[John_W]

Originally Posted by Pedrocarrasco01@yahoo.com

When I bought seller was extremely motivated to sell, I wanted to buy so I made him an all cash offer closing in 20 days that was 17% under asking, they accepted, but the title company could not do it so we closed 26 days after it, by all means get title search and title insurance, not that expensive and all worth it. Good luck and welcome to paradise!!!!!!!!

That's a good point. I noticed many here have discounted the notion that a cash offer isn't any big deal. Maybe not in TV, but I've bought and sold 8 homes in my life, and I bet my first offer on half of them had a contingency upon one or the other, selling their existing home, or getting loan approval. When someone walks in with a cash offer, it's the saying money talks and something else walks.

[Dlbonivich]

If you buy from a realtor or a Villages agent they will work through a title company. If you buy for sale buy owner you should do the same. Do not try to write the contract yourself or do the searches. As a buyer you have little expense for buying with cash. Most expenses are paid by seller as a standard here. It can be part of the negotiation. If you are looking for buyer representation on every listing I would be happy to represent you. The sellers agent pays me. I also work with sale by owners most welcome mls agents. Andrea Bonivich, Sellstate Superior Realty 281-513-1250. I live in the Villages and 25 years of experience.

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Most people that buy here do pay cash so it's not a bargaining chip. A new home would not require title insurance but a re-sale is a different story as you never know if there is a lien in process that has yet to be attached, a divorce in another state, etc.,etc., so play it safe.

Well I bought in TV & if you pay cash I can tell you, just because you pay cash don’t think any of TV realtors will discount the home because you pay cash, they won’t. If I would buy in TV again I would buy from an outside realtor or buy from owner, you might get it a little cheaper. But TV realtors will under cut a pre owned home of the same model. But you’ll have to weigh out that for yourself. I only say that because you’ll get a hundred opinions from this subject!

[TimeForChange]

Originally Posted by BobnBev

If you find a house you are really considering, contact Community Standards and ask them to research for any additions or landscaping improvements/additions, that might have needed a permit or approval. If work was done with out, then you could be held responsible for repairs or removal if somebody complains, and we do have some trolls who drive around looking for violations. Do your due diligence, or pay the price.

Community Standards in TV is a joke. Last time I was there they told me that 95% of the homes in TV are not in compliance. The only way they react is through a complaint. This breeds discord, confusion, and others who just don't care. Also many (at least South of 466A) are not aware that when you purchase a home you really do not own the property 13.5 ft. from the street. There is a County easement for those 13.5 ft. and the County can come in at any point and have you remove anything in the easement if they wanted. Within two miles of my home in North Labelle I drove around and counted over 100 homes not in compliance. There is a home on Moyer Loop that has installed huge rocks with bushes within 3 ft. of the street. There is another who has installed curbing and flowers up against the street curbing on a corner lot. It does not bother me and I have never complained but it is amazing what home owners are not aware of when they purchase a home. Just be aware all it takes is one complaint.

[mikeritz53]

Originally Posted by trekker954

I'm not sure TV is any different from other Florida cities, but what has you experience been if buying with cash. I own a home outright and keeping it in South Florida but plan a move to TV. I've been up there a number of times, and coming up Saturday for a couple of weeks to look at homes. I know Villages Properties, FSBO and MLS are all seperate.

If I do find my dream home, appraisal wouldn't be requires especially if I get a great deal. I assume I can research myself if there are any liens on the house, or is there a way to request the seller to produce a certificate? (Not sure about that). I think I can go to whatever county assessor and request a lien search. Or hire a title company to do a search.

I shouldn't need Title insurance Policy if I come up with a clear title correct?

So I should only have to pay for a Recording Fees.

Anything else I might need that is specific to TV purchase?

All good thoughts, but a few not right. As a Buyer you allow the Seller to choose Title Company and with that the Seller pays for Title insurance and a lot of the Recording/Tax. This way you are assured of a Clear Title and also have the Title Company there if something comes up later. You do pay for the Title Company , around $400-$500, but money well spent to have clear Title and someone handling all the closing paperwork.

Also a MLS Realtor can often help with a FSBO to make sure you are getting the best deal and many FSBO Sellers are willing to pay a commission to a Realtor bringing a solid Buyer.

