Talk of The Villages Florida

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-   The Villages, Florida, New Members Forum (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-new-members-forum-115/)
-   -   MLS realtors vs Villages realtors (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-new-members-forum-115/mls-realtors-vs-villages-realtors-335458/)

KatieRN 09-24-2022 02:40 PM

MLS realtors vs Villages realtors
 
My husband and I are coming for a lifestyle visit in October. I have 3 questions about realtors. 1)Why would someone list with MLS rather than a Villages realtor? 2)If I'm looking for a preowned home should I look at both? 3)Someone on this forum said a friend of theirs was paying 500.00 in amenity fees. Doesn't everyone pay the same? Thanks in advance for the info and advice. Excited to see all the Villages offers!

Kenswing 09-24-2022 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatieRN (Post 2139583)
My husband and I are coming for a lifestyle visit in October. I have 3 questions about realtors. 1)Why would someone list with MLS rather than a Villages realtor? 2)If I'm looking for a preowned home should I look at both? 3)Someone on this forum said a friend of theirs was paying 500.00 in amenity fees. Doesn't everyone pay the same? Thanks in advance for the info and advice. Excited to see all the Villages offers!

1. Some people feel they have more visibility by listing with an MLS realtor. And some just don’t like the developer getting anymore of their money.

2. If looking at preowned homes it’s a good idea to have an MLS realtor and a Villages sales agent. They are used to people doing this. If one or the other has a problem find someone else.

3. The only way someone paid $500 in amenity fees is if it was their first bill. Remember, included in the bill with your amenity fee is also trash, water and sewer. Not everyone pays the same amenity fee. It’s close though. When you buy a house you get set at the prevailing rate. Then yearly you get an increase determined by the consumer price index. So depending on when you bought and what your increases were can put you off a little from everyone else.

Altavia 09-24-2022 03:04 PM

Good advise from Kenswing.

Visit open houses first is a good way to find realtor(s) you click with.

manaboutown 09-24-2022 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatieRN (Post 2139583)
My husband and I are coming for a lifestyle visit in October. I have 3 questions about realtors. 1)Why would someone list with MLS rather than a Villages realtor? 2)If I'm looking for a preowned home should I look at both? 3)Someone on this forum said a friend of theirs was paying 500.00 in amenity fees. Doesn't everyone pay the same? Thanks in advance for the info and advice. Excited to see all the Villages offers!

Look at both MLS and VLS listings. You just never know. BTW, There is no such thing as a "Villages Realtor". Villages agents are licensed but are NOT Realtors.

Stu from NYC 09-24-2022 03:35 PM

Moved here three years ago.

Tried both and started with MLS. What MLS showed us did not work out so tried a village rep and liked one he showed us and the rest is history.

Best to try both.

splashes 09-24-2022 04:29 PM

the best village realtor is Beth Pope 352-552-1511 a real professional that will find your dream house new or resale remember location location

MrChip72 09-24-2022 09:43 PM

When we bought this past spring we were pretty much 90% set on pre-owned. We looked at several pre-owned and very quickly after checking out new homes after that we changed our minds to only want something new. The newer builds are generally better laid out, using more energy efficient everything, more modern kitchens and bathrooms, and seem to sell for around the same price as pre-owned. Not to mention, in the new areas the average age is closer to 60 than 80 like some of the original areas.

BayLady57 09-24-2022 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatieRN (Post 2139583)
My husband and I are coming for a lifestyle visit in October. I have 3 questions about realtors. 1)Why would someone list with MLS rather than a Villages realtor? 2)If I'm looking for a preowned home should I look at both? 3)Someone on this forum said a friend of theirs was paying 500.00 in amenity fees. Doesn't everyone pay the same? Thanks in advance for the info and advice. Excited to see all the Villages offers!

