Powerful endorsement for buying ONLY a resale!

[Quixote]

This from friends who, though settled in TV for a few years, still go to open houses to see what�s out there and to get ideas. How�s this for an endorsement to buy only a resale and never new construction?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Promise me you will go down and look over the new homes which are being shown every day in the new areas. I want you to squeeze the outside siding on the new homes being built. It is like squeezing cardboard. The Villages is the only builder using this newer material in Florida. It feels like you move into a cardboard home.

We know someone who bought a new patio villa and paid $145[000] plus a bond of $20[000] in Saint James. It is a square box, The other day we went into a beautiful two-bedroom Designer home with a floor plan never seen by us. It was in Hacienda East, a charming, lushly landscaped area near Hacienda [Hills] Restaurant. The house had a load of extras, including a gorgeous new kitchen, pavers in the driveway, heavy landscaping and a bumped out lanai. Both bathrooms were big. The home was listed at $151[000] with no bond. The house was sold while we were there because a couple were going to fill out papers. The price was around $143[000] at sale.

I thought of this woman we know who bought this hideous brand new piece of **** for more money when she could have had this gorgeous Designer. For a moment, I actually thought of buying it and renting it out; it was that beautiful. The older areas in Hacienda East and nearby are beautiful streets with mostly older Designer homes. We try to look at homes now which pop up in older areas that we never saw�.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Not everybody wants the same thing. Some will want to buy new for various reasons. Some will want a resale for various reasons.

If everybody wanted the same thing in cars, for example, we'd all still be driving Model Ts!

Bill :)

[graciegirl]

This from friends who, though settled in TV for a few years, still go to open houses to see what’s out there and to get ideas. How’s this for an endorsement to buy only a resale and never new construction?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Promise me you will go down and look over the new homes which are being shown every day in the new areas. I want you to squeeze the outside siding on the new homes being built. It is like squeezing cardboard. The Villages is the only builder using this newer material in Florida. It feels like you move into a cardboard home.

We know someone who bought a new patio villa and paid $145[000] plus a bond of $20[000] in Saint James. It is a square box, The other day we went into a beautiful two-bedroom Designer home with a floor plan never seen by us. It was in Hacienda East, a charming, lushly landscaped area near Hacienda [Hills] Restaurant. The house had a load of extras, including a gorgeous new kitchen, pavers in the driveway, heavy landscaping and a bumped out lanai. Both bathrooms were big. The home was listed at $151[000] with no bond. The house was sold while we were there because a couple were going to fill out papers. The price was around $143[000] at sale.

I thought of this woman we know who bought this hideous brand new piece of **** for more money when she could have had this gorgeous Designer. For a moment, I actually thought of buying it and renting it out; it was that beautiful. The older areas in Hacienda East and nearby are beautiful streets with mostly older Designer homes. We try to look at homes now which pop up in older areas that we never saw….

I respectfully disagree with your assessment of the siding and with your teminology "hideous brand new piece of ****".

If buying a resale is what you want then fine, there are MANY valid reasons for doing so; lower bond, added extras, window treatments, lovely painted interiors, sometimes a lower price and mature landscaping just to name a few. New homes and resales of the same genre are not far apart in price. Some new ones are less expensive than their previously loved counterparts. It is all up to the individual. But why snipe at the way they are built????

I love my "hideous brand new piece of ****"

To make a point, any valid point, diplomacy is more useful, my friend.

[justjim]

When you buy a home in TV, you are buying a lifestyle----Resale or new depends on your preference.

[2BNTV]

When you buy a home in TV, you are buying a lifestyle----Resale or new depends on your preference.

And pocketbook. :agree:

[jimbo2012]

I disagree in some ways

Depending on year built, hurricane wind speed standards.
Insulation is better on newer
AC and appliance are more energy efficient including windows.
termite treatment is better pre-construction
Can't get full sink hole insurance


building codes have changed.

[hdh1470]

I think to each their own.But you can get some good deals.Bonds have more then doubled in last 6 years,Maint.also has doubled.And if you find someone hungry to sell you may save 40k or more on a 230k house.In our case thought we would get new but made offer on 5 yr old hse.Did not think they would take but did.The cheapest we could have built was about 47k more.The bond was about 12 k of that. So for us it was a no brainer plus it was furnished.

[senior citizen]

.....

[JimPete]

I'm not sure what siding you are talking about. We just moved into our cottage in St. James and it has vinyl siding. The same vinyl siding that was on our last house in Va. It was 10 years old and looked the same as it did when we bought it.

Could you be a little more specific about the siding?

As far as buying new, let me add that when you buy new you are moving into a neighborhood where most of your neighbors are at the same point of their new life. In older areas there is a chance your neighbors may be a little too set in their ways. It could take longer to make close friends.

Just a thought.

Jim

[senior citizen]

.........

[hotrodgirl]

Quixote, I think your post was meant to be your opinion. But many living in TV have chosen their homes carefully, having done due diligence, and basing their decisions on what is right for them. I came down to look last May with no preconceived notions about what I may find. I looked at spec homes, pre-owned and lots to build on. I knew the basic model I wanted after touring through many models and resales, and in the end decided to build. It was the right decision for me, but not for everyone. That is the nice thing about living there. Generally people are happy with their choices and glad to be living the lifestyle. I do however have to agree with Jimbo on part of his post. The building codes have changed since they first started building there. For example, the roofing, concrete, etc. Structurally, I think almost all the homes are sound, though. I also stayed in Creekside Landing and found my model home to be quite nice! Didn't notice the siding particularly, but it is concrete underneath which seems the important aspect to me. Just my opinion, not passing judgment...

[Bonny]

Oh my, we have built 2 hideous pieces of **** since we moved here. LOL Back in the day of high prices, we looked at buying a bigger house in Santiago. Couldn't touch a Lantana resale for under $350,000 and that didn't include what we would have paid to redecorate, plus they had many things we didn't like. When the prices dropped, we built a new home in BonnyBrook with lots of upgrades, pool, landscape etc. for $250,000. Great deal. I love my hideous piece of **** !! :pepper2:

[senior citizen]

............

[Yankee Quilter]

It is all personal opinion, in my humble opinion! We have owned 8 houses and the last 3 have been new construction. We find it easier, and sometimes less expensive, to start from new to improve, than to recreate. I mentioned resales of DH but he is the handyman and he says new ... Therefore new it is. Sure hope it is soon!
I also agree with the quality of some of the improvements .... I always learn from you guys ... Thanks

[senior citizen]

........

[hotrodgirl]

I think some of the LSV homes have been bumped out, an option available to you when you build. Some of the models in Sanibel are bumped as well. One of them a Gardenia, I believe, to show you what can be done if you wish the extra space. My new lot is a fairly large one, in terms of being deep and a tad wider. It is all in what you choose. If you look at the map of the neighborhoods that shows the lot sizes, you will see they are many sizes and shapes. But I have to agree that some seem smaller than the original lots from the very beginning. I toured a pre-owned Lantana in Chattham that had a large, lovely lot. Of course, there was also mature landscaping which I will NOT have, but all in good time. Just a matter of what you want and select.

[Bogie Shooter]

Gracie, not to get off the topic and I'm sure your home is beautiful but is it in Bridgeport at Lake Miona?

That's the village in the book "Evil in Paradise" about THE VILLAGES....
I just got to the part where the man who is supposed to be killed by the hit man (hired by the tennis playing wife so she can be with her younger tennis playing boyfriend)..........is mailing his weekly letters to the grandchildren..........one of them is named "Gracie".

The plot thickens. Does anyone know who that author is????? R. B. CONROY is their name.

Richard B. Conroy was born in Marion, Indiana, in 1944. After earning a B.S. degree from Ball State University in 1967 and an M.A. in Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University in 1971, he had two distinguished careers in education and finance. He married Cheryl Ann Harper in 1967, the couple has two daughters and five granddaughters.

[Ashton]

When we went through the new construction, it seemed like a prefab or mobile home. No hardware on the cabinets, cheap screens and doors, it looked like everything was purchased at Menaards. The realtor said "don't pay attention to the construction, your buying the lifestyle"

[senior citizen]

........

[rubicon]

When prices go down it would seem that builders mfgs, etc would attempt to maintain the same profit margins. so we know that something has to change.
When shopping for a flat screen a few years back I learned after my six month trek that SAMSUNG had dumbed down the innards of their flat screens so that the 750 model i purchased was far superior to their 800 900 models

As to building codes I have been witness to counties that have looked the other way for political reasons...and had there not been an onslaught of homes dealing with the same prolems the counties negiligence would have never been uncovered.

So it does make sense to me that homes built prior to the downturn have a better potential of better building than......I am just saying

[senior citizen]

......

[senior citizen]

........

[Bogie Shooter]

Well thank you kindly........does he live in THE VILLAGES?

Appreciate your response.

Here is the author's web site. There is an email contact page where you can ask him all these burning questions. My guess is he does not live in TV. Just because he wrote a piece of fiction about TV doesn't mean he lives here any more than his living in Texas because he wrote a piece of fiction placed in Texas.
Contact R B Conroy (http://www.rbconroy.com/contacts.php)

[Yorio]

We originally bid for a resale but lost out on a bid but then we found a spec designer house and we love it. We are now happy we didn't win the first bid. I think one recommendation I can give is to look for built out area and check out the last few homes being built on spec. When we bought our place it was one of the three last lots that were being built. Builders want to move onto new section so they usually do a little add ons to make the house more salable. One concern I had south of 466 is that no gas will be available but it worked out well with electricity. We also enjoy walkin shower and golf cart garage which are rarer on older homes north of 466. The best part was having couple of feet extra in every room which definitely gives an airy feel. To each his own.

[Bogie Shooter]

Your post is very scary to those contemplating either building or buying used.

However, I've heard that phrase, "You are buying a lifestyle" so often, as well as "We want to get you out into the community" that kind of raises red flags.........not to start a family feud, but perhaps we are just too independant, being Yankees for so long.........

This is the very reason TV gets the "Stepford" label thrown at it so often. If you don't speak the party line, get my drift?

Am I really the only one who notices this? I doubt it.

The homes we stayed at, both of them, had very nice cabinets and other added features..........I guess what you saw was the stripped down lowest priced model?

You must enjoy TV as it seems you keep returning for your vacations. Why then do you keep repeating these; Stepford label, speak the party line, way too hot, high humidity, too much traffic, too crowded.etc, your little hints that TV is not the place to be?

[Bonny]

When we went through the new construction, it seemed like a prefab or mobile home. No hardware on the cabinets, cheap screens and doors, it looked like everything was purchased at Menaards. The realtor said "don't pay attention to the construction, your buying the lifestyle"

We've been here over 12 years. We have built 2 homes so obviously have been through a lot models. Curious where the homes are that you went through.
I do have a hard time believing that a sales rep actually said "don't pay any attention to the construction." My step son is a realtor here. I would think a statement like that would get someone fired. Just sayin'.

[rubicon]

Your post is very scary to those contemplating either building or buying used.

However, I've heard that phrase, "You are buying a lifestyle" so often, as well as "We want to get you out into the community" that kind of raises red flags.........not to start a family feud, but perhaps we are just too independant, being Yankees for so long.........

This is the very reason TV gets the "Stepford" label thrown at it so often. If you don't speak the party line, get my drift?

Am I really the only one who notices this? I doubt it.

The homes we stayed at, both of them, had very nice cabinets and other added features..........I guess what you saw was the stripped down lowest priced model?


senior citizen: "The Villages Lifestyle" should be approached with great circumspect. It is the basis as you have come to realize that lures people here.

My suggestion is step back and look at where you could live other than here
and then ask yourself if that other place(s) can supply some of or all of the same things? If your answer is no well then you have answered your question. However if your answer is yes then proceed with the next step and so on until you reach the last one which is.. at this other place how much will it cost you. finally be certain that "the lifestyle" is something you will actually use. some here thrive on it while others have no use for it but are still forced to subsidize it. What is toubling are the number of folks here wo seem to take an euphorian approach to the "Lifestyle". This is not a DisneyWorld after a week or so. so i wouldn't not like to see you discover buyers remorse sometime shortly after you makesuch a huge investment
finally trust your answers when you finished because what you see is waht you are going to get and coming is easier than leaving.

[Bonny]

senior citizen: "The Villages Lifestyle" should be approached with great circumspect. It is the basis as you have come to realize that lures people here.

My suggestion is step back and look at where you could live other than here
and then ask yourself if that other place(s) can supply some of or all of the same things? If your answer is no well then you have answered your question. However if your answer is yes then proceed with the next step and so on until you reach the last one which is.. at this other place how much will it cost you. finally be certain that "the lifestyle" is something you will actually use. some here thrive on it while others have no use for it but are still forced to subsidize it. What is toubling are the number of folks here wo seem to take an euphorian approach to the "Lifestyle". This is not a DisneyWorld after a week or so. so i wouldn't not like to see you discover buyers remorse sometime shortly after you makesuch a huge investment
finally trust your answers when you finished because what you see is waht you are going to get and coming is easier than leaving.

