Nervous about the future of TV

[Spectreron]

Just read on the "Home Order Stay" thread to expect the Life Style visit program to end soon....Gave me that sinking feeling! What happens then...No more television ads to us northerners, no growth, no new blood....What happens to a town when all growth stops? My house is listed and we were going to move to TV as soon as it sells but I become more nervous about the move every day. The IRS problem is looming (the billionaire won't take the hit...why do you think he's a billionaire?). Will home values fall as TV becomes a sleepy, aging, unadvertised golf town in central Florida. Retailer development will end when the population stops growing. Will the excitement wane? I know I'm going to get hammered by the loyalists but this is a serious question that should be thought about because build out is a reality. Just Sayin' !

[buggyone]

A sleepy golfing town of over 100,000 people with well over 100 restaurants, 540 holes of golf, people from every state, active community centers, and nightly entertainment?

Yep, this place is drying up and going to blow away.

You are going to be so busy having fun here and meeting new friends that you will not believe it.

The developer is a billionaire because he is a fore thinking genius.

I hope this was not too much of a "hammering".

[graciegirl]

Had you ever thought that there is PLENTY of interest and no need to advertise? Why pay for something when it is not needed? We are a very shakin' place to be. The sales office doesn't have to subsidize visits in order to sell this place and there is no need to advertise. We are a popular and well known place.

Advertising is to sell something, if it is already beautiful and sought after, there is no need to peddle it further.

We are a hometown, NOT a vacation destination.

[Bogie Shooter]

Most of your assumptions are wrong. Maybe thought up in a nervous state!

[dalecrenshaw]

If you assumptions are correct, wouldn't that be true for any other retirement community; i.e.Del Web, Sun City, Spruce Creek, Planation, Stonecrest, etc.
Most of these communities don't even offer most of what the Villages has to offer...maybe you'll find 1 restaurant and 1 golf course and a clubhouse.

[ilovetv]

The lifestyle preview program ending sometime soon isn't a big indicator. With the thousands of rental homes available for long or short stays, and with residents selling their friends and relatives on the idea of buying not "a house", but a lifestyle where there are endless things to do for free or low, low cost, there's little need to advertise on t.v. etc.

And the grown kids and grandkids of residents love it here and would gladly move here when the time is right. No need to be retired, either. Many people moved here to continue working, and anybody over age 19 can live here as long as the under-55 population doesn't exceed 20% according to federal law that allows for an "adult community" over 55.

And as for the billionaire, he certainly built this place beautifully AND solvently--better than this mess we're all in and can't do a thing about:

U.S. National Debt Clock : Real Time (http://www.usdebtclock.org)

Do you consider moving out of the U.S. because of THAT mess Washington has created and keeps on building?

[senior citizen]

Just read on the "Home Order Stay" thread to expect the Life Style visit program to end soon....Gave me that sinking feeling! What happens then...No more television ads to us northerners, no growth, no new blood....What happens to a town when all growth stops? My house is listed and we were going to move to TV as soon as it sells but I become more nervous about the move every day. The IRS problem is looming (the billionaire won't take the hit...why do you think he's a billionaire?). Will home values fall as TV becomes a sleepy, aging, unadvertised golf town in central Florida. Retailer development will end when the population stops growing. Will the excitement wane? I know I'm going to get hammered by the loyalists but this is a serious question that should be thought about because build out is a reality. Just Sayin' !


Not to worry.

In our small state, one of the lowest populated states in the nation, we have been hearing about TV for years and years from those who've visited there and returned to our small town to rave about it............

Some places don't need to be formally advertised.......but they also did a wonderful job at that with the videos and street maps, etc.........

[mrsyarbie]

Growth continues for now and will be replaced by resales, rentals, vacationers and this place will continue to thrive, there is just too much going on here that it would not. The most wonderful people live here..The family will still be around this place is a part of them and they are wonderful. My 6 year old grandson told me when he was here last week he is moving to The Villages when he is old enough. I said what about Mom and Dad ? what if they dont live here.He said that is ok Nana, Michael said he is going to move here and I will live with him. ( Michael is his 9 year old brother) So The Villages will continue on with our children and maybe even our Grandchildren when we are gone.Take a chance you will never ever be sorry..

