Private Property Behind Caroline Village Homes

[xmeister]

Hi Folks ... I am looking at possibly buying a home in Caroline who's backyord backs to private property not as developed. Can any one help me understand the likelyhood that the property behind the home will stay undeveloped. I would be very unhappy should the existing privacy be disturbed after I purchased the home. If you live in one of these homes are you comforable the land behind you will not be developed?

Thanks to all who contribute a responce.

[mulligan]

It has already been demonstrated that zoning and planning can be changed by a simple vote of a few people. This has already happened on the land between tamarind Grove and 466a. Zoning changed from agricultural to commercial/multi-use/ multi family. Caveat Emptor.

[janmcn]

It has already been demonstrated that zoning and planning can be changed by a simple vote of a few people. This has already happened on the land between tamarind Grove and 466a. Zoning changed from agricultural to commercial/multi-use/ multi family. Caveat Emptor.


According to another thread, this also happened to the land on CR466, just east of Mission Hills.

[Shimpy]

Hi Folks ... I am looking at possibly buying a home in Caroline who's backyord backs to private property not as developed. Can any one help me understand the likelyhood that the property behind the home will stay undeveloped. I would be very unhappy should the existing privacy be disturbed after I purchased the home. If you live in one of these homes are you comforable the land behind you will not be developed?

Thanks to all who contribute a responce.

I'm not familiar with the area of which you speak, but I'd be hesitant to buy next to land that has an unknown future. All undeveloped land will be developed sometime unless it's a state or nat'l park. I'd hate to have a home there and a few years from now find I'm living behind Fred's 24 Hour Truck Stop.

[Bogie Shooter]

I'm not familiar with the area of which you speak, but I'd be hesitant to buy next to land that has an unknown future. All undeveloped land will be developed sometime unless it's a state or nat'l park. I'd hate to have a home there and a few years from now find I'm living behind Fred's 24 Hour Truck Stop.

Fred's is opening up across from the new Sweetbay.......................

[billethkid]

based on experience the only safe assumption is that eventually there will be something behind you.

It has been proven time and again with the escalating price of land around here that eventually a land owner will sell to get rich/retire/etc.

Horse farms that used to be when we first moved here are no more.....

btk

[l2ridehd]

Unless you buy the property, you can't control what is done to develop it. And even then not 100%. Some day something will go there. And it's a lot more likely you wont like it then you will like it. That is one thing I could never understand. I have seen 100's of ads for Villages homes saying it backs up to farm land or some other type of peaceful setting. That raises a huge red flag for me. Why would someone fall for that? Haven't we all been around long enough to know that empty land will be developed at some point? May take a week or may take 50 years, but it will happen.

[NotGolfer]

If it's across from the new Sweet Bay---anywhere along that corridor---it "will" be developed! They seem to be doing this in increments, not all at once. I had a chat awhile back with someone who lives down there with their backyards abutting the pastures. They (now this is "hear-say" once again---thus "rumor") had encountered surveyors in that empty area. The "word on the street" was ---doctor's offices (think Wedgewood Lane--over near Southern Trace) and other offices! As other posters say here, "NEVER" take it for granted in a development (be it here or anywhere) that it will remain the same forever.

[mulligan]

PUD is on file with Sumter County. Permits approved for sewer and water installation have been executed. Financing for above has been obtained.

[rubicon]

You may want to go to the assessor's office and determine 1. who owns this land? 2. Is the land zoned for commercial or residential use? big issue here

Because as you have heard throughout this thread something being built is not a "will it" question but a "when will building begin?"

[Barefoot]

Some day something will go there. And it's a lot more likely you wont like it then you will like it. Haven't we all been around long enough to know that empty land will be developed at some point? May take a week or may take 50 years, but it will happen.

xmeister, you seem to be asking for some kind of reassurance from members of TOTV that the property will not be developed. Buyer beware! No-one can accurately predict the time table for development of that land.

[graciegirl]

Please read all of the above posts and take them to heart.

There are NO guarantees about what can happen to undeveloped land around here....or anywhere.

There are NO guarantees about anything changing. We once lived on a golf course that eventually became a bunch of homes.

[cbh1975]

When we were signing papers yesterday, there was even a statement to the affect that The Villages has no control over undeveloped land they don't own and they can't guarantee that undeveloped land in your backyard won't be developed at some point.

It was much more legal sounding that this, but that was the general idea. Even though we don't have to worry about it, as our home is surrounded by other villa's, and those are surrounded by other homes, we still had to initial that we understood.

So, like others have said, there is no guarantee the land will remain undeveloped. Go into it with your eyes wide open.

[asianthree]

i may not love my kissing lanai..but i know it will always be a kissing lanai

[gerryann]

Please read all of the above posts and take them to heart.

There are NO guarantees about what can happen to undeveloped land around here....or anywhere.

There are NO guarantees about anything changing. We once lived on a golf course that eventually became a bunch of homes.

exact same happened to me in south Florida. My home was a small 3 bed/2 bath 1400 Sq. ft. The subdivision right next door (the golf course) turned out to be 6-7,000 sq. Ft homes.....700,000 to 1,000,000 homes....dwarfing mine.

[asianthree]

exact same happened to me in south Florida. My home was a small 3 bed/2 bath 1400 Sq. ft. The subdivision right next door (the golf course) turned out to be 6-7,000 sq. Ft homes.....700,000 to 1,000,000 homes....dwarfing mine.

gives new meaning to shaded back yard

[tippyclubb]

We just bought a home in Collier and the back of the home faces woods. The real estate agent told us she thought it was a nature preserve and could not be developed. I didn't believe that for a second, but we took a risk and bought there anyway. All we can do is hope that it remains woods for a few years. Only time will tell.

