the bond and manufactured homes
 

So far in everything I’ve received from TV nothing has been mentioned about a bond. There is a Development District Assessment mentioned. Is that just the official name for the bond, or something else entirely?

I’ve been looking at some of the manufactured homes and have noticed they specifically say no bond, because they are in Lake County. Does anybody know about that?

Do any of you live in manufactured homes? I’d like to get a general idea of taxes, insurance and other expenses on manufactured homes. I know the manufactured homes are in the oldest part of TV. Is that area kept up appropriately?


Thank you for all your help. More questions will be coming.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Since the manufactured homes are in the older part of The Villages the bond or cdd is paid off. I think the older areas are very well kept and have lovely mature trees and pretty views. I don't think you will be disappointed about any area in TV. Come on down and join us in Paradise!

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

To my knowledge there are no bonds on anything East of 441/27. I helped a friend purchase a place over there and as I remember that is what was said.

The bond is totally different than the assessment. For more information on the bond do a search on bond as there are many previous post on bonds.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

That's the beauty of buying in Lake County. There are, and never were, any bonds.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

The villages in Lake county were built before Fla passed the laws creating CDDs they didn't have them to begin with. Anytime a CDD is created they can float another bond in the future and start the bond process over again if the yearly maintenance isn't enough to cover a large expenditure. There also have been cases where CDDs have multiple concurrent bonds. Most people really don't understand the CDD system as they aren't prevalent in many states. The bonds are not necessarily a one time deal and there is an on going maintenance fee that lasts like taxes. ;)

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Thanks livsea2,
It is so nice to hear from somebody who seems to know about the Villages. Would you please start a thread on CDDs.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

The Villages, Florida

When my wife and I were down to The Villages in July for our lifestyle preview, we drove thru the older section where the manufactured homes are. We found the entire area that we saw (streets, homes, yards, etc.) to be very well maintained.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

I thought the historic side was very clean and well maintained, just like the rest of TV.

Just to voice concerns though, many of the homes there were put in before there were hurricane standards (and even before manufactured home standards) and I'd be hesistant to buy a manufactured home that's already quite old. Just a consideration.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Thanks for the heads up JohnN. I'll keep your words in mind whem I come down. The truth is if I can't find an acceptable manufactured home it is doubtful I'll be able to move to TV. Can you give me some kind of idea what I should be looking at.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

The Villages, Florida

A good friend of mine, who knows the maeket in the area, told me that the lots are worth $60,000 to $70,000. Then if you take out the home and start all over again you add from there.

Something to think about it is the land that is worth the money because it is in The Villages.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

lt:

The manufactured homes generally were installed in the mid 80's, some earlier and some later. They are mainly double wides, 1000 - 1400 SF, 2BR 2 Bath or more, many have an added attached Lanai (aka, Florida room) of about 10 x 10 on one side and an added attached storage/laundry/cart garage of about 12 x 24 on the other side, carport (usually no garages), avg 5K SF lots with no fences. The historic side has mature trees and landscape and is very nice. Prices range from about $100K to about $150K, often that includes completely furnished. In most cases the manufactured homes are in very good condition or can be updated for $10K to $25k.

They are a very good buy for the money in a very nice location.

I believe the bonds are only in Sumter County.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Actually Chuck, the manufactured homes prices start in the 60 K range. I love to look on the TV site.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

GG:

My bad.

However, I was just referring to double wides and didn't want to include the single wide prices at the end of the post and confuse folks.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

I live in a mobile home in Orange Blossom Gardens and it is one of the very first homes put here by Mr Swartz. It is about 35 years old and has survived many serious storms and has weathered them all with out any damage. This section of The Villages has a lot of charm and character and we love living here. Come and join us.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

No bonds or maintenance fees in Lake County but that part of TV is also in the City of Lady Lake. There is a higher property tax rate in Lake Co. because of that.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

I've been lurking on these forums for quite some time and have decided to register. TV has caught my eye and I've been doing extensive research on moving there in the near future. I'm planning a lifestyle visit perhaps in the spring, that is, if I can wait that long. What you have at TV is so darn appealing. I'm a 53, single and of course still working so there are many things I need to consider and finding employment is imperative.

