Issues with owning a home in TV if the owner is a snowbird.

[raisingJB]

I am currently considering purchasing a home in TV but I would only live there during the winter and spend summers in my current home. While it is fairly easy to calculate the cost of purchasing a home I would like to hear some input on the cost of maintaining the home during the 6-8 months that I am not there.

Thank you for your thoughts.

[dewilson58]

I am currently considering purchasing a home in TV but I would only live there during the winter and spend summers in my current home. While it is fairly easy to calculate the cost of purchasing a home I would like to hear some input on the cost of maintaining the home during the 6-8 months that I am not there.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Definitely want a Home Watch service.................comes in the house every week, walks the outside every week, runs water, checks refrig/freezer.

Home Watch services should have a checklist for you to compare offerings.

[thelegges]

Cost will be the same in or out of home, with the exception of indoor water use, and the ability to keep temp higher saving on cooling. Everything else trash, amenities stay the same.

Many here started as a sort of bird, flake, or landlord.

[DrHitch]

There are a number of discussion on the "Landlords of the Vilages" Facebook group.

Basically, the overall cost of carrying a house is about $35,000 per year. This was done by Dick Betts, a local realtor who has his own web site with lots of info. So, dived that by 12 and you have an average needed rent just to break even. Most people post their houses on RFAV or VH4R web sites and know well that you can only get a good payback during peak season (maybe Dec-Mar)...So, you'll have to do the math.

Agree with other comments that even with remote security, cameras, etc you will want an entrusted home watch service to flush toilets, check for critters, make sure the landscaper is doing their job, etc. About $100-$200 per month....

[frayedends]

Monthly guesstimates based on when I'm not there...

Amenity fee with water during dry season (including trash, etc) $350
Internet $65
Some home watch service. $65. I've not found one that is over $100. I used "Affordable Home Watch". $65/month.
Lawn mowing: $65
Weed spraying, fertilizer: $85
Gas if you have natural gas appliances: $20-50
Electric: $35-60

[Utah Flyfisher]

I am currently considering purchasing a home in TV but I would only live there during the winter and spend summers in my current home. While it is fairly easy to calculate the cost of purchasing a home I would like to hear some input on the cost of maintaining the home during the 6-8 months that I am not there.

Thank you for your thoughts.

You’re paying the same for the yard, the bugs, the pool, basic maintenance year round anyway.
The only real added cost is home watch. Everything else is negligible. We just shut down home watch while either of us are there and start back up when it’s empty. Thought about renting but the hassle of what to do with our truck/golf cart/ important stuff…etc and the hassle of renters in general was more than we cared about dealing with. Do it! It’s a fun place to vacation. Hopefully we’ll be able to live there more often but for now it’s great!

[dhelfer6]

I am currently considering purchasing a home in TV but I would only live there during the winter and spend summers in my current home. While it is fairly easy to calculate the cost of purchasing a home I would like to hear some input on the cost of maintaining the home during the 6-8 months that I am not there.

Thank you for your thoughts.

I will be selling my home in the Villages sometime in December. I am selling it completely furnished, with a golf cart. If you are interested, please send me a note. Thank you

[Toymeister]

You will want 365 internet to access smart home devices. These include a water monitor (for leaks) perhaps cameras, whole house energy monitor, thermostat, and a wifi lock. The lock can confirm that homewatch actually visits your home. The energy monitor (sense.com) can confirm the fridge is working.

[Velvet]

I have an average sized designer home in TV, on an average sized lot. I do not have a pool. There is about $10,000 bond left to pay and no mortgage. My annual costs are about $14,000 a year for upkeep of the home including landscape service and Empty nest looking after it when I am not there. I do look around for reasonable property insurance every year.

[Charles K]

Monthly guesstimates based on when I'm not there...

Amenity fee with water during dry season (including trash, etc) $350
Internet $65
Some home watch service. $65. I've not found one that is over $100. I used "Affordable Home Watch". $65/month.
Lawn mowing: $65
Weed spraying, fertilizer: $85
Gas if you have natural gas appliances: $20-50
Electric: $35-60

Looking for recommendations for weed spraying, landscaper, and home watch.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Monthly guesstimates based on when I'm not there...

Amenity fee with water during dry season (including trash, etc) $350
Internet $65
Some home watch service. $65. I've not found one that is over $100. I used "Affordable Home Watch". $65/month.
Lawn mowing: $65
Weed spraying, fertilizer: $85
Gas if you have natural gas appliances: $20-50
Electric: $35-60
Even at the high end, your number added to $8880 annually. That is a far cry from Dr.Hitch's post of $35,000 !!!

[JMintzer]

Even at the high end, your number added to $8880 annually. That is a far cry from Dr.Hitch's post of $35,000 !!!

Methinks he's adding in Mortgage costs and Taxes...

[LeRoySmith]

An average house in lake denham is going to run us about 22k a year. This include taxes, homeowners insurance, auto insurance golf cart insurance, amenities, all utilities, Internet service, bond, yard maintenance, landscaping maintenance, pool maintenance, home watch for 6 - 8 months a year.

No mortgage, golf cart maintenance, auto maintenance, home improvement or upkeep, daily living expenses (food, clothes etc) costs included.

[frayedends]

I’m updating my electric cost in summer to about $110. Just got my bill and the heat is definitely costing me more for AC in summer. It’s set at 78 degrees before air conditioning.

I used Randal at affordable home watch. They were pretty good. I just switched to Hannah exteriors for mowing. I canceled Son Life after I found out they were charging me for weeding my beds but not doing it. I use Fertigator for fertilizer and insect control and now weed spraying also and no issues so far.

