[kathsking]

I stayed in the Villages last summer for a week on one of there specials. Absolutely loved it.

Looking to rent this July for a month and while there, will be looking at houses.
I would appreciate any do's and don'ts or recommendations. I am 62 and my wife is 58.
I am retired, she has another 4 years of work before retiring.

I couldn't move there full time till then; but I intend to go down about 4 months a year, a month to 6 weeks at a clip

Would like info on houses - frame vs cement pros and cons
Info on keeping up the lawn while I m not here.
Are there any hidden costs besides mortage taxes insurance?
Any info would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[ijusluvit]

When you said you visited and "absolutely loved it", we folks who read your post just giggled.
Almost everyone here 'absolutely loves it', so you'll fit right in!

1) Start with the "Nuts & Bolts forum on this website. Read all of it and then do searches on the topics about which you'd like more information.

2) Great idea to rent for a month. Rent through a reputable company like JD Manangement, at thevillagesforrentbyowner.com
There will be lots of available places in July but the place you get will have zero problems, lots of extras and an immediate response to anything you need. Private rentals can be a real crapshoot.

3) Get ready for the best move you've ever made!https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...es/welcome.gif

[GomerPyle]

Please don't bad mouth 'private rental's as a crap shoot. There is a sponsor on TOTV who has over 400 'private rentals' listed and they advertise on the left sidebar. BTW I am property #400 if you are interested.

[Russ_Boston]

Rented 3 times from 'private owners'. ZERO problems to date.

[GomerPyle]

Thanks Russ for the good feedback on private renters.

Must be that good Red Sox blood in you.

Regards, Gomer

[jbfleck]

the villages 4 rent Property #1260. Good Luck!

[PJOHNS2654]

check this site ************.com/1235

[Ohiogirl]

Good idea to rent for a month - best advice (in my opinion) would be to rent the type unit you think you are interested in buying (e.g., patio villa, courtyard villa, ranch, designer) and also try to figure out which model you're most interested in and rent that. In July you shouldn't have any problem getting a particular model/style.

As for private renters, I rent out my CYV and have had NO major problems in almost 4 years, and hardly any minor problems either (once a/c needed repair, once a tenant couldn't figure out how to run DW). Most of we private landlords have a local caretaker if we are not down there, and things get taken care of as fast, or faster, than with a management co. With the internet, photos are readily available, and before you rent you can ask any questions you like, usually by phone or email.

Had one tenant who thought she wanted to buy a CYV but found out it was too private for her - she ended up buying a designer to have more spontaneous neighbor contact. She was glad she found that out before buying. Many villas and houses have garage laundries and some have inside laundries. Maybe you'll find out you're ok with a garage laundry and maybe you won't. Good to know ahead of time. Maybe you thought you'd like to get a unit with an open kitchen but find out you don't after all, and vice versa.

[BogeyBoy]

Thevillages4rent/782

[GomerPyle]

Check this site ************.com/329

GomerPyle

[another Linda]

Originally Posted by ijusluvit

... Private rentals can be a real crapshoot. ...

Wow. That is very harsh. Why on earth would you say something like that? I'd venture to guess that most owners are like we are and work very hard to make sure our renters are happy. Happy renters take good care of our homes. Are you connected with JD Management?

[kfierle]

Check out this site: www.************.com/944

Karen

[ijusluvit]

Originally Posted by another Linda

Wow. That is very harsh. Why on earth would you say something like that? I'd venture to guess that most owners are like we are and work very hard to make sure our renters are happy. Happy renters take good care of our homes. Are you connected with JD Management?

I didn't intend my comment to be harsh. Because TV has many newer properties, owned by good, responsible people, private rentals can work out very well for renter. But with private rentals there is not the 'guarantee' of getting what you thought you would, or always the recourse to have things set right if there are problems. My previous management company was small, a 'mom & pop' operation and the owners shared some amazing stories about rental properties in TV which were clearly substandard, not as advertised and where renters were taken advantage of. 'Mom & Pop' retired last year and recommended I transfer over to JD Management. My only connection to them is that I am a very satisfied client. I am impressed with their skill and experience, friendliness and attention to every detail. I take fierce pride in my TV home and love to read the very positive comments in my guestbook. In turn, my guests have been fabulous. They want to return because everything was as good or better than advertised and when something needed fixing they had a prompt solution. The good management company protects the renter AND me.