Should I have concerns about moving full time to TV?

[kbrkr]

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al

[Marathon Man]

Real estate fluctuates. Always has. always will. If you think that prices are dropping, then it seems to me that "Now is a good time" could be your thinking. BTW - New home sales are still strong. Come on down and have a look.

[asianthree]

OP if you are only looking for preowned you needn’t worry about homes 40 minutes from you. TV is vast and an hour cart ride will be the norm to get to new areas from the northern older builds.

Sometimes watching Utube doesn’t give you great insight on TV, and sometimes even on this site you may find unhappy residents giving you less than great information.

Some homes will sit no matter what the mortgage percentage, but you may find we have very small % of foreclosures. Sometimes it’s a death and goes to probate. Interest is high and some of the homes n the market are from a resident moving to a different area. It’s common, to downsize, increase size, bigger garage, or younger neighbors, and a new house.

Many pay cash, or use OPM with high mortgage, then 30 days later drop large cash amounts to bring down principal.

The best way to find your bearings in TV stay for 7-30 days, drive to different areas. Then talk to people, trust me you will find many that are willing to give you insight, tell you their Village is the best. Then look at other retirement housing and compare. But where else will you see 400 homes a month sold?

[Brwne]

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al

The Villages new home market peaked in 2022 (Covid-based supply chain issues) and has come down. The new "spec" home interior finish materials are not as expensive (tile vs fiberglass showers) as before, so lower costs are creating some of price reduction. You can, however, find a lot, pick a floor plan and spec out the interiors to a much higher level - I have friends and family that did this last year and are VERY happy.

I don't have the data to compare the quantity of pre-owned homes for sale now vs pre-Covid, so to say that there are a lot, doesn't necessarily indicate a bad market. The rental market is strong here - both "in season" and long term. I have a friend that has decided to simplify his life - retire from property rentals here. In the last 2 months, he's closed on a house sale, has two houses under contract and has 5 more to sell (having just cancelled the leases).

We moved here March 2020. It is an absolutely amazing, friendly and healthy life here, if you've not experienced it, I'd suggest a "lifestyle visit". If you would like to speak to the real estate agent that has handled 33 transactions for friends and family, you can contact Andrew Mitchell -- andrew.mitchell@thevillages.com -- 352-615-7485

[Papa_lecki]

Just.buy the house.

[CarlR33]

LOL, come down between Jan-March and let us know how you feel about the joint.

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Come down and rent a house for a month, hopefully with a golf cart. Go out and research by visiting every village, asking questions from everyone you meet, and going to all of the Recreation Centers. You should know by the end of the month whether this is the right place for you.

[Pugchief]

Many pay cash, or use OPM with high mortgage, then 30 days later drop large cash amounts to bring down principal.



This makes no sense. Why would anyone pay all the loan origination fees only to pay down the principal 30 days later? If they don't need a mortgage why take one unless interest rates are super low? Which they are not currently.

[Altavia]

Where are you seeing Auctions and foreclosures?

The developer hasn't ! dropped the prices of the new homes above Eastport because none have been sold.

Decent lots above Eastport sold first day in auction. No homes have been sold yet but many will be sold by lottery first day available.

That area is particularly attractive because it is closer to established business and squares, as well as future Eastport/Middleton.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

This makes no sense. Why would anyone pay all the loan origination fees only to pay down the principal 30 days later? If they don't need a mortgage why take one?

behavioral economics: people aren't rational actors as 1950's economics assumes. you are welcome

[tophcfa]

Your concerns are misdirected. Nobody has a crystal ball that shows the future of the real estate market. Focus on the known, like becoming a full time resident at a place that already doesn’t have adequate accessible quality health care to service the largest retirement community in the world. It’s not reasonable to expect things to improve any time soon at the incredible rate of growth happing, with no end in sight.

[scubawva]

Come on down and see for yourself. The RE market is always fluid.

The developer did lower prices on many new homes that hadn’t sold, they will.

I too was surprised at the number of foreclosures and pre-foreclosures. I’m considering one. I would not let this deter you.

Have you looked at margaritaville on HHI? Not as large, nicer homes for the $, near beach.

[Papa_lecki]

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

This is a different world since say pre 2021 - when the 1st turnpike bridge opened.
Developer was building new homes south of 44 and TP, but they weren’t really going all out. Once the turnpike bridge opened and they bought all that land moving south, things changed.
There will always be a significant number of new construction available from the developer - at least for the next 20 years.
That, in turn puts pressure on the existing re-sales. This market equilibrium will last into the foreseeable future.
Interest rates are around 6/7/8%, not 2% like in 2020, but still low.
Don’t worry about timing the market, just come and enjoy.

[margaretmattson]

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
AlI too spent months searching for my new home in the Villages. My daughter and her husband are taking much longer to decide. The market in the Villages is EVERYWHERE. Some are making a fortune reselling their homes while others struggle to get buyers to look at their home. The developer has no problem selling homes with great views or nice lots. After several months on the market, his undesirables are reduced in price. This can be a few or hundreds of homes depending on the location. Foreclosures seem to be with homes in which the owner has passed, is widowed, or ill. Remember, this is an aging community. Many heirs do not want to take on the responsibility of paying for a home they have no intention of living in. Sadly, some children refuse to help their parents when they need them the most.

