Are we allowed to select the VLS agent we want to work with?

[azcindy]

Hello,

I had a Lifestyle visit the end of May and fell in love with The Villages. I plan to move there in early 2025. In my prior real estate dealings, I interviewed real estate agents and selected the one I wanted to work with. In my Lifestyle visit, I was assigned a VLS agent but was wondering if I am allowed to interview VLS agents when I come back and find the one I most want to work with, or do I continue with the one I was assigned? BTW, my VLS agent I was assigned to was perfectly fine, it is just that I am used to interviewing a few agents before making a huge purchase. Thanks!

[dewilson58]

BTW, my VLS agent I was assigned to was perfectly fine, it is just that I am used to interviewing a few agents before making a huge purchase. Thanks!

Use him/her.

There are "hundreds" of agents, how are you going to select who you want to talk to??...............pictures??

[retiredguy123]

You absolutely can select the VLS agent you want to work with. My favorite is Chris Hallmark.

[RandyLW]

Yes, you can select any agent you would like to work with.

[Altavia]

We went to several open houses and found one that was a good match.

[LeRoySmith]

We didn't mesh well with the assigned rep but we ran into 2 that we really liked on our own time at open houses. After we got back home we called one of the ones we liked and asked if we could work with him. He said yes and he helped us find the one we ended up buying.

The first guy was a nice guy but I felt like I had to dig information out of him and he was very cavalier with our money.

After our purchase and move we continue to see our rep as friends.

[thelegges]

We loved our first rep, then he moved on up to management, selected a rep for us. We weren’t comfortable with the person. So we went to about 20 open houses, spoke with different VLS people and found one we liked, felt comfortable with, and chose to use.

So kind of interviewing, on a personal level, that you can walk away, if you are just not happy. You don’t have to disclose you are looking for a new VLS, unless you are happy tell them, if you don’t, find the next open house.

[Papa_lecki]

My suggestion, visit for another week, rent a house on your own. Rent in a different area than you LS visit. Go to EVERY open house you can, and meet the realtors to pick one.

[GreggC69]

As others have said, you absolutely can select who you want to work with and should. We recently did. As you may know and related to an above post, there are A LOT of open houses in The Villages everyday. It's an easy way to see different types of homes and different areas. It is also a great way to meet a lot of different realtors; they are the ones showing all the homes at the open houses. One other thing, do not forget there are also a lot of homes for sale that are listed in the traditional multiple listing service that is likely similar to your current market. Those can not be shown to you by a VLS agent. You will need an MLS agent. In essence if you want to be open to all existing home sales, you will have two realtors, each showing you a separate category of listings.

[azcindy]

Lots of great answers here. Really appreciate it. The Open House introductions sound great and a couple of folks recommended their agents. I want make sure I click with my agent.

Cindy

[CZN715]

Yes! I stuck with the one they gave me out of guilt for some stupid reason and he was a disaster on many levels. Not a good experience!

[RoseyRed]

Since TV has their own VLS which seems like a monopoly, I can see them limiting which agent someone can work with.

[Rwirish]

Just had a LS visit and ready to buy? Look around, come multiple times and in 2-3 years make your selection.

[retiredguy123]

Since TV has their own VLS which seems like a monopoly, I can see them limiting which agent someone can work with.
They don't limit which VLS agent you can work with.

[LeRoySmith]

Hello,

I had a Lifestyle visit the end of May and fell in love with The Villages. I plan to move there in early 2025. In my prior real estate dealings, I interviewed real estate agents and selected the one I wanted to work with. In my Lifestyle visit, I was assigned a VLS agent but was wondering if I am allowed to interview VLS agents when I come back and find the one I most want to work with, or do I continue with the one I was assigned? BTW, my VLS agent I was assigned to was perfectly fine, it is just that I am used to interviewing a few agents before making a huge purchase. Thanks!

I was talking with someone at one of the sales offices about switching reps and they said 'all new home buyers are Jennifer Parr's customers, the sales reps are just here to help, you are free to work with whoever you'd like'.

[HawkinsGuy]

I highly recommend Dave Mercadante as a VLS agent. He helped us a few years ago and was patient, honest, and always returned calls and emails promptly. We purchased our home during a time when there were many prospective purchasers for each home and he secured the exact one we were hoping for. We were in Virginia and he went above and beyond by visiting the home and sending many photos. If we ever decide to sell our home and purchase elsewhere in The Villages, we would only work again with Dave. Good luck and welcome.

[JGiles336]

[QUOTE=azcindy;2359901]Lots of great answers here. Really appreciate it. The Open House introductions sound great and a couple of folks recommended their agents. I want make sure I click with my agent.

We visited 3 times (over a 10 year period)
before we bought our home.

Colleen Wotring was our agent each visit. She was so personable, informative, patient and no pressure. We highly recommend her.