No one is forced to subsidize anything. They made a choice to subsidize when they moved here. Everyone knows this stuff before they move here. If they didn't want to pay for what they aren't going to use, they should have moved else where.

[BobKat1]

No one is forced to subsidize anything. They made a choice to subsidize when they moved here. Everyone knows this stuff before they move here. If they didn't want to pay for what they aren't going to use, they should have moved else where.

I agree. These are all just buying/living decisions everyone makes when they make a move in retirement.

Most have a lot of life experience by this time in their lives and will make the best decisions for them. A few will regret their decisions but that's the way it goes sometimes.

[ilovetv]

One of the main benefits of buying a new construction here is because of the neighbors being at the same age and stage in life....newly retired or about to retire....and moving in at about the same time and being "all in the same boat", new in the community.

As for quality of construction, I've never seen homes in the midwest made of poured concrete reinforced with embedded steel rebar, as our courtyard villa here is. Can't get much stronger than that in my estimation.

[cgalloway6]

Leaving is much easier than you think. Resale houses are selling very quickly. We had and offer in 2 days and a contract the next day. The buyer had a contingency for selling his house in TV which he listed the next day. He sold his immediately, had to close in 2 weeks because his buyers wanted to move in so our closing moved up too. In 3 weeks both houses sold, were closed and we were all moved. We had to contract the packing and moving because we couldn't get down in time to do it all. Closings by mail. If you don't like it in TV, don't think it is hard to leave.

[graciegirl]

Your post is very scary to those contemplating either building or buying used.

However, I've heard that phrase, "You are buying a lifestyle" so often, as well as "We want to get you out into the community" that kind of raises red flags.........not to start a family feud, but perhaps we are just too independant, being Yankees for so long.........

This is the very reason TV gets the "Stepford" label thrown at it so often. If you don't speak the party line, get my drift?

Am I really the only one who notices this? I doubt it.

The homes we stayed at, both of them, had very nice cabinets and other added features..........I guess what you saw was the stripped down lowest priced model?

NO Senior. Read some of his old posts. What he saw was the owners being a member of a political party that he doesn't like.

One of the things I love about the villages is that homes are available at resale starting at about seventy thousand dollars clear through over a million dollars.

The new homes are available at prices of about $140K and can be built that cost more than a million dollars.

The amenity fee is around 135 dollars a month and based on cost of living. Bonds are higher or lower based on the size of the home and the area. Taxes are based on size of lot and size of home and price. So homes here are available to fit a lot of people's budgets.

So the folks living in the lower priced home are getting the exact same lifestyle as the folks living in the highest priced home. How nice is that? Plus all this building is giving employment to a lot of families and has taken Sumter county from one of the poorest counties to one of the most employed areas in Florida.

Now. I am from Ohio. I do not know the Morse family. I don't work for them or for anyone anymore. I just absolutely love it here.

[justjim]

Boy Howdy Graciegirl! TV may not be for everyone but if its the lifestyle you want in your retirement years you do have many options available to you and you can, as you say, spend as little or as much as you want on your home. We looked at several retirement communities including places in Arizona, Texas, Arkansas and Florida. And we did it in person----not on the Internet. No other retirement community even came close to TV in our opinion.

[createquilts]

I always find it interesting that in any group you will find mostly very nice people, with a few picky people, rich people, some just scraping by, exaggerators, rumor mongers, and complainers thrown in. I would not expect TV to be any different. And each person has to find what fits them the best. I would think a single person who is not interested in home repairs would probably like a new home best, and a couple like us who love to tinker and remodel would like a resale. But you never know. It is easy to fall in love with a particular house for no apparent reason except because.

[hotrodgirl]

Boy Howdie again! The thing that I place above ALL else at TV is the fact that no matter what type of home you have, no matter what neighborhood you call home, no matter your retirement income, no matter your political affiliation, religion, or race, each person has the same amenities and resources available to them. Does it get any better than that? I don't base my friendships on where someone is from, or who someone knows, or how much money someone has. I base my my friendships on compassion, ideals, human interaction, a sense of humor,and kindness to others. Most in TV have the same aspirations for retirement and that includes a good quality of life which is so easily attainable there. I cannot wait to meet people, get involved in activities and enjoy each and every day!:spoken:

[l2ridehd]

As with everything else their are pro's and con's to both new and re-sale. I have bought a few different homes in the Villages and I stay on top of the market. In my experience you can always do better on a re-sale over new. Part of that is what has been completed by someone else, part is being able to negotiate on price, and part is lower or no bond. However the difference is usually less then 10% house for house. So new you may pay a little less in visible price, but once all the hidden costs are identified, re-sale is almost always a better buy. There will be some exceptions to that, but very few.

So buy what you want and as always in real estate, location, location, location is all that matters.

[jimbo2012]

One of the main benefits of buying a new construction here is because of the neighbors being at the same age and stage in life....newly retired or about to retire....and moving in at about the same time and being "all in the same boat", new in the community.

Our sales rep mention that, and it makes a lot of sense, I've read posts here where folks moving into an older village and they were not getting that warm & fussy from the neighbors.

[aljetmet]

Our sales rep mention that, and it makes a lot of sense, I've read posts here where folks moving into an older village and they were not getting that warm & fussy from the neighbors.

:agree:
One of the main reasons we decided to buy new. I was enticed looking at resales but kept reminding myself we weren't ready to buy yet.
Also, I suppose you have to put your furniture in storage and rent while you house hunt ( but for how long?)
Not that there is anything wrong with it but my wife and I strongly believe you're buying into a lifestyle in a new neighborhood. We've met several TOTVers building in Fernandina and we can't wait to meet them all. :pepper2:

[paulandjean]

When we sold our first home in the villages we where disappointed. With our 6 month real estate contract with the villages,our real estate agent never once had a showing of our home.We would stay outside of the home when there was a showing, and 90% of the time it was a quick look and off they would go to the new homes.We would follow and observe. Greater time showing of the new homes. We believe they put more in new home selling than trying to sell a used home. Contract expired in 6 months. 2 lowball offers. We put the house on the market ourselves. Sold in 7 days. 53 showings and calls.

[JohnN]

I bought new.
I like the one year warranty on everything.
I like the new roof, new HVAC, new paint, etc.

The new neighborhoods are wider, better laid out.
Enjoy the traffic on the north end.

Different strokes for different folks

[Joaniesmom]

Our home in The Villages is our fifth. Some were new and some were lovingly used. We've found advantages to both.

I think the disadvantage to a new home that folks don't think of is that you don't have so much as a nail to hang a picture on. I went to Lowe's every day for at least a month after buying one of our new homes. How about a toilet paper holder? Hook for the bathroom door? Night light? Backsplash in the kitchen? Little things that seem to pop out of nowhere. Grass in the yards? Bushes? Flowers? Flag pole? Hoses? You get the point.

We walked down to our new basement and saw four cement walls and a cement floor. Won't bore you with what we did but it took four years and $35,000.

Older homes have lots of goodies. Some of them you won't like. But probably you will since they were there when you bought the house. We bought a previously owned CYV and absolutely love it. The owner made improvements too numerous to name. It felt like Christmas when we saw everything. There are a few things we will have to change/fix, but there you go.

Look at them all. Just find a home you love, new or previously owned. And come on down! Good luck and have fun looking!

Joaniesmom

[tpop1]

All I ever needed to know I learned from Pink Floyd!!

"We don't need no education
We dont need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone"

In other words...If you don't try to tell me how to think or behave, I won't try and tell you!!!

[ricthemic]

This from friends who, though settled in TV for a few years, still go to open houses to see what�s out there and to get ideas. How�s this for an endorsement to buy only a resale and never new construction?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Promise me you will go down and look over the new homes which are being shown every day in the new areas. I want you to squeeze the outside siding on the new homes being built. It is like squeezing cardboard. The Villages is the only builder using this newer material in Florida. It feels like you move into a cardboard home.

We know someone who bought a new patio villa and paid $145[000] plus a bond of $20[000] in Saint James. It is a square box, The other day we went into a beautiful two-bedroom Designer home with a floor plan never seen by us. It was in Hacienda East, a charming, lushly landscaped area near Hacienda [Hills] Restaurant. The house had a load of extras, including a gorgeous new kitchen, pavers in the driveway, heavy landscaping and a bumped out lanai. Both bathrooms were big. The home was listed at $151[000] with no bond. The house was sold while we were there because a couple were going to fill out papers. The price was around $143[000] at sale.

I thought of this woman we know who bought this hideous brand new piece of **** for more money when she could have had this gorgeous Designer. For a moment, I actually thought of buying it and renting it out; it was that beautiful. The older areas in Hacienda East and nearby are beautiful streets with mostly older Designer homes. We try to look at homes now which pop up in older areas that we never saw�.

A couple of thoughts and I hv not read all the previous post
1. I am pretty sure, no new patio villa hv a $20,000 bond. i think they are under 12K
2. I am sure, if you want a plus 70 yr old community go for your 15 year old preowned
3.Also sure, be prepared to pay for at least a new AC system and roof in your preowned 10 to 15 yr old plus 70 community home.
4.IMO, Your new neighbors in this older village are wonderful, nice and friendly. However they hv done it all for many years and have their own network of close friends.
5.Also IMO. If your only goal is to get SO much more house for the money... then check out all the near by communities outside the villages up on 27/441.
What a deal and you can get and still drive you car to spanish springs at night. While enjoying your one golf course/pool and tennis court. Might as well check it out even though it may be plus 80 with a ton of resales.
6. Keep hearing "mature landscaping" yes you get that and a "mature neighborhood".

[asianthree]

if i would not have read this post i would not have known i bought a POS
thanks for the info

[BobKat1]

This is my opinion only, but the thread came across to me as confrontational and worded to elicit responses.

Powerful? ONLY resales? POS?

I guess "Endorsement For Buying A Resale" wouldn't have been powerful enough.

[keithgerri]

We looked at pre owned. Priced way to high trying to get back upgrades.Upgrades may make your house more saleable not worth more money. And a lot still owed 14,000 on bonds. We took a beating in Atlanta but thats the market. We bought a new spec designer in Sanibel with a 10,000 discount paid cash saved 10,000 in closing costs paid by the villages and paid 20,000 bond off still cheaper than preowned and larger house and everything new and under warrenty. No brainer and believe me the new houses already have a lot of upgrades than preowned. Most of preowned we looked at were moving to new houses south of 466A. Were happy:beer3:

[Villageshooter]

This from friends who, though settled in TV for a few years, still go to open houses to see what’s out there and to get ideas. How’s this for an endorsement to buy only a resale and never new construction?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Promise me you will go down and look over the new homes which are being shown every day in the new areas. I want you to squeeze the outside siding on the new homes being built. It is like squeezing cardboard. The Villages is the only builder using this newer material in Florida. It feels like you move into a cardboard home.

We know someone who bought a new patio villa and paid $145[000] plus a bond of $20[000] in Saint James. It is a square box, The other day we went into a beautiful two-bedroom Designer home with a floor plan never seen by us. It was in Hacienda East, a charming, lushly landscaped area near Hacienda [Hills] Restaurant. The house had a load of extras, including a gorgeous new kitchen, pavers in the driveway, heavy landscaping and a bumped out lanai. Both bathrooms were big. The home was listed at $151[000] with no bond. The house was sold while we were there because a couple were going to fill out papers. The price was around $143[000] at sale.

I thought of this woman we know who bought this hideous brand new piece of **** for more money when she could have had this gorgeous Designer. For a moment, I actually thought of buying it and renting it out; it was that beautiful. The older areas in Hacienda East and nearby are beautiful streets with mostly older Designer homes. We try to look at homes now which pop up in older areas that we never saw….

There really is no answer just different points of view. I can tell you one year from now the price of homes north of 466 will dirt cheap. When that new square opens ,,,there will be no one at SS.. The revamp was to try pacify the merchants of the dying area... Flippers was trade off for them to be able to get a spot at brownwood.. The tent was admission of failure of the developer to get the job completed on time,, they babble about the weather ,, the storm was only 4-5 days,,, folks face the facts,,, they just don't care bout SS any longer,,most the non prime homes that are built are really just double wides built on site with a foundation.

[jane032657]

Ouch. This whole discussion makes my heart bleed for people who have bought this or that and are reading this and feeling devalued. Let's have some kindness. Everyone has different pocketbooks, desires for what they feel is of worth in a home, likes and dislikes. But everyone I think for the most part hangs their hat at the place they have put love into and had joy and experiences in, no matter what the palce is made of, what it is called, what the size of the yard is, where the location is, or what their neighbors age or abilities are. Sometimes these discussions get away from kindness toward others and I just do not see the purpose in doing so. There are so many ways to express opinion and not be condescending to others or make people feel badly about their choices. Opinion is great, everyone is entitled to share, but sensitivity is important too. Just sayin....

