[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

I think you are all over reacting a bit. Example is the amenities thread, the OP said he heard it from an employee and was asking the question, didn't state it as fact. Part of the problem is people ask something without complete information or enough background to provide an accurate answer. Three people read the question, interpret it a little different and answer to the best of their ability. And each answer is different.

Two key points.

1. I don't believe anyone is doing it intentionally, they all do the best they can and sometimes make mistakes. Sometimes it's lack of background information and others it's lack of knowledge.

2. If you make a major decision on anything based on something you read on the internet, hear on the news, read in a paper, hear in a conversation without doing proper verification and diligence then you are a little dumb and own the results. I believe less then 20% of anything I see, hear, read or find out from other sources.

I agree. But sadly people do believe what they want to believe.

[cappyjon431]

TOTV is invaluable.

BUT:

That being said, anyone who believes everything that they read on the internet should contact me for really cheap oceanfront property in Summerfield.

[jaj111]

Let me start by saying, I've found this forum very informative and helpful. But I was told by a couple of different people that I would not be able to move to the villages at age 52 or 53. But a couple of other posters correctly stated that is not totally correct. Like (Happinow)stated most people are going to research their questions. So I called the villages and told them how old I was and asked if I had to wait three years to purchase property. I was then asked if we had a children under the age of 19. I said no. Then was told it would not be a problem. Like I said this forum has been very helpful and I'm sure the people who told me I had to be 55 thought they were giving me the correct information. After all TV say you have to be over 55. I use the forum to ask questions from villagers who know a lot more than I do. But you should always follow it up with research.

[mikeandnancy1112]

Happinow, You couldn't have said it any better!

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by downeaster

It appears the activity on this forum has increased in the past few months. Many more viewing, more threads and more responses. That's the good news.

There also seems to be an increase in the amount of erroneous information. That is the bad news.

A lot of this can have serious consequences. People asking for information may rely on the answers they get here. However, those answers may be from self styled experts who are wrong. There are even cases of others correcting the error only to replace it with another error.

I am not referring to questions such as electric cart vs. gas cart or new vs. resale. Anyone asking about subjects such as those will expect opinions. However, much more serious questions are asked. They include bond issues, taxes, our form of government, IRS issue and more. People deserve correct answers as they may be making a big decision and that decision could depend on the answer they get here.

This problem is out of the hands of the Admins. They cannot be expected to check the accuracy of every post. It is in our hands. Let's get our facts right before responding.

My comments are not meant to include the political forum or any sub forum or question requesting an opinion.

Forewarned is forearmed

[rhood]

Originally Posted by jaj111

I'm sure the people who told me I had to be 55 thought they were giving me the correct information.

That's the problem and it happens a lot. Just because someone believes something doesn't make it factual. It's a laugh a day for me, just chuckling at the wrong info that is posted here. Of course everyone has an opinion and the right to post it. Don't believe everything you read here.

[CaptJohn]

If you ask for an opinion then you should be happy with all answers and the one that agrees with what you first thought is the one you sought anyway, therefore will be the correct one, unless someone provides a good enough argument or enough people provide references for you to change your mind, which most people don't like to do unless they're truly open and objective in the first place.

If you ask for a fact then, even if misinformed with good intensions, you have narrowed a possible 100 answers down to a few that are easier to research yourself for a final answer thereby saving you a lot of unnecessary steps.
The end result is up to you. Final answer! (but I'm going to think about my answer and may change my mind!)

[janmcn]

Another problem with giving info based on personal experience is TV is constantly changes the rules and regs to suit it's purposes. What one person was told last year or last month or last week may not be the policy today.

[joanofarctv]

Thanks for posting that and it's something to consider.

[quirky3]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Another problem with giving info based on personal experience is TV is constantly changes the rules and regs to suit it's purposes. What one person was told last year or last month or last week may not be the policy today.