[Dusty_Star]

I am currently considering purchasing a home in TV but I would only live there during the winter and spend summers in my current home. While it is fairly easy to calculate the cost of purchasing a home I would like to hear some input on the cost of maintaining the home during the 6-8 months that I am not there.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Are you thinking of a pool home? That might have different numbers for electricity & maintenance than some others have mentioned.

[tophcfa]

I am currently considering purchasing a home in TV but I would only live there during the winter and spend summers in my current home. While it is fairly easy to calculate the cost of purchasing a home I would like to hear some input on the cost of maintaining the home during the 6-8 months that I am not there.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Based on our experience, it’s no less expensive owning a home whether or not you’re actually there (assuming you don’t rent it). When not there you’re electric bill will be a little lower, and if you typically use a lot of water your base water and sewer charge could be a little lower than the actual usage rate. Besides that, there is no savings on homeownership, but there are added expenses such as a home watch service, having to pay someone to pull/spray for weeds, mow, spray for bugs, trim hedges, etc… since you won’t be there to do it yourself. And then there is the homestead property tax benefits that can save you real money, but you won’t be eligible for.

That being said, the worst part about being part time is knowing your home, that you are paying good $$ for on an ongoing basis, is just sitting there empty and you wish you could be there. And when you finally get to your home, there is always a lot of deferred maintenance work to be done, and ditto when you return to your other home. Bottom line, owning and maintaining multiple homes can begin to really wear on you over several years.

[retiredguy123]

Unless you have an irrigation maintenance contractor, you should have a home watch service that is capable to get a sprinkler leak repaired. If you have a geyser in your yard from a broken sprinkler, how do you get it repaired from out-of-town?

[LeRoySmith]

Unless you have an irrigation maintenance contractor, you should have a home watch service that is capable to get a sprinkler leak repaired. If you have a geyser in your yard from a broken sprinkler, how do you get it repaired from out-of-town?

When I'm out of town I set the sprinklers to run at 7am, my neighbors keep an eye out for geysers. They have identified 2 in the past year, I called a sprinkler contractor to address it.

[Papa_lecki]

When I'm out of town I set the sprinklers to run at 7am, my neighbors keep an eye out for geysers. They have identified 2 in the past year, I called a sprinkler contractor to address it.

I do something similar.
I split my sprinkler Tim Erin half for each zone.
If the zone needs to run for 30 minutes.
I run one zone for 15 minutes at 4AM and one for 15 minutes at 7AM.

[ElDiabloJoe]

An average house in lake denham is going to run us about 22k a year. This include taxes, homeowners insurance, auto insurance golf cart insurance, amenities, all utilities, Internet service, bond, yard maintenance, landscaping maintenance, pool maintenance, home watch for 6 - 8 months a year.

No mortgage, golf cart maintenance, auto maintenance, home improvement or upkeep, daily living expenses (food, clothes etc) costs included.
What's the difference between yard maintenance and landscaping maintenance?

[dewilson58]

What's the difference between yard maintenance and landscaping maintenance?

Lots of yard guys won't treat the rock/chip areas inside the landscape bricks for weeds, bugs, etc.

Some firms are one-stop-shops and do it all.

[Smalley]

Based on our experience, it’s no less expensive owning a home whether or not you’re actually there (assuming you don’t rent it). When not there you’re electric bill will be a little lower, and if you typically use a lot of water your base water and sewer charge could be a little lower than the actual usage rate. Besides that, there is no savings on homeownership, but there are added expenses such as a home watch service, having to pay someone to pull/spray for weeds, mow, spray for bugs, trim hedges, etc… since you won’t be there to do it yourself. And then there is the homestead property tax benefits that can save you real money, but you won’t be eligible for.

That being said, the worst part about being part time is knowing your home, that you are paying good $$ for on an ongoing basis, is just sitting there empty and you wish you could be there. And when you finally get to your home, there is always a lot of deferred maintenance work to be done, and ditto when you return to your other home. Bottom line, owning and maintaining multiple homes can begin to really wear on you over several years.

I know folks have good reasons for continuing to be snowbirds. It took only one year for us to decide that we hated it. Having an empty house 12 months of the year; (either FL or VA), the hassle of travel back and forth, closing up the homes etc. So we sold our house in VA and we're now fixing up our villa here in TV and very pleased with the decision. I admire all the snowbirds who seem to do it effortlessly. Some enjoy the drive up north, stop to visit friends, for example.

[LeRoySmith]

Lots of yard guys won't treat the rock/chip areas inside the landscape bricks for weeds, bugs, etc.

Some firms are one-stop-shops and do it all.

What he said ⬆️, it stinks to come back to a nicely mowed lawn and knee high weeds in the landscaping or brown palm fronds laying everywhere.

[LeRoySmith]

I know folks have good reasons for continuing to be snowbirds. It took only one year for us to decide that we hated it. Having an empty house 12 months of the year; (either FL or VA), the hassle of travel back and forth, closing up the homes etc. So we sold our house in VA and we're now fixing up our villa here in TV and very pleased with the decision. I admire all the snowbirds who seem to do it effortlessly. Some enjoy the drive up north, stop to visit friends, for example.

We are in the same situation and as soon as we sell our Northern home and vacation home we will be full-time here. In the future I only plan to have one home, here. We will spend a handful of months vacationing in the cooler areas across the North or Northwest during the hot months here.

[raisingJB]

Are you thinking of a pool home? That might have different numbers for electricity & maintenance than some others have mentioned.
I am not thinking of a pool home and since it will be me only probably just a two bedroom.

[Thetwisted2]

You can reduce you internet’s cost for 6 to 8 months while gone by using their vacation plan, cut my cost to1/2 of what I normally pay.

[AZ SLIM]

I am currently considering purchasing a home in TV but I would only live there during the winter and spend summers in my current home. While it is fairly easy to calculate the cost of purchasing a home I would like to hear some input on the cost of maintaining the home during the 6-8 months that I am not there.

