[NicknBabs]

We went down in May, intending to put a deposit on a lot and build in another year. Then they showed us a Designer Model Home that had recently been released for sale and had everything we were looking for...so we jumped on it. Completely furnished.

Saved a bundle of aggravation (and many, many arguments) in matching colors, buying furniture, etc...especially since neither of us know how to decorate. We were going to hire somone to help decorate, so saved that expense too.

And since the street had already been built (more models), everyone was in the same boat, so no mystery about what was going up next to us, behind us, etc.

We think we hit the jackpot...for our needs.

[jebartle]

Bought pre-owned, and by now I'm sure every one knows me as NO Bond Bartle...giggle.....No bond in LaZamora (Lake County), Yea!

[Mudder]

We bought pre owned also in Lake county, so no bond issues to deal with. Love the location and the big trees, price was right. Did many renovations, it's us now. Not sure if this will be our frog house..........

[Bill-n-Brillo]

We bought a furnished resale Patio Villa last year for our use while we continue with our "snowflaking" adventures. It was furnished to FL tastes (as opposed to our more traditional "Early Attic, Late Basement" decor ) which was what we wanted. We only needed televisions, towels, kitchen counter appliances (toaster, coffee pot, etc.), silverware, a golf cart......and toothbrushes and we were good to go.

It came with a bond that the original owners had paid on for 3 years. But it was a rather small bond to start with so we're fine with it as it is for now. Whether or not we choose to pay it off at some future point will depend on what we elect to do with our living arrangement as time goes on - remain snowflakes, become snowbirds, or take the ultimate step and become frogs!!

It suits our present needs perfectly!

Bill

[KYTeacher]

We bought a new - it was a model. Village of St. Charles. Just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. We were coming down on spring break in 2009 to look at specific new homes when our sales rep told us of the models going on sale the following Monday. We spent the day looking at lots of homes, picked out 3 we really liked. Our sales rep gave us a couple days to prioritize and we decided on the one that had most of the things we had determined most important in the previous 4 years of looking and visiting!

Looked at pre-owned briefly, but decided we wanted new. We love the location - have met several of our neighbors - have to disagree with some of you saying you live in the best neighborhood! We do! And we have GREAT neighbors!!!

Now wish we would be able to come down more often...gotta finish the teaching thing - then here we come!

[rhredd1654]

I also built. Wanted a Sand Castle, not many on the resale market. Also, figured a newer neighborhood meant a younger crowd, and since I had never built, decided to do so. I can look out my back window and watch the traffic on 466A...won't be able to do that in a year! No regrets, my Village is VERY active.

[rblammon]

We will be closing on a preowned Oct. 4th of this year. Bond is less than 1K. Wanted a golf car garage, but settled for a golf front home on the 4th tee of the Tierra Del Sol golf course.. Wanted 3 bedroom with a pool and 2 baths. settled for a 2 bedroom 2 and 1/2 bath home. Also got a summer kitchen that we hadn't expected and an outside shower. The 1/2 bath is situated so that one does not have to go inside to use it, No it isn't behind a tree Can't wait to get there.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by rblammon

...... The 1/2 bath is situated so that one does not have to go inside to use it, No it isn't behind a tree .....

That's some funny stuff right there!

Bill

[buzzy]

Near the end of a 10-day visit with friends, we bought a spec home that was a closeout in Pennecamp. It was the same model as our friends have, less than a mile away, and had the exposure that we wanted. We only looked at two of these homes. Never went into a model home, or any resales. I think we are about average age in our neighborhood, but we will have to be part-timers for a couple of years.

[bkcunningham1]

We just bought a second pre-owned home on the historic side June 15 and we did major renovations and accepted an offer to sell it yesterday, August 15. From offer to acceptance; 105 days, incredible. Thank you my husband and my friend John Gorry. We are currently negotiating an offer we made today, the the day after we got an offer on our flip, on another pre-owned on the historic side.

We have found some tremendous homes and bargains over here that a little TLC has made into beautiful buys. I love the historic side and it's people. The pools and golf aint' bad either. Just saying. My father-in-law is moving into one of our buys, good Lord willing, in September. He fell in love with TV at first sight.

[CMANN]

We bought new for social reasons. Like minded people. People all in the same boat. Growing in the neighborhood together.

[dfn8tly]

I bought a new ranch style on an over-sized lot backing up to a large old wood area often referred to as "The Horse Farm". I was on a somewhat limited time schedule and this house just spoke to me.

[John_W]

After our LSV in April we returned to Baltimore and called a realtor to list our home in May. After the appointment the listing agent went back to her office at about 8pm and put our home in MLS. The first viewing the next morning at 10am bought our home, it was sold in less than 18 hours. We had listed for $289,900 and we received a cash offer of $275,000 with a letter guaranteeing the money. Needless to say we didn't have a lot of time before our June 29th closing.

During our April visit we toured all the cottages, courtyard villas and patio villas and drove through the newest building sites. After returning to Maryland I scanned the resale homes everyday online. We had decided we wanted to buy either a new Cabot Cove patio villa with white cabinets in Buttonwood for $140k or a 5 year old furnished rancher in Tall Trees for $159K.

While scanning The Villages new homes website one last time before our next visit I noticed all the CYV's in Southern Star were marked down about $6000. While on the phone with my salesman Tony Trussler he explained they were being closed out, then I noticed one of the Woodlawns (2br masonary) was suddenly marked down another $6000 making the final price $156,900. After a few questions I gave Tony my credit card and we bought the home off the internet sight-unseen. We then cancelled our visit to TV and just waited for closing in Maryland.

We didn't see our new home until we arrived June 30th. We were pleasantly surprised that the natural maple cabinets and neutral countertops, flooring and carpet all looked great. Also, we have the lowest priced home in the entire 80 unit Southern Star complex, which isn't a bad thing.

[iandwk]

We bought pre-owned because of the price. The man who was selling it had a deal with the assisted living facility he was moving into. If the house hadn't sold in 90 days, they would pay the difference (within reason) between selling and asking price. We got a $209,000 home with $2500 bond remaining for $180,000.

[pooh]

We bought new, when you didn't have a chance to pick any options, but I love my house. Never considered buying a pre-owned, not sure why not, but we didn't.