[rubicon]

No one is forced to subsidize anything. They made a choice to subsidize when they moved here. Everyone knows this stuff before they move here. If they didn't want to pay for what they aren't going to use, they should have moved else where.

bonny: so you are telling me that if "after the fact" a resident, a cell phone user, a Comcast internet user, etc realizes that he/she does not have a need for that use ...well then tough. I don't think anyone should be locked into anything. So since they are here well then they are forced to subsize.

I have reconciled that mistake for me. My previous post was to offer people who have not purchased a home here yet an opportunity to be more circumspect about this choice. I wish someone had offered me that opportunity. Please allow me my right of "free expression".


Personal Best Regards:

[gerryann]

Hmmmm

[Joaniesmom]

A couple of thoughts and I hv not read all the previous post
1. I am pretty sure, no new patio villa hv a $20,000 bond. i think they are under 12K
2. I am sure, if you want a plus 70 yr old community go for your 15 year old preowned
3.Also sure, be prepared to pay for at least a new AC system and roof in your preowned 10 to 15 yr old plus 70 community home.
4.IMO, Your new neighbors in this older village are wonderful, nice and friendly. However they hv done it all for many years and have their own network of close friends.
5.Also IMO. If your only goal is to get SO much more house for the money... then check out all the near by communities outside the villages up on 27/441.
What a deal and you can get and still drive you car to spanish springs at night. While enjoying your one golf course/pool and tennis court. Might as well check it out even though it may be plus 80 with a ton of resales.
6. Keep hearing "mature landscaping" yes you get that and a "mature neighborhood".

Someone in another thread wanted to know the bad things about The Villages. I guess this post just about covers it. I think I'm going to go eat worms. Golly how depressing!

Joaniesmon

[2BNTV]

Ouch. This whole discussion makes my heart bleed for people who have bought this or that and are reading this and feeling devalued. Let's have some kindness. Everyone has different pocketbooks, desires for what they feel is of worth in a home, likes and dislikes. But everyone I think for the most part hangs their hat at the place they have put love into and had joy and experiences in, no matter what the palce is made of, what it is called, what the size of the yard is, where the location is, or what their neighbors age or abilities are. Sometimes these discussions get away from kindness toward others and I just do not see the purpose in doing so. There are so many ways to express opinion and not be condescending to others or make people feel badly about their choices. Opinion is great, everyone is entitled to share, but sensitivity is important too. Just sayin....

:agree: An intelligent thoughtful post.

Agree to disagree respectfully.

[CarGuys]

Not if you get the better siding or block. I'm glad you noticed. Many don't. But the standard siding is still adequate. Can also be changed out later if the home and site appeal to the buyer.

[fromct]

The best part of this thread is that in a couple of years it will be a moot point and everyone can concentrate on making the most of the decisions they made..........and there'll be one less thing for the nabobs to B***h about...

[gerryann]

There are certainly a few unhappy folks who post here and evidently take pleasure in making other folks as miserable as they are.....you know who you are, and I feel sorry for you that you are just not happy. Unfortunately, you'll continue to find negatives in most everything.

[Villageshooter]

Ouch. This whole discussion makes my heart bleed for people who have bought this or that and are reading this and feeling devalued. Let's have some kindness. Everyone has different pocketbooks, desires for what they feel is of worth in a home, likes and dislikes. But everyone I think for the most part hangs their hat at the place they have put love into and had joy and experiences in, no matter what the palce is made of, what it is called, what the size of the yard is, where the location is, or what their neighbors age or abilities are. Sometimes these discussions get away from kindness toward others and I just do not see the purpose in doing so. There are so many ways to express opinion and not be condescending to others or make people feel badly about their choices. Opinion is great, everyone is entitled to share, but sensitivity is important too. Just sayin....

Just as the developers want ,,,,keep us in the dark and feed us BS.....
NOT any more,,, tell ur story and help others,,,,they have made billions off of unsepecting folks!
Just because I see the facts and disagree does not make me an unhappy person.... I don't try to suppress those who disagree by trying attack there beliefs and trying to analyze there mental state!

[gerryann]

I don't think anyone is anylyzing anyone's mental state....only reading that some folks (probably only a few) have had a bad experience for one reason or another and are disappointed that others are finding happiness where they did not. They have every right to post their beliefs, but rather than just posting negative comments, why not share what happened? Maybe their comments would be more meaningful if we know the reason for them being made.

[KEVIN & JOSIE]

When we went through the new construction, it seemed like a prefab or mobile home. No hardware on the cabinets, cheap screens and doors, it looked like everything was purchased at Menaards. The realtor said "don't pay attention to the construction, your buying the lifestyle"

I love Prefab and mobiles..can't beat them for the price, and I found the one we bought in 1980 when we were first married was energy efficient, very low maintenance, and absolutely perfect for us. :spoken:

[Trish Crocker]

Are you serious??? I can't believe the way this thread is going. For pete's sake, it's a place that many people have decided to live...if you don't like it or the "developers" then you don't have to live there!!!! This isn't choosing a place to spend eternity, it's just a really neat place to live. Of course the people that designed it are making money...they're supposed to!! If you don't like new construction..don't buy it! If you don't want to pay maintainance fees...move somewhere else. If you prefer pre-owned...buy it! I really think this is one of the silliest threads I have read. I can't wait to get down there, buying pre-owned or new will be decided when we look at what is available and which will fulfill our wish list. There is NO reason to call somones' home a POS.Theposter that declared that all of the construction on new build is inferior is incorrect. I checked out a lot of the homes while I was down there and found it to be very nice. Not only were the models nice, the fact is IF you decide to build you can choose to upgrade. This is no different than any new construction that I have looked at anywhere. You have no idea how offended I am by people that CHOOSE to move into any particular area then criticize it.

[graciegirl]

Are you serious??? I can't believe the way this thread is going. For pete's sake, it's a place that many people have decided to live...if you don't like it or the "developers" then you don't have to live there!!!! This isn't choosing a place to spend eternity, it's just a really neat place to live. Of course the people that designed it are making money...they're supposed to!! If you don't like new construction..don't buy it! If you don't want to pay maintainance fees...move somewhere else. If you prefer pre-owned...buy it! I really think this is one of the silliest threads I have read. I can't wait to get down there, buying pre-owned or new will be decided when we look at what is available and which will fulfill our wish list. There is NO reason to call somones' home a POS.Theposter that declared that all of the construction on new build is inferior is incorrect. I checked out a lot of the homes while I was down there and found it to be very nice. Not only were the models nice, the fact is IF you decide to build you can choose to upgrade. This is no different than any new construction that I have looked at anywhere. You have no idea how offended I am by people that CHOOSE to move into any particular area then criticize it.

OH. I am SO glad I know you Trish Crocker...and YOU Too Jane and looking forward to meeting Gerryann and all ther rest of you new folks who I have worried about reading all this dumb stuff. Oh I am so glad you see the real picture .

[mrdarcy]

One of the new siding options on certain homes south of 466A is Mastic Alcoa Mastic Solutions by Ply Gem (http://www.mastic.com/About/About_Mastic.aspx) I suspect this is the siding on many of the commercial buildings being constructed in Brownwood. It is a very durable siding. My bet is that when the Brownwood designers were researching new materials for this newest town square they investigated many products currently on the market. If the siding it good enough for the millions of dollars of new commercial buildings at Brownwood, I conclude it is certainly a good option for my new TV home. In fact, I had initially thought I would only build a block and stucco home, but now I'm actually re-thinking that decision because I like the durability and "never need to re-paint" Mastic Alcoa siding option.

[jebartle]

And we can't wait to meet you....You said everything I wanted to say!...Attagirl!



Boy Howdie again! The thing that I place above ALL else at TV is the fact that no matter what type of home you have, no matter what neighborhood you call home, no matter your retirement income, no matter your political affiliation, religion, or race, each person has the same amenities and resources available to them. Does it get any better than that? I don't base my friendships on where someone is from, or who someone knows, or how much money someone has. I base my my friendships on compassion, ideals, human interaction, a sense of humor,and kindness to others. Most in TV have the same aspirations for retirement and that includes a good quality of life which is so easily attainable there. I cannot wait to meet people, get involved in activities and enjoy each and every day!:spoken:

[rubicon]

If you went back and highlighted every post on this thread wherein the poster criticized another poster for being concerned regarding some aspect of living in The Villages then you will have found some of those folks living in The Villages that depend on political correctness to stem any criticism. The primary one being "if you don't like it then move". I won't venture an opinion as to their motivations. Political correctness was devised by marxist to prevent people from speaking up about injustices

I am certain some folks have rushed into buying here. However my guess is that most have had perhaps two visits or more and have taken a year or better to decide but then some couples have lived together for a few years before getting married and discover after said marriages that it just isn't going to work out.

Like divorce finding out that you may have made a mistake can be costly and painful.

So IMHO offering potential buyers the benefit of your point of view is the right thing to do. After all all you are doing is simply offering an opinion and then it is up to the potential buyers to decide.

I offered my opinion concerning the issue of amenities payments and was prepared to be attacked . I defend my statements based on a very basic economic principle entitled "utility for my dollar" or inelastic/elastic demand or if you will simply "bang for the buck."

Once people buy here they are obligated to pay $135 per month for amenities, an amount that over the years will continue to rise. I like many don;t use those amenities but that expense will continue for as long as I live here. And obviously the political correctnes group will shout back then "don't live here". I have a response for that also. But first let me propose a solution to this dilemma.

What if instead of paying a flat monthly amenity fee, user fees would apply. So that those choosing to utilize the rec centers paid a daily, weekly (you choose the periodic ) fee. The same would apply to other amenities such as pools etc. Wouldn't that be fairer and wouldn't that clarify the desirablity of these facilties. The fees would cover the use and maintenace of these facilities. It would also be fairer in that the more frequent users paid more because they are using them more.

Now back to the "don't like it leave crowd" Like the above-stated divorce
sceanrio leaving The Villages can be economically devasting and very very messy. Most people who move here are retired. This means that they live on amounts that are not easily replacable. When these residents were engaged in their work lives they had the opportunity to make more money to cover any economical mistakes they had made. However retirees are no longer in that position, absent the very well to do that move here, most folks really can't afford to make an economic mistake. So when you purchased that home you spent a good portion of that limited supply of savings. Suppose it cost you an additional $100,000 tin order to move here. You can never make up that amount again unless of course you have a very profitable investment portfolio. So to have someone suggest that if you don't like it leave is to suggest that you rush in to another bad economic decision.

Whether the political correctness group here like it or not or even grasp it The Villages has a number of flaws and unless people speak up they will never get sorted out.

I opine others can decide

[graciegirl]

If you went back and highlighted every post on this thread wherein the poster criticized another poster for being concerned regarding some aspect of living in The Villages then you will have found some of those folks living in The Villages that depend on political correctness to stem any criticism. The primary one being "if you don't like it then move". I won't venture an opinion as to their motivations. Political correctness was devised by marxist to prevent people from speaking up about injustices

I am certain some folks have rushed into buying here. However my guess is that most have had perhaps two visits or more and have taken a year or better to decide but then some couples have lived together for a few years before getting married and discover after said marriages that it just isn't going to work out.

Like divorce finding out that you may have made a mistake can be costly and painful.

So IMHO offering potential buyers the benefit of your point of view is the right thing to do. After all all you are doing is simply offering an opinion and then it is up to the potential buyers to decide.

I offered my opinion concerning the issue of amenities payments and was prepared to be attacked . I defend my statements based on a very basic economic principle entitled "utility for my dollar" or inelastic/elastic demand or if you will simply "bang for the buck."

Once people buy here they are obligated to pay $135 per month for amenities, an amount that over the years will continue to rise. I like many don;t use those amenities but that expense will continue for as long as I live here. And obviously the political correctnes group will shout back then "don't live here". I have a response for that also. But first let me propose a solution to this dilemma.

What if instead of paying a flat monthly amenity fee, user fees would apply. So that those choosing to utilize the rec centers paid a daily, weekly (you choose the periodic ) fee. The same would apply to other amenities such as pools etc. Wouldn't that be fairer and wouldn't that clarify the desirablity of these facilties. The fees would cover the use and maintenace of these facilities. It would also be fairer in that the more frequent users paid more because they are using them more.

Now back to the "don't like it leave crowd" Like the above-stated divorce
sceanrio leaving The Villages can be economically devasting and very very messy. Most people who move here are retired. This means that they live on amounts that are not easily replacable. When these residents were engaged in their work lives they had the opportunity to make more money to cover any economical mistakes they had made. However retirees are no longer in that position, absent the very well to do that move here, most folks really can't afford to make an economic mistake. So when you purchased that home you spent a good portion of that limited supply of savings. Suppose it cost you an additional $100,000 tin order to move here. You can never make up that amount again unless of course you have a very profitable investment portfolio. So to have someone suggest that if you don't like it leave is to suggest that you rush in to another bad economic decision.

Whether the political correctness group here like it or not or even grasp it The Villages has a number of flaws and unless people speak up they will never get sorted out.

I opine others can decide

Your point about amenities is well taken.

