Properties of The Villages or MLS?
 

We are selling our home, and wish to do so as quickly and profitably as possible. What are the pros and cons of listing with Properties of The Villages vs. listing with a proper realty company (ReMax, Foxfire, etc)? In your replies, please recommend an agent or firm you believe to be excellent. Thanks!

I've never seen a system like they have here. In markets that I've covered, MLS agents can sell developers homes. But here they have two, separate systems, TV Developer's Agents and MLS agents, and neither can sell each others listings. Try to find out which org has sold the most homes in the shortage amount of time. Being able to see comps is very important. Good luck.

The Villages' own Real Estate group seems to have excellent luck selling properties quickly. The downside to this: they price things as low as possible (and still be realistic and profitable), and they won't budge on their cut of the commission. If you're not willing to list for the price they say it should list for, your home is likely to sit there awhile. "Priced to sell" is a big deal for them. They also will want you to make sure your house has "curb appeal." They don't play around. The more you comply with their advice, the quicker your house will sell. But that might mean you have to spend money to get the house in the shape they feel it should be in, to find a buyer.

I would list with an MLS agent as your home will have more exposure since it will be on zillow, trulia, realtor.com, etc. Homes are selling quickly and I personally feel with the expanded exposure you would get a high price with the MLS. I highly recommend Katy Kelly from Re/Max Premier realty. Her phone number is 352-355-7982. You can also look at her website katykellyhomes.com Wishing you success in selling your home.

I have sold two properties here over the last 6 years. Used an outside agent both times. IMO opinion, having your property on MLS gets you a better price. It may take longer to sell using an outside agent, but the wait is well worth it.

Just my $0.02

Example. A neighbor within the last 8 weeks or so listed with Re-Max, had open houses at least twice a week, several weeks later lowered the price and again lots of open houses, finally listed it with TV and it was sold I believe in two days before having the first open house that was cancelled because of being sold at a price not much lower than their last adjustment with Re-max. If I were selling our home it would be via TV and the agent I would use is Beth Pope, one of the highest rated agents within the TV system. Good luck no matter who you choose.

The give you the right advise , make it appealing , price it on the market and prepare to move.

The Villages sells more home than all the MLS agents combined.

I would NOT use the TV realtors! I had an awful experience! They used my home only to promote their new development. They are being pushed to prioritize and sell all their new homes much more than used homes. I was even told by neighbors that they overheard them telling people at showings how much more if a deal they can get in a brand new home than a used one. They showed used homes and then came in at better prices fir new ones. Anyone looking to move from another state can not see your home in a mls listing either if you go through TV.
Once you list with them, even if your home doesn’t sell and your long contract time runs out, they’ll go afyer you once you sell with sn outside agency. Was just awful.
I recommend Alan and Amy Lauder. They are very well connected and respected.
Alan & Amy Lauder

I have a neighbor that works with Reality executives. She has opens houses everyday until they sale. Most of her homes sale within a week. She is very knowledgeable of everything. Her Name is Eva Kennedy. She will give you comparison on your home.
:

The market is so good, if you have common sense and your house looks reasonable, and you price it well it should sell very easily by yourself.

I know people who have recommended having 2 agents; one from TV and one from outside. But from previous comments, it sounds like just an outside agent might be better. Good luck.

I used Debra Kline (debbiekline@kw.com).
 

Debbie Kline
215-872-7848
MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PRODUCER
email: debbiekline@kw.com
facebook: Debra Kline-KW Cornerstone
web: debbiekline.kw.com
App Link: Keller Williams

After the loss of my husband, I decided to sell my Villa. Upon a recommendation, I chose to enlist Debbie as my realtor. Time after time, she was there with answers to my questions, with guidance. She walked me through the process and was always available to me. Not a day went by, that I was not amazed at what this woman did for me to prepare my home for the sale. When the time came, she staged my home so beautifully that the first person that walked in, made an offer without asking the sale price and it turned out to be above what I was asking. She was my angel in my time of need. Highly recommend Debbie Kline. You will also be amazed.

In this market- you probably could sell it yourself- if you want to take that on. We just bought within last few months and used both TV and MLS agent. Buyers are extremely knowledgeable- it’s not difficult to figure out when a house is overpriced or priced to sell. Our TV agent actually had much more to show us and even a few not on the market yet.
Interview both but I highly recommend Priscilla- extremely knowledgeable and very available in a moment’s notice to us.
Priscilla Proszek
352-895-6714
Priscilla.Proszek@thevillages.com

You will have much more flexibility and way less restrictions going with an MLS realtor. The Villages listing agreements and or purchase agreements lock you in much more and if you try to get out you’re going to lose money. Also, as an owner if there’s an inspection which indicates they want you to fix all manner of things, you don’t have a right to say I don’t agree with this and just walk away from the deal. It’s in the contract that any amount up to like 1% or 2% of the selling price has to be done and you have no say over it once you have signed a listing agreement.