Your best bet is to find a home you can see yourself living in until you leave this world. This means not only looking at the price of a home. Write down your must haves. Pay close attention to the surroundings. Is the home close to things you value? How close to necessities, medical, recreation, golf, church, etc. Some prefer to live in a neighborhood with most in their age bracket. If this applies to you, you may want to do drive bys often to get a feel of your new neighbors. Visit during high season to completely understand what you are in for. Things can get crowded around here! If you do this, you can narrow your search.

As we age, medical will be a necessity. Is the home close to a VARIETY of doctors, hospitals, and urgent care? Seeking medical care is MUCH EASIER in some parts of the Villages. Sad but true.

When you find THE ONE, you will never want to move. You can relax and enjoy your remaining years with no worries. Good luck and happy hunting!

[vinricci]

The Villages was supposed to be a place where retirees could enjoy an active lifestyle without having to be wealthy. Under the Developer's offspring the friendly home town has become a sprawling metropolis with homes as high as $4,000,000 and now multigenerational neighborhoods.

[RoseyRed]

Sometimes paying cash for a house will trigger large tax payments, therefore some folks perfer to have the mortgage. Not sure why they would pay down principal 30 days after purchase. Would be interested to hear the logic on that.

[nn0wheremann]

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al
Look at real numbers. Yes, prices have retreated from the pandemic era peaks. Time on the market seems to have returned to more normal intervals. My Marion County tax bill indicates a slightly lower assessed valuation from the previous year’s bill. Good time to buy.

Insurance rates are up, but lower here than in most of Florida because this place is better engineered for storm mitigation. We don’t flood. We don’t, at least SECO customers don’t lose power. Good place to buy.

[nn0wheremann]

Sometimes paying cash for a house will trigger large tax payments, therefore some folks perfer to have the mortgage. Not sure why they would pay down principal 30 days after purchase. Would be interested to hear the logic on that.
Buy with a mortgage on the new home, close sale on the old home, pay down principal and recast the mortgage on the new home.

[Rwirish]

Never do a stay and then buy a house, big mistake. Take your time, check things out for a year or two and then make a informed decision.

[BlueStarAirlines]

I wish I was allowed to post the link, but it starts with **************.

Just had an post about a house that was originally bought for $622k in 2020, then sold a year later for $830k, and sold this year for $1,235,000....so doubled in 4 years.

I know this is a one-off, but the point being is if it is in a desirable location home prices are not declining. The declines that I see are internal home sites that are feet from their neighbor or in another location that are generally viewed unfavorably.

I'd like to see a link to one of those auctions or foreclosures that OP referenced. I follow real estate pretty close and I haven't seen one in years.

[clwahlstrom]

I love the Tampa area. Why not go back?

[coleprice]

If you are an active person over the age of 55, then I don't think that you can find a better place to live than The Villages. My wife and I are year-around residents who moved here 4 years ago and we love it! We took up golf, play various things at rec centers (Bocci, Water Volleyball, etc.) and go dancing to Live Bands at the Town Squares. Plus, we have great neighbors. Come for a visit to check it out for yourself.

[rvalukonis]

This makes no sense. Why would anyone pay all the loan origination fees only to pay down the principal 30 days later? If they don't need a mortgage why take one unless interest rates are super low? Which they are not currently.

I bought another house before I sold and closed on my former property. When I did get the equity, I put it against the new mortgage. For a small fee the bank recalculated the monthly payment based on the new balance.

[opinionist]

I would not be concerned about a drop in home prices. The Villages is HUGE, and total activity versus a smaller community can be misleading. Many people prefer to be snowbirds to get away from the summer heat and humidity. I have no problem with the summers here and enjoy the location year-round. Finding your best location in the Villages would be your most challenging problem.

[asianthree]

Sometimes paying cash for a house will trigger large tax payments, therefore some folks perfer to have the mortgage. Not sure why they would pay down principal 30 days after purchase. Would be interested to hear the logic on that.

Interest rate, is the reason for quick pay down. Many buy the house then sell current one after move. Bonus our banks offer little or no closing costs.

A mortgage at $400,000 with 7% interest rate can rack up $3000 a month in interest. One also has to wait until first payment has been paid to pay down principal. If you are making more money on investment, no brainer where your money should be.

Your financial guy can help with how your money works for you. In high interest rate years we take out mortgage, then pay down.
Once one of our other homes sell, we invest, pay cash for home improvements, pay down mortgage. All of our mortgages never longer than 7 years.

My parents freaked at ever having any debt, once their advisor stated making them more money than interest, they became more comfortable making money with their money. Our financial team has been very beneficial according to our tax accountant

[airstreamingypsy]

"We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida."

It sounds like you are bringing your son with you? If so, I doubt he will enjoy it here.

[Justputt]

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al

Are you buying to invest or retire and enjoy life? If the latter, this is a great place. We purchased last Nov., and I fully retired in April. In the 4 months we've lived here fulltime my wife and I have met more people than in any place we've ever lived and without even trying. Do a week Lifestyle visit, spend time in the town squares, rec center pools (adult pools are great to meet folks), play a couple rounds of golf, etc. As for home prices, they peaked during Covid, the builder is steady building regardless of anything else, so supply swings wild depending on many things like interest rates. The builder will not negotiate prices, but they will make market adjustments globally to move inventory.

