New villager seeking info please

[CURLYSANDY]

Good morning all. We are from the UK and are currently purchasing a lovely home in Antrim Dells. We do have a few questions please:
1. Unfortunately, due to commitments, we are unable to come and stay and enjoy our home until late September. We know that the HVAC still has to stay on even when empty during the summer months, but what temperature is recommended during the summer season?

2. Would like some recommendations please for home insurance companies.

3. Is there a choice of electricity, broadband and water utility providers or are we limited to just one company for each utility?

Many thanks in advance for any assistance.
Sandy (really excited)!!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Good morning all. We are from the UK and are currently purchasing a lovely home in Antrim Dells. We do have a few questions please:
1. Unfortunately, due to commitments, we are unable to come and stay and enjoy our home until late September. We know that the HVAC still has to stay on even when empty during the summer months, but what temperature is recommended during the summer season?

2. Would like some recommendations please for home insurance companies.

3. Is there a choice of electricity, broadband and water utility providers or are we limited to just one company for each utility?

Many thanks in advance for any assistance.
Sandy (really excited)!!

Keeping your AC set to 84 will help keep the humidity to a minimum. My neighbor also opens all the drawers in the house a couple of inches when she's away, to prevent them from sticking due to non-use for months at a time.

Electricity is provided by one of two companies, depending on which one services your area. No idea about your part of the community, we have Duke up in the Historic area. You don't get a choice on who supplies your water.

Broadband will depend on your address. Common options are Xfinity, Spectrum, and Quantum. There are others but you'll find at least one of the three I just mentioned, in most parts of the community.

What you /could/ do for your first year for insurance, is to check with The Villages Insurance. They don't do the actual insuring, they're a broker that can hook you up with a company and a contract. You might find a better deal once you're settled in, but this can work for people who need to get set up before they're actually down here.

[Toymeister]

We cool to 84 degrees in an unoccupied home. No choice on electric or water, choice on broadband.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Keeping your AC set to 84 will help keep the humidity to a minimum. My neighbor also opens all the drawers in the house a couple of inches when she's away, to prevent them from sticking due to non-use for months at a time.

Electricity is provided by one of two companies, depending on which one services your area. No idea about your part of the community, we have Duke up in the Historic area. You don't get a choice on who supplies your water.

Broadband will depend on your address. Common options are Xfinity, Spectrum, and Quantum. There are others but you'll find at least one of the three I just mentioned, in most parts of the community.

What you /could/ do for your first year for insurance, is to check with The Villages Insurance. They don't do the actual insuring, they're a broker that can hook you up with a company and a contract. You might find a better deal once you're settled in, but this can work for people who need to get set up before they're actually down here.

^ Excellent, succinct, straightforward, and accurate response. Follow up suggestion would be to try to link up with other UK folk here in TV and get a resource pool going. PS- I'm amused you are going to have to start getting used to some of your own "Imperial" measurements. 84F is 28.8889 Celsius. ;-)

[Dusty_Star]

Antrim Dells is lovely & a superb location. Congratulations.

Your power company will be SECO Start New Service – SECO Energy (https://secoenergy.com/start-new-service/) You do need to contact them to set up a new account. When I did it last year there was a $5. connection fee.

You can get fiber optic for broadband service, this is the best. Fast service, great availability Access to this page has been denied. (https://www.quantumfiber.com/shop/) They will give you a permanent $50 deal for 500 Mbps - fast enough to stream multiple media throught the Villa.

The water will be provided by Central Sumter Utility (CSU) - no choice there. The water does not need to be turned on, it will already be on.

Any other questions, please feel free to ask.

[Dusty_Star]

Antrim Dells is lovely & a superb location. Congratulations.

Your power company will be SECO Start New Service – SECO Energy (https://secoenergy.com/start-new-service/) You do need to contact them to set up a new account. When I did it last year there was a $5. connection fee.

You can get fiber optic for broadband service, this is the best. Fast service, great availability Access to this page has been denied. (https://www.quantumfiber.com/shop/) They will give you a permanent $50 deal for 500 Mbps - fast enough to stream multiple media throught the Villa.

The water will be provided by Central Sumter Utility (CSU) - no choice there. The water does not need to be turned on, it will already be on.

Any other questions, please feel free to ask.

I noticed that after posting the link to Quantum fiber says something like: Access denied
ignore it, it works fine.

