[MplsPete]

I already fully understand the New vs Pre-Owned aspect of this question . . .
I guess I've heard a hint that VLS homes are perhaps better vetted and superior to MLS listings.

[manaboutown]

Both

[Stu from NYC]

When we moved here we used both and glad we did. Better selection of pre owned homes to see

[vintageogauge]

When we bought we used both. After giving them a list of what we were looking for our Villages agent showed us two days worth of pre-owned homes, the MLS agent, who at the time was one of the biggies in TV showed us one home. The following day we purchased a new home as we got so much more for a lot less money and everything was under warranty which is a nice feeling being in a new community.

[scubawva]

I guess I've heard a hint that VLS homes are perhaps better vetted and superior to MLS listings.[/QUOTE]

Don’t believe everything you hear. What’s “better vetted”?

Bottom line, see homes with agents from both services. You can see the listings both offering online,

[MX rider]

When we started we used both because we wanted to see all the preowned homes for sale.
The one we bought was with MLS. Then when we wanted a bigger place we used MLS to sell, but used both again to buy the home we're in now.

It just so happened it was an MLS home for the second time.

[Stu from NYC]

We used an inspection company to do a full inspection so made sure our home was in good shape before funds changed hands

[npwalters]

Both, I can only relate our experience from several years ago. The Villages agent was reluctant to take an offer to the owner. She did because she had to but I can imagine how the offer was presented. Her statement was "we know the value of the homes and they are priced very near what it will bring".

The MLS agent said "make an offer and we will see what they say". I ended up buying through the MLS agent and the owner took an offer about 6% less than the asking price.

I understand that was just one agent among many but we were glad we explored both routes.

[starflyte1]

Either one. Shop both online and find the house you want and contact that lister

[sdeikenberry]

We started with a VLS agent and told her we were only interested in homes north of 466. She proceeded to show us three new homes south of 44 "so we could see what the difference was." Finally we said we really want north of 466. She then showed us 4 homes that were total dumps. Smelled bad, had dirty insides, stuff like clothes left in closets, trash in garages, landscape not kept up. It didn't take long before we figured out what was happening. She was picking the worst of the worst north of 466 to show us like we just got off the turnip truck. We ditched her and started looking on our own. We immediately saw lots of really nice homes, and made an offer on one that we're still in that was being sold by an MLS agent. That was 13 years ago.