[MX rider]

We just sold our 2 bedroom ranch after 3 months on the market. We bought a 3br with a corner lot and love it.
I would say it's a buyers market right now. We bought 2 years ago when the market was hot. We took a little less than we had planned and pretty much broke even on this sale, although we did spend money on some improvements.

That said, after 1 snowbird season we decided TV was the best place for us to spend an active retirement. Our Indiana home is for sale now, and we'll be moving there full time in Oct.

TV isn't a good fit for everyone, it depends on what you want out of your retirement.

[SaucyJim]

This makes no sense. Why would anyone pay all the loan origination fees only to pay down the principal 30 days later? If they don't need a mortgage why take one unless interest rates are super low? Which they are not currently.

A bridge loan until they sell their previous house. Allows them to make offers without that contingency.

[PurePeach]

We don’t, at least SECO customers don’t lose power. Good place to buy.[/QUOTE]

I’m a SECO customer in the northern end and we have lost power twice in the past 5-6 weeks, but only for a short period of time and once during our first year (2021) for several hours, but none were weather related.

[Ptmcbriz]

Never do a stay and then buy a house, big mistake. Take your time, check things out for a year or two and then make an informed decision.

Not true for many. We bought our Veranda home in the new area, sight unseen via a video call with our realtor. We never even visited The Villages prior to the purchase. Researched everything online. Best decision we ever made. Absolutely love our home with a view of water and wish we had moved here sooner.

[ToniPaul]

Hhmm... (I'm not a real estate agent)

But - take a hard look at the RE taxes, as well as the bod commitment. RE taxes are MUCH higher in Lake than Sumter, and for the new builds the developer is slapping bonds in the $70k range on the property.
Take a hard look at where things are in relation to your desired property; it's not just getting to music/squares etc, but where is Publix/Walmart/Walgreens/restaurants etc? We have been disappointed in our location (Nov '21) and are actually looking to leave TV. Reasons: it's too far to anything. Walmart is a 35-minuute drive (by car) - and it's a toss-up whether it's Wally in Oxford or Leesburg. Brownwood is 35 minutes by golf cart.
One other thing that can affect folks; the air quality in TV can sometimes be not-so-great. Between construction sending up piles of dirt dust and tree-trunk burn-offs as well as being inland, it can be a challenge for folks with breathing issues (which I got after my second bout of CoVid). Take a look over a length of time at the Govt data on EPA Air Now (mobile app & website).
I might also advise against the Lifestyle because you're going to get fed with what they want you to hear. Earlier in the thread was a suggestion to rent a house with a golf cart included - something we did on our due diligence. Our mistake was in not buying closer to where we rented the house.
Hope that helps....

[Josephjmarchese]

LOL, come down between Jan-March and let us know how you feel about the joint.
It is a factor to consider. If you don’t like ice, don’t move to the Artic circle. If you don’t like Snowbirds, don’t live in Florida. Have you figured that out yet? Maybe you are living in the wrong place? BTW did you move to TV from the north?

[rustyp]

The Villages was supposed to be a place where retirees could enjoy an active lifestyle without having to be wealthy. Under the Developer's offspring the friendly home town has become a sprawling metropolis with homes as high as $4,000,000 and now multigenerational neighborhoods.

"Live life like a millionaire on a retirement budget. Florida's friendliest home town. Free golf for life. Fun galore." Can you still hum the melody ?

[PurePeach]

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al

You need two agents here to shop everything — a Villages agent and an independent agent (e.g., Remax, Keller Williams, etc.). TV agents can’t show independent listing and vice-versa.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Never do a stay and then buy a house, big mistake. Take your time, check things out for a year or two and then make an informed decision.

LOL! all depends upon one's ability to evaluate potential and make a decision. Some people are very cautious, fearful of making a mistake. Others have enough experience making mistakes, that they know a non mistake when they see it.

Advice based upon personal preferences may not apply to the general public with an absolute "never" statement. I would say that there are many who have successfully ignored this advice and been very happy.

[ToniPaul]

Also forgot something: if you want to go to classes (ie pool aerobics or cardio drumming) be prepared to go at least an hour before the start time. It will take forever to get into some classes - for example I wanted to join a specific class, and was told it was full, but I could be put on the waiting list. That was over a year ago - and more than one class. January down here with the snowbirds is like a zoo - hard to do anything among the throngs of people. Summer season is much better - but a lot of classes stop for the summer because of a lack of people.

[Jackha]

There are other communities in the area where housing might be more affordable.

[Shelbyh]

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al
I think you should come for a lifestyle visit now. I think more homes for sale is due to current Village homeowners selling to move to the new Eastport area. Then add in the new construction. Yes there is a lot more on the market. I haven’t talked to anyone yet moving out of TV but just to another area of TV.
If this is where you want to enjoy your life then resale value shouldn’t spoil it for you that’s going to happen anywhere you go.
Hope to see you when you get here!!

[sallyg]

Visit or preferably rent before you buy. There are so many areas and so many different model homes to choose from it is hard to know what you will prefer til you spend some time here. Home prices fluctuate a little - but the Villages homes continue to appreciate. I wouldn't worry too much about that. Best of luck.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al

Yes, you might like it so much that you decide to become a FROG. .
living here until you croak.

