I absolutely agree with JimJoe. IMHO, the listing information is ambiguous and misleading. When I was a realtor, I could have been sued for placing misleading information on a listing. Bison residents don't have access to ALL amenities BUT it could be interpreted as such.

I hope it wasn't done on purpose, and I hope that in the future they are more careful to detail exactly what is included.

My husband and I had our ID checked at Paradise pool. Next time we went there was noone there but in came two guys who took off their shirts and dove into the pool with their shorts on. They were in long enough to get cooled off and as they were getting out they said, "thanks for the dip. We like being able to get cooled off and go on back to work. This is nice." It was around 96 degrees that day.
I don't know who or where they were working but they came from the direction of the golfcourse.
We don't mind showing our id whether in the pool or out but this kind of antics should not be tolerated. I don't know how they can keep people from coming in and taking advantage like this though.
Any thoughts?:shrug:

Yuk!!~
 

YUK!!
Aren't you supposed to rinse off before you get into a pool?
Working men with shorts on diving in a pool..
NOT for me.
YUK YUK YUK!

I thought all this about us Bison Valley people was settled in 2008. This is like crying over spilled Milk that has been wiped up and cleaned already...
Besides the cart path deal, we do not get anything else unless you have parents or what ever living in "TV"....

Funny I dont hear anything about the people from Lakeside Landing drving out their gate on carts down Rainey Trail 1/4 mile and having full cart access to TV.

Nothing Wrong with the way the listing reads, if you ask any of the Sales Reps you will know what they are talking about. No need for more explaining. With all going on in the world a listing is killing someone, go figure..

The purchase any home, specially a retirement home is one of the biggest investments you will make in a lifetime. It is understandable and normal to be concerned about the wording in an real estate listing. One cannot completely trust the words of an agent either. (ask me)

It was pointed out earlier in this thread that "an outsider" might not understand the wording, whereas a resident would know the lay of the land. Buyers are "outsiders". They don't know the lay of the land. An insider doesn't need to worry about the wording. The prospective buyer does.

JimJoe is absolutey right "ALL" means "ALL". My guess is that when it's time to pay for the home "ALL" of the price will be paid, not some of it.

Did anyone read the full page ad for PARKWOOD village, in today's Sun? One of the bullet points stated, close to The Villages Schools. These schools are not open to everyone.

It is my understanding that the developer of Bison Valley, is not a TV developer. I've heard several people they decided to not buy there because they weren't comfortable with the developer's tactics. I think the ads are a perfect example -- if you know the facts, you know what is/is not offered. If you don't, you'll make assumptions and be stuck living with those mistakes. I feel for people who buy there thinking they can use TV facilities (besides the stores and squares) or that their kids will automatically be eligible for the charter schools. It is a good development and location for those who work in TV (IF they make enough to be able to afford to buy there) or for children of Villagers who want or need to be close to their parents and grandparents. Otherwise, it is a dream that will quickly be shattered.

Red... Bison Valley was built by the Villagers developer... Initially was supposed to be for persons and families who worked for the villages. When the Economy slowed, it was opened up. I think Gmoney will attest to the neighborhood and how it was marketed.

I believe the Parkwood development is the one where some folks reported issues with the Developer and it is not The Villages developer...whole different outfit.

I know Bison Valley was built by the Morses but it was my understanding someone else took it over. But, you're probably right that it was Parkwoods and I'm totally confused. Thanks.

Even so, I do think the ads are misleading and unfair to the buyer.

:agree:

Bison Valley was orginally built for employees and families that have parents and so on living in TV. Most of our residents do work for The Villages. Most of us have been around The Villages for along time.. The Villages is the developer and builder of the homes in Bison Valley. The same builder that builds in TV built the homes in Bison. All of our association meetings are held at Laurel Manor Offices. However on paper the owner is not listed as The Villages, but another company that is technically the villages. Addressed at Lake Sumter Landing. That is done for deed reasons in connection to TV. Bison was opened to all after economy slowed. But we are sold out! We are very happy the Morse family had Bison Developed. We enjoy it here and love working in and for The Villages.

