Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

What result might happen if the developer actually heeded the concerns of the residents? I mean - if they decided "y'know what - this is bad press even though it's a great idea. But bad press = outsiders being less interested in moving in."

So what happens then? A thought - maybe instead of a big 200+ unit apartment building, they could do something like they did with the townhouses at Spanish Springs.

They are absolutely gorgeous. They're beautiful to look AT if you're outside them, and they're beautiful inside. They have lovely courtyards.

So what if..they built a 50-unit townhouse complex instead? With super-premium rents, a *private* shared pool (like the apartments at Brownwood have), maybe a private but limited outbuilding for rec activities: a kitchenette and card/meeting room, a front foyer lounge/reading area (a "quiet" foyer), bathrooms, and a modest craft area.

The entire complex could be built in two semi-circles, with a courtyard, rec-room building, and pool in the middle. Parking lots could be located at each corner of each semi-circle, with the walking and golf cart trails/paths between each parking lot. The parking lots could also have covered golf cart ports assigned to tenants who choose to pay an additional fee for the privilege, maybe even with charge ports for electric carts.

Meanwhile also have walking paths and golf cart paths with open access to other villagers.

They would STILL pay amenity fees, but because they have a few of their own private amenities (paid for with their rents), they wouldn't need to go to a different pool or have their meetings in a different rec center, for example.

I could see something on this smaller scale in that location. It would reduce the footprint, the number of residents and as a result the number of visitors, it'd provide luxury accommodations for those who are "done" being property owners, it would pretty much eliminate the traffic concern completely, as you could usually expect at least 50 cars moving in and out of the property on a given day, even when Hacienda restaurant and clubhouse were open and running.

Very good idea. If done correctly the townhouses could blend in with single family homes.

[greenflash245]

I doubt that number is correct or reasonable. don't trust these agents.

Originally Posted by Cheapbas

A $20 investment at Home Depot will fix the tree issue.

best post yet

[Dilligas]

Originally Posted by mneumann02

When I bought my new golf course home from The Villages Real Estate in 2014, the agent said I was paying over a $100,000 premium for my view of the golf course, a large lake, and the fact there was no golf cart path behind my house. Because of golf course drainage issues, the golf course is now proposing to plant evergreen trees that will partially block my view and add a golf cart path behind my house. When I expressed my concerns to a Ricky, who was behind my house this morning and who I was told was in charge of all the golf courses, I got an arrogant attitude of they can do whatever they want.

So my questions are:
1. Can the golf course do whatever they want, even if it means decreasing the value of adjacent properties? (I'm trying to avoid hiring a lawyer if there really is no recourse.)
2. What is Ricky's last name, title, and email contact info. Same information for his boss.
3. I've tried contacting the CDD and Sumter Co. and can not get a straight answer regarding their need to get a permit. Do they need a permit?
4. Has anyone had success dealing with The Developer to get them to be a good neighbor or taking legal action against them?

Any truly helpful information or comments are appreciated.

Just because they are putting in some pine trees that will "partially block" your view does not mean your home value will go down. You still have a view and will now have vegetation also. Be glad they are evergreen trees and not magnolia or live oak (which are very messy). The fact that the golf administration is addressing the 'drainage problem' on your hole and the course, will help bolster your value. Who would want a view of a flooded golf course? As for the cart path, that is a product to achieve the solution. With out it, and with drainage problems, the carts would most likely be pushed toward your property anyway and beat down the grass there. Your question as to who, you need to inquire at the Golf Administration office. The VCDDs have nothing to do with the championship courses. IMO.. from your description, the encounter with "Ricky" probably went (my guess) as such....."You can't do this here, it will ruin my view...." or something similar. Based on your input above, I would also guess you are from the New York-New Jersey area, where yelling and screaming is the only means of communication....so when you challenged his authority, his response was not to your liking....and instead of arrogant, was factual. He is in charge of the championship courses, to keep them running and in good shape. If changes are necessary, be glad he is making the changes. (other communities would not necessarily do them).

[Ramone]

The Developer will keep taking further steps to withdraw our original agreements and amenities. Silver Lake Club, Hacienda Club, Pools unfairly restricted, Katie Belles closed, apartments being build in residential areas, etc, etc. POA does nothing. Someone must organize. Write me with your email and phone #. Let's all meet and discuss the take backs and abuses! ramondov@aol.com

[rmd2]

"The agent said" - No need to read further.

I learned that the hard way when I asked about water run off and the agent told me "no problem". After the sale I had to pay for my property to regraded due to flooding into my lanai.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by rmd2

"The agent said" - No need to read further.

I learned that the hard way when I asked about water run off and the agent told me "no problem". After the sale I had to pay for my property to regraded due to flooding into my lanai.

