Like Clockwork, Inventory climbs ANOTHER 7 %

[Normal]

Inventory on Zillow for the Villages has climbed another 7% for preowned homes in less than a month (Feb to March)as of today and up 50% for the past year (2024-2025). I’m wondering when the state of Florida is going to do something about insurance costs and property taxes? Two items they can work on but seem to have no interest in accomplishing? We just get more hot air from Tallahassee about what could be, but nothing is done.

There seems to be some aggressive price cutting on homes, but the bleed continues.

[Stu from NYC]

Village agent we purchased our house thru said the same thing the other day.

More houses around us for sale than we have seen since moving here

[gorillarick]

Do you think it has anything to do with building homes like making cookies gor a den of hungry Cub Scouts ?

[Aces4]

Inventory on Zillow for the Villages has climbed another 7% for preowned homes in less than a month (Feb to March)as of today and up 50% for the past year (2024-2025). I’m wondering when the state of Florida is going to do something about insurance costs and property taxes? Two items they can work on but seem to have no interest in accomplishing? We just get more hot air from Tallahassee about what could be, but nothing is done.

There seems to be some aggressive price cutting on homes, but the bleed continues.

I'm somewhat amused by the thought the state of Florida needs to do something about insurance and taxes.

The property taxes in Florida come in a bit below the national average in the nation and there is no state sales tax.

As far as insurance cost in this state go, one must realize how insurance is designed to work. The risk of the state that is insured is spread over all the residents to cover losses when claims from losses and catastrophes occur.

The density in Florida is greater than ever now and loss from weather events consume much more property than ever. Hence, the huge losses create costs that need to be covered by the insured citizenry which is a tremendous expense and it isn't going away. That said, the roof replacement scam loophole should be nailed shut. But that is only a fraction of the expenses incurred for insurance companies.

Why do you think so many insurance companies bailed from offering Florida citizens insurance?

[Craig Vernon]

The preowned inventory in TV has more to do with a correction in property values back to a new norm than it does insurance or property tax rates. Property values went up too much in the last four years and now they need to come back down to again become a value to buyers. Struggling investors, flippers and folks that were used to moving every couple years at a profit are having trouble selling at 2022 levels. Those that need to sell will lower the price to create the new norm and those that don't will need to hold properties longer to break even. This is a very healthy thing. IMHO

[Decadeofdave]

Current listing's are 1398 properties. Buyers market, but not giving back all of the inflated pandemic equity.

[tophcfa]

The property taxes in Florida come in a bit below the national average.

Property taxes in Florida should be well below the national average for two reasons.

1) The biggest expense for many northern states is snow removal and treatment of the roads for ice. Then there is the annual road repair expense from the damage caused by the cycles of freezing and thawing creating rim eating potholes and the cleaning up of all the stuff used to treat the roads.

2) Florida has a unique ability to raise significant revenues from taxing the crap out of tourists and part time residents, who will keep coming regardless.

[CarlR33]

You really need to start a YouTube Channel for your passion on TV homes. Aggressive price cutting? I think I will list my home for $200K more than it’s even worth and then drop it down to what the market says it’s worth….so is that aggressive price cutting? I think not. You should track an actual home sold to what the price started out being in the first place to call anything price cutting? Unfortunately, I do not think the VLS will do that for you but MLS will?

[Aces4]

Property taxes in Florida should be well below the national average for two reasons.

1) The biggest expense for many northern states is snow removal and treatment of the roads for ice. Then there is the annual road repair expense from the damage caused by the cycles of freezing and thawing creating rim eating potholes and the cleaning up of all the stuff used to treat the roads.

2) Florida has a unique ability to raise significant revenues from taxing the crap out of tourists and part time residents, who will keep coming regardless.

Interesting thought, as if Florida isn't playing catch-up with highways and interstate building. Anyone who has traveled by car through the years in Florida knows how gnarly the roads have been and now with even more travel pressure, it's worse. There has been an effort to bring things up to speed, so to speak.

If you're a resident of Florida, aren't you receiving the luxury of homestead taxes which stick a major chunk of the real estate taxes to Florida homeowners who claim another state as their residence? If real estate taxes are too much of a burden in Florida, the residents could vote for a state income tax and see if that makes them happier.

[Topspinmo]

I'm somewhat amused by the thought the state of Florida needs to do something about insurance and taxes.

The property taxes in Florida come in a bit below the national average in the nation and there is no state sales tax.

As far as insurance cost in this state go, one must realize how insurance is designed to work. The risk of the state that is insured is spread over all the residents to cover losses when claims from losses and catastrophes occur.

The density in Florida is greater than ever now and loss from weather events consume much more property than ever. Hence, the huge losses create costs that need to be covered by the insured citizenry which is a tremendous expense and it isn't going away. That said, the roof replacement scam loophole should be nailed shut. But that is only a fraction of the expenses incurred for insurance companies.

Why do you think so many insurance companies bailed from offering Florida citizens insurance?

IMO and I can have one? Never see struggling insurance CEO. So ceo can still make millions year and still insure in United States. IMO is insurance should be federal regulation. All states or none. Also if you build on sand dune it’s at you own risk. How that for opinion. IMO insurance IS legalized racketeering. Now, want to know what I think about lawyers?

[Aces4]

IMO and I can have one? Never see struggling insurance CEO. So ceo can still make millions year and still insure in United States. IMO is insurance should be federal regulation. All states or none. Also if you build on sand dune it’s at you own risk. How that for opinion. IMO insurance IS legalized racketeering. Now, want to know what I think about lawyers?

If one believes it is such a racket, one can self insure themselves and do without any of that leadership.

If one is worried about leadership in the insurance industry, one can also choose an insurance that is not in the stock market where everyone else is making money off of one's coverage.

One could also insure through a mutual insurance company and hope they have planned properly so when the massive damage costs hit as they did last year in Florida, they have the bucks on hand. Lots of alternatives out there if the insurance CEO is making one sleepless.:wave:

[Topspinmo]

If one believes it is such a racket, one can self insure themselves and do without any of that leadership.

If one is worried about leadership in the insurance industry, one can also choose an insurance that is not in the stock market where everyone else is making money off of one's coverage.

One could also insure through a mutual insurance company and hope they have planned properly so when the massive damage costs hit as they did last year in Florida, they have the bucks on hand. Lots of alternatives out there if the insurance CEO is making one sleepless.:wave:

Just racket like stock market.

[Stu from NYC]

IMO and I can have one? Never see struggling insurance CEO. So ceo can still make millions year and still insure in United States. IMO is insurance should be federal regulation. All states or none. Also if you build on sand dune it’s at you own risk. How that for opinion. IMO insurance IS legalized racketeering. Now, want to know what I think about lawyers?

OK I guess I will bite, what do you think about lawyers?

[Plinker]

Inventory on Zillow for the Villages has climbed another 7% for preowned homes in less than a month (Feb to March)as of today and up 50% for the past year (2024-2025). I’m wondering when the state of Florida is going to do something about insurance costs and property taxes? Two items they can work on but seem to have no interest in accomplishing? We just get more hot air from Tallahassee about what could be, but nothing is done.
There seems to be some aggressive price cutting on homes, but the bleed continues.