My husband and I recently purchased a new 3 br courtyard villa in St. Johns. We wanted to purchase new construction so it was our Villages agent who found us and handled the sale of the home we purhased. If you are open to or only interested in pre-owned homes some will be listed by an MLS agent and others will be listed by the VLS which is The Villages listing services. An MLS agent can only show and sell MLS homes, and VLS homes are only shown and sold by Villages agents. That being said, you will need both an MLS and VLS agent. If you are not ready to buy now, spend your LSV time exploring the community and go to a few open houses on your own. We had two LSVs and did not purchase during either, but after the 2nd we knew the type of home we wanted and area we wanted to purchase in. With regards to amenity fees, that is included in a monthly bill along with trash, sewer, and water which is irrigation and potable. Our recent bill for these services I just paid was $317. The month previous was $357 attributed to more water use as we upgrade our landscaping during that time and had to water our new plantings more to make sure they survived. Although there is some variation in individual amenity frees depending on when one purchased their home, our amenity fee for our 4 month old new home is $179/month. Best of luck.

Garywt 09-24-2022 11:44 PM

Not everyone has their water and sewer as part of the amenities fee. Our fee is currently $177. It started at $159 when we bought 3+ Years ago. With trash fees our monthly bill is $199. We get a separate water and sewer bill that is generally $40-60 a month.

Dilligas 09-25-2022 04:25 AM

If you want to see every house for sale in TV, then you will need both MLS & TV. TV handle about twice the sales of resales and 100% of new. The “line” about TV agents are not realtors is spun by MLS agents, because TV can not sell MLS and vice versa……BOTH are licensed by the state of Florida. Some of TV agents get along with MLS and can work together. You can only see MLS homes on MLS, and only see TV homes on TV website. As with any transaction, get agents you like and trust, there are good & bad in both organizations.

richardc1947 09-25-2022 05:01 AM

Get on board with both realtors unless you just want to buy a new home. Approximately 1/3 of the pre owned homes are listed with mls agents.
If someone said their amenities fee was $500, they are mistaken. Most of the amenities fees are in the mid $150 range depending on where you live.
Be aware that there is a bond fee attached to all new homes to pay for the infrastructure for new homes. That fee is in the tens of thousands of dollars. Pre owned homes will have the bond partly or completely paid off. So be sure to ask and include any remaining bond in the cost of homes when comparing.

bowlingal 09-25-2022 05:19 AM

MLS realtors are NOT allowed to show new construction....only pre-owned. The villages team and MLS can both show pre-owned. Get the Daily Sun for listings for both or go to the villages website for listings with " the firm".

Catalina36 09-25-2022 05:45 AM

Amenities FEE??? Does everyone pay the same????
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by KatieRN (Post 2139583)
My husband and I are coming for a lifestyle visit in October. I have 3 questions about realtors. 1)Why would someone list with MLS rather than a Villages realtor? 2)If I'm looking for a preowned home should I look at both? 3)Someone on this forum said a friend of theirs was paying 500.00 in amenity fees. Doesn't everyone pay the same? Thanks in advance for the info and advice. Excited to see all the Villages offers!

Amenities FEE??? Does everyone pay the same???? Your amenity fee goes up every year. The amenity fee changes on the month the original owner purchased the home. I purchased / closed on my home in October of 2020 my amenity fee went up in August of 2021. Depending on who you talk to yes someone may pay less or more. Depends if someones home was originally purchased in February and someone else's home was originally purchased in October. It's about the time difference. But Yes everyone pays about the same. My home was built in 2004. The beginning of 2022 I was paying 168.74, now I am paying 182.68. No one is paying $500. You get a bill every month and the amenity fee, the water bill house and irrigation, sewer bill, etc. That will be much higher because of your individual usage.
Best of Luck

talonip 09-25-2022 05:45 AM

No
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by richardc1947 (Post 2139679)
Get on board with both realtors unless you just want to buy a new home. Approximately 1/3 of the pre owned homes are listed with mls agents.
If someone said their amenities fee was $500, they are mistaken. Most of the amenities fees are in the mid $150 range depending on where you live.
Be aware that there is a bond fee attached to all new homes to pay for the infrastructure for new homes. That fee is in the tens of thousands of dollars. Pre owned homes will have the bond partly or completely paid off. So be sure to ask and include any remaining bond in the cost of homes when comparing.