It is a good situation to have houses for sale, otherwise, who could move here?
Its also a retirement community, so when you move here, you are now the same age and hanging out with old people, which is weird to think about if you are still slaving at a W2 job, because we are job less and have many choices of fun every day! But also in a homogeneous age related retirement community, the death rate and turnover due to death is much higher than heterogeneous age related communities, consider that a working community.

The only reality you have to worry about is if you can afford living here for 20 years or more, which exists with all choices about retirement living. The price of the house only impacts your retirement affordability, as the costs dependent upon the original cost of the house is based upon the purchase price of the house, primarily taxes, and somewhat insurance. Wanting houses to be expensive, before or after you buy, is just inflationary on your cost of living, as the cost to maintain and live increases as well, sometimes faster than inflation adjusted cost of living, which is prioritized towards product cost changes.

So in reality, just do a life style visit, if you like it, do 1 months rental to have time to see what you like/prefer, new versus used, and then after you sell your current house, rent for 3-4 months while you shop for exactly what you want, with your list of requirements, house style, interior design, exterior design, and price/cost.

good luck, but don't fall into the behavioral trap of imaginationitis, in which you only imagine the negatives, as that's how the brain is wired for survival, not for satisfaction and happiness.

[scubawva]

“ We don’t, at least SECO customers don’t lose power”

Not true.

I have SECO. Lost power numerous times during recent storms. Sometimes less than 30 min, longest was 4 hr during Debby.

[Jayhawk]

good luck, but don't fall into the behavioral trap of imaginationitis, in which you only imagine the negatives, as that's how the brain is wired for survival, not for satisfaction and happiness.

This is right. Remember, there are 150,000 or so residents here, and about 25 of the serial posters on TOTV are chronic whiners and complainers who see (or imagine) only the negative.

If you read this site long enough, you'll easily identify the people who are only happy if they are miserable.

[Topspinmo]

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al


IMO housing market way over priced right now due to inflation, lots home for sale everywhere trying to cash in. Average home for what I can tell in villages well over 300K for entry level resale models. Buying new add around 80K for entry level. Course price goes way up for bigger more expensive homes, have almost doubled their money? IMO very few loose anything when selling house in villages? There will alway be houses for sale and foreclosure’s in areas this big.

Some people die and house sets in escrow or they’ve got reverse mortgages and exhausted all money to stay in house. Then, there ones that have to or plan moving every couple years to in rake profit. Add few that move to be close to family in their final years. IMO it’s no different in rest of Florida. I would never move to coast, north central Florida pretty safe compared to coastal areas.

Living in Florida their low risk of man made sinkholes/ground collapse due to leaky pipes or construction disturbance. But being you’ve lived in Tampa you know this already?

[CybrSage]

LOL, come down between Jan-March and let us know how you feel about the joint.

LOL
She already lived in a place in the humid South with lots of people, called Tampa, and then Savannah.

[Topspinmo]

Sometimes paying cash for a house will trigger large tax payments, therefore some folks perfer to have the mortgage. Not sure why they would pay down principal 30 days after purchase. Would be interested to hear the logic on that.

I only paid interest when I had to. I rather receive interest than pay it.

[CybrSage]

Like some have said, look at the areas for what is there. I live in what will eventually be the middle of the villages. It is not far for me to get to two of the squares, and soon three when Eastport is finished I am close to a shopping center with gas, grocery, and soon to be a CVS.
There are villages that are not close to anything, but that also makes them quieter.
Also, look for where the adult pool is for your village. I can easily walk to mine, though taking the golf car is more fun. :)

[Burnie]

I guess life was much simpler when my wife and I did our lifestyle visit in 21 years ago in 2003. We spent a week in a villa near the Lopez country club, drove around in a rented car, visited used homes and model homes, and after The Villages agent took us to the "new area" south of 466, decided on a lot in the village now called Bonny Brook. No houses existed south of 466 at the time because TV only sold a dream. They started building spec houses on one of the Palmer golf courses a few months after we moved in (March of 2004).
The point of this post is that purchasing a home doesn't really need to be as complicated as some people have said. Just come on down and check the place out for a week. If you like what you see, buy it. We live in the same house originally had built, made a few improvements over the years, learned to play golf, joined a couple of pool (billiard) leagues, took line dancing lessons, etc., etc. We are happy as a bug in a rug!

[Redsmom]

We’re from Tampa as well and moved here almost 3 years ago. We are thrilled to be in this location. We bought a preowned home, actually it was built in the year 2000. We love this location for one reason because we no longer have to worry about the extreme weather threat in Tampa where we lived at 6 feet elevation. Hurricanes have to cross a lot of land before they get to us here in The Villages. We also got away from some crazy traffic. I do not think Tampa would’ve been the right place to retire.

But one thing we noticed here in our village, where the houses are almost all built in the early 2000s, people are dying off, moving away to family or assisted living, so that there are three empty homes around us right now. Demographics in an aging community will naturally affect real estate.