[jblum315]

Let me ask you, Spectreron, If you decided you wanted to move to, say, Montclair NJ, which is a lovely town: Would you decide against it because they're not building any new houses there, or new golf courses or swimming pools? I don't think so.

There's no need to advertise The Villages. I lived up north and I never saw an ad on TV or anywhere else. I heard about it from people like me, who raved about it. I came and saw what they were raving about. I bought and happily here I am.

[dotti105]

Yes, the Villages is approaching the planned build out. But it is my understanding that the Morse family has been looking at adjacent properties to purchase for future growth.

Nevertheless, if what is on the map now is IT, done, finished. There will still be a huge resale market here.

Whether we like it or not, none of us will live forever. Our homes will be re sold or passed on to heirs. The "growth" of the villages will go on.

There are large numbers of new retirees every day who are looking for such a place and there will always be newcomers and the friendly attitude here which is generated from the fact that we all come HERE from all over the country to begin our adventure!
The Villages becoming stale is the least of my concerns!!

I think a build out will just drive up the prices, that's why we want to get in NOW!!

[kittygilchrist]

Just read on the "Home Order Stay" thread to expect the Life Style visit program to end soon....Gave me that sinking feeling! What happens then...No more television ads to us northerners, no growth, no new blood....What happens to a town when all growth stops? My house is listed and we were going to move to TV as soon as it sells but I become more nervous about the move every day. The IRS problem is looming (the billionaire won't take the hit...why do you think he's a billionaire?). Will home values fall as TV becomes a sleepy, aging, unadvertised golf town in central Florida. Retailer development will end when the population stops growing. Will the excitement wane? I know I'm going to get hammered by the loyalists but this is a serious question that should be thought about because build out is a reality. Just Sayin' !

getting the willies is just not something you started...I'd invest here again in a heartbeat. the Villages developer owns the newspaper, radio, percentage of retailers, banks...if TV goes down it will be completely the opposite of the brilliance they have shown. they are not just here to sell new houses.

[eweissenbach]

I will attempt to give you a serious reply, and I don't think I qualify as a "loyalist" as you would likely define it, athough Iam very positive about the community and its future. The advertising in our area, Kansas City, Mo., has been almost non-existent for the last three years or so anyway. I originally learned of TV because it was advertised on a few golf tournaments, and it got my interest. I soon signed up for TOTV and subsequently got all the information I needed here. I have noticed that there is little advertising for TV outside of TV itself, no billboards along the interstate for example, unlike On Top of the World, and Del Webb. I am an AARP member and take three golf magazines, and I can't recall seeing an ad for TV in any of them. The only logical explanation for that from this former marketing executive's mind is that word-of-mouth must be providing sufficient exposure, and it has been deemed that other forms of advertising are either unnecessary or cost ineffective. The lifestyle preview program may be disappearing, if it really is, for the same reason, or it just may be that build-out is near enough that it doesn't make sense to continue beyond a
given date. As far as worrying about the possible effect of build-out to existing property owners, I would argue that it will be a net positive. Without new homes to compete against, the market for existing homes should become stronger, if not skyrocket. Given the kind of people that populate TV, fairly affluent, educated, and active, I would expect no real issues with residents taking over most management functions from the developer. This is all SPECULATION on my part but I think it is pretty realistic, and I for one, would not hesitate for one minute investing in the community. Good luck. Ed

[rubicon]

Well The Villages is not like Montclair, New Jersey or Kansas city MO, etc because it is not an incorporation. Its genesis is a clone of Disneyworld, except instead of visitors we have residents who financed this development and then allowed the developer to buy our assets.