150 is only the amenity fee. The bill you get will include water sewer trash and the amenity and will most likely be about 300 or more. When we arrived here 8 years ago the bill was in the 240s.

karenzeee 09-25-2022 05:46 AM

Have fun on your lifestyle visit! That's how we started, then rented for a month to look for homes. We used both relators. TV for the new builds mostly, and the MLS for everything else. So much to see and learn in a week during you Lifestyle visit. If you don't find what your looking for, come back and rent to really find the area you want to live in. We thought we wanted a new home for sure, but ended up buying a preowned - turnkey with no bond in the Northern area.

If you don't find what your looking for on your visit this time, check out Rent From A Villager | Home Rentals in The Villages Florida | Advertise Your Village Rental and rent a home directly from an owner for a few weeks or month. It's a fantastic way to really get to know your way around TV.

Best of luck and enjoy the process! Exciting times for sure.

Papa_lecki 09-25-2022 06:02 AM

When comparing price of new vs pre owned, you need to consider the after market upgrades the pre owned has. Things like painted/coated driveway.garage, water systems, screening, solar tubes, plantation shutters, etc.
That is one reason why pre owned are listed at a higher price.
Don’t forget to investigate the bond. New home are probably in the $30,000 ranges, pre owned may by in the 10,000 to 15,000 range or may be paid off.

nancyre 09-25-2022 06:05 AM

Villages agents are just that they work for the villages as a sales agent - not as a buyers agent. They only show Villages listed preowned and new
MLS agents are real estate agents - when you use them as a buyer they are your agent, not the sellers. They can only sell MLS listed preowned properties. They do not have rights to show the new properties. You can find MLS homes on Zillow, realtor.com, etc.
Do not forget for sale by owner too - that is what we ended up with. It just met our needs, price & timing was perfect.
Work with both (Villages & MLS) as they are separate pools of homes.

RiderOnTheStorm 09-25-2022 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatieRN (Post 2139583)
My husband and I are coming for a lifestyle visit in October. I have 3 questions about realtors. 1)Why would someone list with MLS rather than a Villages realtor? 2)If I'm looking for a preowned home should I look at both? 3)Someone on this forum said a friend of theirs was paying 500.00 in amenity fees. Doesn't everyone pay the same? Thanks in advance for the info and advice. Excited to see all the Villages offers!

Regardless of which sales agent/source you use, be sure to have a home inspection done by an inspector who is NOT associated with the sales agent. Any inspector who is so aligned has a conflict of interest that motivates them to avoid reporting items that might adversely affect the sale. It happened to me.

Sunny923! 09-25-2022 06:08 AM

Agree
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by MrChip72 (Post 2139656)
When we bought this past spring we were pretty much 90% set on pre-owned. We looked at several pre-owned and very quickly after checking out new homes after that we changed our minds to only want something new. The newer builds are generally better laid out, using more energy efficient everything, more modern kitchens and bathrooms, and seem to sell for around the same price as pre-owned. Not to mention, in the new areas the average age is closer to 60 than 80 like some of the original areas.

Same here!

HeleneGB 09-25-2022 06:09 AM

Amenity fees usually between 150 and 160 per month.

Glowfromminnesota 09-25-2022 06:16 AM

We actually went through Redfin and bought a pre owned home. We are in our 50s (early 60s). I wanted to be near my sisters and they are in the older sections. Our bond was paid off so that would be something to consider. I enjoy living on a pond, near Savannah, not too far from Sumter, Spanish Springs, and shopping. I also enjoy remodeling. Location matters of course. With that in mind, I enjoy going to the new sections catering to the younger retirees with trails, open air market, etc. and closer to the airport. They say the average Villager moves 3x… so who knows. Enjoy your stay!

Susan1717 09-25-2022 06:36 AM

Definitely look at both! Villages realtors work for the Villages, they are NOT realtors and will only show you their homes!! Only if you find a home snd insist will they show you others!! Beware!! Have both a licensed realtor and a villages realtor. Also, they won’t allow a licensed realtor to show their homes!!

tvbound 09-25-2022 06:37 AM

This summer we purchased a pre-owned home in the area we wanted. While we had both a MLS Realtor and TV sales person, we had to change the TV sales person because they simply refused to show us enough pre-owned houses and tried to push new houses way down south. The second TV person did a good job, but we found the house we wanted and bought through the MLS realtor.