I will preface this post by saying I’m ready for the slings and arrows.
Do the majority of retirees in TV really care if their home values go up or down or are they here for the long haul?
With regard to my home value, the only people who have skin in the game are our children. The number of home listings is of no concern as they routinely rise and fall based on a number of economic factors.
For those who have invested in real estate in TV or are flippers and the value of their properties have decreased, I would simply call that a risk of any speculative investment as there are no guarantees.
Historical data has shown that home prices tend to appreciate a little over 4% annually. The S&P 500 index, around 10%. However, these returns have volatility and should not be expected to occur each year.
My wife and I hope to still be here 20+ years from now. We focus on friends, family and the plethora of activities TV has to offer and not whether our home value has gone up or down as we don’t consider our home an investment. Our goal is to have fun and only bounce one check and that is to the mortician.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Does anyone know the portions of inventory which is AirBnB and other short term rental property owners?

Its well known around the country that many AirBnBs were purchased during the pandemic, and the returns aren't there any more, due to the opening of the economy, and that rental prices have collapsed, along with days rented as intl travel came back with revenge vacations.

There are two houses in our development for sale, one is the original owners, and the other has only owned the house for 2 years, as the second owner. Both houses priced at the top of the Zillow range. However, I don't understand some peoples taste in home design. . not sure the reasons, but out of 99 houses, there is 1 or 2 houses for sale every year. . .

Also, any indication of foreign owners where the the value is falling with the USD conversion rates?

Is the percentage of owned homes any higher than in the past? if 1% is for sale at the prior max, and with the growth of homes built and sold in the last 5 years, is the percentage any higher than normal? if not, the number of houses is a function of the total number of houses that have been built.

[tophcfa]

Interesting thought, as if Florida isn't playing catch-up with highways and interstate building. Anyone who has traveled by car through the years in Florida knows how gnarly the roads have been and now with even more travel pressure, it's worse. There has been an effort to bring things up to speed, so to speak.
Highways and interstates aren’t payed for by property taxes. They fund local municipal budgets which are not responsible for that infrastructure.

[Stu from NYC]

The value of our home is down about 10% in the last year. It is just a paper loss but overall we are well ahead and should stay that way

[MorTech]

The massive inrush Florida has been experiencing for years has slowed way down. This has been happening for 100 years. Insurance companies can't make money in Florida so they leave. Maybe some of you should start an Insurance company in Florida...You will be rich without all that market competition!

[BubblesandPat]

You really need to start a YouTube Channel for your passion on TV homes. Aggressive price cutting? I think I will list my home for $200K more than it’s even worth and then drop it down to what the market says it’s worth….so is that aggressive price cutting? I think not. You should track an actual home sold to what the price started out being in the first place to call anything price cutting? Unfortunately, I do not think the VLS will do that for you but MLS will?

Ive always wondered about that...why don't the Villages (VLS) give the price sold like MLS does?

[opinionist]

Tallahassee has already addressed the home insurance cost with legislation to reduce litigation. In the weeks before the legislation went into effect, 250,000 lawsuits were filed. It will take time for the lawsuits to clear the system. Home insurance costs have flattened out relative to other parts of the country and should drop unless Tallahassee changes the law. The new house leader is a trial lawyer, so he needs to be watched.

[RoboVil]

Inventory on Zillow for the Villages has climbed another 7% for preowned homes in less than a month (Feb to March)as of today and up 50% for the past year (2024-2025). I’m wondering when the state of Florida is going to do something about insurance costs and property taxes? Two items they can work on but seem to have no interest in accomplishing? We just get more hot air from Tallahassee about what could be, but nothing is done.

There seems to be some aggressive price cutting on homes, but the bleed continues.
It is mirroring the rest of the US. Home sales are way off. Primarily due to high interest rates and uncertainty about the economy. The stock market correction has not helped either

[opinionist]

Some moves are being made by the governor to eliminate property taxes in Florida. This is preliminary, but it will be fought by every city not willing to give up a source of revenue.

[Normal]

It is mirroring the rest of the US. Home sales are way off. Primarily due to high interest rates and uncertainty about the economy. The stock market correction has not helped either

Foreclosures are being suppressed too? I just read
Just a moment... (https://deepnewz.com/us-domestic-policy/government-policies-allegedly-masking-housing-collapse-fha-halts-foreclosures-on-37603f0a)

An 11% delinquency rate on housing loans is not a good figure

[Laker14]

It seems several things are at play here (Big Surprise! Economics is complicated)...
1. Post-pandemic bubble (low interest rates + people learning to work remotely + some jobs going away and people being forced into retirement + other stuff?) ends, as all bubbles eventually do.
2. Interest rates for mortgages double, then triple
3. Developer continues to build new homes
4. Old people continue to age out of TV

I'm sure I left a few things out...but those things I mentioned are more than enough to slow things down and increase inventory. It's not a great time to be forced to sell. It might be a fortuitous time to buy, if you are looking to buy a home in TV.

Markets swing. Welcome to the real world.

[Byte1]

My neighbor is attempting to sell his home and had a recent VA appraisal that was obtained just a few months ago. He has had to reduce his asking price three times (over $50K) just to get folks to look at it and has not had ANY offers on it. He said that he was told by an agent that he could have sold it in a couple weeks 8 months ago for $60K more than he is currently asking. Yes, the prices have gone down substantially. If you go back and look at the selling price today, versus the asking price, you will be surprised at the price drop.

[Bill14564]

My neighbor is attempting to sell his home and had a recent VA appraisal that was obtained just a few months ago. He has had to reduce his asking price three times (over $50K) just to get folks to look at it and has not had ANY offers on it. He said that he was told by an agent that he could have sold it in a couple weeks 8 months ago for $60K more than he is currently asking. Yes, the prices have gone down substantially. If you go back and look at the selling price today, versus the asking price, you will be surprised at the price drop.

For homes that have been around that long, I wonder how the selling price today compares with selling price before the COVID bump. Perhaps what is happening now is an adjustment back to the "normal" we had earlier.

Of course, that doesn't help those that purchased during the last five years and are now trying to get their money back out of the home.

[rustyp]

It has nothing to do with the present leadership and everything to do with the conversion rate which is currently $1 US dollar=$1.45 Canadian dollars. For those that live here and rent or own and can only be here for six months, the value of their currency is the culprit

January 2020 $1 US dollar = > $1.4 Canadian dollars. During the five preceding years (2020-2025) the Canadian dollar briefly (a fleeting moment) touched $1.22. The average was well into the mid $1.30's over that timeframe. If the Canadians are selling solely upon exchange rate they didn't do their homework.

[MX rider]

I'm somewhat amused by the thought the state of Florida needs to do something about insurance and taxes.

The property taxes in Florida come in a bit below the national average in the nation and there is no state sales tax.

As far as insurance cost in this state go, one must realize how insurance is designed to work. The risk of the state that is insured is spread over all the residents to cover losses when claims from losses and catastrophes occur.

The density in Florida is greater than ever now and loss from weather events consume much more property than ever. Hence, the huge losses create costs that need to be covered by the insured citizenry which is a tremendous expense and it isn't going away. That said, the roof replacement scam loophole should be nailed shut. But that is only a fraction of the expenses incurred for insurance companies.

Why do you think so many insurance companies bailed from offering Florida citizens insurance?

Florida has a state sales tax of 6%.
Property taxes depends on what state you come from. But even though they're higher than ours were in Indiana, I don't comsider them to be high.

[Indydealmaker]

Current listing's are 1398 properties. Buyers market, but not giving back all of the inflated pandemic equity.

Considering our aging demographic, less than 2% for sale is a bit low. Death, relocation to assisted living or returning to family for help with age related challenges should have this area at a peak flux at all times.