In that same vein irrespective if a city or The Villages one of the main components that determine rests with its leadership. The IRS issue aside The Villages government seems to make very good economic decisions. I mean look at Detroit, Chicago, etc. As for the IRS who knows....perhaps the shadow know""

[jimbo2012]

R U looking for some sort of guarantee of future values?

I believe when the building stops values will increase.

What other choices would u or have u considered?

How do they compare?

[Harry Gilbert]

Spectreron You are not alone.

Personally I am much younger than the majority of members here and the residents in general. I am not concerned with a fall off of amenities or infrastructure over the next 10 years. Its 25 years on down the road I worry about.

But without being disrespectful or morbid TV is the home of FROGS and eventually TV will reach the apex of incoming and outgoing residents. And when that happens who knows what the outcome will be.

[redwitch]

I've never seen an ad for TV and I'm not a golfer. I learned of it from an on-line friend. She's not a golfer, either. She heard of it from a friend who did in fact hear of TV through an ad.

The IRS issue won't be settled for years, if at all typical. The ruling is just the first stage -- next comes the Morse's demanding a trial in tax court. Then, whichever side loses will demand an appeal. So, we really have no idea of what the outcome will ultimately be and many of us won't be alive to see that outcome.

TV won't die without ads -- word of mouth has brought many here and will continue to do so.

[billethkid]

if demand is sufficient to support the expected sales in TV then why would/should the developer spend money to advertize?

When TV is built out....the ever elusive objective as TV continues to buy up property.....why would there be a need for the Lifestyle visit program....another future customer accomodation by the developer to encourage sales.

We could also worry about the rising waters of the ocean and the gulf's effect on TV future....good by the way as it will become a waterfront retirement community.

btk

[capecodbob]

If you're nervous maybe you should first rent for a couple of years. That way, you can see 1st hand what goes on in TV and then make your decision.
My wife and I love it here and we looked for years (before we retired). I would say (my opinion) if you don't like it here I don't think you'll like it anywhere.

Oh, and after all that looking, TV was declared the winner by a huge margin.

BB

[PJUCTH]

More than 40 years ago. Spring Hill Fl. Look it up. Only been here 7 years. The changes are hard to believe. I still don't want to be anywhere else. Except maybe the ocean.( that's another story) I feel you fear. Maybe not a reality. But I do feel it

[asianthree]

i think it will be hard to find people that live here are nervous about their future..they are just happy:a040:

[keithwand]

Were you nervous to live where you do now? What if no new houses are built there?
Is there a lifestyle visit available where you are?
Sounds like you may have not moved often and that leads to you nervousness and you are looking for reasons not to leave familiar surroundings and that's OK.
You'd be surprised how many people have heard of TV and no need for a LSV.

[mjdollard]

Where does the Home Order Stay post say that LSV's are ending? I never saw that

[graciegirl]

I have mentioned this before but I will again. It is very common for folks to have a few nervous "spells" when in the midst of a major life change and move. It was hard for me at first to believe that this place was "for real". It seemed entirely too good to be true and I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

It is very hard work physically and emotionally to pack up our belongings and get rid of things we thought we needed and paid good money for. It is hard to leave the place that we have lived, often the place of our birth for different customs, climate, peer group and lifestyle.

Any person versed in human behavior will tell you that each change has a point value and if you put them all together it spells out a lot of STRESS and an uneasy feeling.

You named valid issues that we all have worried about. I can only speak for me and Sweetie. This Ohio girl who would NEVER live in Florida loves it here in The Villages. Sweetie is finally able to relax and distance himself from the goal setting, hard working person he once was. I love seeing him so happy.

I sincerely hope that you too will find your share of happiness here.

I am betting you will.

Kindest wishes,
Gracie.

[asianthree]

our oldest son gets TV the younger two have not been and its hard for them to understand how great it is to own a home here

[DougB]

Where does the Home Order Stay post say that LSV's are ending? I never saw that

It was in the third post of the Home Order Stay.