"Constantly"? Really? I read TOTV quite a bit but I am not aware of TV constantly changing their rules. Can you give examples that show how constantly it happens? Thank you

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by quirky3

"Constantly"? Really? I read TOTV quite a bit but I am not aware of TV constantly changing their rules. Can you give examples that show how constantly it happens? Thank you

If you asked someone living north of 466 if you're allowed lawn ornaments and signs on your house, they would say absolutely, the more the better.
The first time I visited TV, the first thing the sales person asked me is are you 55? Apparently, they don't adhere to that anymore.
When I moved to TV, you were not allowed to drive a golf cart after dark.
If you asked someone living north of 466, excluding Marion County, if Patio Villas have guest parking, they would say yes, they're all over the place. No more.

Even improvements that were addressed in the developer's newspaper never came to fruition, and now that the growth management law has been repealed, the developer no longer has to provide roads, schools, or even sewer service.

[rubicon]

It has been said that more information (data) is generated in one day today then had been created from the beginning of time until 2003.

Another reason for the misinformation is the one upmanship being played by many posters. Personally I had a belly full of it in the corporate world and hence often defer rather than engage.

That old saw " Believe nothing you hear and half of what you read" should be changed to "trust but verify"

Most of what one reads on a blog is "opinion" and that's fine if one judiciously gleans bits and pieces that are helpful say regarding someone's opinion concerning an eatery

I opine you decide

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by janmcn

If you asked someone living north of 466 if you're allowed lawn ornaments and signs on your house, they would say absolutely, the more the better.
The first time I visited TV, the first thing the sales person asked me is are you 55? Apparently, they don't adhere to that anymore.
When I moved to TV, you were not allowed to drive a golf cart after dark.
If you asked someone living north of 466, excluding Marion County, if Patio Villas have guest parking, they would say yes, they're all over the place. No more.

Even improvements that were addressed in the developer's newspaper never came to fruition, and now that the growth management law has been repealed, the developer no longer has to provide roads, schools, or even sewer service.

IMO, I don't believe that it's that "they don't care anymore" but rather that the 80% 55+ occupancy rule has been reached and exceeded thereby permitting purchases by those under 55 and will remain open until they reach the 20% mark and the 55+ falls under 80%, if it ever does. Here's a link to that requirement:

Requirements / 55+ Housing / Florida Commission on Human Relations

[hedoman]

Originally Posted by downeaster

It appears the activity on this forum has increased in the past few months. Many more viewing, more threads and more responses. That's the good news.

There also seems to be an increase in the amount of erroneous information. That is the bad news.

A lot of this can have serious consequences. People asking for information may rely on the answers they get here. However, those answers may be from self styled experts who are wrong. There are even cases of others correcting the error only to replace it with another error.

I am not referring to questions such as electric cart vs. gas cart or new vs. resale. Anyone asking about subjects such as those will expect opinions. However, much more serious questions are asked. They include bond issues, taxes, our form of government, IRS issue and more. People deserve correct answers as they may be making a big decision and that decision could depend on the answer they get here.

This problem is out of the hands of the Admins. They cannot be expected to check the accuracy of every post. It is in our hands. Let's get our facts right before responding.

My comments are not meant to include the political forum or any sub forum or question requesting an opinion.

The reason is many of the responders don't even live here. There are a few posters with over 2,000 posts that have visited here once.....One that doesn't live here, doesn't rent here and has been on property 1 time!

[RayinPenn]

Originally Posted by downeaster

A recent example is "When the build out ends" thread. Then there are the bond threads, IRS threads, traffic threads, roundabout threads, taxes threads, etc.

I have in the past researched comments and posted corrected information. There are others who have done the same.

I posed the question when the build out ends. I was not unhappy with the info provided. What I walked away with is that some portion of the maintenance of TV will be under resident control and other ill not. I will confirm all this with TV. Based on what I read I simply will buy in the newest section I can. Although I'd like to think otherwise I will not live forever and it will eventually be my kids problem. People post what hey believe and that's fine by me. I have been an auditor for lost my entire career.. They trained us to follow: You don't know until you absolutely know I.e. see it in writing etc.,