[Jandj1987]

It seems several things are at play here (Big Surprise! Economics is complicated)...
1. Post-pandemic bubble (low interest rates + people learning to work remotely + some jobs going away and people being forced into retirement + other stuff?) ends, as all bubbles eventually do.
2. Interest rates for mortgages double, then triple
3. Developer continues to build new homes
4. Old people continue to age out of TV

I'm sure I left a few things out...but those things I mentioned are more than enough to slow things down and increase inventory. It's not a great time to be forced to sell. It might be a fortuitous time to buy, if you are looking to buy a home in TV.

Markets swing. Welcome to the real world.

You NAILED it!

I’m 57 and I visit TV as much as possible, which is 2-3 times a year. My husband and I still work full time. My parents have owned a home there for 15+ years. We’ve been looking into buying a home there. One thing I may add is a concern that my children (30 and 34) worry about and that is the fact that baby boomers are dying and the generations below them can’t afford to do what even my parents did (own 2 homes). They have also warned me not to buy there because TV won’t sustain the current situation. Specifically #2 and #3 and what I stated above about not having the funds that the boomer generation has.
So, is buying a home in TV a good investment? I don’t want to overpay and have a house that’s worth half in the end. I am fortunate that I can afford to own 2 homes, but I would have to rent it out to help pay the mortgage to sustain two homes until I retired where I would/could move down full time if I chose to.
BTW I happen to love TV!
Please be kind as I am kind. I don’t need someone who thinks they’re the smartest person on the planet (there’s a lot) being nasty and spewing smart ass comments.
~ Thank you.

[Stu from NYC]

You NAILED it!

I’m 57 and I visit TV as much as possible, which is 2-3 times a year. My husband and I still work full time. My parents have owned a home there for 15+ years. We’ve been looking into buying a home there. One thing I may add is a concern that my children (30 and 34) worry about and that is the fact that baby boomers are dying and the generations below them can’t afford to do what even my parents did (own 2 homes). They have also warned me not to buy there because TV won’t sustain the current situation. Specifically #2 and #3 and what I stated above about not having the funds that the boomer generation has.
So, is buying a home in TV a good investment? I don’t want to overpay and have a house that’s worth half in the end. I am fortunate that I can afford to own 2 homes, but I would have to rent it out to help pay the mortgage to sustain two homes until I retired where I would/could move down full time if I chose to.
BTW I happen to love TV!
Please be kind as I am kind. I don’t need someone who thinks they’re the smartest person on the planet (there’s a lot) being nasty and spewing smart ass comments.
~ Thank you.

Villages still has a lot to offer but we see no point in owning two homes so we are here full time. At this point this is where we live and it is our home and if value goes up great if not so be it.

[Normal]

Considering our aging demographic, less than 2% for sale is a bit low. Death, relocation to assisted living or returning to family for help with age related challenges should have this area at a peak flux at all times.

We are at about a 9 month supply. It would take about that long to sell the current inventory at pace and amortize to zero without adding listings.

[kkingston57]

Inventory on Zillow for the Villages has climbed another 7% for preowned homes in less than a month (Feb to March)as of today and up 50% for the past year (2024-2025). I’m wondering when the state of Florida is going to do something about insurance costs and property taxes? Two items they can work on but seem to have no interest in accomplishing? We just get more hot air from Tallahassee about what could be, but nothing is done.

There seems to be some aggressive price cutting on homes, but the bleed continues.

Great for buyers, if they do not need to sell their current home

[rsmurano]

Keep the government out of everything! They don’t know how to operate any business. I hate the California government and if you look at what California did to the insurance companies last summer before the fires hit, a lot of insurance companies bailed on their customers.
I’ve heard rumblings about Desantis wanting to get rid of property taxes. That would be a huge win for us.

As for the real estate market is collapsing, not even close to reality.
The villages will sell every home they build, and this is proven by the lottery system they have in place for new homes.
The only way Florida will start a big downturn in home sales is when everybody stops moving here from the west, north, and everywhere else, that’s not going to change any time soon.

Out property taxes are small compared to what people are paying in the north and on the west coast. Plus no income tax!

[Aces4]

Highways and interstates aren’t payed for by property taxes. They fund local municipal budgets which are not responsible for that infrastructure.

Fair enough but are you not receiving the benefits of the Homestead Act with lowered taxes? Don't forget about the cost of schools, law enforcement, EMT and fire protection. Everyone wants top notch services but they don't want to pay. When you look at your Florida tax bill are you including The Villages high maintenance bond charge which is on your bill?

[kkingston57]

The preowned inventory in TV has more to do with a correction in property values back to a new norm than it does insurance or property tax rates. Property values went up too much in the last four years and now they need to come back down to again become a value to buyers. Struggling investors, flippers and folks that were used to moving every couple years at a profit are having trouble selling at 2022 levels. Those that need to sell will lower the price to create the new norm and those that don't will need to hold properties longer to break even. This is a very healthy thing. IMHO

Makes too much sense. The most understood(at least it should be) economic theory, supply and demand is coming into play.

Big swings only occur after bad things. Recall the mortgage crisis before 2010. 1 bedroom condos were being bought by wanna be investors and/or unqualified buyers in Palm Beach Couty for over 200K, When the dust settled buyers could buy them for 25K and the real market price should have been around 75K

[Aces4]

It seems several things are at play here (Big Surprise! Economics is complicated)...
1. Post-pandemic bubble (low interest rates + people learning to work remotely + some jobs going away and people being forced into retirement + other stuff?) ends, as all bubbles eventually do.
2. Interest rates for mortgages double, then triple
3. Developer continues to build new homes
4. Old people continue to age out of TV

I'm sure I left a few things out...but those things I mentioned are more than enough to slow things down and increase inventory. It's not a great time to be forced to sell. It might be a fortuitous time to buy, if you are looking to buy a home in TV.

Markets swing. Welcome to the real world.

About #2: Interest rates return to NORMAL and the price of home building soared after the pandemic.

[kkingston57]

Interesting thought, as if Florida isn't playing catch-up with highways and interstate building. Anyone who has traveled by car through the years in Florida knows how gnarly the roads have been and now with even more travel pressure, it's worse. There has been an effort to bring things up to speed, so to speak.

If you're a resident of Florida, aren't you receiving the luxury of homestead taxes which stick a major chunk of the real estate taxes to Florida homeowners who claim another state as their residence? If real estate taxes are too much of a burden in Florida, the residents could vote for a state sales tax and see if that makes them happier.

Like it or not the legislature is talking about this(I doubt that they are serious) Can't imagine how big of a cluster (F word) that this would create. Wonder how this could affect the tourism when Disney et al has a 10-11% sales tax.

[Aces4]

Like it or not the legislature is talking about this(I doubt that they are serious) Can't imagine how big of a cluster (F word) that this would create. Wonder how this could affect the tourism when Disney et al has a 10-11% sales tax.

An income tax would alleviate real estate taxes somewhat but that tax may be worse than real estate taxes since there is no homestead loophole to be enjoyed.

[Aces4]

January 2020 $1 US dollar = > $1.4 Canadian dollars. During the five preceding years (2020-2025) the Canadian dollar briefly (a fleeting moment) touched $1.22. The average was well into the mid $1.30's over that timeframe. If the Canadians are selling solely upon exchange rate they didn't do their homework.

Homework wouldn't have advised the Canadians of the unpredicted great rate of inflation that has occurred here in recent history.

[MX rider]

You NAILED it!

