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View Full Version : HEY GUYS - WE GOT AN OFFER!!! NOW WHAT?


darbyduff
08-07-2007, 04:16 PM
Realtor just called...Yesterday's showing resulted in an offer coming in. Az2fla and all others....Maybe my prayers have all been answered!!!

Offer should be tonight or tomorrow and then we have 45 days to pack, buy home in village (who,what,where yeks) Help!!! Been praying, burying and saying for sooooo long and now???? What comes next is overwhelming. I will be reading and printing all of the pertenant information from this sight but give me some good hints. Which Village..New??(too much money??) Pre-owned?? Where?? Fly down again to pick it out??? HELP!!!!!!!!!!
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kar guy
08-07-2007, 04:22 PM
NOW YOU KNOW HOW THE WIFE AND I FELT WHEN OUR REALTOR TOLD US HE GOT AN OFFER . NOW ONCE YOU ACCEPT, LIKE WE DID, THEN THINGS REALLY GET UNREAL. LOTS OF LUCK TO BOTH OF US.... THE KAR GUY

darbyduff
08-07-2007, 04:30 PM
Hey Kar guy! Thanks for your words of encouragement! You just walked the walk we are about to take...Any advice?

kar guy
08-07-2007, 04:43 PM
THE EMOTIONS JUST OVERWHELM YOU. I WAS OFFERED LESS THAN I WANTED. NOT A LOT LESS BUT STILL I WAS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE OFFER. AFTER INITIALLY DECLINING THE OFFER VERBALLY TO MY AGENT I SAT AND THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO. I MADE A PHONE CALL TO MY 81 YEAR OLD DAD. HE LAUGHTED AND MY PREDICIMENT AND SAID: "GREG, GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE, TAKE THE OFFER BECAUSE IT IS ONLY MONEY. YOU CAN ALWAYS GET THAT BACK BUT YOU MAY NEVER GET A CHANCE TO GO TO FLORIDA AND DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO." AFTER THAT CONVERSATION I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY AGENT AND ACCEPTED THE OFFER. LOOKING BACK I GUESS AGE DOES HAVE ITS WISDOM. THANKS DAD FOR THE HELP. TAKE CARE.... THE KAR GUY

golfnut
08-07-2007, 04:45 PM
Great advice Dad!

Avista
08-07-2007, 04:55 PM
Which Village? Both north of 466 and south of 466 have advantages.
The north has more mature landscaping. Also, it is shorter to reach 441/27. North is closer to the hospital.

South of 466 has much nicer golf cart trails. (Ones north are very narrow). South seems to have more pools. Am I right or wrong about this? South of 446 is generally newer.I think the south has more open spaces. South has mostly roundabouts and not as many stop lights. Also south seems to have wider streets. South will be closer to Brownwood when it opens.

Hope that helps a little.

rballruss
08-07-2007, 05:15 PM
Everything Avista says is good advice. I live just about as far north as you can get (near Nancy Lopez) but we love this area. Of course, I think everybody loves their area (unless they live next to the train tracks). Where ever you decide to settle, you will love it. When I travel to Havana Country Club to play golf, I wish I were a little more centrally located. It's 10.5 miles via golf cart one way. When Brownwood is completed, it will probably be closer to 15-20 miles one way.

Don't count out pre-owned. You can find some great homes at great prices if you look.

Villages Kahuna
08-07-2007, 05:19 PM
You have an offer. Great!

You don't know what it is yet? Don't get all upset if it's a whole lot less than you were expecting or hoping for.

Be a little concerned if it is conditional...like the buyer has to sell his house before you sell yours. Keep the negotiations going on price and try to get rid of all the conditions. "Buy" the removal of conditions with a lower price if you have to. From all that I can gather from personal experience as well as friends and neighbors here in TV...the resale market out there is simply awful. There is way too much inventory for the number of buyers. To that you add the recent development that even creditworthy buyers are having a tough time getting mortgage loans.

From all that I can gather, resale prices are down 15-20% from what asking prices were a year ago, more in some cases and some markets. If your offer is in that range, don't be alarmed or offended. You have an offer. Keep the negotiations going as long as you can to try to get the most that you can for your house. But don't let the "live one" get away. You might be waiting a long, long time before another one comes along.

