Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

I try to keep up on the threads here because I love this site. I have posted what I know to be the truth about some of the negative issues here in the Villages. I have indicated that anyone who is a potential buyer MUST look out for themselves and ensure they know everything they need to know before becoming an owner.

That being said, there is really no more wonderful place to live anywhere that I could find in a seven year search of 55+ communities.

Yes, the developer will do whatever they can to save money and make money BUT that does not change the concept of the lifestyle here. To ensure that your home is built to standards that are acceptable to you and home building laws, be sure to hire an independent person to evaluate your home construction. If that person finds anything wrong in the first year of ownership, the developer MUST repair/fix/meet compliance needs.

When looking at pre-owned properties, interview neighbors. I live on a corner and several times my bell has wrung by people who just want to ask about the neighborhood. I am happy to respond.

Is there a vinyl siding issue here??? Absolutely. Experts hired by owners have indicated a serious problem and the POA can give you a lot of information about that.

We purchased a newly built courtyard villa two years ago and I find nothing shoddy about the construction. Have some of my neighbors had problems?? Yes, but I have not. In any new construction you are going to have difficulties but there are ways to ensure your home is built to appropriate specifications.

Again, don't let any of these issues keep you from doing some hard looking at the Villages. This is a wonderful place to live and my husband and I wouldn't consider moving away for anything.

We are not old, in my opinion. Just early 60's. We are far from rich. We both retired as early as we could so we could enjoy some years together without the hassle of work. We maintain a budget and don't go overboard in spending, just as we did prior to retirement.

Yes, the VHA is NOT the best organization on whom to depend for information because of their alignment with the developer BUT we have the POA who will give you the truth. You are also bright enough yourselves to look into how the government of these retirement communities work. There is a lot of information on the internet about communities with this form of government.

Is the developer going away? Yes. I understand the target date is 2011 which coincides with the completion of the building plan for the Villages. Can we make that a positive thing? Absolutely yes, if we pay attention to what is going on and become involved in our community. Just because we are retired does not mean we just veg out and let things happen!!!!!!

Talk to your neighbors. Attend meetings, even those held by VHA just to get a glimpse of how "they" operate. Attend POA meetings and any other meetings announced for whatever purpose that relates to living here in the Villages.

Don't be scared off of what can be a wonderful opportunity for anyone who wants an active lifestyle in a wonderful location, with great neighbors!

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

I have a question about the vinyl siding issue...did not realize there was one...if a person buys a pre-owned home my understanding it is fully inspected from top to bottom correct? Shouldn't that inspector relay to the buyer before closing if there are vinyl issue's? What are the problems...and if there are problems who do you deal with on correcting them? Thank you.

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

I would not count that a pre-owned house being inspected. You should have it checked by a Home Inspection Company.It is money well invested.

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

Absolutely! You should hire your own inspector who is working for you, not the seller. My son almost bought a home with siding problems but was spared the grief because his inspector knew what to look for. Our inspector found a few small problems that the seller agreed to fix. And we didn't close until they were.

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

Almost forgot. Most home inspectors will give you a guarantee of some sort. I can't remember right now what ours was. They also want you to recommend them to others.

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

What is the vinyl siding issue. Was it the installation or the material?

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

Mostly the way it was installed!!!

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

Good thread Frangy! :agree: You make excellent points. Perfection does not exist anywhere, but the positive things of TV far outweigh the negatives. We all need to do our homework to ensure TV is the place for us and that the home we purchase is of good value.

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

What's the POA? I'm assuming VHA is Village Home Association. Am I correct? How do they differ and who belongs to one or the other? As we contemplate TV as a future home we need all the info we can get. Thank you.

Pili

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

Most home inspectors I've dealt with seem to miss a lot of things (that I find out about some years later), so it's always buyer beware and investigate as best you can too.