I’m 57 and I visit TV as much as possible, which is 2-3 times a year. My husband and I still work full time. My parents have owned a home there for 15+ years. We’ve been looking into buying a home there. One thing I may add is a concern that my children (30 and 34) worry about and that is the fact that baby boomers are dying and the generations below them can’t afford to do what even my parents did (own 2 homes). They have also warned me not to buy there because TV won’t sustain the current situation. Specifically #2 and #3 and what I stated above about not having the funds that the boomer generation has.
So, is buying a home in TV a good investment? I don’t want to overpay and have a house that’s worth half in the end. I am fortunate that I can afford to own 2 homes, but I would have to rent it out to help pay the mortgage to sustain two homes until I retired where I would/could move down full time if I chose to.
BTW I happen to love TV!
Please be kind as I am kind. I don’t need someone who thinks they’re the smartest person on the planet (there’s a lot) being nasty and spewing smart ass comments.
~ Thank you.

You may be overthinking things a bit. For us, we made the decision to buy in TV and have no regrets. We still own our home in Indiana....for now.

When we bought it was because we loved it here, and decided this is where we could live a fun, active and social retirement. We gave very little thought to what the value of our home was going to be at any point in the future.

We're in our late 60's and living the dream. We don't worry about home prices here because we're not moving. Although it definitely is a buyers market.
Sadly, like all of us as we get older, we've had too many friends and family pass before their time.

So we tend to live for today. We still have a financial plan, but we're not leaving anything on the table and we're doing our best to spend our money on having fun.

[Aces4]

It is mirroring the rest of the US. Home sales are way off. Primarily due to high interest rates and uncertainty about the economy. The stock market correction has not helped either

Interest rates are not high, they are now normal. Many were feeding off the "something for nothing" premise and it returned to normal rates. The price of building has skyrocketed though and that's the conundrum.

[kkingston57]

Highways and interstates aren’t payed for by property taxes. They fund local municipal budgets which are not responsible for that infrastructure.

Local roads are paid by the local governments. They re-paved(that is their description) roads in our neighborhood 2 years ago and I can now tell you why Sumter County taxes are low. Re paving was more like a band aid

[Aces4]

Florida has a state sales tax of 6%.
Property taxes depends on what state you come from. But even though they're higher than ours were in Indiana, I don't comsider them to be high.

Probably shouldn't be typing when under the weather and that should have read Florida has no state income tax. That is the tax that could be instituted rather than a real estate tax but that tax would probably be even higher.

[kkingston57]

The massive inrush Florida has been experiencing for years has slowed way down. This has been happening for 100 years. Insurance companies can't make money in Florida so they leave. Maybe some of you should start an Insurance company in Florida...You will be rich without all that market competition!

I was in the insurance biz. Check to see how many insurance companies have come and gone in Florida since Hurricane Andew and the only rich ones were the CEOs and other higher ups who as Eddie Money said "take the money and run,

[Kittycat2]

Do you think it has anything to do with building homes like making cookies gor a den of hungry Cub Scouts ?

Yes absolutely! The community is slowly becoming another disposable commodity just like your washing machine and refrigerator.

[kkingston57]

You NAILED it!

I’m 57 and I visit TV as much as possible, which is 2-3 times a year. My husband and I still work full time. My parents have owned a home there for 15+ years. We’ve been looking into buying a home there. One thing I may add is a concern that my children (30 and 34) worry about and that is the fact that baby boomers are dying and the generations below them can’t afford to do what even my parents did (own 2 homes). They have also warned me not to buy there because TV won’t sustain the current situation. Specifically #2 and #3 and what I stated above about not having the funds that the boomer generation has.
So, is buying a home in TV a good investment? I don’t want to overpay and have a house that’s worth half in the end. I am fortunate that I can afford to own 2 homes, but I would have to rent it out to help pay the mortgage to sustain two homes until I retired where I would/could move down full time if I chose to.
BTW I happen to love TV!
Please be kind as I am kind. I don’t need someone who thinks they’re the smartest person on the planet (there’s a lot) being nasty and spewing smart ass comments.
~ Thank you.

Personally, I do not treat a home as an investment. Buy a home to live in. If it goes up and you do not move your heirs will get it's value and values of homes are still good in Florida. Best part of TV is that 99% of the people take pride in their homes and go out of the way to make sure that the property is nice.

[Nell57]

Ive always wondered about that...why don't the Villages (VLS) give the price sold like MLS does?

All home sale prices are a matter of public record.
Check the address of the property on your county Auditor website.
What you won’t know is if the sale price includes furnishings, golf cart…etc

[Markus]

IMO and I can have one? Never see struggling insurance CEO. So ceo can still make millions year and still insure in United States. IMO is insurance should be federal regulation. All states or none. Also if you build on sand dune it’s at you own risk. How that for opinion. IMO insurance IS legalized racketeering. Now, want to know what I think about lawyers?

If you were to take the CEOs pay down to $1 a year and spread out that pay in lower premiums across all policy holders it would amount to only a few dollars. That is not the problem at all.

[Markus]

We are at about a 9 month supply. It would take about that long to sell the current inventory at pace and amortize to zero without adding listings.

And a rule of thumb is that 6 months inventory is healthy for sellers and buyers.

[Markus]

Keep the government out of everything! They don’t know how to operate any business. I hate the California government and if you look at what California did to the insurance companies last summer before the fires hit, a lot of insurance companies bailed on their customers.
I’ve heard rumblings about Desantis wanting to get rid of property taxes. That would be a huge win for us.

As for the real estate market is collapsing, not even close to reality.
The villages will sell every home they build, and this is proven by the lottery system they have in place for new homes.
The only way Florida will start a big downturn in home sales is when everybody stops moving here from the west, north, and everywhere else, that’s not going to change any time soon.

Out property taxes are small compared to what people are paying in the north and on the west coast. Plus no income tax!

They have severely cut down on building spec homes. There are not that many of them for sale. They are instead focusing on selling the lot/home and then building it so they don't get caught with a ton of inventory they have to highly discount to sell. Just look at the VLS and see how few NEW CYV and Patio villas are in inventory. Almost none right now. Last year there were hundreds.

[Aces4]

You NAILED it!

I’m 57 and I visit TV as much as possible, which is 2-3 times a year. My husband and I still work full time. My parents have owned a home there for 15+ years. We’ve been looking into buying a home there. One thing I may add is a concern that my children (30 and 34) worry about and that is the fact that baby boomers are dying and the generations below them can’t afford to do what even my parents did (own 2 homes). They have also warned me not to buy there because TV won’t sustain the current situation. Specifically #2 and #3 and what I stated above about not having the funds that the boomer generation has.
So, is buying a home in TV a good investment? I don’t want to overpay and have a house that’s worth half in the end. I am fortunate that I can afford to own 2 homes, but I would have to rent it out to help pay the mortgage to sustain two homes until I retired where I would/could move down full time if I chose to.
BTW I happen to love TV!
Please be kind as I am kind. I don’t need someone who thinks they’re the smartest person on the planet (there’s a lot) being nasty and spewing smart ass comments.
~ Thank you.

As others have said, do not consider buying in The Villages an investment. If you need to have a mortgage to purchase a second home, you're not as fortunate as you would like to think. (I'm not being snarky here... just facts.) Let your money you would use for a down payment earn interest until you can retire. Sell your, hopefully mortgage free, current home and then make your retirement home decision. Until that time, rent for any time you want to spend in The Villages. There are currently a plethora of rentals from which to chose.

Owning in The Villages is very expensive and you would be juggling landlord duties, lawn maintenance, pest control, power washing when required, HVAC care and so forth. The Villages will always have homes for sale and who is to say that by retirement age, you won't have a different plan. Good luck in your planning.

[Bill14564]

Fair enough but are you not receiving the benefits of the Homestead Act with lowered taxes? Don't forget about the cost of schools, law enforcement, EMT and fire protection. Everyone wants top notch services but they don't want to pay. When you look at your Florida tax bill are you including The Villages high maintenance bond charge which is on your bill?