[CURLYSANDY]

Many thanks for all your comments, so helpful!!

[Papa_lecki]

Go with a broadband company that does not require a 12 month contract, so you can change if you need to when you get here.

[badkarma318]

Follow up suggestion would be to try to link up with other UK folk here in TV and get a resource pool going.

There are at least 2 Brit clubs (not sure whether they are made up of actual Brits, or just UK enthusiasts).

[Ashley from UK]

Hi Sandy
Great decision.
We bought in 2020 just as covid hit and had to wait 2.5 years before getting to see our home for the first time.

Electric & water no choice.

Broadband & telecoms are EXPENSIVE over here compared to home. If you need internet all the time then you can go with a fixed contract. We have just signed up with Spectrum 300mps for $35 a month. We were using Xfinity pay as you go @ $45 for 30 days. No contract - we just paid when we were here. It was 75mps which was fine for the two of us to run 2 phones, laptops & Smart TV.

TV is mega expensive if the prices quoted by others are correct. We bought a Samsung Smart TV and have free access to UK Sky news, over 100 channels. We signed up to Netflix premium in UK and that works well here.

Tax & insurance is something else to watch out for… eg. How many days your in the US vs UK, not just in one year but over a period of 3+

PM me if you want to know anything else, tips advise etc.

[La lamy]

You'll also may need to have someone come into your home to check everything is okay if you want your insurance to stay valid.

Empty Nest Service | Home Property Management

thevillageshpm.com

This is a company that can help with this.

Congratulations and all the best with your new adventure to retirement heaven!

[DonnaNi4os]

Welcome. In addition to everything that has been said in previous comments, please set your humidistat to 60 or 58.

[dennisgavin]

I would recommend a house watch service to come into the house and flush toilets and run water in sinks, tubs and showers to keep them from drying out and allowing bugs to come up through the pipes. Also I think 84 is a bit high, I Would recommend 80.

[BostonTom]

We use Mike & Molly home watch services They check our house weekly. It only cost $75 a month worth every penny. They send you weekly reports and pictures.

[sdeikenberry]

You need someone to monitor the landscape and weeds over the summer, weeds grow fast. You should turn off the house water for the summer, but leave the irrigation water on.

[marathonman]

Could you give me their contact number?

[marathonman]

Mike and Molly contact # please

[mikemalloy]

Mike and Molly contact # please
Here's a line to their website
http://www.mikeandmollyhomeservices.com/
Big thumbs up to my fellow Villagers who gave such helpful advice to our newbies.

[JRcorvette]

Good morning all. We are from the UK and are currently purchasing a lovely home in Antrim Dells. We do have a few questions please:
1. Unfortunately, due to commitments, we are unable to come and stay and enjoy our home until late September. We know that the HVAC still has to stay on even when empty during the summer months, but what temperature is recommended during the summer season?

2. Would like some recommendations please for home insurance companies.

3. Is there a choice of electricity, broadband and water utility providers or are we limited to just one company for each utility?

Many thanks in advance for any assistance.
Sandy (really excited)!!

You probably have 3 choices of Internet service. I highly recommend that you have a WiFi thermostat installed so that you can not only see the temperature and humidity in your home but you can also control the temperature. We have been using a Honeywell WiFi unit for the past 10 years and would not be without one.

Your electricity is with SECO and you can sign up to have them auto draft payment. Same goes for water service via the Villages Utilities. One less thing that you have to worry about.

You picked a great Locations to live! Congratulations 🎈🍾

[Two Bills]

Hi Sandy
Great decision.
We bought in 2020 just as covid hit and had to wait 2.5 years before getting to see our home for the first time.

Electric & water no choice.

Broadband & telecoms are EXPENSIVE over here compared to home. If you need internet all the time then you can go with a fixed contract. We have just signed up with Spectrum 300mps for $35 a month. We were using Xfinity pay as you go @ $45 for 30 days. No contract - we just paid when we were here. It was 75mps which was fine for the two of us to run 2 phones, laptops & Smart TV.

TV is mega expensive if the prices quoted by others are correct. We bought a Samsung Smart TV and have free access to UK Sky news, over 100 channels. We signed up to Netflix premium in UK and that works well here.

Tax & insurance is something else to watch out for… eg. How many days your in the US vs UK, not just in one year but over a period of 3+

PM me if you want to know anything else, tips advise etc.