That is not what others have said about warranty on this issue. Read here;

Water sitting in back yard won’t drain away

[mneumann02]

Originally Posted by Dilligas

Just because they are putting in some pine trees that will "partially block" your view does not mean your home value will go down. You still have a view and will now have vegetation also. Be glad they are evergreen trees and not magnolia or live oak (which are very messy). The fact that the golf administration is addressing the 'drainage problem' on your hole and the course, will help bolster your value. Who would want a view of a flooded golf course? As for the cart path, that is a product to achieve the solution. With out it, and with drainage problems, the carts would most likely be pushed toward your property anyway and beat down the grass there. Your question as to who, you need to inquire at the Golf Administration office. The VCDDs have nothing to do with the championship courses. IMO.. from your description, the encounter with "Ricky" probably went (my guess) as such....."You can't do this here, it will ruin my view...." or something similar. Based on your input above, I would also guess you are from the New York-New Jersey area, where yelling and screaming is the only means of communication....so when you challenged his authority, his response was not to your liking....and instead of arrogant, was factual. He is in charge of the championship courses, to keep them running and in good shape. If changes are necessary, be glad he is making the changes. (other communities would not necessarily do them).

Gosh, so many wrong assumptions, guesses and statements, I'm not sure where to begin. First, I am not from NY/NJ, but from the Mid-west. I was taught to be polite, look at things from others' perspectives, and never jump to conclusions. The facts are, we have politely tried on several occasions to ask them to just work with us. But The Developer's staff has refused to even tell us exactly what they plan, just evergreens are being considered and there will be a golf cart path. And I think I am the best judge of whether I will dislike my view being partially blocked and if The Developer's staff was "arrogant", not someone who was not there.

Many thanks to all the repliers who tried to be helpful and could understand the concerns of someone who was being negatively affected by actions of The Developer.

[EviesGP]

I can't speak for the trees(would have to see them?), but if it's for drainage/erosion problems, you're likely out of luck. If they don't properly address those issues, and something happens to your home(s), they may be liable? As for the golf cart path, you located next to a golf course, so I'm not sure how you thought you would be guaranteed where paths would/would not be located? You're definitely out of luck, there.

As for location? EDITED: I figured it out and I misspoke(about the possible location, not the opinion about Pinellas).

Finally, as for paying for a view? I loved my uncle/aunt's home in Hadley, that had a nice water view. But, once I learned the premium costs, I opted not to spend that much. I remember looking at homes(2018), and saw one that was beautiful, and once I looked out the back, I looked thru the trees, and saw water beyond the trees, I ran! Cheers!

[terrykomar]

There was a small tree that would eventually block our view as it grew. I wrote a letter to the Golf Administration and explained the situation and lo and behold they removed the tree within three weeks. Now we have a clear view.

[eddie888]

Just remember, if you live on a championship golf course the villages own those . They can do what they want even put houses on it. Now ,executive courses Belong to us. Just a thought be careful it happened to friends of mine in another state where I lived. They bought beautiful houses on a golf course and the owners of that area start putting houses on the golf course. Just a thought be careful it happened to friends of mine in another state where I lived.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by terrykomar

There was a small tree that would eventually block our view as it grew. I wrote a letter to the Golf Administration and explained the situation and lo and behold they removed the tree within three weeks. Now we have a clear view.

My point exactly. We have always got far more than we asked for when we dealt with Warranty here in The Villages. They are from the midwest too, most of them. I learned early on from my mother; "You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar".

The truth is, no matter what company policy is anywhere, if you are patient and polite, you will end up far better than if you swagger and challenge. I really believe that. AND some things like what happens to the property adjacent to yours is pretty much up to luck. You never know what will happen as times change or, for instance something terrible like the inmates getting control of the asylum. I sense that working right now.

[GreySkies]

Originally Posted by newgirl

Village salespeople are not so they are not under the ethical or legal obligation to tell you the truth. Most are honest but I have found few will tell you anything that could hurt the sale especially if it us a new build.

You keep telling yourself that that there is this MAJOR ethics difference between a Real Estate Agent and a Real Estate Agent who is also an active member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Less than HALF of Real Estate Agent's are NAR members. One only needs to "agree" to adhere to NAR's strict code of ethics and standards of practice.

Just because someone agrees to follow some standards of practice does not 100% guarantee all standards will be followed "as written". Self-interest, greed and the opportunity to make GREEN are reasons why these practices are usually forgotten or ignored, standard practice of most politicians.

[BiPartisan]

Originally Posted by jacksonbrown

The property owners north of 466 have formed a "protest" group. Click here for more.

Thank you for the URL to the website. I don't understand what (besides Hacienda) we have lost. I still play golf, pickleball, and prior the pandemic go to yoga, cross fit and pilates. I have 5 pools within a mile radius, archery, and shooting range. We have plenty entertainment at Savanna Center, the Sharon and the Squares. I go everywhere in my golf cart.
So what am I missing? Oh I have been to the Polo matches (boring).
Why would I join this group?

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Northwoods

I do feel sorry for you. I live on a view lot and paid a premium for the lot. I would not be happy if that situation changed.

It sounds like they have a drainage issue. Golf courses are part of the "drainage" strategy if we get a hurricane. A few years ago after a hurricane courses were closed for a month because they were flooded with water. BUT their strategy saved a lot of homes from being flooded.

I don't know if they are making changes in case of a hurricane, or if this part of the course is constantly soggy... which could damage the course or lead to temporarily closing an amenity.

I do feel your pain. But I think you have an uphill battle.

I believe that science says that, for equal area, trees absorb MORE water than grass and trees have MORE evaporation cooling for the planet and produce more oxygen than grass. Also, trees prevent more fertilizer runoff which feeds green algae and kills lake fish and stream fish. So, throw away your putters and take walks in tree rich parks to save humanity. Or buy some improved versions of computer golf. A.I. anyone???