At $600ish per year, the CDD maintenance charge is NOT high at all.

If you are referring to the bond, that does not cover maintenance, that recoups the cost of putting the infrastructure in place. The bond is part of the cost of the home that was separated out to make prices more attractive while (likely) generating additional profit for the Developer.

[Bill14564]

Homework wouldn't have advised the Canadians of the unpredicted great rate of inflation that has occurred here in recent history.

Canada (and most of the world?) experienced the same inflation post-pandemic as the US did.

[Aces4]

Canada (and most of the world?) experienced the same inflation post-pandemic as the US did.

So that would affect those Canadian personal budgets and ownership of two homes, right? Money in hand does not inflate with the economy.

[Aces4]

At $250ish per year, the CDD maintenance charge is NOT high at all.

If you are referring to the bond, that does not cover maintenance, that recoups the cost of putting the infrastructure in place. The bond is part of the cost of the home that was separated out to make prices more attractive while (likely) generating additional profit for the Developer.

I understand the different charges and I think an extra $250 ISH on a tax bill is nothing at which to sneeze.

[MplsPete]

I found this video by an MLS realtor about TV. About midway through he shows two graphs and his discussion of them very insightful . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THaiW-yq5uA&t=660s

[Jandj1987]

Villages still has a lot to offer but we see no point in owning two homes so we are here full time. At this point this is where we live and it is our home and if value goes up great if not so be it.

100% agree with you! If I were in your situation, I would feel exactly the same way.
The only reason we considered buying is to have a house to transition to when we retire, as well as our own to enjoy a few weeks a year. I enjoy coming in May and September. So I could rent it out in the more expensive months to help offset the cost of buying and with the mortgage payments. Just my thoughts.

[Normal]

I found this video by an MLS realtor about TV. About midway through he shows two graphs and his discussion of them very insightful . . .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THaiW-yq5uA&t=660s

I find it unusual that average sale price is considered when most of the homes sold are in the more expensive pricing category. Doesn’t that mean the average sales price would be skewed to a higher mean and median? Wouldn’t that number be much lower if the number of sales were mostly Courtyard Villas?

[rustyp]

Homework wouldn't have advised the Canadians of the unpredicted great rate of inflation that has occurred here in recent history.

Perhaps they are planning for the future based upon past experience. Supporting my statement I find it barely plausible they are selling due to currency rate solely. The rate is not far off of historical values and or swings that a Canadian senior with 50 plus years of monitoring US currency rates. 90% of Canadians live in border towns. I am a snowbird living through the same inflation. I am not selling anything. Then again I don't have a mortgage or a loan on anything I own. I never subscribed to the strategy of investing my money would make more than the interest on a loan. That is fine until a market downturn. Then you still have the mortgage payment to contend with. So let's ask again what is driving our Canadian friends to sell at a higher rate than US citizens - if that is a true statement ?

[Bill14564]

I understand the different charges and I think an extra $250 ISH on a tax bill is nothing at which to sneeze.

It turns out my maintenance fee is more like $600. I still don't see that as a high maintenance charge but it is more than the $250 I had previously written.

$600 maintenance fee is 15% of my annual tax bill or about 2 mills (compared with 10 mills for property, school, and water management taxes)

[Aces4]

Perhaps they are planning for the future based upon past experience. Supporting my statement I find it barely plausible they are selling due to currency rate solely. The rate is not far off of historical values and or swings that a Canadian senior with 50 plus years of monitoring US currency rates. 90% of Canadians live in border towns. I am a snowbird living through the same inflation. I am not selling anything. Then again I don't have a mortgage or a loan on anything I own. I never subscribed to the strategy of investing my money would make more than the interest on a loan. That is fine until a market downturn. Then you still have the mortgage payment to contend with. So let's ask again what is driving our Canadian friends to sell at a higher rate than US citizens - if that is a true statement ?


Yes, maybe that would be a good place to start, determining that the Canadians are selling at a higher rate than US citizens.

Our Canadian friends are pretty well heeled.. in Canada and are able to afford mortgage free homes here. There is always an awareness of how much less their spending dollars buy here than the American dollar. The gap now is even worse and when they turn 80, the extra health insurance jab they had to pay for coverage in the USA was substantial.

Why not go back to Canada and live in comfort and enjoy the amenities of their nation without the financial stretch. (Our friends also felt The Villages had become very congested, had difficulty with their groups getting desired tee times and travel to Florida was much busier.)

[Aces4]

It turns out my maintenance fee is more like $600. I still don't see that as a high maintenance charge but it is more than the $250 I had previously written.

$600 maintenance fee is 15% of my annual tax bill or about 2 mills (compared with 10 mills for property, school, and water management taxes)

I thought that was extremely low for the maintenance fee but I didn't know your location in The Villages. $600. tacked on to the total makes it look like the real estate taxes are heftier than they are. Not everyone does a bill readout, they just pay and grumble.

[Philipd411]

Inventory on Zillow for the Villages has climbed another 7% for preowned homes in less than a month (Feb to March)as of today and up 50% for the past year (2024-2025). I’m wondering when the state of Florida is going to do something about insurance costs and property taxes? Two items they can work on but seem to have no interest in accomplishing? We just get more hot air from Tallahassee about what could be, but nothing is done.

There seems to be some aggressive price cutting on homes, but the bleed continues.

The mortgage interest rates are double the amount of what they were when I bought my home. When interest rates go down, home sales will go up.

[Normal]

The mortgage interest rates are double the amount of what they were when I bought my home. When interest rates go down, home sales will go up.

They are a problem, but add complexity. Fewer homes went on the market in 2023 because many or most mortgaged buyers were sitting on 2.3 percent interest rates that are locked for the life of their loan. But as time has gone on some of these “owners” have decided to merge back into the selling market thereby increasing inventory. This is important to note as most are much better off to not pay off their mortgages with returns on invested funds being much better than an interest penalty on their 2.3 percent loan. The same banks that loaned funds at 2.3% are now paying 4.5% out on their CD rates.

The homes are now going on market at higher rates and it could add to foreclosure problems.

[Philipd411]

They are a problem, but add complexity. Fewer homes went on the market in 2023 because many or most mortgaged buyers were sitting on 2.3 percent interest rates that are locked for the life of their loan. But as time has gone on some of these “owners” have decided to merge back into the selling market thereby increasing inventory. This is important to note as most are much better off to not pay off their mortgages with returns on invested funds being much better than an interest penalty on their 2.3 percent loan. The same banks that loaned funds at 2.3% are now paying 4.5% out on their CD rates.

The homes are now going on market at higher rates and it could add to foreclosure problems.

That is why I wont sell my house or pay it off any time soon. My interest rate is just too low.

[rustyp]

Yes, maybe that would be a good place to start, determining that the Canadians are selling at a higher rate than US citizens.

Our Canadian friends are pretty well heeled.. in Canada and are able to afford mortgage free homes here. There is always an awareness of how much less their spending dollars buy here than the American dollar. The gap now is even worse and when they turn 80, the extra health insurance jab they had to pay for coverage in the USA was substantial.

Why not go back to Canada and live in comfort and enjoy the amenities of their nation without the financial stretch. (Our friends also felt The Villages had become very congested, had difficulty with their groups getting desired tee times and travel to Florida was much busier.)

FYI by executive order Canadians staying in the US greater than 30 days will now be required to register with the US government and be fingerprinted.
"Under the new provision, all "aliens" 14 years of age or older who were not fingerprinted or registered when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the U.S. for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and fingerprinting."