Now Parkwood on the other hand which is behind us on CR-101 has nothing whatsoever to do with The Villages. It is owned by some poeple from Miami area. They do have alot of problems there. We do the construction for them also. I have a few friends that live that could not qualify for Bison so they bought in Parkwood. They were told they could use the sidewalk for Golf Cart access to Bison Valley so they could go into The VIllages. We complained to SCSO and they have put a stop to that.. But Parkwood has nothing to do with The Villages properties at all.

Dayton said "Also, a family member must be an employee of The Villages to buy a home there."

What happens when an employee of the Villages, leaves their job. I doubt if TV can evict them if they own. In other words, someone who wants the Village life but is too young to live it can get a job somewhere work a few weeks, buy a home and then quit.

That is untrue, do not have to be an employee, and no they cannot evict you from your house. That would not happen at all.

Thanks for the good info G!

Did he say.. what TV amenities they can use?..
 

Did he say.. what TV amenities they can use?.. I think the answer is almost everything if they can get a guest pass, they are renewable, and Bison is not excluded as an adjacent county.. ... AND RACE my souped up golf cart all over TV.
I know I must be wrong.. just explain to me why...
I am looking at that home because I would like to avoid the deed restrictions in TV (my toys and my irritating noises), the cost of the amenities, the IRS issue, and I am a lawyer who likes to argue.
:)
thank you.
JJ

I assume
 

Whatever he can get away with! But you know how to spell ASSuME!...Sure doesn't seem fair!....Only solution, step up security around pools etc.

As said before, the only thing we the residents of Bison Valley get to use is the Cart Path. We have a opening for it. Other than that, NOTHING.. Unless you have family members that live in "TV". Then I guess you could get a pass if that is how it works. And if that is a issue, then you need to contact J. Parr or Mark Morse. As The Villages set that up, not us.. Can not make it any more simple than that..

I know there are a few people that live in Bison which have the parents living in TV. so if they can get passes more power to them. I know the rest of us dont.

As far as the souped up cart, I think there are enought of them the residenst of the villages have. Try walking or riding down the path along 466. it is like the Daytona 500 out there. Retired and in a hurry to go nowhere..

:shrug:

You should think before speaking, not wise to go where you dont know

Lets See
 

Seems like you want the best for less. You must be a lawyer. There are rules. Most people obey them Can you use amenities illegaly sure you can But whats right is right. We don't live in a locked down community nor do we want to. We know people use pools at times. Hell an earlier poster repoted on workers coming in for a quick dip and leaving. We know there aren't 24 hour guards. Bison has NO LEGAL rights unless they have a relative here. As for access to the amenities listed, Charter Schools and Shopping, we don't pay for them. As for the Indy Carts yea they're hear but so is the Sheriff now and he is handing out stiff fines. Last night supposedly N/O 466 a cart crashed into a house and was trapped. I'm sure they'll be an investigation into that one also. So yea avoid the Fees, IRS and whatever else and move to Bison. Hopefully you'll find out you can't legally use TV amenities. JMO

I think my sarcasm was not clear..
 

Sorry but I was being sarcastic in my previous post about getting everything free if you live in Bison and you have friends or relatives in TV. I think it is possible... I would never do it nor do I agree with it..
Same think for the souped up golf cart. I do not own one and never would.

I think it is important to point out issues like this. If it offends anyone I apologize.

Here I go again.. One more question..
If Bison owners do not pay a bond on their home, and the developer is the same as was for TV, why the difference and where did the money for their infrastructure come from for bison? .... I just do not understand the difference. I have read people say the bond was put in place so the amenities could be build up front and not later, but the bond on the home is for infrastructure, not amenities. I am probably raising more points than anyone is really interested in..
JJ

Huh!!!!?????

It was a gift from The Villages since most of us work here to make this place you piece of heaven..

Actually all of us contractors donated the time and work for free for the families who work here to have a nice place to live..

:crap2:

Sigh, what a brouhaha over nothing. Bison Valley residents have the same rights anyone living outside of TV does -- they can shop here; they can visit the squares; they can enjoy our restaurants; they can join and attend the public service/support group clubs meeting in the rec centers; their kids can attend the charter schools IF they are employees of TV. If their parents happen to live in TV, they can get the tri-county guest passes which allows them use of all the amenities so long as they are accompanied by their "host." The one thing they have that other tri-county residents don't have is true golf cart access (yes, others like Spruce Creek can travel to TV in carts but it is not as easy and involves dirt roads).