We have old friends who have lived in Heritage Oaks in Sarasota for more than ten years.. It is a development of homes built around a very nice golf course, it is TRUELY gated and walled. They have to pay a very large initiation fee for the golf course. Everyone has to pay it that moves there, even if you don't play golf. The homes are single or doubles or condos and they all cost more than homes here for the same size. They pay around six hundred dollars a month for privileges including golf, even those who do NOT play golf and have to pay over a hundred dollars for a guest to play there and have to also pay to rent a golf cart , golf carts are not allowed in the development except on the
course. Some of the monthly fee is a restaurant charge and they need to use it or lose it.

It is truly gated BUT they have had thefts from their homes and ascertained it was the lawn service people who did it.

It is a PRISTINE, first class, country club course and the restrictions and charges are similar to those that many of us have left behind. You REALLY get to know the other inhabitants and other golfers, it is the same people all of the time. People live there who do not play golf but they still have to pay the large fee montly, exactly the same as golfers...and sometimes familiarity breeds contempt. You have paid a lot and you aren't really too shot down with playing other courses much.

The houses are not nearly close to as easy to sell as the ones here.

A couple of years ago they had a major redesign of one of the nines and each resident was assessed several thousand dollars.

A grilled cheese and fries costs around thirteen dollars at the club house.

I consider THAT being stuck.

I know you are very sincere Rubicon and I hope you aren't yelled at. You are very right that people need to know what they are getting into.

I personally think the predominance of a certain political atmosphere may be the real reason a lot of people here sell and leave.

It is true that politics may not be spoken aloud in most places, but politics here is FELT.

It is a reason for prospective buyers and lookers to think and think again.

The amenities fee here is not just for golf as you know... and we are not assessed nor does the amenity fee rise with each new golf course built and each new rec center and pool added. We are getting value for the golf courses as they add value to our homes and also the beautiful club houses and the beautiful green spaces. We pay a bond for the infrastructure and that is not an initiation fee. The amenity fees here are based on the cost of living and have gone down once in my memory, they assuredly will creep up as we creep out stage left to the village of heavenly..

There are thousands of homes for sale in Florida. They all have the blue sky and sun and some have the ocean. There are posh places to live and many, many without amenity fees or restrictions on fences and flamingos. There are many that have a lot of the other political party being in majority.

I hope people will read your post and think about it. The Villages is NOT for everyone.

And one of the downsides to living here is that people get all snarly when you say there are downsides to living here.
(especially me.)

[rubicon]

Your point about amenities is well taken.

We have old friends who have lived in Hertage Oaks in Sarasota for more than ten years.. It is a development of homes built around a very nice golf course, it is TRUELY gated and walled. They have to pay a very large initiation fee for the golf course. The homes are single or doubles or condos and they all cost more than homes here for the same size. They pay around six hundred dollars a month for golf privileges and have to also rent a golf cart to pay, golf carts are not allowed in the development except on the
course. Some of the monthly fee is a restaurant charge and they need to use it or lose it.

They have had thefts from their homes and ascertained it was the lawn service people who did it.

It is a PRISTINE, first class, country club course and the rules are similar to those that many of us have left behind. You REALLY get to know the other inhabitants and other golfers. People live there who do not play golf but they still have to pay for golf...and sometimes familiarity breeds contempt. You have paid a lot and you aren't really too shot down with playing other courses much.

The houses are not nearly close to as easy to sell as the ones here.

couple of years ago they had a major redesign of one of the nines and each resident was assessed several thousand dollars.

A grilled cheese and fries costs around thirteen dollars at the club house.

I consider THAT being stuck.

I know you are very sincere Rubicon and I hope you aren't yelled at. You are very right that people need to know what they are getting into.

I personally think the predominance of a certain political atmosphere may be the real reason a lot of people here sell and leave.

It is really something for me to swallow that politics may not be spoken aloud in most places, but politics here is FELT.

It is a reason for prospective buyers and lookers to think and think again.

graciegirl thank you for that reply. I can't live in an absolute world. However I always accept the responsbilites of my decisions and make the best of them. The Villages is a nice place to live but even in shangri-la its inhibitants found flaws. Speaking about flaws leads to education and education to solutions even if that solution is that at its state it is the best to be expected
For instance a person is hurting he/she goes to the doctor and explains the pain that visit could well save that person;s life...it is the way nature intended. Do you recall when people thought it impolite to talk about or with a person striken with cancer? Today we find speaking right up has healing porperties we never thought existed

The real issue is that too many Americans have forgotten how to debate with any amount of restraint or civility, the Wives of...reality shows come to mind. When I speak up I am not seeking agreement but only understanding of my position. It is why I often end with I opine others decide.

You are a thoughtul individual and have a good outlook on life and represent the best quality of The villages and that is its residents.


Personal Best Regards:

[Bonny]

Are you serious??? I can't believe the way this thread is going. For pete's sake, it's a place that many people have decided to live...if you don't like it or the "developers" then you don't have to live there!!!! This isn't choosing a place to spend eternity, it's just a really neat place to live. Of course the people that designed it are making money...they're supposed to!! If you don't like new construction..don't buy it! If you don't want to pay maintainance fees...move somewhere else. If you prefer pre-owned...buy it! I really think this is one of the silliest threads I have read. I can't wait to get down there, buying pre-owned or new will be decided when we look at what is available and which will fulfill our wish list. There is NO reason to call somones' home a POS.Theposter that declared that all of the construction on new build is inferior is incorrect. I checked out a lot of the homes while I was down there and found it to be very nice. Not only were the models nice, the fact is IF you decide to build you can choose to upgrade. This is no different than any new construction that I have looked at anywhere. You have no idea how offended I am by people that CHOOSE to move into any particular area then criticize it.
Woo Hoo !!! :agree: :pepper2:

[createquilts]

Rubicon, your opinion was very insightful, thanks.

I have a question about the older neighborhoods. Don't you think some of them will turn over, just like the neighborhood I live in up north is doing now? The houses on my street are 20-30 years old and suddenly instead of 55-65 year old neighbors I have a bunch of young families. I would think some older villagers will end up moving in with Children, to assisted living or to their final destination as the years go by. That kind of seems inevitable- despite the ability to stay very active I would assume that people in TV do pass away eventually.

[Bonny]

bonny: so you are telling me that if "after the fact" a resident, a cell phone user, a Comcast internet user, etc realizes that he/she does not have a need for that use ...well then tough. I don't think anyone should be locked into anything. So since they are here well then they are forced to subsize.

I have reconciled that mistake for me. My previous post was to offer people who have not purchased a home here yet an opportunity to be more circumspect about this choice. I wish someone had offered me that opportunity. Please allow me my right of "free expression".


Personal Best Regards:
Hmmm, not quite sure what my post had to do with any of that other stuff. All I said is people know what they are going to pay when they buy here. With that being the said, they made a decision to pay those fees when they moved here. No one is forcing them, they chose to do it. We all have choices in life.

[hdh1470]

If you went back and highlighted every post on this thread wherein the poster criticized another poster for being concerned regarding some aspect of living in The Villages then you will have found some of those folks living in The Villages that depend on political correctness to stem any criticism. The primary one being "if you don't like it then move". I won't venture an opinion as to their motivations. Political correctness was devised by marxist to prevent people from speaking up about injustices

I am certain some folks have rushed into buying here. However my guess is that most have had perhaps two visits or more and have taken a year or better to decide but then some couples have lived together for a few years before getting married and discover after said marriages that it just isn't going to work out.

Like divorce finding out that you may have made a mistake can be costly and painful.

So IMHO offering potential buyers the benefit of your point of view is the right thing to do. After all all you are doing is simply offering an opinion and then it is up to the potential buyers to decide.

I offered my opinion concerning the issue of amenities payments and was prepared to be attacked . I defend my statements based on a very basic economic principle entitled "utility for my dollar" or inelastic/elastic demand or if you will simply "bang for the buck."

Once people buy here they are obligated to pay $135 per month for amenities, an amount that over the years will continue to rise. I like many don;t use those amenities but that expense will continue for as long as I live here. And obviously the political correctnes group will shout back then "don't live here". I have a response for that also. But first let me propose a solution to this dilemma.

What if instead of paying a flat monthly amenity fee, user fees would apply. So that those choosing to utilize the rec centers paid a daily, weekly (you choose the periodic ) fee. The same would apply to other amenities such as pools etc. Wouldn't that be fairer and wouldn't that clarify the desirablity of these facilties. The fees would cover the use and maintenace of these facilities. It would also be fairer in that the more frequent users paid more because they are using them more.

Now back to the "don't like it leave crowd" Like the above-stated divorce
sceanrio leaving The Villages can be economically devasting and very very messy. Most people who move here are retired. This means that they live on amounts that are not easily replacable. When these residents were engaged in their work lives they had the opportunity to make more money to cover any economical mistakes they had made. However retirees are no longer in that position, absent the very well to do that move here, most folks really can't afford to make an economic mistake. So when you purchased that home you spent a good portion of that limited supply of savings. Suppose it cost you an additional $100,000 tin order to move here. You can never make up that amount again unless of course you have a very profitable investment portfolio. So to have someone suggest that if you don't like it leave is to suggest that you rush in to another bad economic decision.

Whether the political correctness group here like it or not or even grasp it The Villages has a number of flaws and unless people speak up they will never get sorted out.

I opine others can decide
S


So what to you tell the people that came here on a budget.Who came here to live a life style they thought they could never afford?I want out because I came here knowing I had to pay but no longer want to.So you all have to pay my share.Very selfish on your part.My advise would be pay or move.I do not use much either but I know it's available to use.And we new we would paying til we are gone.

[dkrhardy]

graciegirl said a lot of things that make perfect sense to me. She pointed out that the amenities fees are for things other than just golf.
One thing that I think folks miss when considering the fees ..... the whole of TV is kept up very well. Grass cut, trash seems to be quickly removed from paths and common areas, etc, etc. It has always looked parklike to me. Those areas cost money to keep looking the way we like it, where does that money come from? I presume the amenities fees pay for that too. So, if you like the squares clean and if you enjoy the nightly music ...................
Don & Kaz

[Mikeod]

What if instead of paying a flat monthly amenity fee, user fees would apply. So that those choosing to utilize the rec centers paid a daily, weekly (you choose the periodic ) fee. The same would apply to other amenities such as pools etc. Wouldn't that be fairer and wouldn't that clarify the desirablity of these facilties. The fees would cover the use and maintenace of these facilities. It would also be fairer in that the more frequent users paid more because they are using them more.


I understand the logic in that statement. Those who use the facilities more, pay more. Those who use them less, pay less. But can you imagine the difficulty getting a large crowd into a rec center when each person's personal account must be accessed and the appropriate fee charged, collected, and processed? And imagine trying to manage the facilities with varying resources, especially in the summer when our seasonal residents are gone? Will the quality of the facilities suffer, further eroding the desire to utilize them? And the income from our seasonal residents who now pay all year round will be irrevocably lost. Thus all fees will have to be increased substantially.

But the most frightening part of your proposal is that changing the way amenities are paid for will eliminate the CPI/3% cap on increases, as discussed in the last POA newsletter. Then, we can expect the daily, weekly, monthly fees for using the facilities to rise far faster to ensure adequate income to cover the debt service and maintain the facilities.

I don't play shuffleboard, bocce, horseshoes, billiards, cards, or other activities. I do golf. I understand that I am paying part of my amenity fee for others to enjoy those things in which I don't participate and they are paying something for me to play golf. Is this any different from my paying my taxes in my old community to pay for libraries, which I didn't use, tennis courts I didn't use, etc.?

[senior citizen]

.........

[senior citizen]

........

[Ragman]

Everyone needs to make informed choices and then accept responsibility for those choices.

I have never felt pressured to buy or move here by any of the developers agents. Both my Villages agent and independent broker were helpful and attentive but never pushy.

I believe the amenity fees are a bargain for the services provided and would hate to see what they would cost in the way of tax funded municipal services. I admire the business and lifestyle model created here. I don't use all the services, but they are available if I want them.

TV is vigorously promoted as an active lifestyle community and anyone moving here should have no other illusion.

:wave:

[senior citizen]

.............

[senior citizen]

..........

[Jim 9922]

Senior Citizen, two well done posts!:beer3:

[justjim]

I agree that no one pressured us either. We were so exhausted after beginning our trip at 3 a.m. in the morning....

Sitting through getting the planes wings de iced, prior to flying to Orlando's airport.....which is HUGE....getting the rental car, getting lost on the roundabouts.......finally finding that GORGEOUS hotel where the sales office is, in Lake Sumter Landing..........being taken to our first house........again, gorgeous..........we opted not to look at the models but decided to just browse around on our own........after we relaxed.

No one pressured us the next month of November either......we wanted to get our bearings on our own........and we did.

