[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

These are all realistic possibilities - however the risk you imply in overstated IMO. I have owned 15 houses and have never bought a new home. The reason I have purchased pre-owned has nothing to do with bonds, and everything to do with the after-market add ons we get. We have owned 4 homes with inground swimming pools, several with very expensive landscaping, fencing, etc., all of which came at approximately the same price, or significantly lower, as compared to a new home with a half sod yard. To me, the bond is not a deal killer, but should be added on to the asking price of the home to determine the "real" price. The bond is somewhat problematic in that the interest is higher than the mortgage interest, and if it is paid off, and you subsequently sell, most people say they can't reasonably expect to recoup the bond cost in the selling price. In other words you buy a home for $200,000 with a $20,000 bond, pay off the bond with $20,000 of your own money, and your house is worth roughly -- $200,000, depending on the market. The improvements on a pre-owned home can often be worth $10 to $20 K or more, and you stand a good chance of getting the home for less than a comparable new home with none of the enhancements. New, upgraded appliances are often found in pre owned homes, while many of the new homes come with basic appliances. A washer and dryer is often included in the pre owned and in many cases some or all the necessary furniture, which, if it suits your taste may save you $10K or more. You often have motivated sellers in the pre owned market, some of whom bought at much lower prices than new (not if they bought in '07-'08) and they can take a low bid, whereas there is no negotiating on new homes.

As in most things, there is no right or wrong about buying new or used, but rather it may be simply a matter of preference. I tend to be a used buyer, because I percieve value opportunity in the pre owned market, and have been pleased with my purchases so far (full disclosure - I was a realtor for 10 years). At the same time there are those who just do not want something that someone else has lived in and decorated, and that is valid. I find the bond to be simply another impediment to buying new in TV - FOR ME! Whatever one buys they get with it the Villages active lifestyle which is a bargain at any cost.

but I then I tend to always agree with Ed's post.

[ricthemic]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Bob. If you see it first hand you are hanging around with the wrong group.

When you move here you will find a bunch of people who all have a 16 year old hidden inside of them. If you recognise that 16 year old, you are in for a joyful ride. You will find a group of people with at LEAST five decades of life experiences who have worked for a long time, experienced sadness and disappointment, frustration and pain and have had a lot of successes and wonderful moments. Seniors are thought to be a little wiser and a little more compassionate for good reason.

We do NOT need to encourage age bias in this place. It is a silly and hurtful concept.

I also have been there. Saved the bond, great deal, very nice neighbors all of whom were here at least 12 years before us and were very friendly BUT they all naturally formed their own groups in every activity especially the women (in our opinion). So 18 months later moved to a new area with people our on age. Difference for us was absolutely night and day.... driveway parties, village parties, pickleball, exec golf, champion golf, water volley ball, dining out after 4:00 PM, day and overnight trips to beaches and area attractions... never happened for us before... believe me, IMO and experience, this has nothing to do with age bias but i do believe it has to do with human nature....give me the bond anyday

[wlou]

My two cents..( and ya know what they say... I asked the same exact question when we moved here. NOT because I was "worried" about older folks etc..ONLY because lets face it a 50 year old woman will do different things than a 70+ year old woman. That's all folks, it is NOT a bias of any kind! If you are 60 years old, can you honestly say you want to go hang out with a 39 year old couple that has young kids? Probably not. The two couples are at different stages in their lives, thats all...I know that at 51, I don't want to hang out with young 20 or 30 somethings that still have small kids, or other interests that I used to have. That is all it is. I believe that no one is saying they don't want to have neighbors 70, 80 etc, that is not it. I absolutely love my neighbors ( almost all are over 70!) however, they don't like pickleball or tennis or volleyball anymore ( too hard on knees) so I find others who still want to participate in those things. Does not mean I don't love dining w/neighbors or playing an exec course. Please stop assuming age bias when someone ( who has never lived here, and knows very little about TV) asks a simple question like older,younger,etc. They are only trying to make a decision and seeking advice as to whether TV is the place for them..Lets give em a break....

[Down Sized]

Originally Posted by ricthemic

I also have been there. Saved the bond, great deal, very nice neighbors all of whom were here at least 12 years before us and were very friendly BUT they all naturally formed their own groups in every activity especially the women (in our opinion). So 18 months later moved to a new area with people our on age. Difference for us was absolutely night and day.... driveway parties, village parties, pickleball, exec golf, champion golf, water volley ball, dining out after 4:00 PM, day and overnight trips to beaches and area attractions... never happened for us before... believe me, IMO and experience, this has nothing to do with age bias but i do believe it has to do with human nature....give me the bond anyday

[De Lis]

Don't ever fool yourself about being young (of age ) in T.V., as the majority of the young at heart will prove you wrong!

[manaboutown]

When my father was 90 years of age I asked him how old he felt. Without taking a breath he declared "I feel 18 years old but I am stuck in this old body."

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

When my father was 90 years of age I asked him how old he felt. Without taking a breath he declared "I feel 18 years old but I am stuck in this old body."

Yup, your dad was a wise man. I have said for years that in my mind's eye, I remain young. In other words I can walk up to a 3 foot rock wall and look at it and see myself jumping up on it and landing on my feet, gaining my balance. If I try it I will come about 2 feet short, and likely fall on my butt and wrench my back in the process. I was an athlete as a young man, and used to laugh to myself when watching someone that struggled to catch a baseball, or dribble a basketball, thinking "what is wrong with them, that is the easiest thing in the world". Now I would make a fool of myself trying to do many of the athletic moves that I once found so natural and easy. I have recently embarked on an excercise regimen to help me regain some of my lost flexibility, as I realize that if I live another 20 years I better be prepared to physically be able to take care of myself.

[ugotme]

The real question is: What age are we talking about?

My wife usually says that I act like a 12 year old.

To that I respond: NA NEE NA NEE POO POO !!!!

See - I can be mature when I want to be. (hate that word - mature)

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by ugotme

The real question is: What age are we talking about?

My wife usually says that I act like a 12 year old.

To that I respond: NA NEE NA NEE POO POO !!!!

See - I can be mature when I want to be. (hate that word - mature)

Gotta love you, ugotme. You so remind me of me.

I am still mulling over what a fifty year old woman can do that a seventy year old woman can't do.


Did I ever tell you how I tore my achilles tendon?