[FloridaGuy66]

Originally Posted by Vinscalese

What are some of the top items villagers do to their new homes after they move in ?

Gutters is one of them. We were kind of surprised that most (all?) new homes come with minimal gutters that just cover part of the house. We originally had a downspout that directed water right between our entranceway and our driveway. Left a terrible stain every 1-2 rainstorms. Our concrete pad adjacent to our lanai also was covered in water stains badly. We quickly found a number of recommendations for gutters and had it done within about a week of making a phone call. They were done in about 2 hours, they moved the downspout locations to ones that actually made sense, and the cost was reasonable.

Another was upgrading our irrigation controller to one that we could control and monitor from an app on our phones. Was nice to adjust the irrigation if we were away for extended periods.

Third was installing a Nest/Ring style security camera over our driveway. Helps for us to monitor things a bit when we're not around. Nice for seeing how things look when a tropical storm is happening and we're not there, or to check if the lawn is looking ok while we're away, or to double check if the garage door is left open.

A nice little thing we added as well was a wifi linked garage door controller. You plug it into your garage door opener and after that you can open/close your garage door when you're not home using a smartphone. We've found this handy on a several occasions, even when someone wants to drop something off for us and put it in a secure place while we were away.

[VickiDeFazio]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Let's do a thread with some advice for newbies, things to do and NOT to do when you first move here.

First I will say not to buy from the door pounders who come to you in the weeks right after you move in. Not because they are all unworthy contractors, but some of them are, and nothing, NOTHING has to be done at once. Take your time and wait for changes to water supply, adding pest treatments, painting driveways or even if you will add downspouts to the back of your home. Wait to see who your neighbors use for lawn maintainance.

Please jump in here and add your comments here everyone.

Haven't found any here! Thank God my husband knows a lot

[VickiDeFazio]

Originally Posted by xlhig

We too are in Rochester and hopefully moving to TV in the future. What town are you in? We are currently in Gates near Elmgrove Rd.

Oh wow! we just moved here from that area!!

[VickiDeFazio]

Oh wow! we just moved here and are from that same area in Gates. When are you coming down?

[asianthree]

Word to the wise. If you buy a home, that is next to a park, golf course, open property, common area, and a tree falls on your house from that property YOU are responsible for all costs.

If your vinyl fence is damaged behind your home, technically not your property you are responsible for damage.

If the wall behind your CYV or Veranda home, is damaged, You are responsible, no matter the cause of the damage.

Walls, fences, are expensive to fix in the land of TV. Pretty tree, equals large cash from your pocket.

[Vinscalese]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Let's do a thread with some advice for newbies, things to do and NOT to do when you first move here.

First I will say not to buy from the door pounders who come to you in the weeks right after you move in. Not because they are all unworthy contractors, but some of them are, and nothing, NOTHING has to be done at once. Take your time and wait for changes to water supply, adding pest treatments, painting driveways or even if you will add downspouts to the back of your home. Wait to see who your neighbors use for lawn maintainance.

Please jump in here and add your comments here everyone.

Thank you for this thread everyone!

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Word to the wise. If you buy a home, that is next to a park, golf course, open property, common area, and a tree falls on your house from that property YOU are responsible for all costs.

If your vinyl fence is damaged behind your home, technically not your property you are responsible for damage.

If the wall behind your CYV or Veranda home, is damaged, You are responsible, no matter the cause of the damage.

Walls, fences, are expensive to fix in the land of TV. Pretty tree, equals large cash from your pocket.

In most states if the tree is dying or diseased and you have notified the owner of this they can be held responsible for damages if they don’t take any action and it falls.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

In most states if the tree is dying or diseased and you have notified the owner of this they can be held responsible for damages if they don’t take any action and it falls.

need to review the fence law in Florida. I did not mention anything about dying or diseased. If tree falls for any reason, from common area, golf course, or park or prairie, you are responsible for all damage from your lot line.

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by asianthree

need to review the fence law in Florida. I did not mention anything about dying or diseased. If tree falls for any reason, from common area, golf course, or park or prairie, you are responsible for all damage from your lot line.

I did say “most states” .
FE962/FE962: Handbook of Florida Fence and Property Law: Trees and Landowner Responsibility

[mdmurrell]

I have been plagued with low back pain and now my feet are going numb. Can anyone recommend a good chiropractor or medical massage therapist for these issues?

Michael Murrell
Marsh Bend

[pcntech]

Free service. Will help if you have been ripped off. Check before you sign any contract to see it there are complaints with company you are thinking about. Seniors vs Crime in The Villages

[Grinchie]

Originally Posted by Curinga

When picking furniture Measure your doorways. We just moved and a sleeper sofa we thought would go in the den (there is room inside the Den for it) in our Gardenia will not fit through the doors to get in the room. Now have two couches in LR, LR chairs in Den and are looking to sell sleeper and get a smaller length sleeper for den.

Can you take the doors off to put the sleeper in the den ? It’s easy to remove doors. Otherwise, check the sleeper sofa as to whether you can break it down. I’m sure there are ex-moving people who could be hired to resolve the problem quickly.

[Sid&Dave]

Question re: gas
Is it available for water heater, dryer, pool heater, BBQ?

[Bilyclub]

Natural gas is available South of 44 and far North in TV. Up North though has the gas lines in the attic. South of 44 they have on demand gas water heaters. You can use a gas heater for a pool.

[pcntech]

"Yes, I am licensed and insured." If a person knocking at your door tells you this, it most likely means he has a drivers license and his truck is insured. Always ask to see their contractors license, bond and insurance, especially workers comp. If he falls off ladder and is not insured, guess who he will sue? Get yourself a good No Soliciting sign for entryway. Always check with free service Seniors vs Crime. They will let you know of any complaints or actions regarding a contractor or individual. Seniors vs Crime in The Villages. Ask your neighbors who they have used. If your Village as an "official" Facebook page, join it and ask who folks have used. Attend the VHA meetings throughout the year. Lot's of good information there especially the one for New Residents. VHA | The Villages Homeowners Advocates Remember that old adage, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. After all, we are all retired.....what's the rush? "Take the Round-a-bout at 20, not 40."