[jimjamuser]

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al
It seems good that you are doing the "due diligence" part well. The Villages has a lot of positives to offer. Mainly I would say to visit during the hottest months- July and August. People have different tolerances for HEAT and the older you get the more difficult it is to tolerate the Florida summer heat AND HUMIDITY. Many people advise new people to NOT buy a house too quickly, but rather to rent for at least 6 months before buying. The different Villages all have different personalities and pluses and minuses.
......You need to realize that the "feels like" heat index in central Florida was between 100 deg and 105 deg recently. You also should know that 2024 is going to set the record for hottest year on records worldwide and climate scientists say the future will keep setting records. So, Florida will also be that way.
.......We are happy where we are in The Villages so we have NOT been keeping track of whether property values are rising or falling. In our particular area they are likely rising.

[ThirdOfFive]

It is a factor to consider. If you don’t like ice, don’t move to the Artic circle. If you don’t like Snowbirds, don’t live in Florida. Have you figured that out yet? Maybe you are living in the wrong place? BTW did you move to TV from the north?
As the only parts of America south of latitude 28.9270° N is TV and points south, and the very southern tip of Texas, it is a pretty safe bet that 95% at least of Villagers came from "the north"

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

This whole "rent for a few/six months first" - that only applies to people who can afford to pay for two homes at the same time. There are a lot of people who aren't retired yet. They can't afford to quit their jobs and move south for six months, they aren't working from home, they don't own their own business. They're looking to the Villages as the place they WILL retire. That means they'll be selling their home up north - which means they're not allowed to live in that home up north anymore since someone else now owns it and lives in it. And moving to the south. I mean sure they could pay for storage of all their stuff and rent, but monthly rental fees are MUCH higher than monthly mortgage payments here in The Villages.

To that end - if you're just a normal Joe Shmoe who wants to retire, who isn't wealthy enough to pay for two properties at the same time, I'd say take a week's vacation with a lifestyle visit first, to see the newer parts of The Villages. Then, take another week's vacation renting north of 466A. Honestly, anywhere north of 466A within the Villages is fine, but if you can get between Sumter Landing and Spanish Springs, you'll get a great idea of affordable options away from - but very close to - every possible retail, grocery, medical, and dining option you could possibly need, with mature landscaping and little-to-no bond.

[jimjamuser]

Look at real numbers. Yes, prices have retreated from the pandemic era peaks. Time on the market seems to have returned to more normal intervals. My Marion County tax bill indicates a slightly lower assessed valuation from the previous year’s bill. Good time to buy.

Insurance rates are up, but lower here than in most of Florida because this place is better engineered for storm mitigation. We don’t flood. We don’t, at least SECO customers don’t lose power. Good place to buy.
I would like to provide a correction. The lots around Paradise Lake are flooding or close to it right now. We better NOT get any more BIG rains or hurricanes.

[jimjamuser]

I would add to my last reply that it is important to decide if you want to be on a BUSY street or a quieter on as far as traffic goes. Pay attention to the number of cars and trucks that go by at various times of the day. I like where I live, but I am on a busy neighborhood street. There are a lot of noisy commercial trucks going by (usually exceeding the speed limit). And surprisingly many of the golf carts are noisy and speeding because they have their governors cranked up to 30 plus MPH. The older ones also smell of gas fumes as they pass by. so , I would advise picking a street with MINIMUM traffic going by your front lawn.

[GoRedSox!]

After one year of home ownership, we are definitely in the glass is more than half full camp. Nothing in life anywhere is perfect, but I am not complaining about anything in the Villages. Here is the quickest summary I can provide:

1. The Villages is beautiful, I think it is almost pristine. They take great care of it, do not build things on the cheap, they have preserved many areas, there is almost no litter, they plant flowers four times a year. It's a gorgeous place to live.
2. The people really are great. Folks are friendly, it's easy to strike up conversation, we are all here for primarily the same reason, I love the people here.
3. The Villages is safe. I feel safe and secure here and don't worry about my wife going anywhere. I'm sure there is some crime, but it's as safe a place as I have ever been in my life. And the older we get, that's reassuring.

We were looking at both new and pre-owned. The Villages put some of the Lifestyle homes on sale right next to Brownwood, and we bought the same home that we had stayed in for our Lifestyle visit. Of all the places we could have bought, we actually had a week's experience living in this house. It is so close to Publix and all kids of shopping and restaurants. It is literally 2 minutes from Brownwood via golf car, and within walking distance or a cart ride from the big Villages Health building.

If you are into an active 55+ community with so much to do, I don't think there is a better place in this country than The Villages. And I honestly think the majority of folks who live here agree with this. Good luck, it's major step in life but you will hear many people say the only regret they have is they didn't do it sooner.

[asianthree]

It seems good that you are doing the "due diligence" part well. The Villages has a lot of positives to offer. Mainly I would say to visit during the hottest months- July and August. People have different tolerances for HEAT and the older you get the more difficult it is to tolerate the Florida summer heat AND HUMIDITY. Many people advise new people to NOT buy a house too quickly, but rather to rent for at least 6 months before buying. The different Villages all have different personalities and pluses and minuses.
......You need to realize that the "feels like" heat index in central Florida was between 100 deg and 105 deg recently. You also should know that 2024 is going to set the record for hottest year on records worldwide and climate scientists say the future will keep setting records. So, Florida will also be that way.
.......We are happy where we are in The Villages so we have NOT been keeping track of whether property values are rising or falling. In our particular area they are likely rising.