Use bill smith only 3%
 

I used Bill Smith. He only charged 3%. Did great job. Used him to both buy and sell house. 352-571-8549 or bill@williamsmith.realator

Please pm me your house info as we are looking to buy a house right now.

Mls
 

It’s a toss up but I believe you get better exposure with MLS. VILLAGE real estate is going to push their NEW homes first!

Kent Merchant with Realty Executives sold our house quickly. He was professional and knowledgeable. A pleasure to work with. 352-753-7500. Best of luck.

out side realtor!!
 

Wee had both when we were looking the TV one didn't help much at all Cindy Foster 352-460-2260 was there for us all the way always sending us listing of homes in Village and other places, She was great anything that needed to be done she was right on it highly recommend her. Good luck!

I'll caveat my comments with I have never sold a house in TV, so wanted to be up front about that.

-TV are salespeople, where MLS are realtors. Realtors are licensed and are required to adhere to rules and regulations surrounding their actions.
-Unless disclosed and you agree, a realtor can only represent you (the seller). A TV salesperson does not have those same requirements.
-As others have mentioned, the TV are salespeople employed by the TV, so their primary focus is selling new homes.
-With the MLS, you have 100% of the control in selling your home. You can decide the price point (using their guidance of course), what to fix or not, etc. It doesn't sound like one has the same freedom when using a TV salesperson.

Personally, I love the website Redfin.com for looking at houses. One of the best features is the "X-out" on the upper right that lets you remove that house from consideration. I can either "heart" a house I like or X-out ones I don't. I really streamlines the process, where on TV website one has to wade through all the listings and hope one notices when a new house is available.

Best of luck to you!

Why not sell it on your own. In this market, put it on the web in a couple of places and it will be gone. I just sold our old home on the web in a couple of days and that market isn’t as hot as this market. PM me and I will suggest which websites to use. It’s easy to sell on your own, you use the same closing papers, disclosure forms because they come from a lawyer and it’s the buyers responsibility to get the forms.

3% is the standard unnegotiated rate for one side of the transaction. Or are you saying 3% in total for both selling and buying agent?

Where are you located and what type of house do you have

I do not know how you can choose from the realtors listed here.
Even different realtors at the same office would have different success rates.
I used the villages and found them wanting.
The villages makes most of their money selling their new stuff.
I had good luck with Tammy Freilich ReMax in Wildwood. The best photos I have ever seen.

same-o same-o
 

Of all the "negatives" cited about TV realtors, I don't see any that don't apply to MLS realtors as well. They ALL want a quick sale, all want you to price it low, etc., etc.. Both TV and MLS agents have their "points." Through whom did you purchase your home in the first place? That may be a good place to start. Do your own homework.

I just bought a home and closed the 17th. I had both mls and villages agent. Both were good but I found many more options and more homes to look at on MLS sites. And more attention.. I hope this helps

Selling house
 

Our neighbor and close friend bought her house 9 months ago, but soon after, determined that she wanted to be in Ocala to be closer to a close friend she grew up with.
She listed with an MLS, had 7 showings in 2-1/2 days then an online offer was made for $5k over her asking, sight unseen. She goes to closing next week, 5 weeks after first posting.
Another neighbor, who bought 6 months ago, listed his house with MLS and had cash offer in 2 days for his asking price, making him $40k profit. Granted, when he bought, 6 months ago, things were a little more depressed due to covid, and now there's a shortage.

Easy to sell yourself. A couple of friends sold their houses after a few days on the market, no commission. Title company handles the details. Otherwise definitely MLS. The Villages has an incentive to take your potential buyers to see new homes.

TV vs Outside Realtor
 

When my husband and I 1st came here for the Introductory stay, we had
a TV realtor walk us around. He kept trying to push the new area of the villages and all homes with bonds on them. Then. We decided to go with an outside realtor.. so glad that we did... we probably saved about $30000 . By using an outside realtor We use Genie Muldoon she's really good ...