Donaz1 09-25-2022 06:44 AM

In my experience working with both, I would never use VLS. You are not offered the protections that an MLS must adhered to. A friend recently bought an older home owned by the villages. They went ahead and hired their own inspector and gave her the report - unethical IMO.

Dilligas 09-25-2022 06:44 AM

If you want to see every house for sale in TV, then you will need both MLS & TV. TV handle about twice the sales of resales and 100% of new. The “line” about TV agents are not realtors is spun by MLS agents, because TV can not sell MLS and vice versa……BOTH are licensed by the state of Florida. Some of TV agents get along with MLS and can work together. You can only see MLS homes on MLS, and only see TV homes on TV website. As with any transaction, get agents you like and trust, there are good & bad in both organizations.

joelfmi 09-25-2022 06:58 AM

Very important location! Location! and community travel if you cannot drive.

dwarmstrong 09-25-2022 07:12 AM

MLS or Villages realtors
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by KatieRN (Post 2139583)
My husband and I are coming for a lifestyle visit in October. I have 3 questions about realtors. 1)Why would someone list with MLS rather than a Villages realtor? 2)If I'm looking for a preowned home should I look at both? 3)Someone on this forum said a friend of theirs was paying 500.00 in amenity fees. Doesn't everyone pay the same? Thanks in advance for the info and advice. Excited to see all the Villages offers!

When my husband and I moved here, we had no idea that we had a choice between the Villages realtors and MLS realtors. In hindsight, I wish we had slowed down a little bit and looked at all our options for buying. We actually LOVE the home we chose to purchase from our Villages agent, but we didn’t realize The Villages agents couldn’t show homes listed by MLS agents and vice versa. Therefore, we limited our choices of homes to see and possibly purchase. So….my advice is to use both Villages and MLS agents. As far as amenity fees, to my understanding they are all different. We do not pay anything near to $500 a month.

ThirdOfFive 09-25-2022 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manaboutown (Post 2139593)
Look at both MLS and VLS listings. You just never know. BTW, There is no such thing as a "Villages Realtor". Villages agents are licensed but are NOT Realtors.

What are they licensed for?

msilagy 09-25-2022 07:32 AM

Remember you will have a BOND on new or newer construction. Paid with taxes. Many realtors never mention that important fact!

ronwinger 09-25-2022 07:37 AM

FYI, if you go onto YouTube, you will find some videos that share what the cost per year are for someone to live in The Villages. They will vary but, at least you will have some idea. Enjoy your adventure while visiting TV.

ThirdOfFive 09-25-2022 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KatieRN (Post 2139583)
My husband and I are coming for a lifestyle visit in October. I have 3 questions about realtors. 1)Why would someone list with MLS rather than a Villages realtor? 2)If I'm looking for a preowned home should I look at both? 3)Someone on this forum said a friend of theirs was paying 500.00 in amenity fees. Doesn't everyone pay the same? Thanks in advance for the info and advice. Excited to see all the Villages offers!

We took the double-barreled approach when buying: working both with a Villages guy and an outside realtor. Both were excellent. Lennie Berger (the Villages agent) was outstanding. We ended up not buying from him (opting instead to purchase a home listed by an outside realty company) but we had no issues with either. If you're looking at new, however, as other posts indicate, you'll have to work with a Villages agent.

We chose pre-owned, for several reasons. More established neighborhoods, generally quieter (our village has only one way in and out so very little traffic), no bond (a biggie), and a whole lot closer to essential businesses and services that the new construction in the South seems to be (we're maybe 10 minutes by golf cart from Lowe's, Wal-mart, Publix, Aldi, Doctor, Dentist, Spanish Springs Town square, a couple of strip malls, etc.).

Enjoy your lifestyle visit! But be prepared for the lily to be heavily gilded. Back in the world I enjoyed woodworking. When discussing hobbies with our Villages "guide" during our lifestyle visit I mentioned that fact. He took us to the woodshop (only one at the time) and proudly showed how it worked, what was expected of the people using it, etc. No mention however that the waiting list was years long (and with the huge influx of people recently, probably approaching a decade). A few other such gildings, but really minor in comparison to what The Villages is, and has to offer.

