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.
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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.