OP lived in Tampa for 13 years pretty sure they got heat and humidity and loads of traffic experience under their belt.
Then again their current location in savannah, Georgia Heat & humidity isn’t that much difference.

[DAVES]

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al

You are or should be aware that the Villages offers packages where you can rent a new home at reasonable prices. Choice of where, how what and when is a personal choice

We do not know you so how could we make this decision for you? Terms of active seniors this place is huge. A sort of Disneyland for seniors, Foreclosures? We've been here for 11 years never seen one. Teasing a little. If you have an intense interest in door knobs there is likely a door knob collectors club here-or you could start one.

Assuming there are at least two involved in the CHOICE, it often helps to write it down on ??????? index cards. Stuff like what is important, interests now, future kind of stuff. Budget. ETC. "Help your son out in the military," Frankly makes me wonder. Will he need further help?

[Professor]

I do know of a nice 3 bedroom home, fully furnished, in a nice neighborhood North of 466A. It is fairly priced in my opinion, but I'm clearly not a realtor. PM me if you want the phone number of the owner.

[MidWestIA]

get a cart and drive to what you would want to do. If you want to drive 20 min or less to shopping & restaurants stay above hwy 44. Yah eastport will be a new square with nothing between here and there until it builds up. Are you willing to drive 40 min to anything for the next 5 years

[Normal]

Never do a stay and then buy a house, big mistake. Take your time, check things out for a year or two and then make a informed decision.

I agree. Why pay taxes on a home or pay for the maintenance? Rent for a while, look around. With inventory going up and closings down over the year time gap you have plenty of time. There certainly is no reason to rush with a falling market. We have the Reventure App, but there are several good real estate apps out there. Check out the different zones and pricing.

Note there is a free portion of Reventure you can use.
Reventure (https://www.reventure.app/)
Use the link
Put in your zip 32162 or 32163
Home Value and Home Value Growth are both free I believe
Click on a section you are interested in and go from there
Happy Hunting

PS. What is your opinion of Georgia’s own Peach Tree City? They are similar to the Villages.

[asianthree]

get a cart and drive to what you would want to do. If you want to drive 20 min or less to shopping & restaurants stay above hwy 44. Yah eastport will be a new square with nothing between here and there until it builds up. Are you willing to drive 40 min to anything for the next 5 years

Those who live south of 44 may disagree with your information. Restaurants and Grocery within 5-20 minutes. Turnpike and 1-75 just few miles away. Younger residents don’t retail shop like their parents, and really don’t miss shopping in a grocery with 6 carts sitting mid isle while shopper wanderers around.( my parents do that so I try to avoid).

No need to be close to medical facility for once a year or more appointments. We will be 20 minutes to Middleton when the first restaurants open, coffee shop (hopefully Starbucks) ice cream and more ready for customers between 3rd quarter 2024 and 4th quarter 2025. In 30-45 minutes restaurant in Ocala or Orlando that have food worth mentioning :clap2:

[Burgy]

Think of 2 Villages, north and south of 44.. North is preowned with better access to food, gas, championship golf, Sumter county tax and SECO. Also might need new roof appliances etc. South is newer with construction, city annexed tax and utilities, perhaps younger people, new streets parks and rec centers.Golf carts are fun but you will soon tire of the distance between the 2 areas.

[Laker14]

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al

Concerned as in anxious? Or concerned as in mindful?
I assume you don't really expect any place to be "ideal". If you are expecting the Garden of Eden, you should be concerned.
Is there something you should know about before you decide to buy here? Yes, lots.
For example, the general question: Will you like the lifestyle enough to put up with the warts?
Warts? Well, it can be crowded for some folks, in the high season. The golf courses get to be very busy and well worn. Some people find the squares too busy. Some people find the sound of lawn mowers and leaf blowers to be oppressive.

Then there are the more specific questions, like "which areas would suit me best".. Lots to choose from, and many are quite similar to each other, but there are differences between the most northern neighborhoods, and the newer southern neighborhoods , and "between the sixes"....if you don't know what these differences are, you would do well to spend some time invesitigating them. You'll need more than a lifestyle visit to get a feel for what's here, and to make the best decision you can make FOR YOU.

Once you figure out IF, and WHERE, you needn't be overly concerned about the market. Chances are good that if you are ready in the next 6-12 months, there will be a large inventory of homes to choose from, in some area that suits you.

[merrymini]

A lifestyle visit is good, but it is up to you to do your due diligence ahead of time, mapping, services distances. Hard to beat thus place for beauty, activities etc. best to take a look.

[psjordan]

I lurk way more than I post, but I'm always a bit surprised at some (a lot) of the advice from folks "who have been around the block" TO folks "who have been around the block". I mean for the most part, most of us have several home purchases under our belts by the time we get to "TV phase" of life.

Everyone has their own versions of "due diligence" married with how they've made major decisions for themselves the past 50+ years. There's nothing wrong with making a long-drawn out 1+ year decision to buy a house here (doing lifestyle, renting, etc.), if that's how you've operated your entire life. There's also nothing wrong with a quick due diligence phase followed by looking at homes and neighborhoods followed by making an offer on a home - all within 30-45 days or so - if that's how you've operated your entire life. You know what factors you recognize as leading to "the right decision" for you.