The advice of another poster..."get on with your life; it's only money" is on the mark as far as I'm concerned. I almost turned down an offer that was maybe 1% lower than I wanted for our house on the Chicago North Shore. Had I rejected the offer, we still might own that house and have too few lookers and no offers. I can assure you we would not be enjoying the lifestyle in TV if we were sitting on an expensive, empty house up north. My wife and I can't imagine the stress that not being able to sell our house up north would have had on us after we moved here. The "lost 1%" is long forgotten and we are ecstatic with our new home and the lifestyle in The Villages. I thank my lucky stars that I wasn't stubborn and stupid (as I've been known to be) and turned that offer down.

Good luck.

villager99
08-07-2007, 05:54 PM
to answer avista's question about neighborhood pools. yes, there are more neighborhood pools south of 466.
the developer does seem to do things better with experience.

Happy Villager
08-07-2007, 07:00 PM
I just heard from a neighbor that TV has extended for another month special offerings on new homes. Not really sure of what they are offering but I heard it is something like up to $20,000 on certain homes in an area that they are completing. The money can be used toward closing, the bond or the price of the home. I guess what I'm saying is "talk" to a sales rep and get the facts on new homes. I would also investigate the preowned because there are some really excellent buys and I heard they go for less than the listed price. There are quite a few preowned homes South of 466 which makes them fairly new since they were built in 2004 to current year.
These homes are centrally located and near Sumter Landing. My last suggestion is to really know what price range you can afford. You don't want to be house poor and overextend yourself. Remember you might want to do upgrades or make changes weather you purchase a new or preowned home. You will want to have the funds to maybe enclose your lanai or have your driveway painted or paved. Most of all you want to be able to enjoy your new lifestyle! Hope all goes smoothly for you. I remember how excited we were when we came on the preview visit and purchased our home. We are still excited to be living here. Hope you come soon. :welcome:

Becky
08-07-2007, 07:01 PM
An offer! That's great! Life's a'changing now! And very fast! Congrats!

Becky :#1:

darbyduff
08-07-2007, 07:50 PM
Oh my guys!!!! All of what your saying we will digest!! Esp. "It's only money". :clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

We met the potential buyer last night by accident. We came home early and the realtor and buyer wanted us to stay and talk. 3 hours and a glass of wine later ....... The buyer was so invested and emotional about our home. Her and her husband had been looking for months and she said that the minute she walked into the house she realized she was home. Then she became very emotional.... The realtor said she wants our house "no matter what" but that was last night.. In the light of day.....Who knows. Our house is a bit over priced for the area but we can't come down too much if we don't want to be house poor in TV like someone here mentioned. Oh well, If it's meant to be, it will be.

Keep the suggestions coming in!!!! I have the map in hand and we're checking all suggestions. What was the name of the Villages that are close to the train again? ??? And Jan, what Villages did you say had no rec. centers and pools?

I think one of our concerns is downsizing. We're looking at 3 bdrm ranches (we'd love a Designer but they went up so much in price since March and I'm afraid we'd be too tied up in the home) but even they are pretty small. Then we thought about 2bd + den which is a little less expensive.... but oh so small. How about some first hand stories about how you handled the adjustment.

I love trees and mature landscaping but I really like being closer to Lake Sumpter Landing (I think???)

bamafan
08-07-2007, 07:58 PM
Congratulations. My wife and I have been praying that you would soon have the good news that we got back in May. Like others said your life is fixing to change for the better. Get ready it is a great ride. The next steps will be fun. You are closing one chapter in your book and fixing to write another.

Frangyomory
08-07-2007, 09:00 PM
We chose to live South of 466. I think it is really nicer and Tall Trees is the second smallest Village so we have gotten to know many of our neighbors. Whatever you decide, best of luck. :bigthumbsup:

lin
08-07-2007, 09:56 PM
:bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup:We are happy for you!
We're a few weeks down the road from you...We will close on our sale the 13th and be in TV on the first of Sept.
Our home that just sold was large(3 floors+basement)on 2 acres attached garage plus a huge pole barn that held all our toys.Here's how we prepared to down size..We sold EVERYTHING! Boats, cars, trailers, 4 wheelers, all winter clothes and entire contents of home except for the sofa & loveseat as they are light Florida colors! The people that bought our home loved the furniture and wanted it all so that was a plus. Really the furniture was way to large for TV and up north style. So we don't even need a moving van!!
Yes it was hard, and yes we lost money, but we're going to start fresh. And we are sooooo excited ! I never want to do stairs again!!!

We have rented a villa for three months while we find and purchase our new home.We are going small...not over 1300sq ft. I want to play...not clean. Thinking that maybe a preowned Austin will be just our style. Also think we want to be in Sumter county. But we are like you...unsure til we really get looking.