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

Frangyomory,
Very well written. What you wrote makes a lot of sense. I especially like the recommendation to talk to potential neighbors. What a great idea!
Liz
:bigthumbsup:

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

Frangy,
Very good thread! The thoughts that you share are always much appreciated. Best wishes.
True

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

Pili,

The POA is the Property Owners Association that states "no ties or obligations to the developer of The Villages that might compromise the POA position or its advocacy of Residents' Rights. " The web site is http://www.poa4us.org/ . The Villages Homeowners Association stated mission is: To enable and encourage constructive communications between the residents and the local government agencies and the developer. If you look at the threads on this site it is perceived by many to be developer controlled. The link is : http://www.thevillagesvoice.com/ .

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

VHA is no doubt developer controlled. Most of the "representatives" are employed in one capacity or another by the developer. They may be a sales representative or a gate guard or a recreation specialist but they are loyal to the developer and family.

POA while seen as negative many times, owes nothing to the developer and consists of volunteers from Village residents.

I belong to both just to keep up with what each is saying or doing and to be sure I have all the honest scoop.

You can't regularly attend VHA meetings unless you join. We joined when we first moved here and not knowing any better, paid $60 for a lifetime membership. This is why I suggest that any potential resident check everything out and TALK to other residents.

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

I paid the $60 lifetime membership also. If you look at the VHA newsletter that is included in the Daily Sun you can pretty much get that $60 back by taking advantage of the deals for VHA members.

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

Fran,

You, and many others like you, are the best thing about this site for us future Village People.

Without your honest answers and comments about things that I never thought of when considering TV, I truly feel I would be lost. When we visit again, we will look at the place a little differently. All I can say is "Watch out Village sales rep!!!"

Thank you

(Still wanna be a Village Frog!!!) :-*

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

Fran:

Excellent thread. I agree with you 100%. When I bought in TV 18 months ago I paid close to $200 to an outside firm to inspect my house. Can't remmember the company .He spent over 4 hours going over everything. To me all the items were very small ,however he turned in about 24 items that the homeowner took care of. Glad I bought I look at it this way, It's not the house its the people in TV . All the other things to do are just icing on the cake. :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup:

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

Four years ago I bought a COURTYARD VILLA.....I only found three minor things that I wanted corrected....It was taken care of immediately. (one item was I had the home prewired for a garage door opener....when I installed the opener , there were no wires coming out of the wall by the interior house door for the button,,,,I bring this up because they were actually embarrassed that it could have happened .....it was on the print but no wires.....they cut a small hole the size of a quarter and fished the wires out and repaired and repainted the hole , they apologized and fixed my other two small items on the spot.....I was very impressed.)..I loved the Villa and was very comfortable living there and my plan was to live as a snow bird on a 6 and 6 schedule........HOWEVER, What I didn't plan on was that that I didn't want to go home in the spring ....SOOOOO , Plan number two ,,We decided to move here full time and found a preowned home in Chatham ....I invited a friend in Michigan to come down to check out this house for me,( He was president of mich. home builders assoc. at the time,) He spent a few days with us and checked the house from stem to stern...( a lot of time in the attic) ...When he was finished he stated that not only was the house very well built with excellent materials but that the finish work was some of best he had ever seen ..........That was two years ago and we love the house , we love THE VILLAGES and we are here to stay,,,,I have more friends here in four years than I had back in Michigan in 60 years......Every day all we do is play, My wife even has me taking dancing lessons (which is one negative) so it isn't perfect but its darn close...
SO DON'T BE AFRAID TO BUY A HOUSE IN THE VILLAGES...iT'LL BE THE BEST INVESTMENT YOU'll EVER MAKE...( and I don't work for the Villages,,Matter of fact , I don't work for anybody.) Well except for vacuuming,and dishes and my own LAUNDRY ( well dammit , I don't like starch !!!!! :'( ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

Fumar,
Do you live in the Courtyard Villa or the home?
We like the idea of a private backyard but also like the idea of a house.
Thanks,
Liz

Re: Don't let some of the threads keep you from moving to the Villages!
 

Fumar, we are full time and live in a court yard villa. We love it. Two bedrooms, plenty of room for us and our dog, Babe. Love the yard and privacy and we bought a corner lot so we have a full yard. Loving life and like you, we have more friends now than ever before and are enjoying life!!