[CoachKandSportsguy]

You NAILED it!
So, is buying a home in TV a good investment? I don’t want to overpay and have a house that’s worth half in the end.

Houses are not investments. Houses are shelter costs, which you must incur, either in outright ownership, in debtor ownership or in rent. Doesn't matter if the cost of your house goes up or down, but insisting on increasing house prices is also a recipe for increased costs of insurance, taxes, and repairs. If your house is worth 50% less at the end, so is everyone else's, and you are still at the same economic position as everyone else. And at the end, it doesn't matter any more, as you won't be here. I am not sure why anything matters at the end. . you won't be fretting about your house price in hospice.

Retirement is all about your financial assets ex house, and the cost of your lifestyle. It has very little to do about the change in value of your house.

The current house we live in was purchased in 2004, and it has been underwater for the last 15 years. . so what? doesn't matter what so ever to our ability to live here, nor enjoy our lives. in general over the long term, houses appreciate at about the rate of real GDP, which is about 1-3% per year. . . so that is not any type of investment, but a dependency.

So, since you have a fear of buying an overvalued house, how much can you spend on a house, with increased expenses, and not impact your current life style? That's all you can control. . and even that, you can't control your employment status, except in few and far between cases, ie the top 1% types.

So worry about income persisting, rather than an out of your control fluctuation of your shelter, which everyone else is experiencing as well, but still working and enjoying life.

[MJteacher]

During the pandemic Zillow had LOTS of spare cash, and they knew TV was a good place to invest it. They bought up many lots when they were released and had the homes built. Actual residents in the areas where Zillow bought, and it's not just Zillow but Redfin and AirBnb also, can't establish a community because their "neighbors" are seasonal renters or the homes are empty most of the year. Now, 3-4 years later, the demand for those homes has dwindled due to the interest rate rise. Home sales across the nation are down, and Zillow, etc needs money to keep their operation funded. Hence, they are putting their homes up for sale and TV inventory is going up.

[TeresaA]

Inventory on Zillow for the Villages has climbed another 7% for preowned homes in less than a month (Feb to March)as of today and up 50% for the past year (2024-2025). I’m wondering when the state of Florida is going to do something about insurance costs and property taxes? Two items they can work on but seem to have no interest in accomplishing? We just get more hot air from Tallahassee about what could be, but nothing is done.

There seems to be some aggressive price cutting on homes, but the bleed continues.


We have been looking for a preowned home for the past 2-3 years. Started out being very interested in a Courtyard Villa. At the time (2.5 years ago), it was $370,000. Now I see the CV are in the $400’s. Some very close to $500,000. I would never pay over $400,000 for a Courtyard Villa. We are glad someone ended up outbidding us and we didn’t follow through with the sale. I think a lot of homes on the market aren’t selling because people are being greedy and trying to make way too big of a profit off a home that’s clearly not worth it. I don’t see many upgrades in these homes and that has been disappointing. I won’t buy a home with three different types of flooring, which I understand that’s old school ways of thinking and decorating. A lot of the homes just aren’t worth the money that people are asking. It’s just an honest opinion that I feel about the homes on the market now.

[TeresaA]

I love your perspective. A few years ago we put in an offer in for a courtyard villa for $370,000 and we got outbid. We ended up being very thankful for that, because in our opinion, a courtyard Villa is not worth in the 4’s. We are now going to keep saving our money for the next couple of years and wait to retire in the villages. Great minds think alike! Have a great day 😎

[Normal]

We have been looking for a preowned home for the past 2-3 years. Started out being very interested in a Courtyard Villa. At the time (2.5 years ago), it was $370,000. Now I see the CV are in the $400’s. Some very close to $500,000. I would never pay over $400,000 for a Courtyard Villa. We are glad someone ended up outbidding us and we didn’t follow through with the sale. I think a lot of homes on the market aren’t selling because people are being greedy and trying to make way too big of a profit off a home that’s clearly not worth it. I don’t see many upgrades in these homes and that has been disappointing. I won’t buy a home with three different types of flooring, which I understand that’s old school ways of thinking and decorating. A lot of the homes just aren’t worth the money that people are asking. It’s just an honest opinion that I feel about the homes on the market now.

I see them all over the place for well south of 350 and in most cases in the 200 price range. I guess it all depends on the location you want. The least expensive is at 208k.

[Markus]

The mortgage interest rates are double the amount of what they were when I bought my home. When interest rates go down, home sales will go up.

The two pronged sword.... when interest rates go down prices go up.

[bob47]

Houses are not investments. Houses are shelter costs, which you must incur, either in outright ownership, in debtor ownership or in rent. Doesn't matter if the cost of your house goes up or down, but insisting on increasing house prices is also a recipe for increased costs of insurance, taxes, and repairs. If your house is worth 50% less at the end, so is everyone else's, and you are still at the same economic position as everyone else. And at the end, it doesn't matter any more, as you won't be here. I am not sure why anything matters at the end. . you won't be fretting about your house price in hospice.

Retirement is all about your financial assets ex house, and the cost of your lifestyle. It has very little to do about the change in value of your house.

The current house we live in was purchased in 2004, and it has been underwater for the last 15 years. . so what? doesn't matter what so ever to our ability to live here, nor enjoy our lives. in general over the long term, houses appreciate at about the rate of real GDP, which is about 1-3% per year. . . so that is not any type of investment, but a dependency.

So, since you have a fear of buying an overvalued house, how much can you spend on a house, with increased expenses, and not impact your current life style? That's all you can control. . and even that, you can't control your employment status, except in few and far between cases, ie the top 1% types.

So worry about income persisting, rather than an out of your control fluctuation of your shelter, which everyone else is experiencing as well, but still working and enjoying life.

I agree and have always treated a house as an expense, one of the costs of living. If you don't own a house, you have to rent an apartment. If you happen to make money when you eventually sell the house, that's a bonus.

[Aces4]

FYI by executive order Canadians staying in the US greater than 30 days will now be required to register with the US government and be fingerprinted.
"Under the new provision, all "aliens" 14 years of age or older who were not fingerprinted or registered when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the U.S. for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and fingerprinting."

Good idea. I wouldn't mind that stipulation if it was required of me in that situation.

[Aces4]

The mortgage interest rates are double the amount of what they were when I bought my home. When interest rates go down, home sales will go up.

Most people don't realize the correlation between "free money" and inflation.

[Pat2015]

The mortgage interest rates are double the amount of what they were when I bought my home. When interest rates go down, home sales will go up.
My last mortgage in 2020 was 2.5%. A far cry from today’s rates which significantly affects your ability to buy a house. Also, think about how much more house you could have been purchased back then vs now. A drop in rates could definitely spur an uptick in sales around the whole country.

[Aces4]

My last mortgage in 2020 was 2.5%. A far cry from today’s rates which significantly affects your ability to buy a house. Also, think about how much more house you could have been purchased back then vs now. A drop in rates could definitely spur an uptick in sales around the whole country.

Why not examine the price of homes then and now vs the artificially low interest rates that cause inflation?

[Bill14564]

Why not examine the price of homes then and now vs the artificially low interest rates that cause inflation?

Right.

I think my first mortgage was around 10% and the second was near 7%. Homes were much more affordable then.

Low rates -> easy purchasing -> more buyers -> higher demand-> inflated prices

Higher rates now -> more difficult purchasing -> fewer buyers -> less demand -> lowering prices

Maybe the higher rates will bring home prices back down to where families can afford them.

[Aces4]

Right.

