A good LOCAL real estate professional should be able to calm your fear of loss. Remember this market is different than most of the country. There are are many 'Chicken Littles' out there that will tell you the sky is falling to get clicks on YouTube.

With how difficult lots are to obtain, especially desirable view lots, you might have to take what you can get. I lost out on 9 lotteries (27 lots) before settling for a lot that was not our desired view. The best lots are truly like winning a lottery prize. Don’t get your heart set on a specific view or you are surely going to be disappointed. But, short answer is that my opinion is that no lot in the Eastport area is worth a $200,000 lot premium. Even the “best” lots have something not so desirable about them (power lines, prison lights, turnpike noise, etc)

There are also lakes of which are named. Usually having fresh water springs.

View lot vs interior lot
 

We had our “dream home” built on a golf course lot. No golf balls because of the lot we chose. Mowers and golf cart noise were minimal, again, because of the lot we chose. I will make a guess that it is likely more difficult to choose the exact lot on a golf course today because of the so called “lottery” for them. If I was purchasing today that could be a deal breaker for me. But to each their own. A water view lot was not in our plans for reasons others have mentioned in their posts.

That said, you can choose your house and lot but not your neighbors. Generally speaking your neighbors are just a few feet away on either side and not far across the street. As far as value, the value in most cases, has been extremely profitable in The Villages. I have no reason to believe that won’t continue in the future. I cannot emphasize enough that due diligence is a must when purchasing real estate in The Villages. Good hunting.

Is there a significant price difference for a house on a Championship course as compared to a similar house on an executive course?

The golf course view is beautiful and quite relaxing. We just happened to be getting ready to market OurCourtyard Villa with the golf course view, a pool, and Jacuzzi, and quite a few extras.

Replied if you’d like

We just built a large house in Well Point on a lake. They told us when we bid on our lot that we would have to go through several rounds of lots before we would get the one we wanted.

Nope, got the first one.

Since we have moved in we have been speaking with our neighbors and they have all told us the same thing - got their waterfront lot on the first try.

So while it may have been hard in the past, it wasn't for us.

The extra $100k was worth it for us because it allowed us to have a larger house with stretches and a pool with a screen enclosure. I also couldn't have my back patio up against another house, I can't live like that.

I just wish we hadn't bid on the first try because we were NOT ready to buy. We hadn't even listed our other home for sale yet because our realtor told us it would probably be a year or so before we "won" the lot lottery. Getting it so fast caused us an enormous amount of stress trying to list and sell our home in time to close on the new build. And when that didn't happen, the additional stress of having to get unexpected financing for the new home.

Knowing what I know now, I would have done things differently.

As a general rule, yes.

It's hard to value a view
 

I've lived in TV since 2018 and in our second home for a year now. To US (each has to make up their own mind), a view (golf, water, reserve, etc.) was not worth the additional price. We have relatives in the northern section up by Glenview that purchase an older home with a great gold course view but got at a great price as it needed a lot of updating. It's think TV artificially generate the cost of "special" lots as they have a raffle when you want to purchase a specific lot - its not as simple as going Into a sales office and picking a lot.
At the end of the day, the value of a view is up to you alone. I don't think you would lose the money. HOWEVER, a lot of people move to other areas (us included) and some multiple times.
I would suggest not passing up pre-owned homes as the previous owners have often made nice upgrades that don't recoup the cost on a sale - especially if not owned for a while. For example, we were the fifth owner for our first home here. We move to get a larger lot - no view but privacy and room for a pool or hot tub.
Also, be wary of pond views. The ponds close us were just mud holes until the recent rains.

I do appreciate the response. I am looking to get all sides.

It's in the eye of the beholder!! If it turns you on, do it. Make sure you like golf balls flying into your yard or house. I speak from experience (I'm the one hitting them). Some people complain about the lack of privacy, and the constant golf cart noise all day long. But the final choice is always yours, not others telling you what you should do.

A golf course view is often more than just a view. Especially if you are next to a tee box, putting green or golf cart path. Spend an hour or so in front of your viewing area and see if you want it. You might be surprised.

It's all a matter of opinion.

Different, how?

Different, why?

Really? There is no other place in the entire world, no less the USA, that is like the lifestyle in the bubble. If the Villages didn’t exist, my wife and I wouldn’t have a home in Florida.