[Ilove2cruise]

You guys are great for all your comments, I guess I truly didn't express myself fully.

I guess one of the main reasons for wanting a condo is to have a place that is maintenance free & like someone said to be responsible for the inside but not the outside. I would like to be able to close the door & not worry about hiring a Gardner, worrying about a leaking roof or for painting the house, etc... Also, as I've never lived in a free standing house I guess I just can't imagine it, I would prefer to have neighbors right next to me and if I wasn't there it wouldn't be so obvious that the place was abandoned.

Also, as I'm single I don't feel like I need an entire house thus would prefer something smaller. I will retire when I'm 55 or 56 thus I want to come and take advantage of the active lifestyle and don't plan on being 'home' a lot. I also love to cruise so I wat to be able to pack a bag close the door & leave on short notice without making the house secure.

Initially I plan on coming for 3-6 months to escape the cold winters in Europe but at present I can't imagine leaving my life here full time...but who knows, that idea can change?!?

I will initially come and rent and really check things out, perhaps renting may be the way to go for me ??? If others snowbirds rent, can you give me your feedback on how this works for you? Do you end up renting the same place every year?

Now I hope I was a bit clearer, & you guys can give me some advice & possible choices...

I loved the few days I spent at the Villages & I can't stop thinking nor talking about it, I'm probably your best advertisement on this side of the pond!

I'm really looking forward to retirement & my time at The Villages!!!

Barbara

[queasy27]

There is something here for everybody! Here's an example of a one-bedroom unit for sale. There are also smaller pre-owned homes in the historic district. Yes, you would need to manage the exterior maintenance, but honestly, you just hire someone and it's a lot less expensive than HOA fees. I pay $55 a month for lawn cutting, trimming, weeding and fertilizing.

The Villages has a lot of seasonal residents and I think most of them would agree it's not a worry or problem at all. You can get a home watch service who will stop by and make sure nothing has burst or leaked, inside or out. When you meet your neighbors, one of them might even be willing to keep an eye out for you.

As for renting vs buying, you'd have to run the financials to see what makes the most sense for you. Rents can be pretty expensive during the winter and you'd miss out on any appreciation from owning, but of course owning brings insurances, taxes, amenity fees, and maintenance costs.

I think most of us would definitely advise you to rent for your first winter stay so you can get the lay of the land and figure out where you might want to buy and what's available.

[Carla B]

Originally Posted by tomwed

I think condos would do well here. Especially if you can tie it into some kind of health support system and maybe with delivered cooked food. The concept is to own something in between a health care facility and a free standing home. A room with a view.

Sumter Grand is such a place. It's on 466a. Occupants pay the regular monthly amenity fee, same as we who own houses do, and they get some meals and other services, as well. Meals are served in a very nice café/dining room. Expect to pay around $6,000 +/- per month. I don't know if they have a plan for those who are not in TV full time, but it might be worth checking.

[njbchbum]

Barbara - Please allow me to dispel the incorrect info provided to you in this thread thus far...

The following info should provide you lots of material re purchasing the type of unit you are searching for in the Villages:

In the area of Spanish Springs Town Square:
* Vista Sonoma Villas deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...a%20Sonoma.pdf

* Vista Lago deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...sta%20Lago.pdf

* Spanish Springs Villas Part 1 deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...478156_img.pdf
Part 2 deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...478156_img.pdf

In the Village of Glenview:
* Glenview Carriage Houses deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...e%20Houses.pdf

Finding one of these units for sale could be harder than finding the proverbial needle in the haystack! Finding a landscaper and Home Watch staff for a single family home might be a whole lot easier!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

Barbara - Please allow me to dispel the incorrect info provided to you in this thread thus far...

The following info should provide you lots of material re purchasing the type of unit you are searching for in the Villages:

In the area of Spanish Springs Town Square:
* Vista Sonoma Villas deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...a%20Sonoma.pdf

* Vista Lago deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...sta%20Lago.pdf

* Spanish Springs Villas Part 1 deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...478156_img.pdf
Part 2 deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...478156_img.pdf

In the Village of Glenview:
* Glenview Carriage Houses deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...e%20Houses.pdf

Finding one of these units for sale could be harder than finding the proverbial needle in the haystack! Finding a landscaper and Home Watch staff for a single family home might be a whole lot easier!

Instead of providing links to many, many, many pages, could you perhaps say what the misinformation is that others have provided?

[PJOHNS2654]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

Barbara - Please allow me to dispel the incorrect info provided to you in this thread thus far...

The following info should provide you lots of material re purchasing the type of unit you are searching for in the Villages:

In the area of Spanish Springs Town Square:
* Vista Sonoma Villas deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...a%20Sonoma.pdf

* Vista Lago deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...sta%20Lago.pdf

* Spanish Springs Villas Part 1 deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...478156_img.pdf
Part 2 deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...478156_img.pdf

In the Village of Glenview:
* Glenview Carriage Houses deed restrictions: http://www.districtgov.org/images/De...e%20Houses.pdf

Finding one of these units for sale could be harder than finding the proverbial needle in the haystack! Finding a landscaper and Home Watch staff for a single family home might be a whole lot easier!

I live in The Villas Of Spanish Springs. They are in fact Condos. $350 mo. dues. They start around $300,000. No bond, 2 & 3 Br. some with loft, some two story, some three. There is usually one or two sold every year out of the 43 units. Best location in the north end and great neighbors.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Instead of providing links to many, many, many pages, could you perhaps say what the misinformation is that others have provided?

That there are only single family homes available.

Kelsie52 post #3 for one.

And reading the deed restrictions one can see the use of the word 'condo' 'association' as well as read the 'benefits of same.

[HimandMe]

You may want to take a second look at patio villas. There are one and two bedroom models starting at $150k. Yes you have a roof and outside area (limited) that needs a grass cutter but for patio villas it is not that much. There are new ones if you prefer in Osceola and lots of resales. You will find them easy to rent if you need to and have good resale value. With the front lanai, there is no problem meeting all your neighbors and they tend to watch out for each other.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

There are condos townhouses at Spanish Springs and at Glenview. Two storey. Where you pay a maintenance fee and the exterior work is handled for you. The ones I've seen are fairly large and NOT inexpensive. A two bedroom patio villa is probably a less expensive option.

Originally Posted by njbchbum

Barbara - Please allow me to dispel the incorrect info provided to you in this thread thus far...

I don't think the info I provided in Post 15 was incorrect.

[tomwed]

I own a Quarter-Share on Hilton Head Island. I own May, June and July. It works for me and is easy to rent.
To have a Quarter-Share here might work too. To have a Quarter-Share with loved ones would be the best of all worlds. You could easily hire a management company.
Daydream outside the envelope but get a good attorney before you lick the flap.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

I don't think the info I provided in Post 15 was incorrect.

I didn't think it was either...nor was it confusing.

[trueorange]

We rented a nice 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath in Villas Sonoma two years ago. They were 2 story townhouses and quite convenient to Spanish Springs. There were several for sale this past year. All the yard work was down by the neighborhood association.

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by cquick

Freedom Pointe is a buy in continuing care facility.

I believe the independent living section/area is condominium like. The continuing care is available through many stages after one becomes no longer independence capable.