[Susan1717]

Definately interview several but also interview several MLS agents. It’s best to work with both. The Villages agent won’t show you pre existing homes. They want to only steer you towards their listings and new builds. They won’t show you MLS listed homes. Alan and Any Lauder are both MLS agents and fabulous! Professional, a wealth of knowledge and a pleasure to work with.

[Remembergoldenrule]

If you want a patio home in great location, this one on our street is a sleeper. You have to have an MLS agent.
Access to this page has been denied (https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1390-Viola-Ct-The-Villages-FL-32163/121066429_zpid/)

[Laurawilcox]

We moved away from 2 different agents that we met during our visits and went with the Pope Family. Todd and Beth. We appreciated the candor of Todd in answering any of the questions that would impact the final cost of our home. Todd.pope@thevillages.com. We found out why they were in the top ranks of performers through working with them. Quick response, consistent and clear insight from years of hundreds of deals.

[RON S]

We have used a few but were very happy with Rolynn Nguyen.
352-913-1080



Hello,

I had a Lifestyle visit the end of May and fell in love with The Villages. I plan to move there in early 2025. In my prior real estate dealings, I interviewed real estate agents and selected the one I wanted to work with. In my Lifestyle visit, I was assigned a VLS agent but was wondering if I am allowed to interview VLS agents when I come back and find the one I most want to work with, or do I continue with the one I was assigned? BTW, my VLS agent I was assigned to was perfectly fine, it is just that I am used to interviewing a few agents before making a huge purchase. Thanks!

[GoneFishing]

We also selected our agent after attending several open houses and asking lots of questions. Some agents were helpful while others were not. We ended up using Beth Sunderman and had a great buying experience.

[D&BSmith]

Hello,

I had a Lifestyle visit the end of May and fell in love with The Villages. I plan to move there in early 2025. In my prior real estate dealings, I interviewed real estate agents and selected the one I wanted to work with. In my Lifestyle visit, I was assigned a VLS agent but was wondering if I am allowed to interview VLS agents when I come back and find the one I most want to work with, or do I continue with the one I was assigned? BTW, my VLS agent I was assigned to was perfectly fine, it is just that I am used to interviewing a few agents before making a huge purchase. Thanks!


Yes you can. You may also need to interview a MLS agent, and you will also be required to sign a Buyers Agreement. VLS agents depending on whether they are licensed may not be able to sell you a MLS home.

[retiredguy123]

Yes you can. You may also need to interview a MLS agent, and you will also be required to sign a Buyers Agreement. VLS agents depending on whether they are licensed may not be able to sell you a MLS home.
All VLS agents are licensed as sales agents by Florida, but they cannot sell MLS houses. They can only sell new houses and resales that are listed by The Villages. That is why you need an MLS agent to purchase a non-Villages listing.

[Villager1234]

Yes you can. You may also need to interview a MLS agent, and you will also be required to sign a Buyers Agreement. VLS agents depending on whether they are licensed may not be able to sell you a MLS home.

I believe that you are mistaken
I went to an open house
Made an offer
They countered
I signed
The only thing that I signed is the sales contract
No one mentioned a buyers agreement

[Emkay56]

Hello,

I had a Lifestyle visit the end of May and fell in love with The Villages. I plan to move there in early 2025. In my prior real estate dealings, I interviewed real estate agents and selected the one I wanted to work with. In my Lifestyle visit, I was assigned a VLS agent but was wondering if I am allowed to interview VLS agents when I come back and find the one I most want to work with, or do I continue with the one I was assigned? BTW, my VLS agent I was assigned to was perfectly fine, it is just that I am used to interviewing a few agents before making a huge purchase. Thanks!

Whoever you pick through VLS, they will try and steer you to the new area down south. Make sure you have them show you other homes for sale just north of 44. It’s a great area, close to Sawgrass, Brownwood Square and Lake Sumter, shopping, lots of restaurants and plenty of golf. The new area is nice but not much to do down there for several years. And I’ve heard that the bonds are much higher down there. Just my opinion….

[sallyg]

Tony Phillips, with the Villages, is professional, knowledgeable and great to work with. Recommend him highly.

[azcindy]

Buying new?


Either new or a house less than 8 years old. I will be renting when I come back to TV to give me a chance to look around and take my time to make the right decision.

[azcindy]

Just had a LS visit and ready to buy? Look around, come multiple times and in 2-3 years make your selection.

I will be renting when I come back to give me time to look around and make the best decision. (EDIT - sorry, duplicate post)

[tedquick]

I was a realtor in Omaha, NE for 41 years. It is critical that you get along well with whomever you work with as this will probably be one of the biggest purchases of your life. The good realtors will never mind that you want to check them out. And best of luck to you.

[dano121]

Brad Bickel has helped us with a couple of purchases. He found us exactly what we were looking for and in the LOCATION we wanted.