Thank you for your thoughts.
We own a rental villa in the village of Richmond. I keep detailed records. Annual expenses run about $14k. Includes taxes, bond, amenities, utilities, insurance, internet with streaming tv, and yard maintenance. It does not include a mortgage or a pool. It also doesn't include increased utility cost caused by the renters. The $14k is close to what it would cost if it sat vacant all year. I agree with the person who said that prices of everything are rising, even faster than inflation, so you might want to add some for future estimates. Bond payments vary greatly. You can view them somewhere on the CDD website. Your realtor should be able to provide the bond info by area.

[rsmurano]

I have my house completely automated: my refrigerator tells me the temperature of the freezer and refrigerator and if the doors are open, same for my gas range. Then all of my doors, garage doors, are controlled thru my phone so if I need to let someone in when I’m in Europe, no problem. My thermostat, lights, cameras, sprinkler system, water leak detection devices are all controlled by my phone/ipad. I get alerts sent to me if a door opens or somebody comes to my front door, I can talk to them. Also, I setup lighting routines when I’m gone so the house looks like somebody is home.

[Lanieb]

Hi JB,

I have a 2 bed 2 bath home for sale in the lovely older part of TV near The Chula Vista Rec center. It comes furnished with a cool golf cart. Call me on 336 337 5885 if you are interested.

I think you could easily get by on around $5000 for the months you are not there.

Your largest cost would normally be electricity; I had an electrician come by to advise me as most friends told me that they left their air on at around 85 degrees. He said it’s perfectly fine to turn it off completely and even with the humidity being high in summer so long as you run it for a couple of days every 6 weeks or so you won’t have a problem. (my super friendly neighbor did that for me)

Good luck,
Lanie

[dhelfer6]

Please send me you phone number and we can discuss this in detail. Thank you

[Remembergoldenrule]

I am not thinking of a pool home and since it will be me only probably just a two bedroom.

Why get pool home with two bedrooms. Just get home convenient to pools. Our home is half mile from adult pool and family pool. That way have way to meet new friends and have people to talk with during going to pool without cost or worries of ownership.

[dhelfer6]

I will be selling my home in the Villages sometime in December. I am selling it completely furnished, with a golf cart. If you are interested, please send me a note. Thank you

Please send me your phone number and I can call you to give you details. Thank you

[MandoMan]

Looking for recommendations for weed spraying, landscaper, and home watch.
Find out who your new next door neighbors are, contact them, and ask who they use and if they recommend them. Then hire the same people.

My total Amenities Fees, including water and trash, is around $261. My electricity in a courtyard villa (including charging my car) was $105 this month. I don’t fertilize or pay for termite service, as termites are extremely rare here. Bugs are also rare. When I’m gone, I leave the AC at 74°, which prevents mold. Because I don’t have fertilizing done, I only need to mow several times a year, and I do it myself with a manual mower in ten minutes. I pay taxes and insurance when the bill comes. Internet is around $85 for extra band width. I don’t use cable tv. So, whether I’m here or not, my house costs me about $800 a month, as I have no mortgage.

[retiredguy123]

Find out who your new next door neighbors are, contact them, and ask who they use and if they recommend them. Then hire the same people.

My total Amenities Fees, including water and trash, is around $261. My electricity in a courtyard villa (including charging my car) was $105 this month. I don’t fertilize or pay for termite service, as termites are extremely rare here. Bugs are also rare. When I’m gone, I leave the AC at 74°, which prevents mold. Because I don’t have fertilizing done, I only need to mow several times a year, and I do it myself with a manual mower in ten minutes. I pay taxes and insurance when the bill comes. Internet is around $85 for extra band width. I don’t use cable tv. So, whether I’m here or not, my house costs me about $800 a month, as I have no mortgage.
You can save money by turning your thermostat up to 80. You will not get mold. You can also turn on the humidity control setting, which will overcool your house by about 3 degrees when it detects high humidity.

[Robojo]

I am currently considering purchasing a home in TV but I would only live there during the winter and spend summers in my current home. While it is fairly easy to calculate the cost of purchasing a home I would like to hear some input on the cost of maintaining the home during the 6-8 months that I am not there.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Cost of ownership is what you're looking for.

[DrHitch]

You will want 365 internet to access smart home devices.

Ok, so when someone visits our house:
1) The Ring doorbell buzzes my phone
2) The MyQ garage door buzzes my phone
3) The Cove security system buzzes my phone
4) The indoor camera buzzes my phone.

Think we've got it covered? Haha

[MX rider]

We are in the same situation and as soon as we sell our Northern home and vacation home we will be full-time here. In the future I only plan to have one home, here. We will spend a handful of months vacationing in the cooler areas across the North or Northwest during the hot months here.

Same for us.
We retired last fall and spent 6 months at our home in TV and loved it. Our plan was to keep our Indiana home for 2 summers and do the 6 and 6 thing.
But after being back in Indiana for only a month we were already bored and missing TV. We also decided 6 months is too long here. Yes, we got to see the kids and the grands, but that's not enough for us since we like to stay active and busy.

Plus, keeping up 2 homes was more work and hassle than I anticipated. When we were in TV I worried about our home here, and when we're here I worry about our home there.

We decided we don't need a home to come visit for a couple weeks at a time. So we put our house here in Indiana up for sale. They start showing it tomorrow. Our plan is to rent an Airbnb when we want to come back here to visit.

That said, our good friends just bought a home in TV and plan on doing 6 and 6.

[GoRedSox!]

In our experience, the only difference in costs between when we are there and not is related to weather and daylight and of course use. Inside water use is basically just the standard service charge when we are not there, the same with sewer use fee. But there is still the outside irrigation, which uses more gallons in the summer. Garbage and amenity fee is the same. Our utility bill this month, including $195.34 amenity fee is $282.62. Last month, it was $277.54. The biggest item aside from the amenity fee is irrigation. Also garbage pickup remains the same at $22.52. By comparison, when were there in February, March, and April of this year, the bills were $308, $320, and $305.