However, we know from experience in other places that we "relocated to" in Florida, even after doing said research for many years.......and finding things that were perfect about our chosen town, such as being a "Florida Main Street" community.....with beautiful boulevards and esplanades, smack right on the Gulf of Mexico's totally refurbished beach......jetties for fishing, docks for fishing, etc.......all the services one would need, again a self contained town that was wonderfully laid out..........

The things we did not know, or were not told........was the fact that the RED TIDE BACTERIA was a frequent visitor. It will never go away.
Perhaps if we had bought a house a little ways away from the beach, we'd have not suffered from the results of that bacteria.........but on the beach, everyone could feel it.......it was like pepper in your throat.
This is why our realtor wore a surgical mask.

Back in 1993 and 1994 and prior..........we had basic computers but no internet. Now, I would definitely do more thorough research.......

Some things you find out after you move in..........

As far as being an active lifestyle community........which I get....
what if one has more quiet hobbies or past times?

What exactly does active lifestyle mean to most of you?
Golf, yes.....tennis, yes......? Dancing? Cycling? Our son loved seeing the senior cyclists all over TV......and the Dragon Boat crews........both of which he does out west...........

What if a couple is older and slowing down.........?

We saw plenty of them.......not everyone is 45 to 55, correct?????

Again, we met great folks and had a great experience..........
and agree that doing one's research is important...........
P.S.

Just a comment and a thankyou to all the wonderful posters who have instant messaged me privately.
Apparently, not everything I've said is bad. Truth is better than illusion.
I'd hate to live in a place where people have to be afraid to speak their minds and have to explain everything.
I guess we've just been free thinking Yankees for too long........and that's what I mean by not wanting to pretend
or tow the party line...........at our age, who really wants to be a high school cheerleader? We have no illusions.

Good Post----well done. :bowdown:

[senior citizen]

.......

[senior citizen]

.........

[graciegirl]

I guess you are both serious.......two different Jims....thanks.

Senior. I want to meet you and hug you. You have the dearest heart and so many interesting views.

It's really not that hot. Come on down!

[Joaniesmom]

Ouch. This whole discussion makes my heart bleed for people who have bought this or that and are reading this and feeling devalued. Let's have some kindness. Everyone has different pocketbooks, desires for what they feel is of worth in a home, likes and dislikes. But everyone I think for the most part hangs their hat at the place they have put love into and had joy and experiences in, no matter what the palce is made of, what it is called, what the size of the yard is, where the location is, or what their neighbors age or abilities are. Sometimes these discussions get away from kindness toward others and I just do not see the purpose in doing so. There are so many ways to express opinion and not be condescending to others or make people feel badly about their choices. Opinion is great, everyone is entitled to share, but sensitivity is important too. Just sayin....


This thread has been a little uncomfortable for me and we haven't moved down there yet. Just because we are anonymous doesn't mean we can say anything. But I just want to say that you expressed my feelings perfectly. Thanks.

Joaniesmom

[Quixote]

While I would have to agree that the person whose email I posted has a �way with words� and expresses an opinion very strongly, I just want to apologize and say that it was not my intention to start a firestorm or to criticize anyone�s choice of new versus resale. I know from my experience over the years that there are many Villages wannabees on this site, and my intention was to point out to them the advantages of a resale, something that Villages salespeople don�t do, which I�ll explain.

As rubicon said in a post, �My previous post was to offer people who have not purchased a home here yet an opportunity to be more circumspect about this choice. I wish someone had offered me that opportunity. Please allow me my right of �free expression�.� Or villageshooter who wrote, �tell ur story and help others,,,,they have made billions off of unsepecting folks!� It�s up to us to educate ourselves and know exactly what the options are.

Before I continue, I would like to quote again what rubicon said in another posting and I agree with: �So IMHO offering potential buyers the benefit of your point of view is the right thing to do. After all all you are doing is simply offering an opinion and then it is up to the potential buyers to decide.� However, I don�t agree that this has anything to do with politics or political correctness. We don�t need to politicize everything but rather need only to accept the statement on face value and learn, if we wish to, from the experiences of others.

I agree with the poster who was selling a house and noticed that Villages real estate salespeople did little to promote selling a pre-owned home and instead rushed potential clients to buy new and spending far more time showing the latter. When I first came, I had the most honest and ethical salesman with whom remained friends until he left employment here, even though in the end I didn�t buy through him. I had made it clear to him that I wanted a resale and nothing else, and even so, he showed me resales but insisted on showing me new homes as well. I have heard it alleged that Villages salespeople must sell x number of new houses each year or lose their jobs; I was never able to document this, but I did hear it more than once.

I have owned two resales in TV. The first was listed with TV; once the owner and I agreed to a price, he simply called the realty office and canceled his contract, and I bought directly. (TV has changed its policy since then, and this can no longer be done.) The original owners had done very little with the house itself (though they had very obviously spent a fortune on landscaping), resulting in an exceptionally reasonable sale price (with bond paid by them!) while leaving us a clean slate to do as I wished. When I moved within TV some years later, I had a very specific style house in mind, very few of which exist, and when one was on the market in my desired location, I jumped at it, and this was with an outside realty firm. Again, the price was very low in part because the original owners had done little in the parts of the house and property where I wanted to do my thing, and what they did was very well done AND didn�t get in the way of the vision I had for the house. Here the bond was not paid, but it was such a small amount that I just paid it off.

As fromct says, �The best part of this thread is that in a couple of years it will be a moot point and everyone can concentrate on making the most of the decisions they made....� For sure, when there are no more new homes and only resales, the resales will be worth much more than they are now, when so many people (some because they know exactly what they want, and others possibly because they just don�t know, which is why I started this post) focus only on new homes that resales languish and drop in price.

As far as amenities fees are concerned (unrelated to my original post), I too do not golf and wish that golf were a separate membership within TV, as I�ve seen in other communities, but it is what it is. I signed knowing that they were not separate and am willing to accept that everything cannot be my way. This is a wonderful place to live!

As createquilts said, �I have a question about the older neighborhoods. Don't you think some of them will turn over, just like the neighborhood I live in up north is doing now?� Yes, of course, they�re all turning over all the time. I traveled through the village of Sanibel for the first time recently and already saw a for sale sign in a window (outside realtor). This means it�s a resale of a house that cannot be more than a couple of months old, and it struck me how sad this is. Life can change in a moment.... I live in a long established area where two house across the street sold just before we came, and the house next door and the house behind me sold since I�m here.

Again I apologize if I came across as less than civil. This was certainly not what I intended but rather to share the resale experience with potential newcomers.

[Barefoot]

As with everything else their are pro's and con's to both new and re-sale. I have bought a few different homes in the Villages and I stay on top of the market. In my experience you can always do better on a re-sale over new. Part of that is what has been completed by someone else, part is being able to negotiate on price, and part is lower or no bond. .

We bought two resales in TV. I agree with the above poster that you can do better financially on a resale over new. Plus getting a larger lot in a mature neighborhood, and a more central location.

However there is an emotional component to buying new. For many Wrinklies, their home in TV will be their last opportunity to buy new. There is an excitement in choosing a lot and being part of the creative process; of making choices and feeling the satisfaction of seeing a vision come to life.

[hotrodgirl]

Thank you Quixote for clarifying that, and we all have many different points of view based on our experiences! I do have to say that my particular sales person at TV did make a point of taking me to several resales explaining where in some cases I may be able to obtain what I want at a very good price. We went over several designs in the homes, what had been upgraded, etc. and I wanted to point that out. She showed me resales, spec homes, and just one lot which I purchased, then changed to another. Holy cow! I didn't intend on that actually, but in the end it was a good fit for me. There are many agents out there and I feel I had a very good experience with mine. We had a good connection and she listened to my wants and expectations. I am very happy to have had her in my corner and am sorry for anyone who felt otherwise. I hope those who are coming down to speak with an agent have an equally satisfying experience.
I also think the amenity fees are extremely reasonable. I have another place in Florida (a smaller neighborhood) where our HOA fees are more than double those in TV. We have 2 pools, and lawn care. That is the extent of what we get for our money other than paying a fee to a management company for mailings and meetings. Personally, I do not golf either, but hope to at least take some lessons. I apologize in advance to anyone I may encounter on the golf course!! I am sure the golfers also don't use some of the other amenities, so it kind of evens out. Even though golf is a bit more expensive? OK-maybe it's a TAD uneven, but all the amenities are available to each of us...
Anyways, choosing a home is personal. What is good for one is not for another and we each have the right to choose what is best for ourselves.

[rubicon]

graciegirl said a lot of things that make perfect sense to me. She pointed out that the amenities fees are for things other than just golf.
One thing that I think folks miss when considering the fees ..... the whole of TV is kept up very well. Grass cut, trash seems to be quickly removed from paths and common areas, etc, etc. It has always looked parklike to me. Those areas cost money to keep looking the way we like it, where does that money come from? I presume the amenities fees pay for that too. So, if you like the squares clean and if you enjoy the nightly music ...................
Don & Kaz

The amenities fees don't pay for golf.

[rubicon]

Truly this thread is fun. While it may not be political it runs in that manner because predictable someonewill ineventfully tell you "love it or leave it." The entire point of my posts were to simply state as another posters described so well "some residents intolerance" to anything perceived to be negative about TV. As I keep saying no one needs to protect The Villages nor the Developer. In fact as the Developer is richer than God, I expect he get a good laugh at the suggestion.

While some of you got it, my purpose in suggesting that "amenitiy use" move from a flat fee to a user fee ,was for illustrative purposes only because it was a way to show people a way to measure how much usage they would derive and also the need for that amenity. As I clearly pointed out it was to caution prospective buyers to be circumspect about the "Lifestyle" issue and as was predictable the same PC residents strike back with "love it or leave it". And boy, do I hate and refuse to deal with absolutes, except the one that we all go to that big golf course in the sky.

If you recall I never address a pro or con concerning the housing here it was all about the "Lifestyle" vis a vis economic principles

Finally and again I have and continue to accept the responsibilities of my decisions my entire life.

I opine others can decide

[SukiChu]

There is something to be said about lifestyle in a new home area. All of us Fernandinians will be kindergarten kids together! Easier to build relationships with other newbies when we aren't in classes or clubs yet, or know very many people. We have never had a brand new home before - so this is kinda fun!

[dkrhardy]

The amenities fees don't pay for golf.

Sure they do, on the executive courses, right? How ever you say it, those fees are used for upkeep on the cart paths, executive courses, squares, "public" areas.

[graciegirl]

Rubicon, you are an honorable man.

But. I have met a couple people with a tons of money and they still have feelings and pride. And they too were honorable men.

[Joaniesmom]

:agree: I don't play golf but definitely don't mind paying the amenity free. There are so many other things to enjoy in The Villages other than golf and the fees pay for them all.

Joaniesmom

[senior citizen]

........

[graciegirl]

While I would have to agree that the person whose email I posted has a “way with words” and expresses an opinion very strongly, I just want to apologize and say that it was not my intention to start a firestorm or to criticize anyone’s choice of new versus resale. I know from my experience over the years that there are many Villages wannabees on this site, and my intention was to point out to them the advantages of a resale, something that Villages salespeople don’t do, which I’ll explain.

As rubicon said in a post, “My previous post was to offer people who have not purchased a home here yet an opportunity to be more circumspect about this choice. I wish someone had offered me that opportunity. Please allow me my right of ‘free expression’.” Or villageshooter who wrote, “tell ur story and help others,,,,they have made billions off of unsepecting folks!” It’s up to us to educate ourselves and know exactly what the options are.

Before I continue, I would like to quote again what rubicon said in another posting and I agree with: “So IMHO offering potential buyers the benefit of your point of view is the right thing to do. After all all you are doing is simply offering an opinion and then it is up to the potential buyers to decide.” However, I don’t agree that this has anything to do with politics or political correctness. We don’t need to politicize everything but rather need only to accept the statement on face value and learn, if we wish to, from the experiences of others.

I agree with the poster who was selling a house and noticed that Villages real estate salespeople did little to promote selling a pre-owned home and instead rushed potential clients to buy new and spending far more time showing the latter. When I first came, I had the most honest and ethical salesman with whom remained friends until he left employment here, even though in the end I didn’t buy through him. I had made it clear to him that I wanted a resale and nothing else, and even so, he showed me resales but insisted on showing me new homes as well. I have heard it alleged that Villages salespeople must sell x number of new houses each year or lose their jobs; I was never able to document this, but I did hear it more than once.

I have owned two resales in TV. The first was listed with TV; once the owner and I agreed to a price, he simply called the realty office and canceled his contract, and I bought directly. (TV has changed its policy since then, and this can no longer be done.) The original owners had done very little with the house itself (though they had very obviously spent a fortune on landscaping), resulting in an exceptionally reasonable sale price (with bond paid by them!) while leaving us a clean slate to do as I wished. When I moved within TV some years later, I had a very specific style house in mind, very few of which exist, and when one was on the market in my desired location, I jumped at it, and this was with an outside realty firm. Again, the price was very low in part because the original owners had done little in the parts of the house and property where I wanted to do my thing, and what they did was very well done AND didn’t get in the way of the vision I had for the house. Here the bond was not paid, but it was such a small amount that I just paid it off.

