Looking into moving to the area, have many questions
 

Considering a move to the area from New Jersey. Have many questions I would like answered before even planning a visit. Also some questions about some of the surrounding communities(we have dogs and cats, two of each but one of the dogs is a Lab, large breed) Are homes allowed to be decorated for Christmas with blowup type decorations, lights etc? We also have several decorative flag poles in our yard that we switch out flags several times a year, is this allowed? We have a Directv satelite dish mounted on our shed, would this be an ok location for one? I've talked to people and tried to look info up but can't find any current info. If a person is under 55 but has a documented disability, can they own a home in one of the subdivisions. Are certain subdivisions less strict then some of the others? If so which are? Also can we have fences, not the invisible type? Who could I talk to? A lot of the homes we're researching are located in the Water Oaks community. Thank you to all that give me information.
Kelli

Not all villages have the same deed restrictions but fences are a no-no unless you buy a courtyard villa or a veranda model that come with fences. Lawn ornaments are disallowed in most villages, I don't believe Water Oaks is 55 and over, most villages allow only 2 pets, you can have Christmas lights and decorations, blow up stuff I don't know, your will have a very small front yard, you will not be allowed several flag poles, some villages allow one, they will tell you where you can put a satellite dish and what kind you can have, who can you talk to? A sales representative would be your best bet.

We bought a Courtyard Villa because we had 2 large dogs. In a CYV anything that is behind the walls and is not visible from the street is fine. We do have one large flagpole and we have Directv. Christmas/holiday decorations are allowed for 30 days. I have no knowledge about the age and disability restrictions.

Water Oaks is not a part of The Villages.
You can find a lot of information here:
Village Community Development Districts
The Villages - Florida's Friendliest Active Adult 55+ Retirement Community

With ALL of your questions...I would recommend coming for what they call a "life-styles" visit. Go to The Villages website and check that out. You can see on a visit what it's like here and somewhat experience what living here might be like. There are restrictions. The oldest part may not be which is at the far north of the community. Truth be told though to actually speak with someone in the sales office might be the best way. OH...and they will not do any type of selling as the philosophy is "IF" someone wants to buy here, the life-style and community sells itself. We came on a Life-Style visit without the intention of buying or moving here We spoke with an agent at length with some of your same questions and others. It was later, once we got home we got to thinking we'd love it here. We contacted that agent to let her know our list of needs/wants were and the rest is history. She never called us---even to "just check" with us on anything. As far as handicapped---they don't necessarily build the homes for that...but most are accessible. Our son in law is in a wheelchair and it nearly is fine for him though he'd need some adaptations if he ever lived here.

Also...with the pets...they would need to be on a leash at all times if they go outside (unless you were in a Courtyard Villa). Cats probably should remain inside----too many predators here that would enjoy them as a small meal. Sad to say but true.

Cowboysfan113 -
Even though you are a cowboys fan [I wish there were only 113 of y'all ;)], this Jints fan will still share some Villages info with y'all :)

You can find a wealth of information re the Villages at this site: Village Community Development Districts

Of particular concern should be the deed restrictions and covenants for each of the Villages...start here: Village Community Development Districts

Depending on where you seek to purchase a house, there might be a bond attached to it... Info on bonds can be found here: VCDD Bond FAQs

One particular village has a wonderful and informative website here: VIRGINIA TRACE, THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA

Do you read the VIllages newspaper online thevillagesdailysun.com | Trusted Villages news, weather, events, and more. or review its facebook page https://www.facebook.com/vdailysun/h...com/vdailysun/

Have you ever checked out all of the recreation opportunities and clubs in the Villages here: http://thevillagesdailysun.com/app/recnews/index.html

Lots of folks start to look for a Villages house here: https://www.thevillages.com/homefind...10370263&lvl=2

And it is always good to use an outside real estate agency since they often sell Villages pre-owned homes. My fave is http://lylegant.com/

Pets
 

For your dogs, there are several dog parks in the villages where the dogs can run with other dogs.

I have a question too. We are considering buying a Patio Villa. I recently viewed a YouTube video by an MLS Real Estate Agent from the Grizzard Agency. He suggests having 2 agents when buying since the Villages sales agents are called VLS and do not belong to the MLS organization. Any thoughts? Is this video accurate?

That is true, MLS can't sell property ( new and preowned) listed by The Villages and visa versa. MLS only sell preowned homes listed by MLS agents.

I think that it is very hard to absorb, even after visiting here for several days. Most people go away wondering; What's the catch???

There is an amenity fee which is about $145 every month. There is a bond, a charge for the infrastructure on all new homes. It is about $25,000 for the designer homes that are from about 1800 sq ft to about 2200 sq feet. Bigger homes cost $50,000 for the bond and smaller homes are less.

People can pay off the bond, or transfer it when they sell so an unpaid bond may be on used homes. It is easy to find out. I can't remember anyone complaining about the property taxes in Sumter County. Some say Lake County is a little higher.

We have sinkholes, not many, and no one in The Villages has ever been physically harmed. We are in the area of the entire country with the most lightning strikes.

It is a CDD, a place where there is no elected mayor and most decisions are made by the developer. There have been now, four generations of the same family running this place and I for one am a huge fan of their expertise, keeping things nice, offering a lot of wonderful opportunities to be active and to enjoy arts, music and crafts together.

You have to see it to believe it. NO. I don't sell houses, I am just a very contented Villager.

Talk to a sales agent from The Villages, you will find them amazingly not pushy. Many suggest having a realtor as well .

Thank you for that helpful information.

Water Oak Estates is a manufactured homes (mobile homes) development for seniors. From what I've read, the golf course has terrible management as far as speed of play. Many complain of quitting in the middle of a round and it's not uncommon to see a group of 5 or 6 together. Also the course is open to the public for anyone to play. The new homes are being developed by a company called Sun Homes. I looked into a development in Myrtle Beach that they were developing and residents were protesting lot rents of $350 a month while new owners were paying half that.

Since that development appeals to you, but you want to live in TV, then the area known as the 'historic side' of TV has mobile homes, although many are being replaced by the developer for single family homes. You would need to search in the Villages of Silver Lake and Country Club Hills, that area on The Villages homes site would be under Orange Blossom.

Sheds are not allowed, however Verandas are single family homes that have a privacy fence are being built a few miles south of SR 44 in the latest village called Fenney. In the existing villages between CR 42 and SR 44, which consists of about 70 villages, the only privacy fencing you would see are on courtyard villas. Directv is allowed, you would just have the dish placed on the roof of your house, that's where mine is.

The other poster asks about two agents. If you're looking to buy a resale, then yes you need two agents. Sellers can choose to list their home with an outside realtor and the home would be listed on the nationwide service company known as MLS. On the otherhand, sellers may list with The Villages Agents and then they would be just listed in house on their computer system and website. If you're only interested in a new home, then you'll only need to work with a Villages Agent because outside agents cannot sell or show new homes.

If you want new you must use a Villages sales agent.

Skip Smith has done a lot of pretty good videos on various aspects of life in The Villages. Here is one. The Villages - The Good The Bad The Ugly - YouTube