Electric with SECO is basically a/c. We keep ours set at 80 and there is 1,938 sq. feet. This month the bill was $82. Last month it was $89. February, March and April when we were there was $110, 110, and $142.

We pay the same for grass cutting and treatments year round. For the months we are not there, we pay $60 for Home Watch services which is the best $60 a month we spend in The Villages in my opinion. Our Home Watch is excellent and gives us great peace of mind (Relax Home Watch--outstanding, but I don't think they serve north of Brownwood).

Best of luck. A few blink cameras or similar may give you some more peace of mind. Basically, the costs are not dramatically different when we are there and when we are not. It's under $100 less in the summer per months, but we pay $60 for the Home Watch so that's where much of that savings goes so I find it to be pretty consistent all year round.

[ElDiabloJoe]

I have my house completely automated: my refrigerator tells me the temperature of the freezer and refrigerator and if the doors are open, same for my gas range. Then all of my doors, garage doors, are controlled thru my phone so if I need to let someone in when I’m in Europe, no problem. My thermostat, lights, cameras, sprinkler system, water leak detection devices are all controlled by my phone/ipad. I get alerts sent to me if a door opens or somebody comes to my front door, I can talk to them. Also, I setup lighting routines when I’m gone so the house looks like somebody is home.
Would appreciate a PM or a post with the details and systems of how you make this work. Sounds like an ideal setup.

[Regorp]

I am currently considering purchasing a home in TV but I would only live there during the winter and spend summers in my current home. While it is fairly easy to calculate the cost of purchasing a home I would like to hear some input on the cost of maintaining the home during the 6-8 months that I am not there.

Thank you for your thoughts.

My wife and I wonder how someone can spend up to 500k for a beautiful new home and use it so sparingly. Such a waste, so we choose to live year round and forget about CT. Florida is our home!!

[GoRedSox!]

Same for us.
We retired last fall and spent 6 months at our home in TV and loved it. Our plan was to keep our Indiana home for 2 summers and do the 6 and 6 thing.
But after being back in Indiana for only a month we were already bored and missing TV. We also decided 6 months is too long here. Yes, we got to see the kids and the grands, but that's not enough for us since we like to stay active and busy.

Plus, keeping up 2 homes was more work and hassle than I anticipated. When we were in TV I worried about our home here, and when we're here I worry about our home there.

We decided we don't need a home to come visit for a couple weeks at a time. So we put our house here in Indiana up for sale. They start showing it tomorrow. Our plan is to rent an Airbnb when we want to come back here to visit.

That said, our good friends just bought a home in TV and plan on doing 6 and 6.
I really think that this is the question that so many people grapple with. There are a LOT of snowbirds in The Villages. I have never seen a definitive percentage, but I think it's higher than many estimate.

I talk to my wife about this all the time. CT is slightly cooler in the heart of the summer, and starting in September it goes from slightly to much cooler for a couple of months. And our friends and family are here, this is where we are from, and all that.

Yes, we would save a LOT of money by having one house in The Villages. It's not insignificant....no more state income tax....no more high property tax on our home AND our cars...no double utilities, home owner's insurance, and the interest that could be made on the proceeds from the sale of the property....it adds up to a sizeable number.

However, we can't take it with us, and money will not be the deciding factor. But the same things you talk about in your post we think about all the time. I got a call in the middle of the night from the Villages Community Watch saying my garage door was up. Sometimes remotes are on the same frequency....ughhh...thank goodness I was able to get ahold of our home watch services first thing the next morning and thank goodness they are outstanding. When we are down there, I have to make sure our home in CT is visited, plowed if it snows, the pipes don't freeze, even dealing with the post office and mail order pharmacy is a challenge...and any number of other things. Driving 20 hours in one shot with dogs in the back seat is not fun, when we came back in early May I drove 21 hours straight. I don't know how long we will do this for, but we are talking about moving full-time to The Villages more often and more seriously than ever before.

I have successfully subscribed to the "happy wife, happy life" theory and it worked for me for 24 years and hopefully many more to come and I think my beloved wife is pretty much on the same page with me now that we should reduce to one home and that home should be in The Villages. This is perhaps not the right thread, but I would love to read others thoughts on this decision, I know that many people are in this situation. Good luck to all.

[GoRedSox!]

My wife and I wonder how someone can spend up to 500k for a beautiful new home and use it so sparingly. Such a waste, so we choose to live year round and forget about CT. Florida is our home!! I think many folks grapple with this question....I'm sure some have enough resources to permanently have multiple homes, but I think many folks have the two homes for a transitionary period when they first retire, knowing that later on they will reduce to one. It also gives you the opportunity to make sure you will love the Villages and it's easy to reverse the decision if you find out you don't.

We discuss when to reduce to one home all the time, but we have never contemplated keeping two homes for the duration....it's not a matter of if we will go to one home, but when.

[retiredguy123]

Does anyone ever consider global warming as an issue when they decide to become a snowbird?

[BoneLakeBennie]

Monthly guesstimates based on when I'm not there...

Amenity fee with water during dry season (including trash, etc) $350
Internet $65
Some home watch service. $65. I've not found one that is over $100. I used "Affordable Home Watch". $65/month.
Lawn mowing: $65
Weed spraying, fertilizer: $85
Gas if you have natural gas appliances: $20-50
Electric: $35-60

Our numbers are similar:
Amenity fee with water during dry season (including trash, etc) $310
Internet $30 (Centric fiber vacation rate)
Some home watch service. $60. (Relax Home Watch (https://relaxhomewatch.com/home-watch) llc)
Lawn mowing: $60
Weed spraying, fertilizer: $67
Gas if you have natural gas appliances: $27
Electric: $51 (budget plan)

[GoRedSox!]