You know whether you've made successful decisions in life using one approach or the other. Stick with your instincts you used buying any other house in your life. Location was likely important in any housing situation, it might be more "in focus" here due to the variations in neighborhoods and proximity of infrastructure, but that info is covered in spades all over this forum. Visiting here helps immensely with that part of the decision.

As for the "am I missing something" question, well IMO not more so than anywhere else. Sometimes I think it boils down to whether the "warts" in life get to you - in other words, if you buy and find the Publix is farther away than you like (say just outside of comfortable golf cart range for you), will that bug you to no end or will you just shrug it off and take the car? If you find out what ends up being your favorite restaurant is 40 minutes away, will that cause you to constantly lament your decision to buy a home in the location you picked?

To me it sounds like you are following the decision path you've been successful with prior times in life, so I'd say carry on.

Ps, one thing I always mention to folks coming for rent or lifestyle - the golf carts provided can be "sub optimal" in terms of comfort, especially lifestyle visit. It is a WAY different experience going 45 minutes on one of those vs. 45 minutes on a new, plusher cart. So what might seem like a chore on your visit might end up being something you don't think twice about in a newer cart - if that's your plan.

[jedalton]

way too many people now. I came in 2005, 30,000 and was told will be built out at 50,000. now 150,000

[kbrkr]

I love the Tampa area. Why not go back?

The area is become unbearably crowded. Traffic on I4 is horrendous and you take your life in your hands. Along with the crowds, it has become very expensive; I can no longer afford the home I sold a year ago!!! You can't get anywhere near the beaches for under $1M; plus I am very Hurricane adverse and prefer to locate in Central Florida as I have been through 6 hurricanes including Andrew.

[kbrkr]

It seems good that you are doing the "due diligence" part well. The Villages has a lot of positives to offer. Mainly I would say to visit during the hottest months- July and August. People have different tolerances for HEAT and the older you get the more difficult it is to tolerate the Florida summer heat AND HUMIDITY. Many people advise new people to NOT buy a house too quickly, but rather to rent for at least 6 months before buying. The different Villages all have different personalities and pluses and minuses.
......You need to realize that the "feels like" heat index in central Florida was between 100 deg and 105 deg recently. You also should know that 2024 is going to set the record for hottest year on records worldwide and climate scientists say the future will keep setting records. So, Florida will also be that way.
.......We are happy where we are in The Villages so we have NOT been keeping track of whether property values are rising or falling. In our particular area they are likely rising.

Thank you for the heat warning, but we are veterans of Florida and now live in Georgia which is probably hotter and more humid. One saving grace is having a pool; which we do not have in our GA home. Living close to a community pool is a top priority for us!!!

[kbrkr]

"We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida."

It sounds like you are bringing your son with you? If so, I doubt he will enjoy it here.

No, he will relocate to one of the major airline hubs as he is an Army Pilot and has just achieved his commercial pilots license with the FAA. He most likely will HUB in areas like Houston or Chicago. With any luck it could be Orlando or Tampa, but not very likely and he will NOT reside with our near us. He is married with two children and has been in the military for 14 years.

[RICH1]

High Bonds, High Taxes and High Homeowners Insurance , what's the question again ?

[Bilyclub]

High Bonds, High Taxes and High Homeowners Insurance , what's the question again ?


Taxes in Sumter County are low. You do pay around a thousand more for the privilege of living in Wildwood.

[brianherlihy]

not happy her. it is to big now . the place is not Fendley . we are going back home

[Gator_Girl]

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al

I would stay in Savanah just for the architecture.

[asianthree]

High Bonds, High Taxes and High Homeowners Insurance , what's the question again ?

Depending on where you live outside of TV. Our home up north the taxes, and homeowners is triple what we pay in TV. Weather is a factor not just in Florida.

No bond but If the new sewer system proposal goes through instead of our septic tanks, we are looking at $29,000 per house, for that privilege. That will be divided into our taxes for 15 years, can’t imagine what that interest will be. So we are ahead of that game in TV

[jimjamuser]

Concerned as in anxious? Or concerned as in mindful?
I assume you don't really expect any place to be "ideal". If you are expecting the Garden of Eden, you should be concerned.
Is there something you should know about before you decide to buy here? Yes, lots.
For example, the general question: Will you like the lifestyle enough to put up with the warts?
Warts? Well, it can be crowded for some folks, in the high season. The golf courses get to be very busy and well worn. Some people find the squares too busy. Some people find the sound of lawn mowers and leaf blowers to be oppressive.

Then there are the more specific questions, like "which areas would suit me best".. Lots to choose from, and many are quite similar to each other, but there are differences between the most northern neighborhoods, and the newer southern neighborhoods , and "between the sixes"....if you don't know what these differences are, you would do well to spend some time invesitigating them. You'll need more than a lifestyle visit to get a feel for what's here, and to make the best decision you can make FOR YOU.