[gpirate]

Growth continues for now and will be replaced by resales, rentals, vacationers and this place will continue to thrive, there is just too much going on here that it would not. The most wonderful people live here..The family will still be around this place is a part of them and they are wonderful. My 6 year old grandson told me when he was here last week he is moving to The Villages when he is old enough. I said what about Mom and Dad ? what if they dont live here.He said that is ok Nana, Michael said he is going to move here and I will live with him. ( Michael is his 9 year old brother) So The Villages will continue on with our children and maybe even our Grandchildren when we are gone.Take a chance you will never ever be sorry..

I understand the nervousness. My questiion is do we have a calender to renovate the club houses, recreation centers, swimming pools, ect. after so many years and are we putting money aside to do these cost yearly? If we are we will be in good shape once the builders move on if not big trouble ahead in the years to come.

[ilovetv]

I understand the nervousness. My questiion is do we have a calender to renovate the club houses, recreation centers, swimming pools, ect. after so many years and are we putting money aside to do these cost yearly? If we are we will be in good shape once the builders move on if not big trouble ahead in the years to come.

The budgets and capital improvement budgets with funding are here:

VCDD Budget (http://www.districtgov.org/departments/budget/budget.aspx)

[mjdollard]

It was in the third post of the Home Order Stay.

Doug
Thanks for looking but I still don't see where someone said LSV's are ending.

I should have put in my full thought - now the village sales agents sell 150 pre-owned each month plus 300 new. After build out they might sell 400 pre-owned a month, and that is a lot of commission dollars. I doubt anyone will walk away from that.

I didn't buy as a financial investment, I bought for my future.

[DougB]

Doug
Thanks for looking but I still don't see where someone said LSV's are ending.

I should have put in my full thought - now the village sales agents sell 150 pre-owned each month plus 300 new. After build out they might sell 400 pre-owned a month, and that is a lot of commission dollars. I doubt anyone will walk away from that.

I didn't buy as a financial investment, I bought for my future.

Sorry, should have put my glasses on, it was post #6. See below.

I called my agent. She stated that the "Home order Stay" is just that. You have already purchased your lot & are there to order your home. The lifestyle stay in November is $125.00 per nite while the HO stay is a 4-7 nite stay @ $75.00 per nite, golf cart included, no other freebies because you may not have free time during the day. If you want to be able to golf, ect. you might look at renting a villa. Most rentals are by the month, however some, like mine, rent during the off season by the week( just a little promo there). In any case, my realtor advises that we should look for the "Lifestyle" stays to be elinanated in the near future. I wish you luck and can tell you, you will love the villages. .....

[fb32162]

TV is a small urban area comprised of 100,000 people. Those people spend their money on all the things people spend money on in any city in America resulting in a thriving business community both in TV and surrounding TV. The developer has a vested interest in the success of TV long after the build out is completed because he owns banks, insurnace companies, golf cart business, etc. He also has as a thriving real estate business focusing on resales and owns (and leases at a prime rate) much of the retail space in TV.

[ilovetv]

Read the TV Commercial Property website and add up the square footage at all the locations listed.

The developer has smartly envisioned and accomplished the building of a consumer market of over 100,000 residents who can go to any commercial/retail place they want or need.....on a golf cart. There is no need to go elsewhere for consumer needs/wants.

People here do not want to go elsewhere, by car, to pay more for the same thing that is all offered right here in TV.

The developer's not going anywhere with this commercial leasing future investment they've made:

The Villages Commercial Property Sales & Leasing (http://www.thevillagescommercialproperty.com/location.asp)

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Here's an interesting piece of info - - -

Rolling Acres Plaza has been on the market since last year:

https://www.cbremarketplace.com/listings/10737/Internal%20Documents/Rolling%20Acres%20Plaza%20Flyer%20.pdf

The copyright at the bottom of the pdf is 2012.


Then from a couple of months back, here's an article from the Daily Commercial (Leesburg's daily newspaper) regarding the sale of Rolling Acres Plaza:

Sterling Financial purchases Rolling Acres Plaza - Daily Commercial: Money (http://www.dailycommercial.com/money/article_219f2031-9e54-5658-a731-870dce3a79ef.html)

According to the Daily Commercial article, the seller was "a German investment fund advised by Prudential Real Estate Investors".............