Our numbers are similar:
Amenity fee with water during dry season (including trash, etc) $310
Internet $30 (Centric fiber vacation rate)
Some home watch service. $60. (Relax Home Watch (https://relaxhomewatch.com/home-watch) llc)
Lawn mowing: $60
Weed spraying, fertilizer: $67
Gas if you have natural gas appliances: $27
Electric: $51 (budget plan)Another Relax Home Watch customer....they are so excellent that I really am able to have peace of mind when I'm not there. I know if I need to reach them, they will either pick up the phone or get back to me immediately. They are wonderful.

[BoneLakeBennie]

My wife and I wonder how someone can spend up to 500k for a beautiful new home and use it so sparingly. Such a waste, so we choose to live year round and forget about CT. Florida is our home!!

We're kind of hijacking the thread, but... everyone is entitled to their opinion. So, would purchasing a weekend getaway place be "such a waste" because it is only used 2 days a week?

For us, the reason we purchased a retirement home in FL and snowbird is to avoid dealing with the cold winters in MN and basically having to be inside all winter. We kept our house in MN so that we don't have to deal with the heat and humidity of the FL summers. If a person can afford it, why not have the best of both worlds?

[retiredguy123]

Another Relax Home Watch customer....they are so excellent that I really am able to have peace of mind when I'm not there. I know if I need to reach them, they will either pick up the phone or get back to me immediately. They are wonderful.
It's very sad that a business that returns calls is considered wonderful.

[MrFlorida]

You could always rent it for the 6-8 months that you are not using it. Then it would pay for itself.

[GoRedSox!]

It's very sad that a business that returns calls is considered wonderful.No, no, no, they are excellent in every aspect of this service. They contact me every single week with an update. They help us out in a variety of ways. Relax Home Watch is reliable and do every single thing they represented they would do. They are very nice people. And yes, they are easy to reach. I highly recommend them, I know that anyone who needs this service will happy with them.

[GoRedSox!]

I am going to start a separate thread for Snow Birding in general...this is a broad topic that impacts a lot of people. My first question will be whether there is a reliable estimate of what percentages of Villagers are snowbirds.

[ElDiabloJoe]

We're kind of hijacking the thread, but... everyone is entitled to their opinion. So, would purchasing a weekend getaway place be "such a waste" because it is only used 2 days a week?

For us, the reason we purchased a retirement home in FL and snowbird is to avoid dealing with the cold winters in MN and basically having to be inside all winter. We kept our house in MN so that we don't have to deal with the heat and humidity of the FL summers. If a person can afford it, why not have the best of both worlds?
Not only do I agree with this, I don't see it as a "waste" ever. While one might ride the ups and downs of short-term transiency, one is not really "Spending" the money or "buying" a home.

IMHO, what one is doing is simply parking the money while still able to use it and enjoy it. While the overall rate of return may not be what one may get in other investment vehicles, there reaches a point in one's life where that is no longer the end game.

My life's job is neither to create wealth for children I do not have nor to give it to nieces or nephews who only occasionally visit (no fault of their own- they lead their own busy lives working and raising families). No, my life's job is to create wealth so that I reach a point of comfort where Mrs. EDJ and I can start to spend and enjoy that wealth.

Having spent our lifetimes in SoCal, moving to the southeast was a financial and philosophical "no-brainer." However, we have learned that we do not always enjoy the winters, mild as they are. When the winter becomes longer and darker than we like, and the boat and jet skis are put away for the season, it is nice to have a nearby landing pad to go and enjoy sunnier and warmer weather that is already packed with our conveniences, comforts, and preferences (our furniture, our decor, our other car, etc.). It helps that landing pad is only a day's drive or a 2 hour flight away.

So, "buying" a winter home in my mind isn't spending the money, but rather parking it into a lower yield long-term investment that I get to enjoy now while not freezing my derriere or shoveling white crap.

If I need it for medical bills or nursing homes decades down the road, it can be liquidated - probably at some profit gain.

[jmpate]

Could I have the name(s) of the 1 Stop Shops you mentioned today?

So few yard companies do all the services and I'm fed up with the extremely poor service we've gotten with several groups & we've lived in TV for 3 years!

JMPate'

Lots of yard guys won't treat the rock/chip areas inside the landscape bricks for weeds, bugs, etc.

Some firms are one-stop-shops and do it all.

[CarlR33]

We kept our house in MN so that we don't have to deal with the heat and humidity of the FL summers. If a person can afford it, why not have the best of both worlds? yea, it’s unbearable here in the summer. Go to the pool until lunch, go to the house have lunch hang out in the A/C, take a nap and head back to the pool late afternoon. Unbearable!

[La lamy]

Based on our experience, it’s no less expensive owning a home whether or not you’re actually there (assuming you don’t rent it). When not there you’re electric bill will be a little lower, and if you typically use a lot of water your base water and sewer charge could be a little lower than the actual usage rate. Besides that, there is no savings on homeownership, but there are added expenses such as a home watch service, having to pay someone to pull/spray for weeds, mow, spray for bugs, trim hedges, etc… since you won’t be there to do it yourself. And then there is the homestead property tax benefits that can save you real money, but you won’t be eligible for.

That being said, the worst part about being part time is knowing your home, that you are paying good $$ for on an ongoing basis, is just sitting there empty and you wish you could be there. And when you finally get to your home, there is always a lot of deferred maintenance work to be done, and ditto when you return to your other home. Bottom line, owning and maintaining multiple homes can begin to really wear on you over several years.

