[Suzi]

Husband and I did a LSV one year ago, came home and made the decision to plan retirement and a move to TV. Since June, we have had a sales rep and I have flown down twice to check out lots and look at models and pre-owned.
We originally picked out some nice lots in sections 213 and 225. It appears now that 213 will be all spec homes. Although I think the homes will be lovely, I hate to "jump" on a spec if section 225 will allow us to build our own. The rep is a lovely person, however, she doesn't have any info on what homes are proposed for the lots in 213 and has no idea what is planned for 225 - if they will be specs or if we can build.
I know that many TOTV residents have their ear to the ground and hear all sorts of info. We are all set to "pull-the-switch" on retirement at any time now so we want to buy/build. We would like to be ready to move by fall at the latest. Has anyone heard any information that would be useful to us in making our decision. We are looking for a designer 3/2, view, no pool but spa and birdcage OK. Any ideas? My choice would be to build in new younger villages, but if not possible, a spec or pre-owned would be OK.

[graciegirl]

I absolutely have learned this in the five years we have owned here and I have read this forum.

No villager knows anything before the sales staff does and the sales staff has NO way to know anything in advance. This isn't your mothers real estate climate.

There just is rumor and speculation until the facts hit the street.

If you are interested in a resale, read the new listings everyday from The Villages site and from MLS.

I understand your frustration. It IS easier to find a house when you are living here because you can tour anytime you see an intersting prospect and when they do release lots you can see them with your own eyes.

Our friends saw a one year old home listed in Sanibel and asked us to tour it for them. We verified that we thought that it was what they had been looking for..(for six years) . They flew down next day. ( expensive to do) and bought the house. It had been on the market for three days.

Good luck. Hope you find a place you love.

[jimbo2012]

Sections 215 214 have lots, also there R reps and there R reps, the good ones know more than the others.

[gjbl8114]

Originally Posted by svgephart

Husband and I did a LSV one year ago, came home and made the decision to plan retirement and a move to TV. Since June, we have had a sales rep and I have flown down twice to check out lots and look at models and pre-owned.
We originally picked out some nice lots in sections 213 and 225. It appears now that 213 will be all spec homes. Although I think the homes will be lovely, I hate to "jump" on a spec if section 225 will allow us to build our own. The rep is a lovely person, however, she doesn't have any info on what homes are proposed for the lots in 213 and has no idea what is planned for 225 - if they will be specs or if we can build.
I know that many TOTV residents have their ear to the ground and hear all sorts of info. We are all set to "pull-the-switch" on retirement at any time now so we want to buy/build. We would like to be ready to move by fall at the latest. Has anyone heard any information that would be useful to us in making our decision. We are looking for a designer 3/2, view, no pool but spa and birdcage OK. Any ideas? My choice would be to build in new younger villages, but if not possible, a spec or pre-owned would be OK.

Consider your options very carefully and then re-think them again. It doesn't appear from your post that you would really be interested in anything other than a new build, eventhough you suggest the possibility of considering a pre-own or spec home.

Most of us here in TV's had the same question - to build - buy spec or pre-owned home. There are advantages and disadvantages to all. Six years ago when we decided to purchase a home here, we clearly were only interested in "new". As we worked with our Villages sales rep ( a lovely person) it was clear that she was pushing new homes in specific "open" areas only. When we insisted in seeing a home in a neighborhood that was "not open yet" we were given a hosts of reasons why that particular home was not available yet. With further insistence, we eventually were shown the home but still couldn't negotiate its purchase. Why???? Simply put, because for some reason, reps were obviously encouraged to fill up specific neighborhoods before moving on to others. When we decided that we would wait for that particular neighborhood home to "open up," we were aggressively encouraged to view a few pre-owned homes that had similar features of the home in the "closed" area. Luckily, we were able to settle for a pre-owned home with similiar features and unexpectedly with a host of amenties within minutes of our location. In short, we were more focused on the home, not considering for once, the neighborhood location and accessibility.