Rolling Acres Plaza no longer listed/referenced on The Villages Commercial Property Management web page.

Bill :)

[janmcn]

Here's an interesting piece of info - - -

Rolling Acres Plaza has been on the market since last year:

https://www.cbremarketplace.com/listings/10737/Internal%20Documents/Rolling%20Acres%20Plaza%20Flyer%20.pdf

The copyright at the bottom of the pdf is 2012.


Then from a couple of months back, here's an article from the Daily Commercial (Leesburg's daily newspaper) regarding the sale of Rolling Acres Plaza:

Sterling Financial purchases Rolling Acres Plaza - Daily Commercial: Money (http://www.dailycommercial.com/money/article_219f2031-9e54-5658-a731-870dce3a79ef.html)

According to the Daily Commercial article, the seller was "a German investment fund advised by Prudential Real Estate Investors".............

Rolling Acres Plaza no longer listed/referenced on The Villages Commercial Property Management web page.

Bill :)


Is this the plaza where the Target store is located?

[jkpender]

I would be curious to see if other Villages Commercial Property comes up for sale in the near future. Could Rolling Acres Plaza just be the first?

[JP]

I would be curious to see if other Villages Commercial Property comes up for sale in the near future. Could Rolling Acres Plaza just be the first?

Unfortunately I think this is just the beginning and what I see as time goes on is these investment companies won't keep the properties up as well as the villages did because they are not trying to sell you a house and a lifestyle.

[ilovetv]

Unfortunately I think this is just the beginning and what I see as time goes on is these investment companies won't keep the properties up as well as the villages did because they are not trying to sell you a house and a lifestyle.

Ummm.....there is this concept in commercial property leasing that they are trying to sell you retail businesses that can continue to pay their lease because they are thriving and proven to be excellent anchor stores:

"The property was 97.5 percent occupied at the time of sale and is anchored TJ Maxx, Ross Dress For Less, Michael’s, Beall’s Outlet, Staples and Petco, as well as by separately owned Target, Walgreens and CVS stores."

(From the article linked above)

[JP]

Ummm.....there is this concept in commercial property leasing that they are trying to sell you retail businesses that can continue to pay their lease because they are thriving and proven to be excellent anchor stores:

"The property was 97.5 percent occupied at the time of sale and is anchored TJ Maxx, Ross Dress For Less, Michael’s, Beall’s Outlet, Staples and Petco, as well as by separately owned Target, Walgreens and CVS stores."

(From the article linked above)

Well they all might be leased but that doesn't mean the parent company that owns the property will keep up the property as well. I have seen this happen time and time again. They cut maintenance back so they can have a bigger bottom line.

[ilovetv]

So the "greedy" developer isn't so bad after all?

[jkpender]

So the "greedy" developer isn't so bad after all?

That remains to be seen.

[asianthree]

i am not going to lose sleep over who owns a shopping plaza..if there is good retail to shop at that all that matters

[JP]

So the "greedy" developer isn't so bad after all?

Exactly. Me for one would hope the developer and his family would continue doing what they have been doing. I think they have created a very unique and fantastic place.

[Schaumburger]

Sorry, should have put my glasses on, it was post #6. See below.

I called my agent. She stated that the "Home order Stay" is just that. You have already purchased your lot & are there to order your home. The lifestyle stay in November is $125.00 per nite while the HO stay is a 4-7 nite stay @ $75.00 per nite, golf cart included, no other freebies because you may not have free time during the day. If you want to be able to golf, ect. you might look at renting a villa. Most rentals are by the month, however some, like mine, rent during the off season by the week( just a little promo there). In any case, my realtor advises that we should look for the "Lifestyle" stays to be elinanated in the near future. I wish you luck and can tell you, you will love the villages. .....

I am glad I booked my Lifestyle Visit for October, even though I have rented in The Villages a few times since 2011. I wanted to experience the LSV before they no longer available.