We need to meet and have a toast! Lets make a date.....Bob & Lin

Peggy D
08-08-2007, 02:34 AM
Darbyduff so happy for you.
So happy I found this site! We fell in love with TV last Oct. Just the lifestyle we are looking for. I don't feel so bad after hearing the stories about everyone that has a house up for sale. Ours went up in April, sold for a little less in June, and going to settlement Aug 23. HOWEVER, we also have a beach home on the Delaware shore to sell before we can get to TV! The market is crummy so it will be awhile Let's hope next spring.
Getting so much info from all of you. Thanks

nanci2539
08-08-2007, 08:37 AM
Darby - I sent you an email some time ago - wonder if you ever received it????

Congratulations and I'm jealous! But so happy for you. Take it slow, it will fall into place.

On downsizing, I am having nightmares about that! I have such a big home now that I love by the way. Especially in the summer when I'm sitting out in my beautiful gazebo sipping a glass of wine and looking at my landsaping and flowers.

BUT, when I have to take the screens down and lug it all downstairs to the basemet, cover the furniture with tarps, close down my fountain and put away all my decorative yard art to prepare for winter, I dream about TV and having a life style where I can enjoy the outdoors all year long!

Villages Kahuna
08-08-2007, 10:56 AM
We lived on an acre in the woods in a Chicago North Shore suburb. We loved our gazebo in the woods, my wife's "water feature" pond and the patio overlooking it all. But you're right--come the fall, it was replace the gazebo screens with plexi panels, clean and carry all the patio furniture for winter storage in the gazebo, clean the pond and catch all the fish for their winter home in the basement aquarium, etc., etc. Then in the spring, reverse the process.

We don't miss any of that since we moved to TV. Oh, we loved our woods and gazebo and all, but the lifestyle in TV more than makes up for it all. We are currently in our other home on Lake Michigan in Michigan's Harbor Country where we planned to spend June-July-August and early September. We've already concluded that we miss TV so much that our trek north in 2008 may not begin until just before the Fourth of July with a return just after Labor Day. In the years after that, who knows, it may even be a shorter northern stay.

nanci2539
08-08-2007, 11:32 AM
In the years after that, who knows, it may even be a shorter northern stay.

That's what we're tossing around - do we give up the big house and downsize here and spend our winters in TV. The issue is my husband doesn't want the expense of two homes nor does he want the taxes in IL. And we don't want to rent.

Granted our families are here, son and daughter and both have children and of course, I would miss my grandchildren a lot but my husband feels that the kids have big homes, bigger than our present home so there is plenty of room for us to visit. Why own another home. Of course VK, you have a summer home on the lake so that's different but I pretty much convinced myself that owning two homes doesn't make sense for us financially. If we were millionaires, maybe!

lin
08-08-2007, 02:22 PM
That's what we thought also Nancy. We are in the woods of the upper peninsula, way up by Canada. Michigan is beautiful, but the cold season is way too long!
I'm sure once our kids visit they will return every few months.We start our new life in TV on 9-01

Say is there a limit as to how often they can visit? Anyone know?

darbyduff
08-08-2007, 04:07 PM
Nancy, did not get the Email!!! ??? Don't know what happened....Here's my Email address for all who want it. It's darbyduff11@hotmail.com!

Thanks guys for all your support and boy did we learn ALOT from all of you. Will be taking all your suggestions to heart but first..........

Realtor will be over within the hour. Lets take it one step at a time...The offer may be cruel and unusual punishment for all the bad things I've done in life!!! :redface: I'll let you know when we start packing!!!!!!! :2excited:!!

Said Novena already today so I'm ready!!!!!

kar guy
08-08-2007, 04:16 PM
DON"T FORGET MY DADS ADVICE. IT"S ONLY MONEY. IF THE DEAL IS ANYWHERE CLOSE TAKE IT. YOU ARE TRYING TO GET DOWN IN FLORIDA, NOT KEEP YOUR HOUSE YOUR IN NOW. TAKE CARE, THE KAR GUY

Becky
08-08-2007, 04:18 PM
Darby, have you read anywhere that St.Joseph can be used more than once? I'm thinking maybe you would like to sell him to me??? I'm not ready to sell yet so maybe we could pass him around to those that are. Then when my turn comes..........

Becky ;D

darbyduff
08-08-2007, 11:11 PM
Kar Guy - Got the offer...It was a lot higher than we were expecting (we were bracing ourselves for something really low) We countered with a couple of thousand higher and our realtor kicked in a little off his fees. That was just 5 hours ago so we won't hear until tomorrow. The buyer's wife is so emotional about the house and she told me it was her decision so we'll see. ??? But your right, life is too short and it is only money!! (Did I really say that??????)

Becky,

I understand that you have to dig up St Joseph and put him in a place of honor in your home which would be in TV........However....Kar Guy said we should take the offer even though it's a low offer....well, maybe we don't have to lose any money after all...... I can be bought...What's the offer???? ;D ;D lol Maybe we can work out a "rent to own" kind off arrangement :joke:

Villages Kahuna
08-09-2007, 11:17 AM
...it looks like the taxes will possibly get even higher in IL based on the budget standoff between the Governor and the State Legislature (and they're all Democrats...unbelievable!)

If your kids have plenty of room for Grampa and Gramma to visit, check out the air fares between Orlando and Chicago (or Orlando and Milwaukee if you live north, or Midway if south). We don't hesitate to fly more frequently than we might given the cheap air fares to and from Orlando. This year we're flying up for a four-day Thanksgiving, then again for Christmas, then to New York for a neice's wedding in mid-January. Spend a few minutes on Kayak.com (http://Kayak.com) to check out future fares.

All told, for my wife and I the air fares for those three trips totals not much more than $1,100. The long-term off-airport parking at Orlando is only about $7 a day. So calculate a few trips back to Chicago and then figure that as a percentage of the taxes, insurance and utilities on a second house in Chi town. Then there's maintenance--something will certainly break whether you're there or not.

Good luck with your decision. One thing is for sure--there are plenty of brand spanking new houses available for immediate move-in here in TV. On my daily bike rides, I see whole blocks of empty houses in and around Mallory Square (south of Mallory Hill CC between O'Dell and Morse). And from what people are saying, maybe even a break from TV management. Might as well ask.

nanci2539
08-09-2007, 11:27 AM
Thanks VK - hubby doesn't want two homes and based on friends of ours that did this when they retired, we're told not to go that way. So for right now, we're looking at retiring and moving to TV as our perm. residency. You are correct on the taxes - we're paying $12,000 annually and it's going up. We're both working so not feeling it like some of our neighbors but it's ridiculous that we;re paying for all these new schools going in and our kids are adults!

I posted about using other Realtors other than TV reps but didn't get any response. Should I just shop around for local real estate people and use both, TV and outside of TV?

F16 1UB
08-09-2007, 12:06 PM
Hey VK,

Is Mallory CC open yet? Having dinner with snowbird Sable Chasers tomorrow night that took us there last Jan. Great food with party atmosphere. We loved it.

Steve

F16 1UB
08-09-2007, 02:50 PM
I am still in KY but saw the devastation from the twister that wiped out Mallory CC. I said I'm having dinner tomorrow night with friends that are Snow Birds that live in TV. They're in KY now.

I'm going to a Gallatin County KY meeting tonight regarding Sunday liquor sale. The local political fathers want to stop Sunday sales. DUH! Nothing like turning back the clock. Another reason to move to civilization. Also couldn't believe last week while in San Francisco my wife ordered some wine from 2 of the wineries we toured in Napa Valley and one said NOPE, Can't ship to KY. Guess other states have similar laws. Not sure about florida but don't think there's too many vinyards either.

JanetandCarol
08-09-2007, 03:57 PM
:welcome

My sister and I visited TV last October and we looked at various homes. We are still working back here in Hamburg, New York (land of Taxes) so we told the realtor that we did like it, but we are not ready yet. Well, we saw that the homes in Duval, south of 466, near 466A were being discounted by 18-20,000. We flew down on Saturday, Dec. 9th, looked at a few ranches and signed the papers. Came home on Monday and said - What Did We Do?? We are very happy that we DID. We bought furniture and fans and a screen door and had them installed this week. We will be coming down in October for 1 week with friends to finally relax. We are planning on retiring in 2008, but we will still keep our house in Hamburg for the summers for now. We are very excited that we decided to buy and look forward to meeting all of our neighbors in Duval. We looked at pre-owned homes and Designer homes, but we did not want to be house poor also. We have a 3br ranch and it will be big enough for us. Good luck with your househunting. JanetandCarol

darbyduff
08-09-2007, 10:13 PM
We countered the offer and GUESS WHAT....They accepted!!!!! For the price we wanted!!!! (I know, I know) Anyway, we close on September 30th BUT we will rent back until September 27th. We will be coming down real soon (haven't decieded when) to pick out a home. You can bet it won't be in Jan's neighborhood!!! Sorry Jan!!!

