[createquilts]

we are coming next week to buy something in TV. We have appointments with a village realtor as well as an MLS. We are open to buying a resale, a spec home or building. It is very hard for us to visualize a lot becoming a completed home.

We are willing to rent if we have to as well.

Any advice from your personal experience?

[A-4 Skyhawk]

As for visualizing what a new build will look like, turn off of Morse Blvd on to Pinellas Place and turn into one of the side streets. The finished product is beautiful. It was hard for us to visualize how an empty street could turn into something so good, but they do it everywhere they build.

[jgbama]

Originally Posted by createquilts

we are coming next week to buy something in TV. We have appointments with a village realtor as well as an MLS. We are open to buying a resale, a spec home or building. It is very hard for us to visualize a lot becoming a completed home.

We are willing to rent if we have to as well.

Any advice from your personal experience?

During our 7-years of visiting a week a year, we stayed in different villages to get a feel for the convenience of each. Many people focus on North or South of 466 or 466a. We looked, however, on a East or West approach, Buena Vista or Morse Blvds. As a golfer, I like (and play) the courses along the Morse corridor. That was the only request I made to DW (darling wife). We looked at new and pre-owned. We aren't bringing furniture, so a furnished pre-owned would have been nice. We ended up purchasing a pre-owned (not furnished) with a small pool and a birdcage. The price was right. The bond was paid and the annual maintenance is much lower than other villages, because Rio Grande doesn't have a rec center.

Golf wasn't our only prerequisite. We are equal distances from SS and LSL, which was a plus. Being somewhat central was something we both wanted. Not knowing which activities we will get involved in made rec centers and regional rec centers a secondary consideration.

We saved a lot by going pre-owned with the bond paid. Educate yourselves on the bond and annual maintenance fee for the areas you are strongly considering. They can certainly "upset the financial apple cart", if you don't include those in your budget.

You'll get tons of opinions, which is what you are asking here, but it will come down to what your desires are and which home and village meets those.

Our journey has been a long one and is now stressful as we pack and deal with the "gazillion" of decisions and issues of being within a month of moving. Selecting a moving company is our current dilemma as we have 4 quotes and trying to decide which one. But, knowing that "paradise" awaits us makes it all worth it!!!

Best of luck and hope this has helped some with your journey!

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by createquilts

we are coming next week to buy something in TV. We have appointments with a village realtor as well as an MLS. We are open to buying a resale, a spec home or building. It is very hard for us to visualize a lot becoming a completed home.

We are willing to rent if we have to as well.

Any advice from your personal experience?

Don't buy. Just trying to catch your attention. I think I would rent, especially if I was thinking about a used home. Try The Villages 4 Rent, Rentals in The Villages or asking for rental on this board. Should be reasonable prices for Sept to Nov.

[njbchbum]

if you are coming next week - bring good rainwear!

[luvtheloop]

Rent and don't buy right away. There is A LOT to learn about TV - type of house you want, location, cost of living here, life style (do you really want to be around only old people????) and lots more that you will discover once you live here.

[2 Oldcrabs]

Originally Posted by luvtheloop

Rent and don't buy right away. There is A LOT to learn about TV - type of house you want, location, cost of living here, life style and lots more that you will discover once you live here.

!

[hotrodgirl]

Funny.... I came down in May to do the lifestyle visit. Intended to look around, visit model homes, look at specs, visit neighborhoods, rec cnters, town squares, etc... Just to check it out and see if it might be viable for me in the next couple of years. Had an EXCELLENT salesperson who showed me pre-owned, spec homes, model homes and a few lots. My build should start by Oct..... Holy cow! The best advice is to do what feels right for your particular needs and situation! Welcome and good luck!

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by jgbama

During our 7-years of visiting a week a year, we stayed in different villages to get a feel for the convenience of each. Many people focus on North or South of 466 or 466a. We looked, however, on a East or West approach, Buena Vista or Morse Blvds. As a golfer, I like (and play) the courses along the Morse corridor. That was the only request I made to DW (darling wife). We looked at new and pre-owned. We aren't bringing furniture, so a furnished pre-owned would have been nice. We ended up purchasing a pre-owned (not furnished) with a small pool and a birdcage. The price was right. The bond was paid and the annual maintenance is much lower than other villages, because Rio Grande doesn't have a rec center.

Golf wasn't our only prerequisite. We are equal distances from SS and LSL, which was a plus. Being somewhat central was something we both wanted. Not knowing which activities we will get involved in made rec centers and regional rec centers a secondary consideration.

We saved a lot by going pre-owned with the bond paid. Educate yourselves on the bond and annual maintenance fee for the areas you are strongly considering. They can certainly "upset the financial apple cart", if you don't include those in your budget.

You'll get tons of opinions, which is what you are asking here, but it will come down to what your desires are and which home and village meets those.

Our journey has been a long one and is now stressful as we pack and deal with the "gazillion" of decisions and issues of being within a month of moving. Selecting a moving company is our current dilemma as we have 4 quotes and trying to decide which one. But, knowing that "paradise" awaits us makes it all worth it!!!

Best of luck and hope this has helped some with your journey!

I could not agree more!!! The bottom line (or should I say "both bottom lines") is that (1st figurative bottom line) you find a home and a neighborhood that you're comfortable with, and (2nd literal bottom line) you find one that works for you financially, keeping that bond in mind (that have really gotten quite big in newer homes) that some buyers, in their minds, add onto the price of the house, as well as the recognition that there is no price flexibility in new homes, whereas negotiations, often very significant negotiations, can take place on a resale home.

For those who suggest renting, I personally am not comfortable doing so. We ended up buying a lovely home in the first few weeks we were looking, a home that worked well for us for 3-1/2 years. In that time we figured out exactly what our vision was, found the perfect home that fit this vision, and sold the first home. In the end I don't think it cost us more to have done it this way than to have rented, but to me (and again this is personal) I just feel better living in and improving mine rather than someone else's. Not buying a home for forever is common.

[getdul981]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

if you are coming next week - bring good rainwear!

I was going to suggest that they bring an umbrella, but you got it covered.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by getdul981

I was going to suggest that they bring an umbrella, but you got it covered.

[Cyndi44]

I would recomend renting for at least a month , and checking out your options. There are a lot to choose from, Resales, {close to squares, & recreation} or new, more remote. Ask about Bond fees, on new construction . You will do much better dealing with the Villages resale, and new sale realtors. Outside realtors, aren't as active, nor as informed. We have been here since 1997 ; does that tell you anything. We love it . Great life style. Best Wishes. If you look at resales, ask for Donna Fenster . She has been here for years, and Knows her product . You will appreciate her honesty, and lack of pressure . Enjoy your stay.