Now, I'm going to get blasted for this but I think it would be nice if Bison Valley residents could use our amenities if they are employees of TV (not the ones living there to be near their parents). TV employees are notoriously low paid. It wouldn't hurt us to thank them by allowing their kids to use the neighborhood pools on a hot summer day, by allowing the parent to join the clubs. Yes, a few would behave inappropriately (so do some TVers), but the majority would treat the amenties with respect since it is part of their community. This is a bill we could easily foot since we are already paying these fees -- it would cost us nothing in the dollar sense. Would it make the pools and rec centers a little more crowded? Yes, but only in the winter when the snowbirds are here and, let's face it, everything is crowded then. (And maybe even less of an impact than expected since kids would be in school and have homework, etc.)

I know the majority of you totally disagree with this and are worried that it would spill over to all residents of the Tri-Counties, but I don't think so. We are talking of a very small group -- not even all TV employees, just those living in one small area and, remember, not everyone living there works for TV. So, blast away.

Sorry, Red, but I do disagree with you on this one. When someone bought in to Bison Valley they knew what amentities (pool, tennis courts, etc) they were or were not getting. Bison doesn't have these kinds of common area facilities and it is no doubt reflected in their HOA fees. If such amenities are/were important enough to a potential homebuyer then there are other alternatives like Lakeside Landings and Parkwood.

The Villages has a very generous overall guest policy for our out of town visitors and tries to accommodate local close relatives with the in area guest pass. I think the policies work just fine the way they are. Also, there are 2 other, older, but similar developments to Bison ... Arbor Village off of 466 and something Oaks near Target. Where would it stop???

I welcome GMoney and all his fine neighbors in Bison Valley as part of the larger Villages community and hope they do enjoy the squares, movie theatres, shopping, schools etc. It takes a lot of skilled workers to support a city that is this large and still growing.

I could agree Red if we had some real tight entry rules that would prevent spill over.

consider
 

I know many of you disagree with Red, BUT at some point down the line you may want to consider what she says. Just a thought from a going to be

If we agreed with Red, it wouldn't matter Jan, we don't make the rules here.

This little part of the world is set up to function very well, maybe not perfectly.

It isn't a democracy. It is a benign dictatorship. But it's o.k. We voted with our wallets to live here. Those are the rules. You can't please every single soul, but the people who make the rules do a good job here pleasing most of them.

And no, I don't work for the Morses, I don't know the Morses, but I wish I did, I would give them a hug.

hug
 

'you don't need to work for the Morse, Gracie, you are your own definitive strong but gentle voice filled with wisdom and kindness that is why you are a SAGE

There was talk at one time at letting Village employees attend one of the pools, during certain hours. but that was shot down, and I for one can understand why. I have been around TV for awhile and when I bought in Bison I fully understood that we were not allowed to use The Villages Facilites unless we had family living in TV. We even have people that have offered to pay the full amenities fee for TV so they could use the Poos and so on in TV. They were also told no and that would not happen. Those of us who work for The Villages understand the rules and do not have any heart burn over it. The only thing that burns my tail is when people assume we have it all and try to pick and complain. Like the cart path deal. While we have that, and that is the only thing we all can use, not everyone in Bison Valley has a cart. There are alot of Ex-Villages residents in there that move to Bison to escape all the fees.

I completely understand your points.

GMoney.

Let me just say that in my whole life I have never seen the building of homes and roads and facilities done more efficiently. You are truly the highest level of professional. The homes seem to rise up as if a seed were planted. I want to thank you for your skill and your diligence and your choice to be part of the creation of this beautiful place. I know they only choose the best of the best.

I promise not to run over you on your bike.

Hugs.

Thanks so much... As I said it is so nice to live around here. Dont know if you have noticed the Edgewater Bungalows are going up in a hurry by the Waterfront Inn?? Doing more of them this morning..

My Bike thanks you as well

:coolsmiley:

Edgewater Bungalows - WOW
 

Yes, we have noticed how fast everything is moving! Walls (beautiful), roads, houses --- amazing. I heard they are supposed to be completely finished by January. Do you know if they are planning to sell them or use them in the rental program?

