[Pturner]

Originally Posted by JimJoe

There are three items that some people refer to "bonds". They are not all bonds. Here is my understanding.

1. The amenities fee. It is about $135 per month paid yearly. You pay it to cover the cost of the amenities. It is used to pay for the purchase and the upkeep of the amenities. Very reasonable for the amenities that currently are available.
2. The "bond" on your home. It is a one time cost that is based on the lots in your village to pay for the infra structure for that VILLAGE such as streets sewer etc. It can be paid off in one lump sum when you buy your home or in monthly payments. It varies from village to village. The newer village, the higher the bond generally. The OLDEST villages had no bond at all. Add the cost of the unpaid bond to the asking price of any home and that is the cost. Do not forget the bond when you are calculating your offer price.
3. The CCD "bond" is really just a yearly assessment to pay for the upkeep of the villages COMMON AREAS. It is about $250 or more depending on which district the house is in.

Hope that helps.
If I am wrong, please correct me.
JJ

Hi JimJoe,
Item number one, the Amenities Fee, is paid monthly rather than annually.

That's probably what you meant to say, but the keyboard didn't cooperate.

[JimJoe]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Hi JimJoe,
Item number one, the Amenities Fee, is paid monthly rather than annually.

That's probably what you meant to say, but the keyboard didn't cooperate.

Thanks you for the correction.
JJ

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Lou and Carolyn C.

(Just for clarification):
This probably has been stated somewhere before on this thread, however even though you pay off your bond there will always be an annual maintenance fee incorporated with your annual property tax bill, plus the monthly amenities fee, which is billed along with your water/sewer/irragation bill.

Yes, this is correct. That's because the annual non-ad valorem assessment from TV on your property tax bill comes in two parts.

One part is the one-time bond on your home. That bond pays the initial capital cost of installing the infrastructure in your neighborhood (divided by the number of properties). There is an option every year, in July, to pay this off in full. Otherwise, it is paid over a 30-year period, with interest and an administrative fee.

The second part is to pay the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) budget for your Community Development District.

So, if you pay your bond in full, then your annual non-ad valorem assessment includes only your share of your district's O&M expenses.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by grrr rex

Hello folks.

What is the CDD Maint annual fee I read about?
Is it the same as the amenity fee?

If not, how much extra is it?

Rex

You must be thoroughly confused by now, grr rex.

Q: What is the CDD Maint annual fee I read about?
A: This fee is for maintenance of common areas. It appears on the annual tax bill as a separate line item. I might add it is money well spent. Landscaping is very well kept.

Q: Is it the same as the amenity fee?
A: No. The amenity fee is billed monthly. It pays for all of the amenities including executive golf, swimming pools, rec center use, and literally dozens, maybe hundreds, of other activities. It is also a bargain.

graciegirl's comment is worth noting "The estimates on cost of living given by The Villages itself is pretty reliable".

[calvin]

Thank you all for your helping me better understand these fees. I'm trying desperately to ensure I can afford to live comfortably in the Villages by building my retirement budget. The bond and amenity fees are making that more challenging but the things they pay for are exactly what I find so attractive. Specifically, the cleanliness and beauty of the property. Not to mention the friendliness of the people !!!

I'll find the money.

Cal

[casita37]

Finding this very helpful. We are buying our house through an outside real estate company that does not do much in The Villages, so I've been wondering who to ask about how everything gets started when we move in. We went to the Thursday morning orientation regarding the CDD's. That was great, but the actual nuts and bolts weren't answered. Like...who do I write the check to, and when?

If I got this right, our amenities will come along with water/sewer/irrig. on our monthly bill. So, when we sign up for the service, that's when we become "Villagers"??? Our bond and maintenance will come on our tax bill. I got that! (I already understand taxes. LOL)

We will be closing from out of the country. Do I need to make a trip to be there for actual closing day to get this set up? Seems like such an elementary question, but I just don't know how to go about getting the services in our name other than to walk into the offices and do it.

When/where do we get out ID's? I guess I really need to make a call to The Villages customer service, or is there a different office that would be better?

Thanks for all the answers.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by casita37

Finding this very helpful. We are buying our house through an outside real estate company that does not do much in The Villages, so I've been wondering who to ask about how everything gets started when we move in. We went to the Thursday morning orientation regarding the CDD's. That was great, but the actual nuts and bolts weren't answered. Like...who do I write the check to, and when?

If I got this right, our amenities will come along with water/sewer/irrig. on our monthly bill. So, when we sign up for the service, that's when we become "Villagers"??? Our bond and maintenance will come on our tax bill. I got that! (I already understand taxes. LOL)

We will be closing from out of the country. Do I need to make a trip to be there for actual closing day to get this set up? Seems like such an elementary question, but I just don't know how to go about getting the services in our name other than to walk into the offices and do it.

When/where do we get out ID's? I guess I really need to make a call to The Villages customer service, or is there a different office that would be better?

Thanks for all the answers.

Your agent should be able to help you get your services started, even if they do not do that much business in TV. It all would be a lot easier if you were dealing with an agent familiar with the workings of TV.
Customer Service will either have the answers to your questions or direct you to someone who will. 352-753-4508