I used to be stressed out about my home when I left it, but having smart thermometers that I can control online and security cameras, I don't stress anymore. I highly recommend having a north and south home. Avoiding extreme weather is what I'm after, and it's not a big deal to leave either one with smart technology. If you can afford it, it's the best way to go!!

[mneumann02]

I am currently considering purchasing a home in TV but I would only live there during the winter and spend summers in my current home. While it is fairly easy to calculate the cost of purchasing a home I would like to hear some input on the cost of maintaining the home during the 6-8 months that I am not there.

Thank you for your thoughts.

We bought 10 years ago and are still snowflakes as we come a total of 5 months a year. I figure when we can get to 6 months and become Florida residents it will save us about $10,000/year. Here is what I've learned:
-Maintaining 2 homes is a major pain but we have never regretted it. Buying was the best decision we ever made. Our home's value has more than doubled in 10 years.
-When not there, you can vacation hold the internet (unless you have security cameras, then it is discounted).
-You can also put on vacation hold the golf trail fees.

In addition to other costs already stated:
-Pool $150/mo.
-Grass cutting- $55/mo.
-Insect and weeds spraying- $75/mo.
-Trees, weeds and bush maintenance- $25- 50/mo.

A MAJOR HEADS UP IF YOU RENT. MONEY FROM RENTING IS INCOME ON THE FEDERAL RETURN AND TREATED AS SALES AND THEREFORE HAS SALES TAX BY THE STATE. (At least this was the policy a few years ago when we rented our home out.)

Final advice is have a great relationship with your neighbors as you will find they will also look out for you, e.g., one of my great neighbors called and said I had an outdoor faucet dripping. He was terrific in helping to get it fixed.

[tophcfa]

Yes, we would save a LOT of money by having one house in The Villages. It's not insignificant....no more state income tax....no more high property tax on our home AND our cars...no double utilities, home owner's insurance, and the interest that could be made on the proceeds from the sale of the property....it adds up to a sizeable number.

When we are down there, I have to make sure our home in CT is visited, plowed if it snows, the pipes don't freeze, even dealing with the post office and mail order pharmacy is a challenge...and any number of other things. Driving 20 hours in one shot with dogs in the back seat is not fun, when we came back in early May I drove 21 hours straight. I don't know how long we will do this for, but we are talking about moving full-time to The Villages more often and more seriously than ever before.

I have successfully subscribed to the "happy wife, happy life" theory and it worked for me for 24 years and hopefully many more to come and I think my beloved wife is pretty much on the same page with me now that we should reduce to one home and that home should be in The Villages. Good luck to all.

We have been snowflakes for 9 years and spend a little under half the year in the Villages. When we first bought, we were the youngsters on the block, didn’t mind taking care of two homes, and the long drive back and forth never bothered us. Like you, we are dog people, so flying isn’t an option unless one of us flies down for a couple weeks while the other stays up north with the dog (which we each do at least once per year). Now, we aren’t as young as we used to be and taking care of two homes (especially the northern home) and frequently traveling back and forth is growing both old and expensive. At three times per year we are approaching 30 round trip drives of about 2,700 miles each time, while staying in flea bag pet friendly lodging.

I would absolutely like to simplify life and sell the northern home, but as you stated “happy wife, happy life”. As much as I try, dragging her away from the kids, grandkids, and longtime friends is not going to happen without her being totally miserable. Don’t underestimate how lucky you are to have your wife on board with a single Villages home.

The only reason I can justify keeping a northern residence, besides keeping the wife happy, is to continue to have access to world class health care. That being said, I’m getting real close to selling our beautiful log home up north, on several acres of land surrounded by a state forest. It’s just becoming too much work to maintain at our high standards. A condominium with central air conditioning, where everything is taken care of by a management company, is definitely in the future up north. That way, much more time can be spent at the Villages without the burden of what will await me when returning north.

[rustyp]

My wife and I wonder how someone can spend up to 500k for a beautiful new home and use it so sparingly. Such a waste, so we choose to live year round and forget about CT. Florida is our home!!

It's my money and I will spend it as I wish. That's the beauty of having lots of it.

[ElDiabloJoe]

My wife and I wonder how someone can spend up to 500k for a beautiful new home and use it so sparingly. Such a waste, so we choose to live year round and forget about CT. Florida is our home!!

Easy. They sell their Orange Co. CA home they bought for $250K for $1M after a decade, then buy another house for $1.5M and sell that a decade later for $3M. Sell that house, then they buy a house in TN for $1M, A house in The Villages for $500K, and then they invest the remainder. In the meantime, for the next couple decades, both the TN and the FL house continue to appreciate in value as does the remainder being invested.

See, Easy.

[LeRoySmith]

It's my money and I will spend it as I wish. That's the beauty of having lots of it.

Can I borrow 20 bucks

[rustyp]

It's my money and I will spend it as I wish. That's the beauty of having lots of it.

Can I borrow 20 bucks

That would be your wish.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Move in. Make friends with your neighbors, or at least be on friendly terms with them. All of them - front and back, each side, across the street. Learn which one (or two) you can trust the most with a key to your home, and leave them a copy in case of emergency (like if your water heater springs a leak) They can be your home watch, and it doesn't cost you a dime. Also leave at least one of them with a list of contact names/numbers. Yours, your landscape people, pesticide people, and an emergency contact in case you can't be reached. Also include your expected return date.

Keep your thermostat set to 84 when you're not home.

I don't know about all of them, but some internet services let you put your service on hold while you're away, and you don't have to pay for service or there might be a minimal charge just for continuation of the contract during that period of time.

Yard maintenance is mandatory, so you'll need someone to keep up with the lawn, shrubs, weeding, tree-pruning right before hurricane season, and outside pesticide.

Shut off the water inside your house, but don't cancel the service since you still have to water the lawn. Replace the batteries on your doorbell (if needed) and smoke/co2 alarms a month before you leave for your summer home.