I think my first mortgage was around 10% and the second was near 7%. Homes were much more affordable then.

Low rates -> easy purchasing -> more buyers -> higher demand-> inflated prices

Higher rates now -> more difficult purchasing -> fewer buyers -> less demand -> lowering prices

Maybe the higher rates will bring home prices back down to where families can afford them.


I agree. Also it may lower the price of vehicles as I heard today that the average price of a new vehicle is about $50,000. :22yikes:

[MSchad]

May be a 7% increase in homes for sale. But is that an actual increase in the % homes for sale vs total housing/population since that has increased also. One has to expect a certain percentage of population upgrading, downsizing along with new inventory for growth.

[thelegges]

Is there a comparison of roof tops to % of “for sale” per year?

[Kelevision]

Canadians are listing their US properties in droves. Canadians made up nearly one-quarter of foreign sellers in Florida between April 2023 and March 2024 versus 11 per cent in the same period a year earlier, according to a National Realtors Association report.

[Bill14564]

Canadians are listing their US properties in droves. Canadians made up nearly one-quarter of foreign sellers in Florida between April 2023 and March 2024 versus 11 per cent in the same period a year earlier, according to a National Realtors Association report.

Note that that is last year's data. It would be interesting to see what the stats are for this year but that will likely take a few more months.

Statistics though....
Canadian sales would all be second homes. With insurance rates skyrocketing here it could be that maintaining a second home in FL has become too costly. Owners of primary homes may be more reluctant to sell since they would then have to purchase a new primary residence at a higher mortgage rate. While the number of Canadian sellers likely increased, I wonder if this statistic wasn't also affected by the number of American sellers decreasing.

[Normal]

Canadians are listing their US properties in droves. Canadians made up nearly one-quarter of foreign sellers in Florida between April 2023 and March 2024 versus 11 per cent in the same period a year earlier, according to a National Realtors Association report.

The Canadian Dollar is becoming worthless. While most American buyers mortgage in US dollars, there is an exchange issue for our friends up north. They borrow from a US bank, they pay back in US dollars. If the exchange rate tanks, they could take huge hits financially. The US dollar costs about 1.44 right now? Eeek! Imagine the fall out with the current tariff issues. The Canadian dollar has fallen 8% in valuation over the past year.

[Topspinmo]

I agree. Also it may lower the price of vehicles as I heard today that the average price of a new vehicle is about $50,000. :22yikes:

IMO that’s not going happen.

[Topspinmo]

The Canadian Dollar is becoming worthless. While most American buyers mortgage in US dollars, there is an exchange issue for our friends up north. They borrow from a US bank, they pay back in US dollars. If the exchange rate tanks, they could take huge hits financially. The US dollar costs about 1.44 right now? Eeek! Imagine the fall out with the current tariff issues. The Canadian dollar has fallen 8% in valuation over the past year.

IMO Only the poor suffer, rich have loopholes where they’re going to make money regardless.

[Topspinmo]

If you were to take the CEOs pay down to $1 a year and spread out that pay in lower premiums across all policy holders it would amount to only a few dollars. That is not the problem at all.

Agree but, management pay and bonuses across board, I never seen poor insurance salesman, but I don’t mingle in that group.

[Rainger99]

I’m wondering when the state of Florida is going to do something about insurance costs and property taxes? Two items they can work on but seem to have no interest in accomplishing? We just get more hot air from Tallahassee about what could be, but nothing is done.

What would you do if you were in the legislature to reduce insurance costs? They could probably adjust property taxes but that would probably require other taxes such as sales tax to go up or they might institute a state income tax.

[Aces4]

IMO that’s not going happen.

It's happened.. Per AI: As of March 11, 2025, the average cost of a new car in the US is around $48,401.

[Normal]

Does anyone know the portions of inventory which is AirBnB and other short term rental property owners?

Its well known around the country that many AirBnBs were purchased during the pandemic, and the returns aren't there any more, due to the opening of the economy, and that rental prices have collapsed, along with days rented as intl travel came back with revenge vacations.

There are two houses in our development for sale, one is the original owners, and the other has only owned the house for 2 years, as the second owner. Both houses priced at the top of the Zillow range. However, I don't understand some peoples taste in home design. . not sure the reasons, but out of 99 houses, there is 1 or 2 houses for sale every year. . .

Also, any indication of foreign owners where the the value is falling with the USD conversion rates?

Is the percentage of owned homes any higher than in the past? if 1% is for sale at the prior max, and with the growth of homes built and sold in the last 5 years, is the percentage any higher than normal? if not, the number of houses is a function of the total number of houses that have been built.

The percentage wouldn’t matter if the supply wasn’t desirable. The obvious is more houses are placed up for sale than sold per month.

Look at indicators for reasoning:

First is the decreased new home sales since 2022, they seem to be drifting toward 2020 numbers. The developers new home sales were at about 3000 homes per year in 2023 and 2024. The two previous years of 2022 and 2021 hovered closer to 4,000 homes sold per year. Of course this means production needs to be reduced by 1/4 of output (or it has already.)

The Villages New Home Sales: 2003-Present | Inside the Bubble (https://www.insidethebubble.net/new-home-sales/)

A second item would be the economic tide of employment. Many workers are required to return to the work place and aren’t permitted to work from their vacation home anymore. Unfortunately, layoffs are now possible for many. Only the blind don’t see a recession coming.

Third, disposable income has been reduced across the board, particularly in New York, Michigan and Ohio, important states to the Florida demographic.

Fourth, foreclosures in the Villages have hit an all time high at 44 for last month.

All of us hope these tides turn, but right now most see the obvious.

One positive is the increased pressure for inflation pricing due to loss of cheaper immigrant labor. It could force pricing to maintain at artificial highs.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

The percentage wouldn’t matter if the supply wasn’t desirable.

statistically incorrect. Using the percentage can normalize the size of the houses per sale versus past history of absolute values

[Normal]

statistically incorrect. Using the percentage can normalize the size of the houses per sale versus past history of absolute values

Demand has everything to do with selling an item. The academic approach has little to do with the pragmatic.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Demand has everything to do with selling an item. The academic approach has little to do with the pragmatic.

Demand and selling has nothing to do with the current day statistic of houses available for sale

Demand supply is almost impossible to measure on unique items, even similar ones located in the Villages.
Selling = a transaction.
Available for sale = supply statistics

you are conflating all kinds of concepts, especially supply with demand

[Normal]

Demand and selling has nothing to do with the current day statistic of houses available for sale

Demand supply is almost impossible to measure on unique items, even similar ones located in the Villages.
Selling = a transaction.
Available for sale = supply statistics

you are conflating all kinds of concepts, especially supply with demand


Demand can be measured through what goes on the market vs. what is sold. Less homes placed on the market by the Villages the past two years….252 homes placed on the MLS in January, 143 sold on the MLS.

Prices are too high for consumption turn around.

[thelegges]

Demand can be measured through what goes on the market vs. what is sold. Less homes placed on the market by the Villages the past two years….252 homes placed on the MLS in January, 143 sold on the MLS.

Prices are too high for consumption turn around.

Or are more residents buying new or newer homes, adding previous home to the market. Looking at the sales board, lots of “Florida” hometown, new home closing, in the last 6 months

[Normal]

Or are more residents buying new or newer homes, adding previous home to the market. Looking at the sales board, lots of “Florida” hometown, new home closing, in the last 6 months

Actually less than in previous years.

2023= 3,029 New Home Sales
2024= 3,208 New Home Sales

Previously
2022= 3,923 New Home Sales
2021= 4,004 New Home Sales

So yes, they are scaling back by selling less homes. Demand has dropped off some. That’s OK though, labor is tightening further.