Once you figure out IF, and WHERE, you needn't be overly concerned about the market. Chances are good that if you are ready in the next 6-12 months, there will be a large inventory of homes to choose from, in some area that suits you.
Good post. I liked the statement that, "some people find the sound of leaf blowers and lawn mowers to be oppressive". I am one of those people. I think that some of the professional grass cutters actually take off their mower's muffler. They can be loud (to me) even when cutting a lawn 1/2 of a block away. As to leaf blowers - I have NEVER needed to use one on my yard and I do my own mowing with a QUIET electric mower. I wish that the Community Service people would monitor excessively LOUD lawn mowing equipment.
--------Actually, if I had my perfect IDEAL community to live in - I would want one that encouraged STONE YARDS because that would cut down on the LOUD noise while at the same time eliminating lawn cutting costs and with fewer people WATERING their lawns - the cost of water SHOULD go down, instead of as it is - oppressively high cost.

[jimjamuser]

I lurk way more than I post, but I'm always a bit surprised at some (a lot) of the advice from folks "who have been around the block" TO folks "who have been around the block". I mean for the most part, most of us have several home purchases under our belts by the time we get to "TV phase" of life.

Everyone has their own versions of "due diligence" married with how they've made major decisions for themselves the past 50+ years. There's nothing wrong with making a long-drawn out 1+ year decision to buy a house here (doing lifestyle, renting, etc.), if that's how you've operated your entire life. There's also nothing wrong with a quick due diligence phase followed by looking at homes and neighborhoods followed by making an offer on a home - all within 30-45 days or so - if that's how you've operated your entire life. You know what factors you recognize as leading to "the right decision" for you.

You know whether you've made successful decisions in life using one approach or the other. Stick with your instincts you used buying any other house in your life. Location was likely important in any housing situation, it might be more "in focus" here due to the variations in neighborhoods and proximity of infrastructure, but that info is covered in spades all over this forum. Visiting here helps immensely with that part of the decision.

As for the "am I missing something" question, well IMO not more so than anywhere else. Sometimes I think it boils down to whether the "warts" in life get to you - in other words, if you buy and find the Publix is farther away than you like (say just outside of comfortable golf cart range for you), will that bug you to no end or will you just shrug it off and take the car? If you find out what ends up being your favorite restaurant is 40 minutes away, will that cause you to constantly lament your decision to buy a home in the location you picked?

To me it sounds like you are following the decision path you've been successful with prior times in life, so I'd say carry on.

Ps, one thing I always mention to folks coming for rent or lifestyle - the golf carts provided can be "sub optimal" in terms of comfort, especially lifestyle visit. It is a WAY different experience going 45 minutes on one of those vs. 45 minutes on a new, plusher cart. So what might seem like a chore on your visit might end up being something you don't think twice about in a newer cart - if that's your plan.
Golf carts have become almost a "must have" FETISH. We have been here for 20 years and have NEVER owned one. I have ridden with friends sometimes and if it is just for one or two miles, then I can enjoy it. But, on longer trips I always disliked the noise and the lack of suspension on them.

[graciegirl]

We've lived in the Tampa area for 13 years. We moved to Savannah last year to support my son in the Military. He is now almost ready for discharge in the next year and we are seeking an ideal place to live back in Florida. We've been watching tons of Youtube videos, reading forum posts, looking at homes, etc etc doing our research about TV. We absolutely want to embrace the lifestyle and make friends and embrace the activities. We are waiting until we get closer to his discharge before we do a lifestyle visit where we can pull the trigger on a home purchase (pre-owned preferrably).

However, I am concerned. I'm seeing many many homes for sale. Prices are dropping and I see auction and foreclosures. I'm seeing the developer drop the prices of the new homes down above Eastport, and those new homes which are going up are going to dilute the market.

Is there something I should know about before we decide to make TV our permanent home?

Please no flames or do I wish to start any negativity with my post; I am genuinely doing my due diligence and research.

Thanks and Regards,
Al

There are ALWAYS many homes for sale. I don't think you are seeing many or in fact any with a price decrease. Sometimes the developer may get down to a slow selling property and may lower it but that doesn't happen often, only when they are finishing out a section. If you see auction or foreclosure that is because someone died and the bank owns the property and they are having difficulty finding heirs. Or it was foreclosed because of non-payments. This is still the most desirable place for retired people. I don't know if you son will enjoy it.

[Laker14]

Good post. I liked the statement that, "some people find the sound of leaf blowers and lawn mowers to be oppressive". I am one of those people. I think that some of the professional grass cutters actually take off their mower's muffler. They can be loud (to me) even when cutting a lawn 1/2 of a block away. As to leaf blowers - I have NEVER needed to use one on my yard and I do my own mowing with a QUIET electric mower. I wish that the Community Service people would monitor excessively LOUD lawn mowing equipment.
--------Actually, if I had my perfect IDEAL community to live in - I would want one that encouraged STONE YARDS because that would cut down on the LOUD noise while at the same time eliminating lawn cutting costs and with fewer people WATERING their lawns - the cost of water SHOULD go down, instead of as it is - oppressively high cost.

As I suggested on another thread ABOUT leaf blowers, get yourself a pair of noise cancelling headphones.

[Dusty_Star]

High Bonds, High Taxes and High Homeowners Insurance , what's the question again ?

Huh. I have a very low bond, low taxes, & low insurance. I wonder if we live in the same place. Or more likely, came from different places with different tax, etc. expectations.

[Dusty_Star]

As I suggested on another thread ABOUT leaf blowers, get yourself a pair of noise cancelling headphones.

Personal responsibility? Surely you jest