[Villageshooter]

Just read on the "Home Order Stay" thread to expect the Life Style visit program to end soon....Gave me that sinking feeling! What happens then...No more television ads to us northerners, no growth, no new blood....What happens to a town when all growth stops? My house is listed and we were going to move to TV as soon as it sells but I become more nervous about the move every day. The IRS problem is looming (the billionaire won't take the hit...why do you think he's a billionaire?). Will home values fall as TV becomes a sleepy, aging, unadvertised golf town in central Florida. Retailer development will end when the population stops growing. Will the excitement wane? I know I'm going to get hammered by the loyalists but this is a serious question that should be thought about because build out is a reality. Just Sayin' !
You make some great points sometimes the sand is too thick for those who have their head in it, But the truth of the matter is most of us will be dead by the time this place really has major deterioration which is on the horizon I don't really worry about it my lifetime however my kids will not inherit a home which is valued at what I purchased It for. Sinkholes will become a huge issue there is a huge one right now under the island on the Morris bridge that they are working 24 hours a day trying to fix there are many others all over the villages is the unasked question around here. So come on down enjoy this glorious lifestyle that we all enjoy here don't worry about the future it's nothing you can control enjoy it! Just don't die here or get sick that's the biggest thing and don't let your dog pooped in somebody's yard or drive your golf cart over the speed limit those are Cardinal Sins enjoy. Just drink the Kool-Aid and enjoy it

[foxmeadow]

Villageshooter, you suggest there was a "sinkhole" at the Morse bridge, however, when I drove through there today, there were lengths of water main pipes being installed which probably means a water main break. A break can certainly create a large hole (like a sinkhole) as did happen at Lake Miona pickleball courts a few years ago. Just saying.

[Villageshooter]

Villageshooter, you suggest there was a "sinkhole" at the Morse bridge, however, when I drove through there today, there were lengths of water main pipes being installed which probably means a water main break. A break can certainly create a large hole (like a sinkhole) as did happen at Lake Miona pickleball courts a few years ago. Just saying.
You have to ask yourself why did the water main break?.???
Shifting sand and shifting earth makes the water main break it lay there hundreds of years if it is on solid ground when the ground starts Moving and there is nothing to support the pipe because of the sinkhole developing the water main breaks. Yes there was a water main break but it was caused because of a very large sinkhole that could no longer support the pipe. You have to ask why things happen ! Sometimes the Kool-Aid has vinegar in it and we still wanted to taste good

[Mikeod]

You have to ask yourself why did the water main break?.???
Shifting sand and shifting earth makes the water main break it lay there hundreds of years if it is on solid ground when the ground starts Moving and there is nothing to support the pipe because of the sinkhole developing the water main breaks. Yes there was a water main break but it was caused because of a very large sinkhole that could no longer support the pipe. You have to ask why things happen ! Sometimes the Kool-Aid has vinegar in it and we still wanted to taste good

So you know it is a FACT there is a sinkhole there? Or are you simply surmising. Remember a couple of years ago the island supporting part of the Morse bridge was sinking and causing the roadway to develop a large hump where it met the main landmass. They drilled cores all over the roadway to try to determine the cause. If there was a void there, it would have been discovered.

Second, you don't repair a sinkhole by pouring sand into it.

[Villageshooter]

The sand is the base for the water main to lay on after it's repaired yes I stopped and talk to a large gentleman who was foreman at the site and his exact words are we've got a huge mess here I hope we don't lose this road! When they have these water main breaks there is a reason ! up north it is the freezing and thawing that causes the shifting and they break Here we do not have the freezing and buckling going on it is the turbulent underbelly of sinkholes that causes these water main breaks

[archerlc]

Folks,
If anyone is interested in doing some research...Take the 5 or 10 places closest in size to TV , that have been built out , and see what has happened to them. Whatever happened to 80% or more of them will probably happen here. History repeats itself. I have no idea as to what the answer to this research might reveal.