Anyway, enough of that . . . regarding the manufactured homes - online, they look in terrific shape and the landscaping and area looks fabulous. It does seem like you get a lot for the money. Just the fact that these structures have weathered so many storms over so many years, and are still grounded, is astonishing. But I was wondering and am questioning - what is going to happen to them as they further age? Will they slowly be replaced with newer manufactured homes or will site built homes be seeing their way in?

In checking the pricing, you can purchase a very lovely unit for say $115k. If the property was worth between $60-70k, then your home structure basically would cost $55-60k. It's a very inexpensive way to live. But, how much longer life do these units have?

I'm looking forward to hearing replies.

Linda

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Linda:

For a comparison -

We have friends who have a second home in a 200 units or so over 55 manufactured homes complex in Sonoma, CA. The units are maybe 10 - 15 years older than the ones built in the mid 80's in TV.

People are now buying these and remodeling the interiors, re roofing and repairing siding as needed. The units are about 1100 SF 2 Br, 2 Bath and sell for about $40K - $100K. The property is rented (about a 2000 SF pie shaped lot) and costs about $800 a month per unit. They have a nice pool and a community center building.

Point being that it would seem that the TV manufactured units are probably good for another 30 years or better.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Chuck -

That's exactly the answer I was looking for. Thanks much.

:bigthumbsup:

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

I also live on the "hysterical side" and agree that most of the homes are well maintained.
Just a thought on manufactured homes, I know of many people who either can't or won't insure their older manufactured homes due to their age or excessive insurance costs. However in many cases the lot price is a large portion of the homes value so in effect the home has very little value by itself. There have been numerous folks who have bought homes on this side and torn them down and replaced them with newer manufactured homes. If you buy an older manufactured home you should investigate it's insurability.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Just a guess - maybe 1% to 2% of the original manufactured homes have been torn down and replaced with new (mostly manufactured homes). A good portion of the R&R was to single wides on very nice wooded lots being replaced by doubles.

My mother lived in a double in Country Club Hills for 18 years and said that she didn't know it was a manufactured home until she had lived in it for over 3 years.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Insurability is a must, for me. But I can also see the point of not insuring if there is no value of either the contents or frame - the value remains in the land.

If the older homes are being replaced with newer, the integrity of the area is maintained and I can see where the values are also preserved. I'm especially impressed with the size of the land parcels, tropical landscaping (love those palm trees) and distance between the homes vs. the villas. I'm also seeing where some of the mh's have sheetrock walls, laminate flooring and various appealing upgrades.

I continue to be educated about TV - Thank you. 8)

Linda

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Greetings awe of TV (great "handle" btw)

I, too, am debating, with myself, the pros and cons of both Patio Villas and Manufactured homes. I'm leaning towards the villas but only because I favor much less landscaping responsibilities. In addition, I have received some personal messages indicating that the insurance costs are greater for the manufactured homes than for the patio villas The historic side is quite beautiful from what I am told. I will be visiting TV from Sept. 12 thru the 16th and will check out both types with a Villages Realtor and with an outside MLS Realtor. My plan is to purchase in the Spring of 2009 but will seriously consider making an offer next month if I see fit.

Have you viewed the "Singles" postings on the TOTV forum page? And, also, check out the websites of the following two (2) Villages Singles clubs:

http://www.sumtersingles.org/index.html
http://www.freewebs.com/thevillagess...club/index.htm

Nice having you a member of this group....it's pretty obvious that the folks on this forum cannot be beat. They are ALWAYS willing to give educational advice about TV to the newbies and wannabees and additonal advice on just about any subject whatsoever.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

L:

I believe all the double wide mh's have sheetrock walls, carpet except kitchen and bath which have laminate. Lots sizes vary but many are around 5K SF. I don't think Insurance is a major issue.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

From my understanding of what has been said here, it is permissible to remove the manufactured home from a homesite and build a home on the lot, correct?