Enjoy your visit and best of luck buying

crash 09-25-2022 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowlingal (Post 2139686)
MLS realtors are NOT allowed to show new construction....only pre-owned. The villages team and MLS can both show pre-owned. Get the Daily Sun for listings for both or go to the villages website for listings with " the firm".

MLS can not show Villages listed properties and Vice a versus. To see all preowned homes you need both.

dewilson58 09-25-2022 07:54 AM

Look online for houses listed by The Villages.

Look online for houses listed by MLS.

Look online for houses listed by owner.

Notice the theme????...............look online.


Realtor vs. Agent vs. Broker ......................Titles don't matter.
The individual matters.............not if you have taken a test and pay dues.
There are good and bad individuals no matter the title.
Same with attorneys, CPAs, doctors, lawn mowers, painters.

:mornincoffee:

ron32162 09-25-2022 08:00 AM

There are NO Village Realtors only village sales people "Realtor" is a trademark and only can be used by members belonging to the NAR. Village sales people, their principal is the builder who they represent. A mls Realtor their principal is the customer That would be You.

sallyg 09-25-2022 08:03 AM

Be sure to use an MLS realtor and a Villages realtor to get a better selection and better information. If you buy a new home you can only use a Villages realtor. Keep in mind new homes have a bond and maintenance fees which many older homes do not. Have fun looking.

SusanStCatherine 09-25-2022 08:03 AM

Inspector and escrow
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Donaz1 (Post 2139729)
In my experience working with both, I would never use VLS. You are not offered the protections that an MLS must adhered to. A friend recently bought an older home owned by the villages. They went ahead and hired their own inspector and gave her the report - unethical IMO.

Find your own impartial Inspector. Find one who gives the report directly to only you.

Also make sure there is money in escrow so that can be used as leverage against problems found.

Good luck!

ron32162 09-25-2022 08:05 AM

179.00 everyone no one pays 500.00

MSGirl 09-25-2022 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manaboutown (Post 2139593)
Look at both MLS and VLS listings. You just never know. BTW, There is no such thing as a "Villages Realtor". Villages agents are licensed but are NOT Realtors.

To clarify between a REALTOR and a sales agent, all real estate agents are sales agents: includes both MLS and VLS agents.

The term REALTOR® has one, and only one, meaning: REALTOR® is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
A VLS agent cannot be a REALTOR. But they can and do sell Villages homes. Only a Villages agent can sell new in The Villages.

mbene 09-25-2022 09:23 AM

I thought I had read in a previous thread that there is a yearly assessment for infrastructure or something along that line that typically runs about $500-$600, could this be what they are taking about?

Carol Fiore 09-25-2022 09:27 AM

Considering Property Taxes in Sumter County
 
I moved from north of 44 to south of 44 new homes. North of 44 is in the county of Wildwood and your taxes will be lower. South of 44 you will pay an additional city tax. (Municipality - Wildwood). That cost me additional $778.00 a year. I don't know which property is in the county vs City. You will have to ask the Sumter property appraisers.

Sumter County has a unique way of calculating your market value in The Villages only. They do it by the model of your home.

Here are some of the model costs south of 44.

BASE RATE Code Model
137.00 DH64 Jasmine
148.00 DH70 Begonia, Indigo
156.00 DH71 Iris, Lily, Mossy Oak
164.00 DH72 Bridgeport, Lantana, Zinnia
162.00 DH73 Woodside, Laurel Oak, IVY
149.00 DH75 Gardenia
$82.76 R5 Outside of the Villages (Beaumont Village)

You can find this information on your property record card. They do not make this information public. You can call the Sumter County at 352-569-6800 to get your property record card and other property record card. That is how I got this information.

Florida has wonderful property tax savings for permanent residents. Be sure to apply for these savings.

1. Homestead - this will reduce your assessed value by $50,000
2. Portability - if you are a Florida resident this is your Save your home benefit. They cannot raise your taxes more than 3% per year. If you lived in a Fl home and bought another Fl home, you have 3 years to move the portability to the new home. I lived in Florida for over 50 years, and I have over $200,000 in portability.
3. Senior Discount - In Sumter it will reduce your assessed value by 15,000 saving you approx. $150 per year. Note: there is an income limit for this benefit.

I am saving approx. $4000 per year on my taxes.


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