As fromct says, “The best part of this thread is that in a couple of years it will be a moot point and everyone can concentrate on making the most of the decisions they made....” For sure, when there are no more new homes and only resales, the resales will be worth much more than they are now, when so many people (some because they know exactly what they want, and others possibly because they just don’t know, which is why I started this post) focus only on new homes that resales languish and drop in price.

As far as amenities fees are concerned (unrelated to my original post), I too do not golf and wish that golf were a separate membership within TV, as I’ve seen in other communities, but it is what it is. I signed knowing that they were not separate and am willing to accept that everything cannot be my way. This is a wonderful place to live!

As createquilts said, “I have a question about the older neighborhoods. Don't you think some of them will turn over, just like the neighborhood I live in up north is doing now?” Yes, of course, they’re all turning over all the time. I traveled through the village of Sanibel for the first time recently and already saw a for sale sign in a window (outside realtor). This means it’s a resale of a house that cannot be more than a couple of months old, and it struck me how sad this is. Life can change in a moment.... I live in a long established area where two house across the street sold just before we came, and the house next door and the house behind me sold since I’m here.

Again I apologize if I came across as less than civil. This was certainly not what I intended but rather to share the resale experience with potential newcomers.

A wise man sees his errors. And you aren't wrong, I don't think so at all. There are two wonderful posters on here who frequently point out the merits of buying a resale. They are Buggyone and PTurner. They also say how lovely it is to live north of 466, and they are right on that one too.

Neither of them ever used such a colorful way to describe one of the new homes, to be fair.

Keep 'em coming Quixote! We learn from each other here and that is the reason I love this forum and this wonderful place.

[CanalTownMary]

While I agree "each to his own", I recently purchased a resale in Hacienda East and agree completly with the writers assessment of the older neighborhoods...especially this one. I have always thought you get soooo much more for your money with a resale! Most older homes have been well maintaned and everything has been done, leaving me to just enjoy a glass of wine on the birdcage. Two things I love most about resale...mature lush landscapeing and in my case...NO bond. Big savings all around. All that being said, its wonderful living here, whatever you choose. Come on down.

[2 Oldcrabs]

When we first started looking, I was sure we would buy a resale. I did not like the idea of the bond on new homes. Looked at many resales thru TV & MLS. Resales that met our needs were higher than having the the house built including the bond cost. Many of the resales had ugly wallpaper and "dated" colors Never made an Offer on a resale, because they did not meet our needs. But I am sure I could have gotten a "good deal". I custom built my last home using many upgrades and energy effiecent HVAC that builders do not offer. New TV homes are"track housing" not custom built, but certainly not a POS ! Everybody's wants and needs are different. "DO the math" and buy what you want. :crap2:

[rubicon]

:agree: I don't play golf but definitely don't mind paying the amenity free. There are so many other things to enjoy in The Villages other than golf and the fees pay for them all.

Joaniesmom
I don't believe amenities apply to golf?

[dkrhardy]

rubicon - who pays for the executive courses? Residents do. How do they pay? With the amenities fees. If you know of another way they are paid for, let me know. The fees also pay for all of the upkeep, squares entertainment, as well as improvements.
Don

[asianthree]

rubicon - who pays for the executive courses? Residents do. How do they pay? With the amenities fees. If you know of another way they are paid for, let me know. The fees also pay for all of the upkeep, squares entertainment, as well as improvements.
Don

they get the money for the executive by charging to see the elephant mounds on the new golf courses (post from april 1):girlneener:

[Barefoot]

The fees also pay for all of the upkeep, squares entertainment, as well as improvements.
Don

The upkeep of the Town Squares and entertainment costs, are NOT paid out of residents' amenity fees. The Squares, shops, restaurants and entertainment are open to the public, unlike our golf courses and pools!

[hulababy]

Could it be the builder is using more "cost effective" materials when building now?? I did see some cottage style homes where the bathrooms appeared cheaply made. Just like food prices, prices go up, the quanity went down. What used to be a box of cereal for $2.99 is now 1/2 a box of cereal for $3.50. It would NOt surprise me if the quality of workmanship is poorer as the population has grown and they probably just want to build out and get it over with. I know my style home changed through the years When I bought you got Three windows in kitchen, then they went to two windows in kitchen, from a cathedral ceiling to a regular low ceiling. I would agree the homes have changed. Resales are probably doing very well considering you could find something nice in a great location for a lower bond.

[hdh1470]

As stated before to each their own.For those on a tighter budget you can do much better on a resale.Today I saw a house in springdale listed for 189,000 bond bal 4500.maint 400 a yr.That new model would cost you 210,000 bond 23,000 and maint. about 1,000yr.Assuming you could buy for 180,000 that's almost 50k difference.Point being that those wanting a house they can't afford maybe you can.Also taxes are going to be a lot cheaper.

[CaptJohn]

Quixote, Post 71 was nicely written. Very good explanations and points made.

[dkrhardy]

The upkeep of the Town Squares and entertainment costs, are NOT paid out of residents' amenity fees. The Squares, shops, restaurants and entertainment are open to the public, unlike our golf courses and pools!

So what does pay for them? Open to the public or not, those things ARE paid for by some funds.
Don

[Joaniesmom]

Way to go, Trish. Hurry on down. We need more folks just like you!

Joaniesmom

[Joaniesmom]

We bought two resales in TV. I agree with the above poster that you can do better financially on a resale over new. Plus getting a larger lot in a mature neighborhood, and a more central location.

However there is an emotional component to buying new. For many Wrinklies, their home in TV will be their last opportunity to buy new. There is an excitement in choosing a lot and being part of the creative process; of making choices and feeling the satisfaction of seeing a vision come to life.

Well now. Wrinklies. I like the sound of that better than frog. Thanks for the idea. I'll mull it over.

Wrinklie Joaniesmom

[eweissenbach]

We bought two resales in TV. I agree with the above poster that you can do better financially on a resale over new. Plus getting a larger lot in a mature neighborhood, and a more central location.

However there is an emotional component to buying new. For many Wrinklies, their home in TV will be their last opportunity to buy new. There is an excitement in choosing a lot and being part of the creative process; of making choices and feeling the satisfaction of seeing a vision come to life.

Well said barefoot. Another point I would mention is that while many resales are clearly less expensive than new, not all resales meet that criteria. A lot depends on the location, as is always the case in real estate. We were tempted in March to pull the trigger on a brand new Wisteria in Sanabel that was fully furnished with Southern Lifestyles furniture that was exactly what we would pick for ourselves. The Price was reduced to $194k - you would not likely find an equivalent home furnished in the sames way (and the furniture would be used) for a better price on the resale market. As in all real estate situations you have to do your homework and not be overly influenced by trivial things - then make an educated choice that will best fit your needs and pocketbook for the long term.

[Quixote]

Could I please clarify that my original #1 post, except for the first two lines, was a QUOTE. I thought that was clear. I guess it wasn’t.

Could I also please clarify (not that I feel it makes much difference...), that the person I quoted, in describing some of the new construction in such a “charming” way, used a phrase whose initials would be “POC” rather than “POS.” Same number of letters, so four ****. Please remember that that was one person’s opinion and that I was quoting. That is not my view, though I felt the whole passage was worth sharing for, as others have said in postings, expressing one person’s opinion and conveying info that would not ordinarily be told to prospective buyers here.

A friend of a friend tells the story of taking his golf cart on CR-466 to Morse Blvd., passing the villas being constructed on the south side of 466 near Morse. He was going to Staples to pick up something. On his way there he saw the builders beginning to hoist roof trusses with a piece of heavy equipment for one of the houses. By the time he bought the item he needed and was on his way back, not only were the trusses completed, the entire roof was already enclosed in plywood sheathing. He estimated that from one observation to the next took about 45 minutes at the most.

For what it’s worth....

Here are two opposing viewpoints, and both are valid depending on one’s needs and feelings (and both phrased, I admit, a whole lot less "vivid" than my original quote which at that point was all I had to make the point):

eweissenbach: Well said barefoot. Another point I would mention is that while many resales are clearly less expensive than new, not all resales meet that criteria.A lot depends on the location, as is always the case in real estate. We were tempted in March to pull the trigger on a brand new Wisteria in Sanabel that was fully furnished with Southern Lifestyles furniture that was exactly what we would pick for ourselves.The Price was reduced to $194k - you would not likely find an equivalent home furnished in the sames way (and the furniture would be used) for a better price on the resale market. As in all real estate situations you have to do your homework and not be overly influenced by trivial things - then make an educated choice that will best fit your needs and pocketbook for the long term.

hdh1470: As stated before to each their own. For those on a tighter budget you can do much better on a resale. Today I saw a house in springdale listed for 189,000 bond bal 4500.maint 400 a yr. That new model would cost you 210,000 bond 23,000 and maint. about 1,000yr. Assuming you could buy for 180,000 that's almost 50k difference. Point being that those wanting a house they can't afford maybe you can. Also taxes are going to be a lot cheaper.

[eweissenbach]

For what it�s worth....

Here are two opposing viewpoints, and both are valid depending on one�s needs and feelings (and both phrased, I admit, a whole lot less "vivid" than my original quote which at that point was all I had to make the point):

eweissenbach: Well said barefoot. Another point I would mention is that while many resales are clearly less expensive than new, not all resales meet that criteria.A lot depends on the location, as is always the case in real estate. We were tempted in March to pull the trigger on a brand new Wisteria in Sanabel that was fully furnished with Southern Lifestyles furniture that was exactly what we would pick for ourselves.The Price was reduced to $194k - you would not likely find an equivalent home furnished in the sames way (and the furniture would be used) for a better price on the resale market. As in all real estate situations you have to do your homework and not be overly influenced by trivial things - then make an educated choice that will best fit your needs and pocketbook for the long term.

hdh1470: As stated before to each their own. For those on a tighter budget you can do much better on a resale. Today I saw a house in springdale listed for 189,000 bond bal 4500.maint 400 a yr. That new model would cost you 210,000 bond 23,000 and maint. about 1,000yr. Assuming you could buy for 180,000 that's almost 50k difference. Point being that those wanting a house they can't afford maybe you can. Also taxes are going to be a lot cheaper.

Just to clarify, I would argue that these are not opposing viewpoints. I said that SOME resales are clearly less expensive than new. I also said that a lot depends on LOCATION. Springdale, for better or worse, is a location that is not as valued on the resale market as other locations. Resale homes in the Northwest of TV seem to be priced at $10k to 20k less than homes in many of the areas, especially south of 466.

[gerryann]

This discussion came about by the original poster stating that someone purchased......

"this hideous brand new piece of **** for more money when she could have had this gorgeous Designer."

How can ANYONE else decide what is a POS? I'm sure that many of you have entered someone else's home as a guest and were floored by their furniture, their taste, their mess, etc, etc. Its THERE'S....not YOURS, so why would you think that they should have something else?

I just purchased a home in the Villages. I could have gotten it for about $30-40,000 less in a different neighborhood. Or, I could have purchased a resale for around $60,000 less. But that's not what I wanted. I wanted new and I wanted it where I bought it. That's not right OR wrong......it's not anyone else's decision, it's mine. I might think your car or your furniture is all a POS, but I wouldn't tell you that.....it's yours not mine.

There are a few closed minded people here on TOTV.

[graciegirl]

Quixote.

I too thought that the POS part was from you. I am relieved. I must admit it wrankled me.

Another valid point for buying a resale is to avoid what Happinow is facing that someone will build or plant something behind you that you may not like.

But to get back to Quixote. Quixote himself did not say the words that many of us took issue to in the very first post. That part was a quote from someone else.

This is where paying attention to little details pay off or misleads...however you want to read it.

Quixote is INNOCENT.

[Bogie Shooter]

This discussion came about by the original poster stating that someone purchased......

"this hideous brand new piece of **** for more money when she could have had this gorgeous Designer."

How can ANYONE else decide what is a POS? I'm sure that many of you have entered someone else's home as a guest and were floored by their furniture, their taste, their mess, etc, etc. Its THERE'S....not YOURS, so why would you think that they should have something else?

I just purchased a home in the Villages. I could have gotten it for about $30-40,000 less in a different neighborhood. Or, I could have purchased a resale for around $60,000 less. But that's not what I wanted. I wanted new and I wanted it where I bought it. That's not right OR wrong......it's not anyone else's decision, it's mine. I might think your car or your furniture is all a POS, but I wouldn't tell you that.....it's yours not mine.

There are a few closed minded people here on TOTV.

Welcome to The Villages. Glad you are posting on TOTV, I enjoy a post that - tells it like it is.

[goodgrief]

It's a lot to pay for a lifestyle. And yes the bonds are nasty on new homes. Especially when you can put that bond money into a home. We were looking at resale but are currently looking at other retirement communities after being here in the villages a year. After all...you can go to LSL or SS without living here. Golf courses are no biggie and you have similar amenties, bigger homes, less cost in these other communities. Even a neighbor said they had wished they hadn't jumped and bought but spent the time to look around like us. But to each their own.

