Does anyone use The Villages Hometown Property Management to rent your home?

[kfeasel54]

We will be closing on our designer house in Sanibel July 27, and plan to rent it for a couple years until we retire. Wondering if anyone uses TV property management. I'm new at this so I'm not quite sure how to go about it, making up a contract, paying taxes, finding a cleaning person, and I don't know what else. I know about TheVillages4rent.com, and I was leaning toward going that route, but I'm thinking that TV management would be the easiest and less worrisome way to go, since we are in NY and they claim they take care of everything. Has anyone used them to rent your home for you and if so, do you always have it rented at least during the peak months? When we were down for our design meeting in May, I went to Sumpter Landing vendor night and talked to them, and they claim they have been very busy renting homes even through the summer - do I believe them? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm really torn on which way is the best way to go. Lots of good information and advice on TOTV... Thank you!

[Pturner]

We will be closing on our designer house in Sanibel July 27, and plan to rent it for a couple years until we retire. Wondering if anyone uses TV property management. I'm new at this so I'm not quite sure how to go about it, making up a contract, paying taxes, finding a cleaning person, and I don't know what else. I know about TheVillages4rent.com, and I was leaning toward going that route, but I'm thinking that TV management would be the easiest and less worrisome way to go, since we are in NY and they claim they take care of everything. Has anyone used them to rent your home for you and if so, do you always have it rented at least during the peak months? When we were down for our design meeting in May, I went to Sumpter Landing vendor night and talked to them, and they claim they have been very busy renting homes even through the summer - do I believe them? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm really torn on which way is the best way to go. Lots of good information and advice on TOTV... Thank you!

:wave: Kfeasel,
Congratulations on your new home! I have not used TV Property Management, but do have one important piece of advice:

There is no Pee in Lake Sumter. :laugh:

Sorry, but somebody was bound to tell you. It's a long-running TOTV "thing".

[carm310]

We used them for four years, just ended our contract with them as we prepare over the next several months to move there. They did take care of everything and were responsive to any contact we initiated with them. We always had renters during high season and minimally through the rest of the year. Being from the Chicago area we felt the same way you do, it was less worrisome and easy. If you want to have your house rented more than the first 3 to 4 months of the year though I would consider another route. We usually had a couple of weeks rented in the summer, maybe a week or two in the fall and a week or so in May. We have a villa, I am not sure if the larger homes tend to have more rentals. We did not want our home occupied any more than it was, so we were happy with what we had.

[Sable99]

I am also renting out my house long distance and thought it would be a lot more convenient to have a property management company.

I talked to them when I was thinking about renting out my house. The person told me on the phone that I would have to sign a two year contract and I didn't really want to go that long at this time. [I might rent for two years but I didn't want to commit to that yet!] I was told later that you can only do one year contracts so I'm not really sure what the truth is there!

I decided to go with JD & V Management when I closed on my house in May. I am renting my home unfurnished for one year. That is considered a long term rental. I think they rented my house two days after it went on their website. They have been very responsive to my calls and questions. Lois even responded to my emails while she was on vacation!

[Jim 9922]

We used The Villages property Mgt group for 1 year and it was a disaster.
No supervision or care for the property (2 easy chairs and all of the towels disappeared, among other problems). After that we found a neighbor who looked after the property and we had the same renters (our neighbor's friends) for the next 8 years.
I suggust that you steer clear of TV group and find a private group or maybe a willing neighbor.

[asianthree]

you might want to find out what their policy is for when you want to use your home. Go with thevillages4rent get a homewatch person and you will be happy you did. We use a property mang co and had damage bills to fix the damage and close to $1000 in thieft. Yep and when we got to our house it was so dirty (had just been cleaned) that we had to stay in a hotel until we got someone to clean it. Just want you want after driving 20 hours and open your door of your six month home to OH MY GOD WHAT IS THAT SMELL

[dalecrenshaw]

Not to scare you, but we have used several different property managers over the last 10years and have not been satisfied with any of them. The last property manager gave back the security deposit to the renter, without checking the property's condition. Unfortunately the renter left the place a mess, it was a total disaster and they had helped themselved to several items. We spent weeks cleaning up the place after they left and replacing things. Naturally, we fired the property manager, but we are out all the money that that we had to pay to get the property back in good condition. So, I have come to the opinion that it is easier and less expensive to do it ourselves.

It is very easy to get a 3 or 4 month renter in the high season (Jan/Feb/March). The shoulder months of Dec. and April are a little harder to rent. A small ad in the Village Sun or advertise on thevillages4rent.com is probably the best way to go. In any case, if you go with a property manager, I would interview several of them (at least 3 or 4) and find out exactly what they are going to do for you. Most of them, we found, just collect the rent and arrange to let the people in. Some of the property managers also charge extra for every little thing they do...so you need to ask them what other charges, other than their commission, will you be charged for. Also, some managers won't even let you use your own property. There are lots of things to consider and I wish you luck in finding a good, competent, property manager. If you find one, let me know.

[ijusluvit]

We have rented our home when we are not there for seven years. We started with Villages Property Management and fired them after a year. They were very difficult to work with. A terrific local couple took over but had to retire after a couple of years. JD Mgt next - not very good either. Now we have Vilas Hinkle and her husband Dennis. FANTASTIC!!! Villages residents. Fully licensed managers, (VERY important), friendly and welcoming to our guests. They take care of every detail efficiently, even my sales taxes. No matter where we are we are only a phone call away from what's happening at our Villages home. If Vilas has the time to add your property to her list, you will be very happy with her quality service. Her email is vilashin@yahoo.com. Tell her ijusluvit sent you. Good luck.

[kfeasel54]

Thank you all so much for your input. I think I know what I should do, not TV property management... They do charge 20%, and if you want to stay at your own house, you have to pay the 20% fee for that particular time. In your own house! Not crazy about that... thanks again, love TOTV...

Pturner - thanks for the correction, I will remember, no Pee in Sumter.

[carm310]

I guess we were the lucky ones, we had no problems with renters or Villages Property Management.

[hdh1470]

we have rented our home when we are not there for seven years. We started with villages property management and fired them after a year. They were very difficult to work with. A terrific local couple took over but had to retire after a couple of years. Jd mgt next - not very good either. Now we have vilas hinkle and her husband dennis. Fantastic!!! Villages residents. Fully licensed managers, (very important), friendly and welcoming to our guests. They take care of every detail efficiently, even my sales taxes. No matter where we are we are only a phone call away from what's happening at our villages home. If vilas has the time to add your property to her list, you will be very happy with her quality service. Her email is vilashin@yahoo.com. Tell her ijusluvit sent you. Good luck.

can"t go wrong with them.

[olgreeneyes]

Another vote for Vilas Hinckle! Can't say enough good things about her. We are completely confident everything is being taken care of, despite being so far away. I think realty and management companies think more in terms of the bottom line, and are unable to give individual attention to details. Now we have one couple who handle everything personally and efficiently.
Good luck!

[misky]

I used TV Prop Mgmt for two years and was very satisfied. Just to add something to think about. I rented my place unfurnished. I didn't want the hassle of furnishing it for rental puposes and then getting new furniture when I got here. TV Prop Mgmt had no problems finding long term renters.

[l2ridehd]

Another vote for Vilas Hinkle. Responsive, honest and reliable.

[justjim]

Have a friend who used Realty Executives and he has been happy. But he hasn't had any "bad" renters-----that is the key and I believe in TV most are good renters. All it takes is one bad potato to smell up the sack!

[Schaumburger]

I can only speak from a renter's perspective -- I have only rented in TV for a week at a time (I still work full-time so I can't be a snowbird). I have been very careful to treat the homes I have rented as I am a guest in someone's home, so I have always gotten my security deposit back. What kind of surprised me was that none of the landlords I have rented from has wanted references from me. Maybe asking for references from renters is not done in by landlords in TV. Kind of sad that some renters over age 50 can't treat someone else's home with respect. :ohdear:

[shcisamax]

Frankly as renters, it was a disaster. Completely unscrupulous. Does anyone know if TV owns the Home Town Property Management or did a person buy it from them and use TV staff which is what one of the staff told me?

[asianthree]

from what i understand TV did own it and one of the employees bought it, but i could have heard wrong. we use thevillages4rent, scarry for about 5 minutes and then have 24 call to rent the house.

[Wing-nut2]

I started with them and got out as soon as I could. I used a lock on the front door with a number code, Vacation Rentals by Owner, and a GREAT cleaning company. Rented the house 6 - 8 months a year. Two years we rented for all 12 months.

[shcisamax]

As renters, our experience with TV Home Property Management (HPM) was they were completely dishonest with us. From these posts, it looks like they are taking people from both sides of the equations. We will probably be going to court.

[graciegirl]

,,,

[graciegirl]

We used The Villages property Mgt group for 1 year and it was a disaster.
No supervision or care for the property (2 easy chairs and all of the towels disappeared, among other problems). After that we found a neighbor who looked after the property and we had the same renters (our neighbor's friends) for the next 8 years.
I suggust that you steer clear of TV group and find a private group or maybe a willing neighbor.

I called and asked and they said they aren't owned by The Villages.

