I think I saw a post from you that said a good yard maintenance person, Earl, trims shrubs, weeds, mows for $50 a month....was that right?
Thanks, looking for a new lawn person.

After having my water turned off, even irrigation for several months I was gone, I kept having water bills. The Villages Water Dept. checked the
meter, and all was checked. Research told me that water "hijacking" is common in water metered areas all over the US. I was advised to put a
water lock (available at Home Depot for about $15), or take the handles off, so it was more difficult for a "neighbor" to hook a hose up, and guess what? No more water usage....

Helpful advice and warnings for brand new Villagers.
 

So, either one or more of your neighbors are thieves OR people they hired to do work are thieves. Back in the 70's people would need to install gas tank locks because of the rapid gas price increases back then.


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This thread has been very helpful. Thank for starting it!

Specific Advice
 

We were never pressured. Lynn Petersen had the patience of Jobe with us. We looked for almost two years until we were a year away from retirement. In the meantime, he took us looking at new areas and sent us information as we requested. We ended up buying a lot while on a cruise in the Greek Isles. Lynn managed to put a lock on the lot so we had time to pull into Athens and take the necessary steps to purchase the property. No regrets!

Who do you recommend for Internet service and do you use cable for TV or Roku thanks Anne

Suggestion
 

First register with do not call list.
Many people do not do the important second step which is if you are called report the call to the do not call list. The caller is finded for this intrusion.
Do NOT give any information over the phone-Is this Mr. Smith-Reply-Whose asking?
Use your telephone answering machine. You can always call people you want to speak to back.

We haven't had these problems yet. we bought I'm early May, I immediately put a "no soliciting" sign near my doorbell. The first to ignore it was last Friday and unfortunately my wife went to the door instead of me. Phone solicitors none to date but we do get a nasty religious guy calling about doomsday. No junk mail either although they may not deliver it to Fenney if it is not first class mail, having a problem with the post office down here.

Purchased September of last year, moved in May of this year. Companies I've had good luck with so far: Carpet cleaning Dan - 352-409-0812, does work for the Empty Nest program and was recommended by them and me; Exterior House Cleaning - Edgar's 352-728-8537, great price, on time and didn't leave a mess; Window Cleaning - Michael's 352-288-0937, on time, fast and great work; I use Dean's for the yard and pest control, not the best but not the worst, customer service is excellent, call a complaint they get right on it, especially if the crew is still in the area; Munn's AC & Heating 352-787-7741, on time, quality service, professional.

[QUOTE=suesiegel;1459350]First register with do not call list.
Many people do not do the important second step which is if you are called report the call to the do not call list. The caller is finded for this intrusion.
Do NOT give any information over the phone-Is this Mr. Smith-Reply-Whose asking?
Use your telephone answering machine. You can always call people

...

Totally off topic. . . in the early 1980's when I got my first apartment near Loyola University's campus in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, my 3 roommates and I got an answering machine from Sears. Answering machines were still relatively new. Our ans. machine had a pre-recorded generic outgoing message in a man's voice, something like "We can't take your call right now; please leave a message." A few days after we get the ans. machine, my mother calls. The ans. machine turns on in the man's voice with the pre-recorded generic outgoing message.

Then I hear my mother on the other end saying "I knew those girls had a man living in that apartment." Click and my mother hangs up the phone. My roommates and I had a good laugh over my mom's reaction to the answering machine.

Get seatbelts in your golf cart. Saves lives.

For furniture, check out Bargains and Treasures and Nearly New. They are very reasonable and they deliver. We purchased a beautiful Cherry Wood China Cabinet and three beautiful cherry wood bookcases at a very, very reasonable price. We were lucky when we arrived there and it was almost like they were waiting for us. We got lucky. Good luck!

I like Kelly McKnight, DDS in Laurel Manor for a dentist.

Great Advice, we've had several "door pounder's"once we moved in over a year ago. We were kind, but decided to wait before return visits and estimates for any services; especially LAWN CARE. We decided, to go with our neighbors provider; Fertigator Lawn Care. BEST. DECISION. EVER. We heard horror stories of companies taking advantage of the residents here, so we didn't prepay for our first year. We have NO COMPLAINTS. Everything is completed with ONE company (we chose the total care option). We've lived in Florida for over 20 years (West Palm), and our lawn has NEVER looked better. This year we did prepay for services, and have not been let down with the quality of service we have received. They even take care of our Termite control now. I've read several threads with former customers from some of the other companies that, in fact, did knock on our door, needless to say we are happy that we didn't make a quick decision from a fast talking salesman. We spoke with our neighbors, and made an excellent choice. Take your time, use your resources. It will all come together.