[thelegges]

Actually less than in previous years.

2023= 3,029 New Home Sales
2024= 3,208 New Home Sales

Previously
2022= 3,923 New Home Sales
2021= 4,004 New Home Sales

So yes, they are scaling back by selling less homes. Demand has dropped off some. That’s OK though, labor is tightening further.

Sorry if I wasn’t clear, the last 6 months percentage of new homes being bought by current TV residents, seems to be growing. Residents aren’t moving out, but to different homes, adding their current home to preowned sales. Raises % of homes for sale, along with % new sales.

For many years most residents seemed to age in place. If they sold it was death, memory care, or missed the grands.

With younger residents, moving to different homes doesn’t seem unusual. New areas are a draw for many, leaving older neighborhoods. Probably boosting the average move 2.5 times closer to 3

[Topspinmo]

It's happened.. Per AI: As of March 11, 2025, the average cost of a new car in the US is around $48,401.

Which were over priced.

[Ruger2506]

Some moves are being made by the governor to eliminate property taxes in Florida. This is preliminary, but it will be fought by every city not willing to give up a source of revenue.
Let's hope it goes through. I would love to see no property taxes. Let's remember, taxation is theft.

[Bill14564]

Let's hope it goes through. I would love to see no property taxes. Let's remember, taxation is theft.

I never heard "taxation is theft." I always thought it was an attempt to collect funds to pay for community-wide services.

So which services would you cut first, sheriff, schools, fire protection, or road maintenance? Actually, if the Gov's plan to totally eliminate property tax goes through then they ALL would be cut. Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

[Ruger2506]

I never heard "taxation is theft." I always thought it was an attempt to collect funds to pay for community-wide services.

So which services would you cut first, sheriff, schools, fire protection, or road maintenance? Actually, if the Gov's plan to totally eliminate property tax goes through then they ALL would be cut. Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Stealing land paid for just for a few missing tax payments is theft. You buy a TV, you pay a tax and then it's done. Your TV free and clear. Same with a groceries and clothes and what not.

Only fair way to tax is sales tax. If I want to pay taxes, I buy things. If I don't want to pay taxes, I buy less things. Recurring taxes on things we own is theft.

Go Ron! Kill property taxes.

[tophcfa]

Let's hope it goes through. I would love to see no property taxes.

Eliminating property taxes isn’t going to help stimulate demand for homes as much as one might initially think, unless it’s for all homeowners regardless of their Florida residency status. My guess is that roughly half of Villages homes are owned by residents of other states, be it snowbirds, snowflakes, or inventors/landlords. If the property tax burden is shifted more towards homeowners who aren’t full time Florida residents, a big component of housing demand could very well begin to dry up. I get it that eliminating property taxes for full time residents, who happen to vote in Florida elections, is tempting to politicians as an effort to buy votes. That being said, they better be careful not to shoot the snowbirds/flakes that lay the golden eggs.

Also, the money that counties need to remain viable and operational has to come from somewhere. The state isn’t kicking back any income tax to the municipalities since there is no income tax. Many who don’t want any property taxes will be the first to start bitching when the roads go into disrepair and first responders get massive layoffs. Be careful what you ask for.

[Bill14564]

Stealing land paid for just for a few missing tax payments is theft. You buy a TV, you pay a tax and then it's done. Your TV free and clear. Same with a groceries and clothes and what not.

Only fair way to tax is sales tax. If I want to pay taxes, I buy things. If I don't want to pay taxes, I buy less things. Recurring taxes on things we own is theft.

Go Ron! Kill property taxes.

Details matter and land is not stolen. Makes for a good sound bite but isn't the way things work.

Sales tax? Okay, so you are suggesting the 1% county sales tax be increased to 6% for an overall 13%.

Don't like "recurring taxes on things we own"? Fine, no problem, just establish a $5,000 annual assessment per household with an option to collect that from Fed tax returns, SS payments, or wage garnishment. Don't want to pay the Sumter County assessment? Fine, move to a county with a lower assessment.

One way or another services need to be paid for. It's wicked easy to say "no new taxes," "taxes are theft," or "tax sales are theft." It's far, far more difficult to find the funds to pay for the services that citizens demand.

[Ruger2506]

Details matter and land is not stolen. Makes for a good sound bite but isn't the way things work.

Sales tax? Okay, so you are suggesting the 1% county sales tax be increased to 6% for an overall 13%.

Don't like "recurring taxes on things we own"? Fine, no problem, just establish a $5,000 annual assessment per household with an option to collect that from Fed tax returns, SS payments, or wage garnishment. Don't want to pay the Sumter County assessment? Fine, move to a county with a lower assessment.

One way or another services need to be paid for. It's wicked easy to say "no new taxes," "taxes are theft," or "tax sales are theft." It's far, far more difficult to find the funds to pay for the services that citizens demand.
I won't lie. It won't work for the masses but I could easily and happily live off my land without cops and fire fighters and road crews. There is no cop or fire fighter that's going to make it to my property before all the damage is done. So in effect that's pointless. ANd here in The Villages and Middleton, we are paying for county AND Villages fire (paying for a service we will never use).

I'd happily got back to the early 1900's.

And let's not BS and BSer. Schools down here are crap compared to a lot of other places with lower property taxes. Roads here aren't subject to what roads in the colder part of the US are subjected to, and require more upkeep. Plus FL tolls drivers which a lot of other states don't do. EMS and cops......who knows. That's probably a push comparatively.

[Blueblaze]

You'd never know it from the rate they're building houses.

We went up to Top of the World to buy a new house (because they have an RC flying field). The plan we liked had room for an air-conditioned workshop behind the golf cart garage and a big enough lanai for my wife's giant quilting machine. They had TWELVE SPEC HOUSES underway, using this same plan, all at the foundation-laying stage. All we needed was to remove the patio door between the lanai and the living room and enclose the lanai.

They said no -- you can't even change the paint on a spec house. So we made an appointment with the new home department. They told us that removing a patio door and enclosing a lanai was a structural change -- not allowed even on a new house!

So then we looked that the Crestwind development going in on 466, since it is close to my other flying club's field. Same story. Beautiful homes. No customization's allowed.

I've never seen a market where a builder can afford to turn away cash customers over a patio door, and builds spec homes on the same plan, 12 at a time.

If this is a buyers market, I'd hate to try to buy a house in a Florida seller's market!

[Ruger2506]

You'd never know it from the rate they're building houses.

We went up to Top of the World to buy a new house (because they have an RC flying field). The plan we liked had room for an air-conditioned workshop behind the golf cart garage and a big enough lanai for my wife's giant quilting machine. They had TWELVE SPEC HOUSES underway, using this same plan, all at the foundation-laying stage. All we needed was to remove the patio door between the lanai and the living room and enclose the lanai.

They said no -- you can't even change the paint on a spec house. So we made an appointment with the new home department. They told us that removing a patio door and enclosing a lanai was a structural change -- not allowed even on a new house!

So then we looked that the Crestwind development going in on 466, since it is close to my other flying club's field. Same story. Beautiful homes. No customization's allowed.

I've never seen a market where a builder can afford to turn away cash customers over a patio door, and builds spec homes on the same plan, 12 at a time.

If this is a buyers market, I'd hate to try to buy a house in a Florida seller's market!

Yeah I was upset at the absurdity of it all. The time to make changes is during the build. Add a header or move a wire at that point. Not now after it's built. Not to mention their quality is ****! Had our 1 year home inspection. Both the builder and the code inspectors should be fired and sued.