[Bogie Shooter]

It's a lot to pay for a lifestyle. And yes the bonds are nasty on new homes. Especially when you can put that bond money into a home. We were looking at resale but are currently looking at other retirement communities after being here in the villages a year. After all...you can go to LSL or SS without living here. Golf courses are no biggie and you have similar amenties, bigger homes, less cost in these other communities. Even a neighbor said they had wished they hadn't jumped and bought but spent the time to look around like us. But to each their own.

As you know there is a whole lot more to TV that going to the town squares. Right?

[eweissenbach]

It's a lot to pay for a lifestyle. And yes the bonds are nasty on new homes. Especially when you can put that bond money into a home. We were looking at resale but are currently looking at other retirement communities after being here in the villages a year. After all...you can go to LSL or SS without living here. Golf courses are no biggie and you have similar amenties, bigger homes, less cost in these other communities. Even a neighbor said they had wished they hadn't jumped and bought but spent the time to look around like us. But to each their own.

I don't agree with you, and I have looked at some of the other retirement communities, but that is a personal opinion. You are absolutely entitled to yours. Good luck wherever you land.

[graciegirl]

Quixote.

I too thought that the POS part was from you. I am relieved. I must admit it wrankled me.

Another valid point for buying a resale is to avoid what Happinow is facing that someone will build or plant something behind you that you may not like.

But to get back to Quixote. Quixote himself did not say the words that many of us took issue to in the very first post. That part was a quote from someone else.

This is where paying attention to little details pay off or misleads...however you want to read it.

Quixote is INNOCENT.

bump

[goodgrief]

As you know there is a whole lot more to TV that going to the town squares. Right?

Oh yeah, seen what is offered here. Seen what is offered elsewhere. Do like the security in some of the ones we looked at versus the slow down gates here. Actual ID and plate recorded of non residents. major +++

Its really how deep a person is willing to dig in their pocket books and what they want. And the level of living you want. Whether you want to pay for amenities or put the money into where you live. Our neighbor made the comment one day he's just been leaving his wallet on the dresser. Nothing left in it. Not saying the villages aren't a great place, but they are the 1000lb gorilla in the room. Everyone is going to compare everyplace else to it.

Like I said to each their own. But folks should know there are other options out there. We didn't when we first moved here.

We gave it some time. Will be giving it a little more till the lease runs out. Could still buy a resale here but it would have to fit the bill, but leaning the other way at the moment. Love our current neighbors and they wish we weren't going to move (to another home here or there).

[Opulence]

Oh yeah, seen what is offered here. Seen what is offered elsewhere. Do like the security in some of the ones we looked at versus the slow down gates here. Actual ID and plate recorded of non residents. major +++

Its really how deep a person is willing to dig in their pocket books and what they want. And the level of living you want. Whether you want to pay for amenities or put the money into where you live. Our neighbor made the comment one day he's just been leaving his wallet on the dresser. Nothing left in it. Not saying the villages aren't a great place, but they are the 1000lb gorilla in the room. Everyone is going to compare everyplace else to it.

Like I said to each their own. But folks should know there are other options out there. We didn't when we first moved here.

We gave it some time. Will be giving it a little more till the lease runs out. Could still buy a resale here but it would have to fit the bill, but leaning the other way at the moment. Love our current neighbors and they wish we weren't going to move (to another home here or there).

I was wondering what other areas you are considering. They must be close by to still be able to visit the squares & take advantage of some things that TV has to offer. Would you mind sharing where you are looking?

Betty

[John_W]

...Like I said to each their own. But folks should know there are other options out there. We didn't when we first moved here.

We gave it some time. Will be giving it a little more till the lease runs out. Could still buy a resale here but it would have to fit the bill, but leaning the other way at the moment. Love our current neighbors and they wish we weren't going to move (to another home here or there).

Have you looked at Timber Pines in Spring Hill? My parents were one of the first homeowners in 1984. The community is on 1200 acres, completely gated with a 6' wall. They have two 18 hole par 60 golf courses. You can own a cart and drive it on the street. It was built out about 1998 and you can buy a resale 2 BR 2 BR 2 car masonry rancher for less than $150,000. You can drive to Tampa in just 60 minutes.

I've been to Timber Pines many times and chose The Villages and just finished our first year anniversary here. Places like Timber Pines offer nothing inside the gate. You have a golf cart, but where can you drive it, to the club house, to the course, that's it. Everything else is on Hwy 19 in Spring Hill. Go check it out, and I bet you'll be back here rightaway. It's only an hours drive, go down I-75 exit Route 50 to Brooksville and continue to Hwy 19 turn south and you'll see it about 5 miles on the left across from Walmart.

[gerryann]

I can certainly understand folks wanting a different retirement community. I drove through many, but they seemed lonely...I don't know what else to call it. I know there are a lot of folks that want a relaxing, quiet home...a guiet lifestyle, home meals, etc. I don't think there's anything wrong with that and to boot...they'll save money on their homes. But for me personally...I want people, conversation, lots of resturants, bars, shopping, activities, and a safe place where I can walk my dog and meet other people.

Everyone needs to decide what's important to them. I'm not there yet, but I have spent a great deal of time in TV. Who knows.....maybe in a few years I'll be saying....I need a quieter life.....I don't think that will happen, but who knows?? So, keep us posted on what you find and what's out there.

[graciegirl]

Oh yeah, seen what is offered here. Seen what is offered elsewhere. Do like the security in some of the ones we looked at versus the slow down gates here. Actual ID and plate recorded of non residents. major +++

Its really how deep a person is willing to dig in their pocket books and what they want. And the level of living you want. Whether you want to pay for amenities or put the money into where you live. Our neighbor made the comment one day he's just been leaving his wallet on the dresser. Nothing left in it. Not saying the villages aren't a great place, but they are the 1000lb gorilla in the room. Everyone is going to compare everyplace else to it.

Like I said to each their own. But folks should know there are other options out there. We didn't when we first moved here.

We gave it some time. Will be giving it a little more till the lease runs out. Could still buy a resale here but it would have to fit the bill, but leaning the other way at the moment. Love our current neighbors and they wish we weren't going to move (to another home here or there).

Thank goodness you are only leasing but on the plus side if you had bought, the houses are easier to sell here than nearly any place in the country right now.

Glad you still have your options open to move if you want to.

[jgbama]

Oh yeah, seen what is offered here. Seen what is offered elsewhere. Do like the security in some of the ones we looked at versus the slow down gates here. Actual ID and plate recorded of non residents. major +++

Its really how deep a person is willing to dig in their pocket books and what they want. And the level of living you want. Whether you want to pay for amenities or put the money into where you live. Our neighbor made the comment one day he's just been leaving his wallet on the dresser. Nothing left in it. Not saying the villages aren't a great place, but they are the 1000lb gorilla in the room. Everyone is going to compare everyplace else to it.

Like I said to each their own. But folks should know there are other options out there. We didn't when we first moved here.

We gave it some time. Will be giving it a little more till the lease runs out. Could still buy a resale here but it would have to fit the bill, but leaning the other way at the moment. Love our current neighbors and they wish we weren't going to move (to another home here or there).

Welcome to TOTV and for voicing your opinions. :ho: But, don't think that most of us didn't consider other retirement communities before deciding on TV.

We are 7 years into our journey, and we are buying a resale, with the bond paid, a pool (fully enclosed by a birdcage) and mature oak trees in the front and side. There are some downsides to our choice, but it's what we want!

Those who have regrets may not have checked into everything before buying. Example: At first, we thought the individual villages were fully gated, but learned different after doing more homework and research. I don't think there will be any more surprises, thanks to all the information available on TOTV, talking to visitors and residents in person during our 9 visits. If there are, we will deal with it. Like most people who bought at TV. . .it's for us!

We have heard horrendous horror stories about other retirement communities. Example: A gentleman at our golf course here in Montgomery told me he bought a villa ($230,000) in a community around Orlando/Disneyworld thinking the kids and grandkids would be visiting often. After 3 years, it turned out they only visited once. With the fees, etc. he was paying, they decided to sell. Sold it for $75,000.

All retirement communities may not be as extreme as my example, but the point is most of us have checked into other communities. Considering everything, TV is it for us - case closed! :pepper2:

We have met people who live in a retirement community in Leesburg. It's great for them and they visit TV occasionally. But we also talked to a couple at the square in SS several years ago that bought just North of TV. But found they were coming to TV a lot more than they imagined and they regret their decision not to have bought in TV.

SO. . . "to each their own"! Each of us has our unique situations and decide on a retirement location that fits our budget, our interests and our needs.

This is "Talk of The Villages". There is more information here to help you decide if TV is for you. If it's not for you. . . then come visit us anytime! We'll welcome you with open arms. :beer3:

Good luck on your journey! :thumbup: "You only go around once in life, and this is no dress rehearsal!"

[jimbo2012]

Not saying the villages aren't a great place, but they are the 1000lb gorilla in the room. Everyone is going to compare everyplace else to it.

So you realize TV is the GOLD standard, but fail to say why U may leave.

Places like Timber Pines offer nothing inside the gate. You have a golf cart, but where can you drive it, to the club house, to the course, that's it. Everything else is on Hwy 19 in Spring Hill. Go check it out, and I bet you'll be back here rightaway.

Been there done that, lasted an hour, you're spot on.

I can certainly understand folks wanting a different retirement community. I drove through many, but they seemed lonely...I don't know what else to call it.

We got the same feeling. In some places we felt like we were way to young to be hanging out there.

.I want people, conversation, lots of restaurants, bars, shopping, activities, and a safe place where I can walk my dog and meet other people.


1800 activities doesn't hurt, along with the strong financial backing of the founding family.

the houses are easier to sell here than nearly any place in the country right now.

Boy howdy R U right there, I know if I want to sell in the future it can happen due to the demand here.

.

[asianthree]

took me all night to read this thread. Bought new and buying a resale so both worlds covered

[ricthemic]

Someone in another thread wanted to know the bad things about The Villages. I guess this post just about covers it. I think I'm going to go eat worms. Golly how depressing!

Joaniesmon

Is reality depressing to you?

[Bogie Shooter]

Is reality depressing to you?

Not reality.............just opinions.

[cynkr67]

Are you serious??? I can't believe the way this thread is going. For pete's sake, it's a place that many people have decided to live...if you don't like it or the "developers" then you don't have to live there!!!! This isn't choosing a place to spend eternity, it's just a really neat place to live. Of course the people that designed it are making money...they're supposed to!! If you don't like new construction..don't buy it! If you don't want to pay maintainance fees...move somewhere else. If you prefer pre-owned...buy it! I really think this is one of the silliest threads I have read. I can't wait to get down there, buying pre-owned or new will be decided when we look at what is available and which will fulfill our wish list. There is NO reason to call somones' home a POS.Theposter that declared that all of the construction on new build is inferior is incorrect. I checked out a lot of the homes while I was down there and found it to be very nice. Not only were the models nice, the fact is IF you decide to build you can choose to upgrade. This is no different than any new construction that I have looked at anywhere. You have no idea how offended I am by people that CHOOSE to move into any particular area then criticize it.

Spot on, Trish!! Thank you!!

[CarGuys]

Spot on, Trish!! Thank you!!

I agree also. Been here knee deep in boxes for a week. Happy as a can be and I haven't even begun to enjoy the place. Well Breakfast today at Bonafay was a nice start.

Looked over at the Wife she was smiling- Were Good!

[dkrhardy]

I agree also. Been here knee deep in boxes for a week. Happy as a can be and I haven't even begun to enjoy the place. Well Breakfast today at Bonafay was a nice start.

Looked over at the Wife she was smiling- Were Good!

2 weeks from today we will be knee deep also! Breakfast at anyplace will be a treat on THAT day.
Don & Kaz

[CaptJohn]

I agree also. Been here knee deep in boxes for a week. Happy as a can be and I haven't even begun to enjoy the place. Well Breakfast today at Bonafay was a nice start.

Looked over at the Wife she was smiling- Were Good!

Glad to hear ya'll made it OK.

[twinklesweep]

took me all night to read this thread. Bought new and buying a resale so both worlds covered

I don�t go on the TOTV website a lot and only now see this thread from a couple weeks back. It also took me a long long time to read through it. People can buy -- if they decide to buy -- whatever they want related to what they can afford to spend. That�s a given. Whether to buy new or preowned or buy elsewhere, that�s up to the buyer. But -- and this is a big but -- many people come here only having heard about The Villages and go to the sales center for info, right? They get taken on a trolley tour with a driver and a cheerleader to areas of new construction and are led to believe that this is what�s available. Sometimes you can see them rushing out of the trolley to check out a new street for a lot and put their stake in the ground, and from that point on it�s a done deal.

