Coming to look at a home today, but no visitor pass.
 

Morning all! We are heading down from Gainesville to look at a house near Spanish Springs on Nell Way in Lady Lake in a few minutes with one of the Villages realtors. I was surprised that they can't offer a visitor pass to check things out while we're there. We have some clients that live in TV but don't want to mix business with pleasure and ask them to put us down for a pass. Are there any other ways to get a pass besides a lifestyle visit that I'm missing? We just wanted to look at some of the facilities beyond the gates today.
Thanks.

You don't need a visitor pass to look at the facilities. Anyone can drive through the gates by just pressing the red button at the gate. You can also enter the rec centers and ask if you can look around. No pass is required to do that. You would need a pass to use the equipment or to participate in the activities.

Thanks very much. I was just operating under the assumption that because there were gatehouses that were staffed, we wouldn't be able to enter without a pass.

Anyone can enter, just push the red button

No problem just looking, a village ID is required to use the facilities.

That's the myth that we are a gated community...we are a community with gates, but anyone can enter.

In the counties that the roads are paid for by the county anyone can use. Thus the red button.

If the community's pay for the roads they can be private and the community also has to maintain the roads.

I would ask the realtor if any developments have private roads.

But just remember Hotel California:BigApplause:

We've spent the last hour trying to escape and we can't get out.

I would say there is the "illusion" of a gated community rather than a myth. ;-)

Gates are for one thing only, To slow down the cars, so golf carts have a frogger chance to cross the road.

At no time will a honest mls or VLS tell you we are a gated community that only residents are allowed in

No one, except, for golf starters, really check the IDs.
Go into the rec centers, into the pools courts, etc.

Or - be an honest person with a smidge of integrity, who knows that "it's not breaking the law if you don't get caught" is a really bad philosophy upon which to conduct your life.

During the busy winter season they also check IDs at the pools fairly regularly.

Visitor pass
 

Only residents can get guests a guest pass. Anyone can drive through, enjoy the squares and look at homes. Guest passes are for recreational use…pools, golf and activities in recreation centers.

I was renting in August and our passes were checked when we were at the pool. We had been there for about an hour and then they came by and checked everyone. First time I was at the pool so can't say how often they check.

This is a community with gates not a gated community.

As far as asking to look around any of the beautiful rec centers, just walk in and look around. No need to announce yourself.

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No pass required
 

[no gate pass is required to enter most areas. Approach the visitor gate and press the red button. The gate will open. We are a community with gates, not a gated community QUOTE=Arancampas;2259130]Morning all! We are heading down from Gainesville to look at a house near Spanish Springs on Nell Way in Lady Lake in a few minutes with one of the Villages realtors. I was surprised that they can't offer a visitor pass to check things out while we're there. We have some clients that live in TV but don't want to mix business with pleasure and ask them to put us down for a pass. Are there any other ways to get a pass besides a lifestyle visit that I'm missing? We just wanted to look at some of the facilities beyond the gates today.
Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Gee. Glad to hear that. Now why not just post it on YouTube!!!!!!!????………and “tear down that wall, Mr Gorbachev”.

Soooo.....how did it go?

As others have said, no pass needed. You, and even criminals, can simply press the button and drive on in. Sure cameras take a photo of your plate. But if you drive a pickup truck and leave the tailgate down as to hide your plate, problem solved.

In the past month I have had my ID checked at both pools and rec centers.

As others have written, looking around is almost encouraged but using or participating requires an ID.

The people are out of their mind for the size and condition of the place! The agent is checking on another for us.

We are mainly looking for something owner financing because we plan to pay it off fast and don't really want the bank hassle. We could easily mortgage our home we live in and just pay in full, but we love the no mortgage, no car payment life.

We did check out the other squares and went to Amerikanos for lunch, so it was a nice day overall.

Absolutely not true. I've been check at our pools all summer.

So if the original poster goes to a pool or rec center to check it out, they will get asked to leave?
They said they are visiting and wanted to see the amenities. Not actually use the amenities.

BTW, I’ve owned for 5 years, and NEVER got asked for an ID at a pool, pickle or tennis court. Nor have my guests (who always have guest IDs).

What you REALLY need to look at is the fact that Florida and the world have set all-time records for HEAT in August and the whole summer. I would be looking NORTH for relocation if I were you.

At the outset, the roads through TV were private and a pass was needed. At some point, the roads needed repair and the Developer went to the County to arrange the repairs. He was told that the County does not pay to repair private roads. The "private roads" were donated to the county.

Owner financing will be difficult to obtain. Most sellers want cash at closing. In my opinion, the new houses are a better deal and less risky than pre-owned houses. You will get an excellent warranty. I would suggest getting a bank mortgage and plan to pay it off when you can.

So looks like you are not a fan, and didn’t enjoy your visit, or was your comment about the house size and condition.

Home here sell for more than average market.

We had 2 offers one contingent on 3 months to sell house
The other less money but close with mostly cash in 20 days.

We took the 20 day close.

You might want to reconsider how you buy, most will not do owner financing, plus what if it takes you 6 months plus to sell. Either way will your home pay for something comparable in TV?

My ID is frequently checked as well as my guests last weekend.

You will be allowed to observe but participating may require a pass.

We moved away from PA for the heat. We spent a couple years in Phoenix before moving here to FL. Definitely not worried about the temps.

That comment was just about the place we looked at. We love TV so far. We don't plan on selling our current home any time soon, but if we did mortgage it, we would only do enough to cover the balance after some added cash for a home in TV. Even though they are only an hour apart, if we spent a month at a time down there, we could Airbnb our house here between 250-300 a night and even more at certain times. The agent just messaged us a 2 year old home that may work out perfect.

You’re exactly right, the roads in TV are public roads so you’re exactly right, just push the red button!

Check the county website to see how much they paid for it. They are probably asking a lot more than they paid. If so, why buy a 2-year old house when you can buy a new house?

Would that be Marion County?

The whole bond thing bothers me. I can't wrap my head around paying an extra 20-30k on top of market. Who knows, maybe we'll go with a new build in the end. We aren't under a time crunch or anything, so we're just going with the flow. I really like some of the larger homes that have pools, so maybe we wait another year when we can throw an extra 100k or so down and go that route. Anything could happen.

Most of the newer pre-owned houses will have a bond that is almost as high as a new house.

I’ve been here 9 years and got checked lots of times depending on where I went. Agree, some rec center workers are lazy and some are not.

When I got here I first rented by Chula Vista and got checked every time I went in rec center, the pool, or pickleball courts if I was there more than hour. IMO depends on area and center workers.