[hotrodgirl]

It seems many purchasers are from other states and I am wondering if you chose to be present for closing or handled it long distance? Also curious to know if you were represented by an attorney in either case. In the case of a pre-owned home I assume you were, but for new construction or a new build what did you do?

[Golfer in Sanibel]

Haha. That was a funny situation. All along we planned on doing a remote closing. Then, about 5 days before we were due to close, Cherie said "Tommy, what do you think about driving to Florida". So we called our sales rep and she lined us up with a villa for a few days and we were on the road. Prior to leaving we ordered an inflatable camping mattress online and directed it to be delivered at our new home. When we got to the home the mattress was waiting for us. We brought some lawn chairs and some bag chairs. So, after we closed and got the keys we camped out in our new home for a few weeks. We were so happy to be there. There were a couple of mistakes made by the loan processor and it would have been awkward for us to try to get them resolved if we were still in Ohio. But, it was great to be in our new home. Whatever you do I hope everything goes well and the process is as fun and rewarding as it was for us.

[hotrodgirl]

I had to laugh at your post, Tommy! When my nusband was alive and we purchased our vacation home in Boynton Beach, we did exactly the same thing. Got one of those air beds, set it up, moved a few things. That night, happy and tired, we got into bed. My husband was 6'4 built like a Chgo Bear fullback with a 52 inch barrel chest. I, on the other hand am a diminutive 5'5..... I got into bed first, and when my husband got in he launched me halfway across the bedroom! We laughed a very long time til somewhere around 4 AM we realized we were in a sinking ship and losing air fast! The next day we bought a second bed. Hope your evening went better!!! Thanks for your input!

[socrafty]

Originally Posted by hotrodgirl

It seems many purchasers are from other states and I am wondering if you chose to be present for closing or handled it long distance? Also curious to know if you were represented by an attorney in either case. In the case of a pre-owned home I assume you were, but for new construction or a new build what did you do?

We closed on a pre-owned home in April. We did everything via computer from Cleveland including the home, pest, wind inspections and all of our insurance quotes. Our realtor was an asset in helping with what needed to be done. We were not represented by an attorney.

Just an FYI...We used a great deal of recommendations from what I have read on this forum.

[Ooper]

We also closed on a new build by mail.

[Sable99]

Mom and I went down to Florida for our closing on May 4th and I am glad we did. The closing was on a home we had built and not a pre-owned home.

I planned the trip so we would get there two days early and stayed for 6 days after the closing. Well, really 5 days as we left at the crack of dawn on the 6th day. If I had to do it over again, I would stay longer.

After the closing, The Villages gave us 5 day to fill out a buyer's check list to give to our builder-- a list of things we wanted them to take care. We weren't staying at the house so it was a little awkward. They wanted us to check all of the outlets, the fan speeds, the appliances, the windows and doors, etc -- in other words, the entire house! I even took a shower over there one morning so I could check out the roman shower in the master bath! Our list turned out to be mostly cosmetic issues. Some rough spots in the garage floor, scratches in one of the master sinks, the granite in the kitchen wasn't even where the slabs met and one lanai fan was really crooked, etc.

Unfortunately, we turned in our list and left for Michigan. The builder arranged for the various vendors to meet with my "key holder" which in my case is the property management company that is renting out my property. Most of the items were done in the two days after we left. There are two items still outstanding and the builder is checking them out tomorrow. I just called hiim this morning about them so that is fast service. I haven't seen the finished product, but am relying on other people's word that it was done properly.

Also before we left, TV wanted us to meet with some of the vendors: the termite company, the AC/heating company and the irrigation company. The vendors explained to us how to properly use their products.

I also got house insurance, had the washer and dryer installed, hired a lawn company and The Villages Welcome Committee came to our door with a basket of goodies.

It turned out to be a whirlwind few days. My mind felt like it was in over drive. I will say The Villages was wonderful in taking care of the items on my list and I admit I was probably a little nit-picky. But, then again, I spent a lot of money on our new home.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by hotrodgirl

It seems many purchasers are from other states and I am wondering if you chose to be present for closing or handled it long distance? Also curious to know if you were represented by an attorney in either case. In the case of a pre-owned home I assume you were, but for new construction or a new build what did you do?

The first one we closed away and the second one here. No attorney. Both new homes.

[hotrodgirl]

Thank you all so much for your input! And for answering so many questions from newbies and wannabes! You all make the process so much easier for us, and I hope to do the same in the future! There is a lot of wonderful information for those of us who lurk here.... And TV seems to prove itself by making the whole process a fairly easy one! Looking forward to being a homeowner there soon!

[asianthree]

By overnight mail.

[George Bieniaszek]

Were here to see the CYV that we purchased. Other than putting down the initial deposit to hold the home, we did everything by phone and mail from Connecticut. The Villages have this system down pat and efficient. We came down 2 months after the closing with a U-Haul trailer full of furniture, got our keys and ID's, and here we are livin' the dream.

Good Luck!!

[Redrok]

Originally Posted by Sable99

Mom and I went down to Florida for our closing on May 4th and I am glad we did. The closing was on a home we had built and not a pre-owned home.

I planned the trip so we would get there two days early and stayed for 6 days after the closing. Well, really 5 days as we left at the crack of dawn on the 6th day. If I had to do it over again, I would stay longer.

After the closing, The Villages gave us 5 day to fill out a buyer's check list to give to our builder-- a list of things we wanted them to take care. We weren't staying at the house so it was a little awkward. They wanted us to check all of the outlets, the fan speeds, the appliances, the windows and doors, etc -- in other words, the entire house! I even took a shower over there one morning so I could check out the roman shower in the master bath! Our list turned out to be mostly cosmetic issues. Some rough spots in the garage floor, scratches in one of the master sinks, the granite in the kitchen wasn't even where the slabs met and one lanai fan was really crooked, etc.

Unfortunately, we turned in our list and left for Michigan. The builder arranged for the various vendors to meet with my "key holder" which in my case is the property management company that is renting out my property. Most of the items were done in the two days after we left. There are two items still outstanding and the builder is checking them out tomorrow. I just called hiim this morning about them so that is fast service. I haven't seen the finished product, but am relying on other people's word that it was done properly.

Also before we left, TV wanted us to meet with some of the vendors: the termite company, the AC/heating company and the irrigation company. The vendors explained to us how to properly use their products.

I also got house insurance, had the washer and dryer installed, hired a lawn company and The Villages Welcome Committee came to our door with a basket of goodies.

It turned out to be a whirlwind few days. My mind felt like it was in over drive. I will say The Villages was wonderful in taking care of the items on my list and I admit I was probably a little nit-picky. But, then again, I spent a lot of money on our new home.

Sable99,
Your post really helps Diana and I in our planning on how long to stay after our closing coming up on May 19. I've made several appointments already with various vendors. It all seems overwhelming but also VERY EXCITING!

[Redrok]

Thanks Sable99 for your detailed description of your stay after closing. This will help Diana and I decide how long to stay after our closing on June 19.

[daca55]

I have to admit I was skeptacle of a closing on a new home by mail but the sales person who brokered the deal with me and the Villages was very helpful and it went well with only a a couple of anxious moments. They overnighted the paper work I had to sign and I went to my bank to notarize etc. I didn't use a lawyer and actually didn't need one. The Villages does closings by mail all the time and I doubt you will have a problem if you do the same. Best to you!