The original poster who started this thread with a long quote from his friend about the negatives of new construction and the positives about buying a resale is offering info--yes even as an opinion -- that too many people could not find anywhere else. Isn�t this why people come to TOTV -- to find info about most anything having to do with TV, whether it�s finding a plumber or a doctor, hearing the opinions of other people about this versus that restaurant, etc? Whether you agree or disagree with what the friend of the poster wrote, just keep in mind that there are potential buyers out there who will find this opinion, even as strongly put as it was, useful -- and who might never hear it anywhere else. No one is obligated to accept it as Gospel. It�s just an opinion!

[John_W]

...many people come here only having heard about The Villages and go to the sales center for info, right? They get taken on a trolley tour with a driver and a cheerleader to areas of new construction and are led to believe that this is what’s available. Sometimes you can see them rushing out of the trolley to check out a new street for a lot and put their stake in the ground, and from that point on it’s a done deal...

We came to TV the last week of April 2011 for our first and only LSV. We stayed 7 days at one of the cottages east of the sales office at LSL near the Morse Bridge. We never took a trolly ride. Our salesman Tony Trussler only took us to where we asked to go. I said I wanted to see new CYV's and Cottages. We went to Pennecamp and looked at every model Cottage and every model CYV that was available. After that we were on our own. Two days later I asked Tony if we could see new patio villas. He picked us up and he took us to Buttonwood and we looked at both versions of the patio villa and a couple of furnished models and he drove us around that neighborhood.

Tony is a laid back fellow with a british accent and was probably older than me, mid to late 60's I would guess. He wasn't any cheerleader and didn't try to steer us in any direction or another. We didn't ask to see any resales, those we looked up ourselves and visited them.

We sold our house just a couple of weeks later in May and had to be out by the end of June. Rather than make a second trip, since we decided on a new CYV and we knew the floorplans and communities available, we bought our new home off the internet. We called Tony and gave him a credit card and he put a hold on a new CYV, we closed and moved in July 5, 2011.

[Frenzi]

We came to TV the last week of April 2011 for our first and only LSV. We stayed 7 days at one of the cottages east of the sales office at LSL near the Morse Bridge. We never took a trolly ride. Our salesman Tony Trussler only took us to where we asked to go.

We will be visiting the Villages through a LSV before the end of the year. Is a salesperson assigned, or do you know if one can be requested? It would be nice if we could request one with whom someone had a good experience.

[John_W]

We will be visiting the Villages through a LSV before the end of the year. Is a salesperson assigned, or do you know if one can be requested? It would be nice if we could request one with whom someone had a good experience.

Tony was assigned to us when we made our LSV reservation. It was probably the only thing I didn't research. If you read enough good reviews of a salesperson, I don't see why you can't call the '800' number and just ask for them. Unless they are swamped with customers I don't see why they wouldn't take you on.

[batman911]

You can request a specific person as your sales agent. You can contact them directly and have them handle it for you. I was given this info by our sales agent.

[Arubagirl2000]

Tony and his wife are wonderful. No pressure, and really understood what we were looking for. We came down in 2010 and 2011, then sold our house in 2012 and bought in TV. We picked the neighborhood we wanted, and our forever home was there. Looked brand new inside even though about 5-6 yrs old. We thought that since most have been here since the houses were built here 5-6 yrs ago, it would be clanish. All the neighbors could not have been nicer. We have made so many new friends in 3 months, and we have not even been to the rec centers to join anything yet.

We found the things we thought we had to have - big yard (we left 2 1/2 acres), golf cart garage, birdcage - became unimportant once we settled in and met our "new families". Our choice was made, in part, on location. Wanted to be able to get to Sumter via golf cart in a short time.

I know TV is not for everyone, and my husband was the one in 2010 who said he would never move here, but the following year he started warming up to the idea, and once we got here he was a happy camper.

Oh, and we do not golf - yet. LOL

[Barefoot]

We will be visiting the Villages through a LSV before the end of the year. Is a salesperson assigned, or do you know if one can be requested? It would be nice if we could request one with whom someone had a good experience.

Yes, it is perfectly OK to request a salesperson by name.

[createquilts]

although assigned a realtor, we switched after we ran into someone we really liked at an open house. We had to initiate the contact and TV called to make sure there wasn't a problem. We had no problem with the original realtor and told them so, but like everything in life sometimes you like someone's personality or particular expertise. Everyone from TV was outstanding in their service and information.

Back to the original post many pages ago, there are pros and cons of buying new or a resale. We are all different, all have different budgets and wants which makes the world a much more interesting place than if we all had the same opinion.

[JohnN]

you also get the older roof, the older HVAC and appliances, and the lack of sidewalks and infrastructure that's found on the south end. We looked at both, and for the CBS place we got (and we do prefer CBS over frame), we're very happy with a new villa.

IMHO

[jimbo2012]

Just saw a designer list built in '09, asking I think 220K, the extras listed were worth perhaps 5K, a new one built to today's building code with the new home one year warrentee and you can get full sinkhole is 185K.

Makes no sense to me, they paid less in '09 on the base cost too, I'll just guess 10K.

Where's the value.

[eweissenbach]

Just saw a designer list built in '09, asking I think 220K, the extras listed were worth perhaps 5K, a new one built to today's building code with the new home one year warrentee and you can get full sinkhole is 185K.

Makes no sense to me, they paid less in '09 on the base cost too, I'll just guess 10K.

Where's the value.

The price difference could easily be in the lot premium. Anyone can cherry pick listings and find some that are apparently overpriced. Those that are will either sell for much less than listed.....or won't sell. My experience is that you can GENERALLY find homes that are better values in resales than new, though new may still be anyone's preference for good reasons.

[gomoho]

Good point Oldcoach Ed.

[jimbo2012]

It was not a premium lot, I checked that point before hand.

[LynnDeb]

I agree with Trish, I'm also looking to buy in TV...We live in Kissimmee, Fl and we arent fond of our surrounding area but, I keep my thoughts btw hubby and I...Now lets get back on positive track....after all we are growing older and lets start to live whatever time we have!!! Just saying

[LynnDeb]

bonny: so you are telling me that if "after the fact" a resident, a cell phone user, a Comcast internet user, etc realizes that he/she does not have a need for that use ...well then tough. I don't think anyone should be locked into anything. So since they are here well then they are forced to subsize.

I have reconciled that mistake for me. My previous post was to offer people who have not purchased a home here yet an opportunity to be more circumspect about this choice. I wish someone had offered me that opportunity. Please allow me my right of "free expression".


Personal Best Regards:

What is your point?? Are you expressing unhappiness, discontent with your choice of living in TV? My hubby and I are actually thinking of maybe buying in presale home due to cash flow, stability of home, established area,etc...basically I want to call my home a home if we need to change out we'll do it on our terms but, I like the concept TV living has.....where we live currently in Kissimmee, Fl doesnt offer TV lifestyle

[LynnDeb]

When you buy a home in TV, you are buying a lifestyle----Resale or new depends on your preference.

Agree different strokes for different strokes.....If we all think alot we'd have a boring world and not learn new things

[LynnDeb]

There are certainly a few unhappy folks who post here and evidently take pleasure in making other folks as miserable as they are.....you know who you are, and I feel sorry for you that you are just not happy. Unfortunately, you'll continue to find negatives in most everything.


AGREE how sad isnt life becoming shorter???? hmmm:shrug:

[LynnDeb]

I agree also. Been here knee deep in boxes for a week. Happy as a can be and I haven't even begun to enjoy the place. Well Breakfast today at Bonafay was a nice start.

Looked over at the Wife she was smiling- Were Good!

Glad to see LIFE IS GOOD on your end....this thread is so depressing for a want to be soon to TV...Lynn:spoken:

[Mack184]

I had an old boss & mentor who used to say.."There's a rump for every chair". Although he didn't use the word rump! There are certainly many, many choices out there for people when they are looking for a retirement community. My father's mother & dad lived out the last years of their lives at the lifecare community called Shell Point Village outside of Fort Myers.

We came this way to be closer to my wife's parents who live at TV in Belvedere. My wife's aunt & uncle also live at TV although I cannot remember which village they are in. I can find it, but I don't remember it's name. My in-laws built their Designer in 2006. My wife's aunt & uncle bought a new one back in 2011. IMHO the "build" of the '06 home was richer than the one built in '11.

When we looked at new homes in TV my wife thought that all of the new homes that we looked at seemed cheap. I didn't entirely agree with her, but hey..there's that happy wife-happy life thing, so I wasn't about rock the boat. So we confined ourselves to looking mostly at the older builds.

One item mentioned in this thread several times was that the new homes qualify for full sinkhole insurance. Our rep at Villages Insurance says that that is only the case "for now". It could all go away in the wink of an eye due to things that they cannot control happening at the state level.

I would think that if what you want in retirement is to be busy throughout your days and you like the hot weather, then buying in TV is a no-brainer. If it's not what you want, then it's probably not for you.

Ultimately we bought in Stonecrest. Why? First, we're not retired and won't be for some time. Second, at this point in our lives we have no interest in "the lifestyle". So there's no point in spending money for things that you are never going to use. And Third, we were less than 10 minutes from my wife's mom & dad. So that worked out well for us. But as I mentioned earlier if you are going to find a place to retire where you don't mind the heat and will find plenty to do there's not much better place to pick than TV.

[mickey100]

The price difference could easily be in the lot premium. Anyone can cherry pick listings and find some that are apparently overpriced. Those that are will either sell for much less than listed.....or won't sell. My experience is that you can GENERALLY find homes that are better values in resales than new, though new may still be anyone's preference for good reasons.

I agree completely. As many have said, we each have our own needs and desires. But I'm convinced that there are many resales out there, and probably quite a few south of 466 that are better buys than new, and they may be more central as well. I know a number of people that have gotten fantastic deals on re-sales. We live near Lake Sumter south of 466 and the designer next to us sold for about $40,000 less than what they paid for it 6 years ago, and they had about $20,000 in improvements to boot. And you know the bond is about $10,000 less than what new would be. If I was in the market for rental property I would have bought it myself for a rental. And I think that was the aim of the original poster - to point out that if you look around, and don't get caught up in the "fever" of buying new, you can save a lot of money if you look at resales. I also think there are a couple of people on this board that consistently back the Developer, always seem to have the latest information, etc, and I suspect are connected with the Developer in some way. If you're a newbie or wannabe, take everything you read with a grain of salt.

[keithwand]

We love our new home and did not consider a resale.
Nothing will/ should need replacing for years vs. a used house.
We picked out all the details we wanted inc. the paint color.
We wanted to be S of 466A to meet new people to TV and it has exceeded our expectations.
No relation to the Morse family (we are from MI) but will gladly accept a check for this endorsement.
Kidding of course; or am I?

[eweissenbach]

We love our new home and did not consider a resale.
Nothing will/ should need replacing for years vs. a used house.
We picked out all the details we wanted inc. the paint color.
We wanted to be S of 466A to meet new people to TV and it has exceeded our expectations.
No relation to the Morse family (we are from MI) but will gladly accept a check for this endorsement.
Kidding of course; or am I?

You obviously did what was right for you - good for you! Several people have posted that they were equally happy having bought pre-owned - good for them! People generally have a propensity to emotionally and positively, reinforce major decisions. They consider what they want, look around a lot, and finally make a decision. In most cases they are unlikely to second-guess that decision or have remorse. There are a few that have remorse and end up buying something else, or moving away, but they are in the minority. If you are a wannabe cruising this site you will find all kinds of opinions - most positive, but some negative. The Villages is not for everyone thankfully, because there is only going to be room for some 110,000 or so out of many millions of seniors in the U.S. In my opinion, it is a fabulous place for ACTIVE and SOCIAL seniors, and for those people, is like no other. If you are not particularly social or active there are other places with some of the ameneties of TV, but not all, and are somewhat cheaper. NOBODY should decide whether to live anyplace based on opinions they read on a message board, despite their being a lot of good information on here. Come and see what it is about for at least a week, if not more before deciding that this is it. If you are like many of us, you will be hooked, and if not there is probably another place that will suit you better.

[2BNTV]

You obviously did what was right for you - good for you! Several people have posted that they were equally happy having bought pre-owned - good for them! People generally have a propensity to emotionally and positively, reinforce major decisions. They consider what they want, look around a lot, and finally make a decision. In most cases they are unlikely to second-guess that decision or have remorse. There are a few that have remorse and end up buying something else, or moving away, but they are in the minority. If you are a wannabe cruising this site you will find all kinds of opinions - most positive, but some negative. The Villages is not for everyone thankfully, because there is only going to be room for some 110,000 or so out of many millions of seniors in the U.S. In my opinion, it is a fabulous place for ACTIVE and SOCIAL seniors, and for those people, is like no other. If you are not particularly social or active there are other places with some of the ameneties of TV, but not all, and are somewhat cheaper. NOBODY should decide whether to live anyplace based on opinions they read on a message board, despite their being a lot of good information on here. Come and see what it is about for at least a week, if not more before deciding that this is it. If you are like many of us, you will be hooked, and if not there is probably another place that will suit you better.

:agree: As usual, an intelligent thoughtful post. :smiley: