[zummy]

We will be visiting 4-5 and would like to have an agent advise us what is available other than thru the Villages. Thanks

[Sidney Lanier]

We had Laura Vien, a Villages resident herself who works with her husband Armand, from the Tom Grizzard agency recommended to us by another TOTVer and we found her pretty competent and on top of things, even though we ended up buying privately. For what it's worth....

[zummy]

How did you go about locating a private listing? The paper or riding around. Do they allow signs for sale by owner? Thanks

[Sidney Lanier]

In our area (south of CR-466), lawn signs are not allowed, but signs in the windows of houses are. It's a matter of riding around and looking for them. (I believe that lawn signs are permitted north of 466.) There are FSBO ads in the <(I>Daily Sun</I> with contact phone numbers and/or other information. On Labor Day last year, on our way to a trade show in Orlando, we visited close friends who had just moved in to TV the month before; by the next day we were meeting with a Villages salesperson! We went to the show and then home, all excited, at which time my wife began doing online research and came up with a ton of information.

By the time we came back for a few days in mid-October, we had a day lined up with our Villages salesperson, another day with a multiple listing salesperson recommended by another TOTVer, and a day to explore FSBOs that we came across mainly through <I>Daily Sun</I> ads. We also 'ran around' a lot on the golf cart exploring. After all was said and done, our friends took us to meet their neighbors two houses away who were selling, and we ended up buying privately. Our friend and I were neighbors in 1964--and here we are in TV as neighbors again!

It's interesting to note that the sellers HAD their house listed, but all they had to do was phone the listing agent (which in this case was TV Preowned Department) and tell them that they were selling privately and to end the listing. It could not have worked out more perfectly--for them, as they had to sell, and for us!

Good luck, Zummy! If we can help in any way or answer any other questions, please let us know.

[Mintjulep]

Zummy,
Here's a link to the company we used to buy our villa.
Our agent's name was Jan Ennes and was wonderful to work with.
Especially as we are in NC and had to do everything by phone, fax, and email.

http://presprop.com/generic.php?page=1

[samhass]

Zummy, check out www.thevillagesfsbo.com. Their ad is on this site.

Originally Posted by zummy

How did you go about locating a private listing? The paper or riding around. Do they allow signs for sale by owner? Thanks

[captain1202]

Try Marcia Meuser at Prestige Properties, Vlillage resident. She was great for us.

On the FSBO's, try calling the rental listings we found several that were interested in selling, some with seller financing. Doubt if the situation has changed.

[l2ridehd]

I also used Marcia Meuser and she was good.* I ended up buying a Villages listing, but liked working with Marcia.* Would not recommend TV agent I used.*

[Barefoot]

I recommend Laura and Armand Vien (also mentioned by Sidney Lanier). They did a great job for us. If you want their cell phone numbers, please PM me.

Good luck with finding your dream home.