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

I enjoy clicking on thevillages.com and looking at the interiors of the manufactured homes. They are quite spacious and some do (in my very humble opinion) need some updating, but I think that a smallish outlay in cash could reap great rewards. Some of the kitchen cabinets look out of style, but could have door replacements and some flooring could easily and cheaply be replaced by some of the new laminates. No one can argue the beauty of the lots and the setting in this area. We would have considered this more if we didn't need a little more room for our daughter who will always be with us. (Thank heavens. :) :) :) :))

Anyway, There is nothing about the area or the MH that isn't good.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

My thoughts exactly Graciegirl. ;)

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Probably, but get approval first.

About 5% of the homes in the historic area (aka East of 441) are "Site Built" homes. Most of the R&R's are done with installing new manufactured units, many being triple wides but some are "Site Built" homes.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

What exactly is a "site built home"?

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

we will be renting on the Historic Side this winter. First time and really do not know anything about the area except that it is very pretty, a bit hilly and mature. That sounds great to us. We will be on Torry Pines Dr near Orange Blossom CC in the Village of Country Club hills. anyone out there close?


Carlent

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Carlent ... I hope the snowstorms don't impede your auto from making it up those hills this winter. You lucky so and so ..... enjoy! ;D If I don't decide to purchase something next month, I'll be in the Northeast this winter after spending the last few years in Arizona - ouch and b-rrrrrr. I'll be interested to hear what you think of the area and the manufactured home experience.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Tkret, as a little more incentive to buy... they had a feature on the local news last night that there is going to be a huge shortage of salt for the roads and sidewalks this coming winter. :o

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Yikes! Peachie, that's not good. Since I don't have to go outside during inclement weather I'm only concerned that they'll have enough salt for my margaritas. But, then, I surely would rather have one in Cane Garden, though. :beer2:

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Carlant,

We bought on the historic side and we are in CC hills.Yes, it is beautiful, well maintained and has a gorgeous swimming pool just up that tretcherous hill! Personally I love it there, Lots of besautiful large trees and its quiet there. Granted the manufactured homes are somewhat smaller then in the newer sections of TV but most have ample room to live comfortably.

We rented on the historic side for 2 years before we decided to buy on that side. Because we are only snowbirds at this point, it didnt make sense to make a huge investment at least to our way of thinking. Preference in what village to buy or rent is a very personal choice.

Stay away from Hadley, it is full of party animals!! LOL

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

I was just wondering if the manufactured homes are positioned on the ground like the new homes are built or are do they have a crawl space under the house?

Another question........ if someone purchased a very old manu/home and wanted to have it torn down and have a new CBS built by TV..... is that allowed?

Just sittin' & thinkin" ::)

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

I can't speak for all units, but many of the doubles are about 18" above the ground and have concrete steps to the entrance (usually on the carport side). There is a skirt all around and you can't see under the unit or readily use that space.

Probably yes to the R&R - needs prior approval.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

A home built on the property it will permanently be on; vis-a-vis, a manufactured home that is built in a factory in sections and trucked to the final site and joined together and finished.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Oh Babe, I don't think you're going to make it. I mean to say that I think your plans of sticking it out in the Pacific Northwest will not hold. You have been bitten and you're scratching like crazy. If you take the preview visitation vacation, that will be it for sure! You are on the Coney Island Cyclone, Babe! and you didn't even need to take the "D" train. Looking forward to seeing you when we're both residents.

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

tkret.......... 1rnfl How very perceptive of you ;)

I've always believed that timing was everything, in life - so, it's just a matter of time; however - this babe's not getting any younger ::) ::)

Seriously, I am interested in the historic villages because of their terrain and old growth and the Orange Blossom CC ;D

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Gracie,

sounds like you are having a ball redecorating the Manufactured homes in your creative mind!

Common over to mine and do a makeover!

Re: the bond and manufactured homes
 

Nonie....I guess we will be pretty close in CC Hills? We will be on Torrey Pines Dr. We will not be able to use the pool at the CC becasue it is only for those who do not rent and have the priority membership. Would love to use it though. We are looking foward to spending Dec-Mar on the Historic Side.


Carlent