I have sold 2 properties and purchased 1 in the last year...I used an outside agent for both sales and FSBO with the 1 I purchased. Karen Kamperman with Keller Williams was excellent selling first property in 2 weeks and second in 3 hours at full asking price. IMHO Villages sales reps are “showing” your home but then pushing new area south of 44 as directed by the developer who they work for.

Selling your home for the most money needs the best exposure!
 

I've been a Realtor in Florida since 2009. The MLS links to homes for sale to many website where 95% of buyers start their home search. I would be happy to meet with you to discuss selling your home in today's market. Kathy 239-220-4133

First, quickly and profitably are two ideals which everyone wants, but seldom occurs.

Second, the appeal of the TV pre-owned sales process is the speed of the sale, which is why all the conditions in the agreement. We looked at the TV rental program, and too many of their requirements hindered our profitability business goals, which is a high occupancy rate. .

Third, the TV preowned sales motivation for speed is a hidden agenda, as they want minimal competition for their new construction. ah, your lightbulb might have just gone on . The fewer re-sales on the market, the more the new construction sales are the monopoly. The TV concept is an entire monopoly and monopsony lifestyle development. . .

Fourth, if you have to sell quickly, you will never sell for profitability, as you are looking for the ideal person who falls in love with your house as you are, and willing to pay the premium to which you attach your fondness. Seldom will that person show up in the first week of opportunity.

So pick your poison, speed or profitability, but assume you can't get both. Profitability, go with MLS and wait, Speed, go with TV preowned sales.

But that should be the basis for your decision, and remember that MLS wants a quick sale as well, which may be counter to your goals, but they also want the contract. So when an MLS agent says, "I can sell it for X$", and you don't know what a quality valuation is, the $X is appealing to your profitability motivation, whether the realtor can perform will only be determined in the future, so it is a confirmation bias statement you want to hear with a prediction which they know you want to hear so will sign the contract.

so the above is the psychology of real estate sales and marketing in TV.

financial analysis guy

you're right and wrong
 

It's actually easy to choose...The Villages system hands down is far superior, having 300+ real estate pros that exclusively work for the Villages and know the areas completely compared to a MLS agent that know virtually nothing about the Villages life.
The VLS has approximately 80-85 percent of pre-owned homes sold for the last 25 years...it's a no brainer The Villages is the choice.

MLS preferred. Got 4 offers starting within 2 days for the most money ever for compa
 

Pat Serafino and his assistant Melissa of Executive Realty were very efficient and interested in doing everything to get the sale. I am very pleased with the MLS!

The split for resales in The Villages is 50/50 with MLS and VLS homes

I just sold my house. Do not sign up with an entity such as villages Remax etc - interview. Do not give them a contract for 3 months 6 months and always demand 5% or less. My agent was awful but her buyers agent had a buyer who picked out my property online. I would say pick the best the ones with most success such as Ms Pope but I can tell you the costs to sell my house were 9% which is crazy high because TV title paperwork fees are crazy.

If you have a desirable location post your house on next door Zillow and possibly buy an add with great pictures in that so called paper called The Daily Sun. Do not sign up with strangers or those who make promises. If you own your house outright try to do it yourself.
It’s a great time to sell as people are coming here for the winter this month daily ! Good luck.

Make the buyer purchase title insurance it’s a joke and they all cash in!

Wisdom is more precious than pearls.
Medical insurance in a lot of area's of Florida is a challenge's to get the right doctors to find for your family, and to get the company you trust, so I recommend before you move to any area make sure they have enough doctors and hospitals in the area you are looking to live in, otherwise you will have to travel many miles to see a doctor in your group and not get good care.

I used The Villages because of their marketing in the Daily Sun. Opens are consistent, easy to find, first page of classified. The MLS ads are all over, no consistency.

Location, Location, Location.
If you are in a high demand location it's sells quickly. If you happen to be near a busy road in a sinkhole history are not so much. From what I've seen lately is that the re-sells are moving fastest. Just look at the weekly flier. I would use The Villages Real Estate for quickest sell. I have see both used and the outside realtors don't seem to sell anywhere near as well.

We had a dreadful experience selling through TV Realty and would NEVER do it again. We hate even thinking about it. We don't have a particular MLS agent to suggest, so ask around for a recommendation. And even though they don't admit it, the salespersons selling for TV are obliged to steer buyers to new construction first and foremost. We've known buyers who began with TV Realty who wanted only a resale, and they finally walked away to MLS because of the pressure to buy new. TV will price you lower so they sell quickly, but in today's market, everything seems to be selling quickly anyway.