We also had to sign papers acknowledging our home site is adjacent to undeveloped land and The Villages has no control of future development.

[janmcn]

We just bought a home in Collier and the back of the home faces woods. The real estate agent told us she thought it was a nature preserve and could not be developed. I didn't believe that for a second, but we took a risk and bought there anyway. All we can do is hope that it remains woods for a few years. Only time will tell.

We also had to sign papers acknowledging our home site is adjacent to undeveloped land and The Villages has no control of future development.


Nature preserves are clearly marked 'Preserve - No Trespassing', as these preserves have endangered species living there and cannot be disturbed. Your real estate agent should know this.

[Bizdoc]

Nature preserves are clearly marked 'Preserve - No Trespassing', as these preserves have endangered species living there and cannot be disturbed. Your real estate agent should know this.

And they are all clearly marked on the $5 map.

[Bogie Shooter]

We just bought a home in Collier and the back of the home faces woods. The real estate agent told us she thought it was a nature preserve and could not be developed. I didn't believe that for a second, but we took a risk and bought there anyway. All we can do is hope that it remains woods for a few years. Only time will tell.

We also had to sign papers acknowledging our home site is adjacent to undeveloped land and The Villages has no control of future development.

Go to this site Sumter County Property Appraiser - Joey Hooten - Bushnell, Florida - 352-569-6800 (http://www.sumterpa.com/) do a search on your address, then click on the property behind yours and you will get the property tax information for that property including the owner.

[manaboutown]

Don't know where your house is but Andrew Blechman in "Leisureville" on page 151 mentions an old cemetery located on a peninsula of land jutting into the village of Caroline. Apparently Morse planted dense rows of bushes on berms on its three sides to hide it from view.

[Bogie Shooter]

Don't know where your house is but Andrew Blechman in "Leisureville" on page 151 mentions an old cemetery located on a peninsula of land jutting into the village of Caroline. Apparently Morse planted dense rows of bushes on berms on its three sides to hide it from view.

Don't believe everything that Blechman writes.

[mak44070]

There IS a cemetery:

[manaboutown]

There IS a cemetery:


Thank you Mary Ann! That fits Blechman's description. He mentions a new (at that time) rec center behind the cemetery. That must be part of the parking lot of the Caroline rec center at the left of the photo on the west side of the cemetery.

I just checked my "official" map of The Villages. The site of the cemetery is left as blank as Morse's property in the middle of TV.

[senior citizen]

There IS a cemetery:

Yes, I've read the same thing about the cemetery which he describes in his book.........

Why on earth would someone lie about a cemetery?

Thanks for sharing that.............

[bike42]

Hi Folks ... I am looking at possibly buying a home in Caroline who's backyord backs to private property not as developed. Can any one help me understand the likelyhood that the property behind the home will stay undeveloped. I would be very unhappy should the existing privacy be disturbed after I purchased the home. If you live in one of these homes are you comforable the land behind you will not be developed?


A few weeks ago I went to an open house at a home on Olanta Drive in Caroline that backs onto a large open field. I asked the showing agent whether the land was likely to be developed and she assured me that it was a preserve that could never be developed. (This was an MLS agent, not a Villages listing). I was looking for a friend and was skeptical -- the Sumter County assessor's site showed a private owner. I asked an MLS agent I know to check and see if there was any reason to believe that this land could not be developed and her answer was NO -- the land is currently for sale. So, once again -- buyer beware.

[sueandskip]

There is several private lands that back up to caroline....If you are talking behind the fence alond cherry road then who knows....If you are talking of the setaside land between the 2 patio villa neighborhoods that has an old negro cemetary in it and won't be touched if you are talking about the land next to the mailbox area that has electric lines on it and won't be developed...

[Indydealmaker]

Don't believe everything that Blechman writes.

Actually, Bogie, I know Andy and I know him to be a very trustworthy guy. He did a big favor for me for which he could have charged a pretty penny, but he declined payment. He's always been like that.

[graciegirl]

Actually, Bogie, I know Andy and I know him to be a very trustworthy guy. He did a big favor for me for which he could have charged a pretty penny, but he declined payment. He's always been like that.

You know Andrew Blechman? I think he wrote a book full of a lot of a lot of correct information but I also thought his story line was a bit contrived.

Like...I was pretty sure that Mr. Midnight was a composite of a lot of gentlemen. And he played a few notes of the STD song if I remember.

And....it seemed to me to be a social commentary that I did not, could not agree with, that seniors should stay in place and be responsible to do good work for all of their life and not retire to places like The Villages.

We will see how Andy feels when Andy get's older.

How do you know him, Steve?

[PaPaLarry]

Hi Folks ... I am looking at possibly buying a home in Caroline who's backyord backs to private property not as developed. Can any one help me understand the likelyhood that the property behind the home will stay undeveloped. I would be very unhappy should the existing privacy be disturbed after I purchased the home. If you live in one of these homes are you comforable the land behind you will not be developed?

Thanks to all who contribute a responce.
Are you talking about the property off Olanta Dr in Caroline?

[Indydealmaker]

You know Andrew Blechman? I think he wrote a book full of a lot of a lot of correct information but I also thought his story line was a bit contrived.

Like...I was pretty sure that Mr. Midnight was a composite of a lot of gentlemen. And he played a few notes of the STD song if I remember.

And....it seemed to me to be a social commentary that I did not, could not agree with, that seniors should stay in place and be responsible to do good work for all of their life and not retire to places like The Villages.

We will see how Andy feels when Andy get's older.

How do you know him, Steve?

Quite a long time ago we did a little proprietary business deal.