[C. C. Rider]

We own a rental villa in the village of Richmond. I keep detailed records. Annual expenses run about $14k. Includes taxes, bond, amenities, utilities, insurance, internet with streaming tv, and yard maintenance. It does not include a mortgage or a pool. It also doesn't include increased utility cost caused by the renters. The $14k is close to what it would cost if it sat vacant all year. I agree with the person who said that prices of everything are rising, even faster than inflation, so you might want to add some for future estimates. Bond payments vary greatly. You can view them somewhere on the CDD website. Your realtor should be able to provide the bond info by area.

It appears that you are not including the cost of "lost interest on your investment." If your house has a value of say $400,000 and it's just sitting unused, then it's costing you $16,000 per year (at 4%) just by having your money tied up in the house.

This "loss of interest" cost is in addition to all your other costs like taxes, maintenance, utilities, insurance, bond payments, etc. The only consolation is that your house MIGHT be appreciating in value at a rate that MIGHT offset your costs, but this is certainly not guaranteed.

Buying a house as a place to live and provide shelter for your family is a "no brainer" for most people. However, owning two houses and living in only one at a time is like having one sit empty all the time even if you move back and forth between houses. The only "saving grace" is if both houses continue to appreciate in value.

If we have a housing recession, which does happen from time to time, it can get quite expensive carrying the costs associated with having your money tied up in two places PLUS the cost of maintaining both places. With all the inflation we've had in housing in the past several years, a housing recession soon is certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

.

[Velvet]

Having a summer home and a winter home is not an investment in finances to some people. It provides an increased quality of life. Just as you would spend money on a trip or a vacation and not expect a financial rate of return from it, you can invest in a second home and not look for a rate of return on it. In my case the annual cost of my TV home is less than what I have spent regularly on winter vacations. Except I can actually live here.

And the question comes up, why the constant interest in making more money? Is it not that you get to spend it on a better life? Well, the better life for me is being in TV - this is what I have been saving my money for. I have been in many places in the world (perhaps too many) and this place happens to be my choice.

[Two Bills]

Having a summer home and a winter home is not an investment in finances to some people. It provides an increased quality of life. Just as you would spend money on a trip or a vacation and not expect a financial rate of return from it, you can invest in a second home and not look for a rate of return on it. In my case the annual cost of my TV home is less than what I have spent regularly on winter vacations. Except I can actually live here.

And the question comes up, why the constant interest in making more money? Is it not that you get to spend it on a better life? Well, the better life for me is being in TV - this is what I have been saving my money for. I have been in many places in the world (perhaps too many) and this place happens to be my choice.

I am convinced that the aim of quite a few posters, who seem to have a never ending passion for investment, returns, house values, is to be the richest person in the cemetery.
Personally, I hope I die owing a fortune to the banks and taxman, with absolutely no assets.

[MX rider]

I am convinced that the aim of quite a few posters, who seem to have a never ending passion for investment, returns, house values, is to be the richest person in the cemetery.
Personally, I hope I die owing a fortune to the banks and taxman, with absolutely no assets.

Hell yeah!
My thoughts exactly. I joke with our kids that I hope the last check I write bounces. lol
We're not rich by any means but we have enough to live a fun and full life, which is exactly what we're doing. Making more money is nice, but not high on our list.

Snow birding for us was strictly a quality of life decision. Now becoming fulltime villagers will be the same.

[Ohiogirl]

I know folks have good reasons for continuing to be snowbirds. It took only one year for us to decide that we hated it. Having an empty house 12 months of the year; (either FL or VA), the hassle of travel back and forth, closing up the homes etc. So we sold our house in VA and we're now fixing up our villa here in TV and very pleased with the decision. I admire all the snowbirds who seem to do it effortlessly. Some enjoy the drive up north, stop to visit friends, for example. Have been doing it for 14 years now, still enjoy best of both worlds. We are Florida residents so get homestead benefits but car insurance more in FL. Condo up north and courtyard villa (no grass) makes it easier. We make a vacation of it driving back and forth and also visit kids that we probably wouldn’t see as often otherwise as our kids are scattered. Lots of interesting towns in between that we make a point of searching out. Sometimes one or both make flying trip in between

[ElDiabloJoe]

Have been doing it for 14 years now, still enjoy best of both worlds. We are Florida residents so get homestead benefits but car insurance more in FL. Condo up north and courtyard villa (no grass) makes it easier. We make a vacation of it driving back and forth and also visit kids that we probably wouldn’t see as often otherwise as our kids are scattered. Lots of interesting towns in between that we make a point of searching out. Sometimes one or both make flying trip in between

Have you considered bifurcating your residency? One of you remains a Florida resident and enjoys all the benefits to which that permits, whilst the other remains an Ohio resident and avails you to lower car insurance and any other benefits. Just a thought...

[tophcfa]

I used to be stressed out about my home when I left it, but having smart thermometers that I can control online and security cameras, I don't stress anymore!
If only smart devices could do the little things like plow a long driveway and shovel snow, mow lawns and fields, rake and blow leaves, cut up blown down trees, re-grade a washed out driveway, clean the septic system filter and have it periodically pumped, winterize and re-open all exterior plumbing, pull weeds, clean gutters, tune up oil burners, change the oil filter, and bleed the forced hot water heating system, split wood and clean out wood and pellet stoves, change whole house water filters, re-stain a log home every 5 years, power wash decking, put in and take out screens and window A/C units, fix/replace appliances, constantly fight to control pesky mice, chipmunks, carpenter ants and bees, skunks, porcupines, raccoons, etc…, trim landscaping, winterize vehicles and then clean out mice nests and dead mice from the HVAC system each spring, juggle getting mail between homes, maintain a tractor, zero turn mower, push mower, chain saws, leaf blowers, weed wackers, ATV’s, etc…. Thats just quickly off the top of my head, the list goes on and on and is never ending, and that’s just for the northern home. The Florida home maintenance is a piece of cake in comparison.