Don't forget those drinks in the square!!!

nanci2539
08-10-2007, 09:27 AM
Darby, I emailed you twice already - I think something is the matter with email????

villages07
08-10-2007, 01:41 PM
DD - Congrats to you. Like many of the members here, I have been following your saga since your first postings. How much you wanted to be here but how little was happening with the sale of your house in CO. Then came St Joe and a lot of encouragement from everyone here and voila you have an acceptable offer. Nothing short of miraculous. Your tale should give many others hope. The next 6 months will be extremely hectic but very worthwhile. You will love it.

Martyslabs
08-10-2007, 02:02 PM
Any suggestion for a good moving company (reasonable), small amount maybe 300 cubic feet from Philadelphia to TV?

gobarb26
08-10-2007, 04:48 PM
Congrats Darbyduff! I'm glad St. Joseph helped you as much as he helped us. We moved here ovar a year ago. We are in the Village of Sabal Chase. Even though we love the mature landscaping N. of 466, we knew we wanted to be in Sumter Landing area. We feel that we are in the perfect location! And anyway, trees do grow! I already see a big difference in the landscaping in the past year. If you plan on spending the rest of your life in TV, as we do, you will be seeing huge trees, etc. at some time in the future! Besides, you just hop in your golf cart and go sit under the trees somewhere else! With the conception of Brownwood, being in Sumter Landing area is absolutely the best place to be. You will be near Sumter, and halfway between the other 2 squares. It is just a golf cart ride away! I still like Sumter the best. Good luck whatever you decide to do!

kar guy
08-10-2007, 07:25 PM
DARBYDUFF, NOW THAT THE FIRST HEADACHE IS OVER WITH HERE COMES THE REST. I AM 2 WEEKS AHEAD OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING. IT IS REAL NERVE RAKING AND EXITING AT THE SAME TIME. LOTS OF LUCK TO BOTH OF US. THE KAR GUY

darbyduff
08-10-2007, 10:38 PM
By the way - Did get the E-mails from my 2 new BFF's Karen and Nancy!!!! Thanks guys!!! Sent response's back!

Before I forget- We have one BIG hurdle left to go. We have to get a favorable appraisal!!! Our realtor said he thought it would be really tight but 85% doable. I haven't stopped the Novenas just yet. ;D

Kar Guy I know you are going through a very very busy time right now but let us hear from you and your trials and tribulations! Maybe that way we can eliminate some missteps along the way.

Janet and Carol - Did you say they were offering 10-20 thousand off RANCH'S???? Our realtor down there just told me today that that was only for Designer homes but that they are now offering NO CLOSING COSTS on all new homes.

GoBarb 26 - I think we are of the same mind. I like the "bond paid" on a lot of the older homes and we do love the trees but I think for us, your area is the answer for us. Either Caroline (used), Mallory, Duval, Sable Chase, Liberty or Amelia. I love Sumpter Landing and am not too crazy about going across town to get there sooooooo. How did you make out with the tornado. Last March we saw that parts of Sabal
Chase got hit pretty good. Of course not as bad as Mallory!! That's the area we were looking at when we were there.

Oshunluva - Not out of the woods yet so he's still in the ground but when this is all done, not only are we thanking St Joseph, we may also start attending Catechism classes!!! LOL

darbyduff
08-10-2007, 10:51 PM
Hey Oshunluva,

I'm having a party in the square with Nancy, Karen, Kar Guy, Barb, Steve etc when we are all down there. Wanna come!! :joke: :joke:

If this thing doesn't come together I will just poop!!!! :'( :'(

bogart
08-11-2007, 09:47 AM
We're coming down for a few weeks --> Oct 19 to Nov 13 and then returning for Jan/Feb/Mar 2008. Let's meet, greet, eat and party! :joke:

Darbyduff ---- got your email. Will respond soon. I'm so exited for you and hubby! Hope the appraisal goes well and the closing is finalized as planned. Glad to hear there are lots of Colorado people in The Villages -- we'll have to get together.

darbyduff
08-11-2007, 01:47 PM
BOGART - Your invited!!!



Who else wants to join party in the Square? (Sumpter ????)
We'll make sure we are all in the Villages (or visiting!!)

nanci2539
08-13-2007, 08:36 AM
We'll be down Thanksgiving for the long weekend - if you're having a party - count me in!

Donna
08-13-2007, 08:53 AM
Hey Darby,

Just read your post!! CONGRATS..I am so happy for ya..I knew St.Joe was an OK guy!! LOL

I am so jealous...Now you will be there before us!!

All the best to you!!
~Donna~ :bigthumbsup:

jtdraig
08-15-2007, 03:04 PM
Darby, congratulations! Welcome to the Villages!!!