I would be happy to help you find your next home or at least be a resource for any questions as I am a Multi-Million Dollar Producing MLS Realtor Selling in The Villages.

[sloanst]

You can negotiate with a person. The Villages will not.

[Dburesh]

I believe that it's required to have title ins in FL. You will also have pro ration of taxes, amenities for the first month, & homeowners ins for a year. Give Johnathan Thompson a call @ 352-633-5195 with Freedom Title & tell him that Doreen referred you. Also, let me know if you want a realtor outside of The Villages that is fabulous, especially since she doesn't have to abide by certain regulations of The Villages. She will spend as much time with you as you need, answer all of your questions, & honor your decision without any pressure!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Dburesh

I believe that it's required to have title ins in FL. You will also have pro ration of taxes, amenities for the first month, & homeowners ins for a year. Give Johnathan Thompson a call @ 352-633-5195 with Freedom Title & tell him that Doreen referred you. Also, let me know if you want a realtor outside of The Villages that is fabulous, especially since she doesn't have to abide by certain regulations of The Villages. She will spend as much time with you as you need, answer all of your questions, & honor your decision without any pressure!

Buying owners title insurance is optional in Florida, and most other states.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

Where did you get this fact, as it is the opposite of everything I have heard or read?

we paid $$ on our new construction home. i'd do it again, too.

[Fisherman]

As a prior banker of 35 years, I strongly encourage you to spend the extra money to do the transaction right whether you buy a resale or a new home from the Villages. You need to protect your investment and eliminate any issues if you ever decide to sell. I just bought my second house in TV... first was a home I had built and financed with a mortgage and the second a resale I paid for with cash. For BOTH transactions, I used a real estate attorney, got an appraisal, an updated survey and title insurance. In addition, on the resale, a home inspection. Trust me, all of these are important. The only one you could check fees on would be to use a title company or an actual real estate attorney. For me, the price difference was so minimal, I went with my own real estate attorney. The Villages use one, why should I not have my own to represent me?

[IvorT]

I bought a house in TV, last year. Since you will (as advised by other people) be passing money through a title company’s ESCRO account, they will need to be assured that your money is not the product of money laundering. That means you need to be able to demonstrate where the money came from.

[newgirl]

You don’t need to buy a policy but the seller does need to buy one .

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by Fisherman

As a prior banker of 35 years, I strongly encourage you to spend the extra money to do the transaction right whether you buy a resale or a new home from the Villages. You need to protect your investment and eliminate any issues if you ever decide to sell. I just bought my second house in TV... first was a home I had built and financed with a mortgage and the second a resale I paid for with cash. For BOTH transactions, I used a real estate attorney, got an appraisal, an updated survey and title insurance. In addition, on the resale, a home inspection. Trust me, all of these are important. The only one you could check fees on would be to use a title company or an actual real estate attorney. For me, the price difference was so minimal, I went with my own real estate attorney. The Villages use one, why should I not have my own to represent me?

All title policies are not the same as title companies put many exclusions of what the policy will cover in their "off the shelf" policies. A good real estate attorney can negotiate with the title company to get you a more comprehensive policy.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by newgirl

You don’t need to buy a policy but the seller does need to buy one .

I think you may be confusing a title insurance policy with the title company's fees to search the title and to prepare the deed to ensure that a free and clear title is conveyed to the buyer at the closing. An owners title insurance policy will protect the buyer from future claims made against the title. The policy is purchased at closing and protects the buyer for as long as he/she owns the property. But, the owners title insurance policy is entirely optional. In The Villages, the buyer usually pays for the title insurance, but, again, it is optional. Some buyers decline to buy the insurance, especially when they are buying a new house.

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by BobnBev

If you find a house you are really considering, contact Community Standards and ask them to research for any additions or landscaping improvements/additions, that might have needed a permit or approval. If work was done with out, then you could be held responsible for repairs or removal if somebody complains, and we do have some trolls who drive around looking for violations. Do your due diligence, or pay the price.

Why are people who want the rules followed and that we all signed on for insulted for wanting the rules followed and no I’m not one of those people but I thank them for trying to keep the community standards WE ALL SIGNED UP FOR