So, my advice to you is to first of all, decide what you really want in terms of spec, build or pre-owned. Then decide whether or not you like the neighborhood of homes that are available for purchase. I can't over emphasize the importance of choosing the neighborhood in which you want to settle. My husband and I live in the Village of Poinciana, a lovely neighborhood where amenities abound with easy access. On the other hand, when Pennecamp, St. James and St Charles Neighborhoods were being built, new homes were selling like "hot cakes." If you ask most of these people if they have easy in and out access to main streets and amenities, their answer would have to be "NO." I'm sure the homes in those neighborhoods and the neighborhoods themselves are great, but getting in and out with easy access is far from desirable. Too many houses with limited access to the main corridor It can easily take five minutes just to get to a main street corridor not to mention the long distances required to travel to every-day amenities in and around the Villages.

That's my advice to you for whatever it's worth.....

[Suzi]

bump

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by gjbl8114

Consider your options very carefully and then re-think them again. It doesn't appear from your post that you would really be interested in anything other than a new build, eventhough you suggest the possibility of considering a pre-own or spec home.

Most of us here in TV's had the same question - to build - buy spec or pre-owned home. There are advantages and disadvantages to all. Six years ago when we decided to purchase a home here, we clearly were only interested in "new". As we worked with our Villages sales rep ( a lovely person) it was clear that she was pushing new homes in specific "open" areas only. When we insisted in seeing a home in a neighborhood that was "not open yet" we were given a hosts of reasons why that particular home was not available yet. With further insistence, we eventually were shown the home but still couldn't negotiate its purchase. Why???? Simply put, because for some reason, reps were obviously encouraged to fill up specific neighborhoods before moving on to others. When we decided that we would wait for that particular neighborhood home to "open up," we were aggressively encouraged to view a few pre-owned homes that had similar features of the home in the "closed" area. Luckily, we were able to settle for a pre-owned home with similiar features and unexpectedly with a host of amenties within minutes of our location. In short, we were more focused on the home, not considering for once, the neighborhood location and accessibility.

So, my advice to you is to first of all, decide what you really want in terms of spec, build or pre-owned. Then decide whether or not you like the neighborhood of homes that are available for purchase. I can't over emphasize the importance of choosing the neighborhood in which you want to settle. My husband and I live in the Village of Poinciana, a lovely neighborhood where amenities abound with easy access. On the other hand, when Pennecamp, St. James and St Charles Neighborhoods were being built, new homes were selling like "hot cakes." If you ask most of these people if they have easy in and out access to main streets and amenities, their answer would have to be "NO." I'm sure the homes in those neighborhoods and the neighborhoods themselves are great, but getting in and out with easy access is far from desirable. Too many houses with limited access to the main corridor It can easily take five minutes just to get to a main street corridor not to mention the long distances required to travel to every-day amenities in and around the Villages.

That's my advice to you for whatever it's worth.....

I believe that what happened was this. You were shown homes or lots in new areas because at that time you were interested in a new home. I also have heard time and time again from the trusted rep who sold us a new spec home and with whom we built our home last year that NO sales person knows anything about the availability of lots in new areas until that area is opened for sale, and they do not know WHEN that will happen until it happens. Then it is first come, first served, and some view lots can sell out in a few hours. I agree with Jimbo that some reps are more savvy with knowledge about what is possible as far as expansion of certain models on certain lots, but I feel very certain that the sales reps working for TV show both new and resales with equal interest and enthusiam causing me to think that they are paid the same on both.

I know our rep was helping us as much as he could but the sales staff hears about new sections opening up at the sales meeting and then they all rush for their phones and computers to contact the folks with whom they are working.

Now I will guess that any veteran rep...or potential buyer can figure out by watching an area when it is about ready to be opened. But I don't think any of the reps have any more knowledge than others about it.

And as for the post above...I think they showed you what was available and that changes some times from day to day.

I could be wrong and often am.

I so agree with the poster above that you should consider all options and think in terms of resales and new and look at homes not only listed by The Villages but by MLS realtors too.

To the OP, the seeker of the right home.........There is a home here that will make you happy. I wish you happiness in your journey to find it and many years of joy after you move in.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Sections 215 214 have lots, also there R reps and there R reps, the good ones know more than the others.

However some may know more than others or make guesses, they wouldn't say anything until it is officially released. My son works for the Villages in real estate.

[jimbo2012]

But they do in fact

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by Bonny

However some may know more than others or make guesses, they wouldn't say anything until it is officially released. My son works for the Villages in real estate.

Bonny,

Could you then confirm what I was told by a sales rep that until recently their commission was higher on new home sales.

[shcisamax]

BTW: TV is building specs with pools and/or spas so you may be able to find something that is a spec with the spa and birdcage.