Sound advice above from Ashley regarding the tax and insurance.
Medical insurance is an expensive minefield in the US.
We never purchased in TV in the twenty odd years we spent overwintering there, but as we aged, medical insurance with preexisting conditions became very expensive.
Most annual insurance was for 90 days stay max. but was good for another 90 days, providing you returned to UK in between.
Nationwide Flexi Plus was the most competitive we found, not sure about them now, as the insurance cover has been taken over by Aviva, and we have never had a competitive quote from them. Ever.
Good luck in your new venture, you will love the place.

[Dlbonivich]

Who is your buyers agent? They should be able to answer all of these questions you should Maintain your AC at 80° you have a choice of cable and Internet companies. Your water sewage and amenity fee comes on one bill from The Villages. No choice. Your electric provider is who provides electricity for your area. These questions should all have been answered by your agent if they haven’t, I wouldn’t recommend the agent to anyone else

[CURLYSANDY]

Again, many thanks for so much great information...

[DiandJay]

Good morning all. We are from the UK and are currently purchasing a lovely home in Antrim Dells. We do have a few questions please:
1. Unfortunately, due to commitments, we are unable to come and stay and enjoy our home until late September. We know that the HVAC still has to stay on even when empty during the summer months, but what temperature is recommended during the summer season?

2. Would like some recommendations please for home insurance companies.

3. Is there a choice of electricity, broadband and water utility providers or are we limited to just one company for each utility?

Many thanks in advance for any assistance.
Sandy (really excited)!!
Welcome! We spent 10 years in your lovely country. Used to fly into FL from the UK and spend 6 months. Here full time now! Hope you enjoy it.

[Laurel Maryland]

Good morning all. We are from the UK and are currently purchasing a lovely home in Antrim Dells. We do have a few questions please:
1. Unfortunately, due to commitments, we are unable to come and stay and enjoy our home until late September. We know that the HVAC still has to stay on even when empty during the summer months, but what temperature is recommended during the summer season?

2. Would like some recommendations please for home insurance companies.

3. Is there a choice of electricity, broadband and water utility providers or are we limited to just one company for each utility?

Many thanks in advance for any assistance.
Sandy (really excited)!!

Some additional thoughts:
1. Have someone check your mailbox. You will be getting bills from the NSU for your monthly amenities fee that has to be paid whether you are living in the house or not.
2. Also, have someone turn down the setting on your hot water heater (the tank) to “low” or to a setting marked “vacation,” if you have that. This will save on energy. Do not turn the hot water heater off completely for a long period of time because scum will grow inside of the tank.
3. Also, have someone turn off the water to your washing machine. If the washing machine hose ruptures while the house is unattended, you will have major flooding and damage.
Welcome to The Villages and enjoy your new home.

[mcewing iain]

We are from the UK too. Had our house here for 10 years. Look forward to having a chat.

[HORNET]

Good morning all. We are from the UK and are currently purchasing a lovely home in Antrim Dells. We do have a few questions please:
1. Unfortunately, due to commitments, we are unable to come and stay and enjoy our home until late September. We know that the HVAC still has to stay on even when empty during the summer months, but what temperature is recommended during the summer season?

2. Would like some recommendations please for home insurance companies.

3. Is there a choice of electricity, broadband and water utility providers or are we limited to just one company for each utility?

Many thanks in advance for any assistance.
Sandy (really excited)!! see if you can find a trustworthy neighbor!

[Snowbug]

Good morning all. We are from the UK and are currently purchasing a lovely home in Antrim Dells. We do have a few questions please:
1. Unfortunately, due to commitments, we are unable to come and stay and enjoy our home until late September. We know that the HVAC still has to stay on even when empty during the summer months, but what temperature is recommended during the summer season?

2. Would like some recommendations please for home insurance companies.

3. Is there a choice of electricity, broadband and water utility providers or are we limited to just one company for each utility?

Many thanks in advance for any assistance.
Sandy (really excited)!!
We have Spectrum for Internet. Someone will need to set your lawn irrigation days and run-times. I just switched from 2 days per week, to 3. Probably 30 to 45 minutes each day. And, you will need someone to mow your lawn. We use Son Life Landscape. You pay them at the end of the month, not prior to the work. We have Duke Energy south of 44 in Bradford and The Villages Utillities for water. We use Evergreen for fertilizing and weed-killer on the yard and insecticide on the plants. I hope this helps. P.S.-I had Duke install a whole-house surge protector, also.