This type of thing comes up all of the time. When I was president of a condominium association, about once a year, one of the owners would advocate letting the guys on our grounds crew bring their families to use the pool. As an annual event, this works well along with a picnic, etc. However, as a daily thing, this is just not practical. People pay a quarter of a million dollars or more to acquire not just a home, but a quality of life. They have earned this. If you pay to be surrounded by those that have common interests and values, you prefer not to subsidize those that have not gotten there yet. I advocate paying your employees well enough that they can support their own lifestyle as they choose. You are right that employees of TV businesses are all too often poorly paid. The most poorly paid of these are restaurant staff. Yet, all too often, I see a table of 4 seniors leave a few coins as a gratuity. True concern for these TV employees can be demonstrated by all of us every time we tip.

I have heard different things, depending on which day it is. It will nice in there. All of the homes will be solid poured walls. No block or stick homes, and a couple of them have pools also. So if I hear anything on the rental deal I will let you know..

As I understand it, this complex is not considered part of the 55+ community known as the Villages, just as the Village of Parkwood development. If anyone finds out that it is and there are no amenities, it would give cause to speak to the developer. Personally, I cannot imagine anyone in the "Villages" not paying amenities.

Please DONOT DONOT even try and compare Bison Valley to the Village of Parkwood. Totally different complexes....and I would never recommend anyone ever deal with the Villages Of Parkwood.

Bison Valley is NOT a 55 plus community and it has never been advertised as such. It is family orientated. However the builders that build the houses that you and I live in (TV) are the same builders that build Bison Valley Homes....and to the same construction standards for homes in The Villages. The Warranty department for Bison Valley is the same for the Villages. Residents of Bison Valley get NO VIllage ID card thus no amenities that are afforded by having an ID card. Bison Valley residents pay no Bond, minimal amenity fee (a POA is just organizing) and in fact the irrigation water is well water for each lot has its own separate well drilled on site. The only amenity the Bison Valley residents get, that residents of other communities surrounding the Villages donot get, is Golf Cart access ...Period. Bison Valley was built specifically to fill a nitch in the need for affordable family housing near and acccessible to The Villages.

The Villages of Parkwood is totally separate from Bison Valley (and the Villages) and so it should be. Bison Valley may not be part of the 55 plus community of The Villages but they are clearly and most definitley associated with the Villages...and from what I understand a GREAT place to live!!

Hi Red,
Is your suggestion that if you work for TV and live in Bison Valley, you can use TV amenities; but if you work for TV and live nearby but not in Bison Valley, you cannot use TV amenities? If so, help me understand the rationale.

If family use of TV amenities were offered as an employee benefit, how could this benefit be offered only to residents of Bison Valley? Because the same developer built it? Bet other employees would resent the heck out of that-- if not sue for discrimination. Developers of competing subdivisions might try to challenge the legality as well.

And if you opened TV amenities to families of all employees, nice as it sounds, it's no longer an age-restricted community, overcrowding would be an issue, etc.

What am I missing?

Holy Smoked Bacon.... BATMAN,, Not happening never will. We love where we live, dont need Village ID cards. We get along fine in Bison Valley. Same rules apply to those in Spring Arbor and Oak Meadows.. Why so a big BREW-HA over little ole us??? Go BV

The reason I say limit it to Bison Valley is the ads are so dang misleading. Yes, you do find out the "amenities" you are offered are simply the stores and squares, but sometimes it is after or during the closing.

As to employees who do not live in BV, they don't have true golf cart access and this could be the argument for not allowing all employees to use the pools, etc.

As to this being a 55+ community, the reality is there are pools specifically restricted to those 30+ and there are those open to anyone who is eligible to use them. The rec centers and sports facilities are actually open to anyone who has a TV ID and that includes the 19-YO grandson living with his grandparents. So, saying it would change the basic atmosphere of TV is not accurate IMO.

I don't think it would cause resentment in employees outside of BV simply because BV is the only (that I know of) local community/development that is specifically allowed entry via golf cart. (Yes, I know others do it, but they skirt around the rules and are not technically invited to use their golf carts here.) BTW -- I'm talking strictly about EMPLOYEES, not contractors or sub-contractors.

And GM, I understand and appreciate how happy you are to live in BV and don't mind not getting the use of the amenities. I just happen to think there would be little to no harm in allowing employee residents of BV to use at least some of the amenities.