[Papa_lecki]

If only smart devices could do the little things like plow a long driveway and shovel snow, mow lawns and fields, rake and blow leaves, cut up blown down trees, re-grade a washed out driveway, clean the septic system filter and have it periodically pumped, winterize and re-open all exterior plumbing, pull weeds, clean gutters, tune up oil burners, change the oil filter, and bleed the forced hot water heating system, split wood and clean out wood and pellet stoves, change whole house water filters, re-stain a log home every 5 years, power wash decking, put in and take out screens and window A/C units, fix/replace appliances, constantly fight to control pesky mice, chipmunks, carpenter ants and bees, skunks, porcupines, raccoons, etc…, trim landscaping, winterize vehicles and then clean out mice nests and dead mice from the HVAC system each spring, juggle getting mail between homes, maintain a tractor, zero turn mower, push mower, chain saws, leaf blowers, weed wackers, ATV’s, etc…. Thats just quickly off the top of my head, the list goes on and on and is never ending, and that’s just for the northern home. The Florida home maintenance is a piece of cake in comparison.

That’s why you downsize to a townhome or condo up north.

[Tustin714]

Personally, I hope I die owing a fortune to the banks and taxman, with absolutely no assets.

To steal a comment I heard somewhere (perhaps Ocean's 13 :smiley:) I plan on having my last check bounce!

[LeRoySmith]

O.o

[LeRoySmith]

In my opinion anyone who wants to saddle society with their own irresponsible financial practices thinks like an irresponsible spoiled child. Who do you think will pick up that debt you want to leave behind? If you don't pay your share of tax who picks up your share?

Some of us want to pay our way, leave no debt and help our children, other close relative or worthy cause out in life. But maybe that just me, crazy me thinking of someone other than myself.

[Velvet]

In my opinion anyone who wants to saddle society with their own irresponsible financial practices thinks like an irresponsible spoiled child. Who do you think will pick up that debt you want to leave behind? If you don't pay your share of tax who picks up your share?

Some of us want to pay our way, leave no debt and help our children, other close relative or worthy cause out in life. But maybe that just me, crazy me thinking of someone other than myself.

That is noble of you and it sounds like an altruistic idea. However, many of us have spent a lifetime in the service of others and now finally retire to a bit of me time to enjoy the fruits of our labors. So hell, no! I don’t feel guilty having a bit of fun.

[LeRoySmith]

That is noble of you and it sounds like an altruistic idea. However, many of us have spent a lifetime in the service of others and now finally retire to a bit of me time to enjoy the fruits of our labors. So hell, no! I don’t feel guilty having a bit of fun.

I think you misunderstood me or I misspoke, I didn't say I'm not having fun or that anyone else shouldn't have fun. Infact if you read some of my posts it's all about having fun with your few remaining days. I have 3 houses and 1 of them is in the villages. I vacation full time. But I'm not looking to leave any debt, I'm planning to leave my 3 children as much as I can (without me or my wife having to do without). So yes, absolutely enjoy your short remaining time, but please don't glamorize leaving a bunch of debt in your wake.

[MX rider]

I think you misunderstood me or I misspoke, I didn't say I'm not having fun or that anyone else shouldn't have fun. Infact if you read some of my posts it's all about having fun with your few remaining days. I have 3 houses and 1 of them is in the villages. I vacation full time. But I'm not looking to leave any debt, I'm planning to leave my 3 children as much as I can (without me or my wife having to do without). So yes, absolutely enjoy your short remaining time, but please don't glamorize leaving a bunch of debt in your wake.

I agree with Velvet. Spend it while you can and live the dream. Lifes short and we all choose our way to live it. There's no right or wrong. But I think the statement about taxes and debt was tongue in cheek.

[LeRoySmith]

But I think the statement about taxes and debt was tongue in cheek.

I hope it was.

TMI but.... My mother in law is proud of the fact that she has 3 major credit cards maxed and she plans to pass with them maxed. I think it's despicable and I can barley hold my tongue when she brags about it. Several times after leaving her house I've had to express to my kids what I think about it. She is a very liberal, former college professor, that thinks the world owes her a living. She came from a family that gave her everything and she squandered it. All the while I started with nothing and through hard work have done well for myself and carry no debt whatsoever, I've event had to bail her out in the past (at my wife's insistence). I'm proud of my accomplishments and manner of living fiscally responsible but hate the way she chose to live her life.

[LeRoySmith]

I hope it was.

TMI but.... My mother in law is proud of the fact that she has 3 major credit cards maxed and she plans to pass with them maxed. I think it's despicable and I can barley hold my tongue when she brags about it. Several times after leaving her house I've had to express to my kids what I think about it. She is a very liberal, former college professor, that thinks the world owes her a living. She came from a family that gave her everything and she squandered it. All the while I started with nothing and through hard work have done well for myself and carry no debt whatsoever, I've event had to bail her out in the past (at my wife's insistence). I'm proud of my accomplishments and manner of living fiscally responsible but hate the way she chose to live her life.

TMI is code for I'm on my 3rd or 4th beer and you fine folks have to suffer for my over indulgence.

[ElDiabloJoe]

I mostly agree with Velvet, but to me the game is not to be, as someone else aptly stated, "The richest man in the cemetery." The game is to leave as little on the table as possible. To use, spend, and enjoy as much of my life's earnings as I can while leaving just enough leftover to bury me. I do not believe in leaving any debt, and certainly am not prideful of it as LeRoy has related of his MIL's.

Nope, the goal is to spend as much as you can, while leaving just enough for the funeral.

I have no kids, I don't care to leave ANYthing behind.