]

No there isn't. There's exactly ONE. With 53,000 members.

Wrong. There are actually more than 6.

[Marathon Man]

We told ours the same and she showed us all pre-owned for half a day and then she asked us if we were open to take 10 minutes to look at a new one. We did and we both changed our minds about new construction within about 2 minutes of entering the home.

I think it's good not to rule out anything (pre-owned vs new, location, home model) without seeing things for yourself.

Knowing what I know now, I wish that I had been open to new construction when we first came. After we decided to move, we went with new.