[mcewingg]

Yes we chose Nikki Perry, she's amazing

[Bassdeer]

Either new or a house less than 8 years old. I will be renting when I come back to TV to give me a chance to look around and take my time to make the right decision.
We will be doing the same thing, rent one or two years first.

[jimmy o]

Hello,

I had a Lifestyle visit the end of May and fell in love with The Villages. I plan to move there in early 2025. In my prior real estate dealings, I interviewed real estate agents and selected the one I wanted to work with. In my Lifestyle visit, I was assigned a VLS agent but was wondering if I am allowed to interview VLS agents when I come back and find the one I most want to work with, or do I continue with the one I was assigned? BTW, my VLS agent I was assigned to was perfectly fine, it is just that I am used to interviewing a few agents before making a huge purchase. Thanks!
New Real Estate law as of July 1, 2024. Buyers will need to sign a contract with an agent. Home pricing and real estate transactions are going to be in turmoil for awhile. But law states you will need to sign a Buyers Agency contract if you are going to use a realtor, and then pay the agreed amount to that realtor when you purchase your new home. You can search houses on your own and not use a realtor to save that cost, but I for one believe a Buyers Agent would be worth the money. The buyers have always paid that cost anyway through the sales price, but now the new law makes the commission cost more transparent. So since you'll be hiring your Buyers Agent you will have your pick of who you want to pay.

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

New Real Estate law as of July 1, 2024. Buyers will need to sign a contract with an agent. Home pricing and real estate transactions are going to be in turmoil for awhile. But law states you will need to sign a Buyers Agency contract if you are going to use a realtor, and then pay the agreed amount to that realtor when you purchase your new home. You can search houses on your own and not use a realtor to save that cost, but I for one believe a Buyers Agent would be worth the money. The buyers have always paid that cost anyway through the sales price, but now the new law makes the commission cost more transparent. So since you'll be hiring your Buyers Agent you will have your pick of who you want to pay.

Haven’t you always had that?

[JMintzer]

Whoever you pick through VLS, they will try and steer you to the new area down south. Make sure you have them show you other homes for sale just north of 44. It’s a great area, close to Sawgrass, Brownwood Square and Lake Sumter, shopping, lots of restaurants and plenty of golf. The new area is nice but not much to do down there for several years. And I’ve heard that the bonds are much higher down there. Just my opinion….

Not true.

We used a VLS agent and yes, she showed us some models in Bradford & Chitty Chatty(the new sections being built at the time), but once we told her weren't interested in those areas and that we wanted to be north of 44, that subject never came up again...

[Papa_lecki]

Not true.

We used a VLS agent and yes, she showed us some models in Bradford & Chitty Chatty(the new sections being built at the time), but once we told her weren't interested in those areas and that we wanted to be north of 44, that subject never came up again...

I think it depends on the realtor. Our first VLS agents was more interested in selling new. We switched VLS agents, who showed us more pre-owned. Ended up with an MLS house.

[JMintzer]

I think it depends on the realtor. Our first VLS agents was more interested in selling new. We switched VLS agents, who showed us more pre-owned. Ended up with an MLS house.

Of course it does. I was responding to the blanket statments that all VLS try to steer you to new homes...

[Marathon Man]

Of course it does. I was responding to the blanket statments that all VLS try to steer you to new homes...

Agree. For our first home here, I told our Villages sales agent that we were not interested in new construction. She said 'ok' and that was it.

I don't understand those who say they we steered. All you have to do is say, 'I'm not buying new.' No salesman wants to waste his/her time.

[dhelfer6]

I will be selling my home in The Villages late 2024. We live in NY, and will be coming down to Florida late October. If you are interested in seeing my home, send me a message back. We will be selling it with all the furniture, and possibly the golf cart as well. All the furniture is new, and very nice. Thank you

[Twindham]

Hello,

I had a Lifestyle visit the end of May and fell in love with The Villages. I plan to move there in early 2025. In my prior real estate dealings, I interviewed real estate agents and selected the one I wanted to work with. In my Lifestyle visit, I was assigned a VLS agent but was wondering if I am allowed to interview VLS agents when I come back and find the one I most want to work with, or do I continue with the one I was assigned? BTW, my VLS agent I was assigned to was perfectly fine, it is just that I am used to interviewing a few agents before making a huge purchase. Thanks!
Hello,
We had 2 Lifestyle visits with the same agent both times. She was perfectly fine. However, I reached out to a different VLS agent that I heard about. Once we found the home we wanted to buy, he closed the deal. However, the commission was split between the 2 agents. I don't know if there is a way to "interview" VLS agents, and there are ALOT of them, but keep in mind if you change agents mid-stream, they will split the commission from the sale. Although, it won't cost you any extra. It just shorts them.