I think The Villages must have sold it to new owners.

[shcisamax]

They use t v letterhead for all correspondence so somehow tv has an interest.

[shcisamax]

We just drove to the sales office and asked. You could see the man at the front desk was very uncomfortable with the question and a manager stepped in and he, too, was very uncomfortable. He explained that it is a franchise. They franchised it two years ago. What is interesting to me is you sign your contract on The Villages letterhead and you pick up and return your keys to The Villages sales office. Quite some control over the operation for someone that is not in control. Nowhere does it state it is a franchise.

[Virtual Geezer]

I think if you do some searching here on TOTV you will find some post (3 or 4 years old) with information on the change of ownership.

I rented from them back in 2008 and the only drawback were they did not list any property with a golf cart and you did not know the location until you stopped at the sales office to check in. At that time they were stilled owned by the developer.

From the renters side of things I had problems except the two listed above but things worked out okay. Back in 2008 I knew very little about TV layout and where things were located. When they told me I was staying in Bonnybrook that was as good as telling me I was staying in Timbuktu. I had no idea as to where Bonnybrook was located much less how to get there. This is where the GPS came in really handy and things worked out.

VG

[graciegirl]

We just drove to the sales office and asked. You could see the man at the front desk was very uncomfortable with the question and a manager stepped in and he, too, was very uncomfortable. He explained that it is a franchise. They franchised it two years ago. What is interesting to me is you sign your contract on The Villages letterhead and you pick up and return your keys to The Villages sales office. Quite some control over the operation for someone that is not in control. Nowhere does it state it is a franchise.

That doesn't smell right, wonder what's up with that?:shrug:

[shcisamax]

No it doesn't ...peeuuuuww.

[JacquesME]

I am looking for a sample contract to rent a Patio Villa and looking for your thoughts if we should rent it furnished or unfurnished. We are now permanent Villagers and our Patio Villa is partially furnished. It has basically all the kitchen, dining, living room and lanai furniture and utensils in the kitchen, all new, but we took the bedroom sets with us. Looking for your opinion. Thanks
Mark

[asianthree]

I am looking for a sample contract to rent a Patio Villa and looking for your thoughts if we should rent it furnished or unfurnished. We are now permanent Villagers and our Patio Villa is partially furnished. It has basically all the kitchen, dining, living room and lanai furniture and utensils in the kitchen, all new, but we took the bedroom sets with us. Looking for your opinion. Thanks
Mark

i would put in bedroom furniture and rent high season

[krausaj]

We used them in 2009 & 2010, and were very satisfied. We were kept up to date with monthly statements, and if there was even the slightest problem with the house, their caretakers notified us immediately, and were usually able to take care of the problem promptly. Definitely recommend them

[Wing-nut2]

I used them once, never again. Long story.

[jimmy D]

Hello. I am looking for a 2 yr rental. What are your terms

[John Reis]

Hi; I have just bought a furnished villa in tamarind grove and will also be following the rental route since we will not be living here for another 5 years. This is my first experience with renting and this forum has been very helpful. At first, I too was considering taking the "safe" way out by booking with TVPM. However this forum has convinced me not to. I will use TheVillages4Rent. Could you a good honest cleaning company/person if anyone knows one.

[awardward]

I am presently trying to rent an unfurnished year long rental and have been unsuccessful in finding owners. Maybe this forum is all you need. I prefer to deal with owners. You can get good or bad tenants either way. I prefer to trust my own judgement not someone who is getting paid to get it rented.

[awardward]

Hi; I have just bought a furnished villa in tamarind grove and will also be following the rental route since we will not be living here for another 5 years. This is my first experience with renting and this forum has been very helpful. At first, I too was considering taking the "safe" way out by booking with TVPM. However this forum has convinced me not to. I will use TheVillages4Rent. Could you a good honest cleaning company/person if anyone knows one.

I am a nurse looking for at least one year rental. Maybe we could work something out without paying a middle man

[patty40]

Hi, We just went with them and immediately have our place rented for Feb and March. It's only been a few months, but we haven't had any issues thus far. I have my own person who I can call at anytime about our home. I guess time will tell. By the way, the 20% fee helps if you want to write it off on your taxes. If there is no fee for the year, you are only allowed to visit 14 days per year, otherwise, it is considered a second home and you will not have the tax advantage. As for the contract, I was told we could cancel at anytime with a 30 day notice via phone or email. Hope this helps..

[kdavis409]

I have tried for three years to work with those folks. If they even pick up the phone, they are extremely rude and incompetent. The individual man in charge of credit review (i think his name is robert) is a total lost cause. As an accountant, i can attest to his arrogance and rudeness.