Ah, the key to buying a house in the villages:

Have a list of wants and needs, and hopes for
Have a max price:

shop until you drop when you find the one which works. .

friends took about 3 years, but love their house. .

Most would dispute that contention. The only "upgrades" you're likely to get 100% return on, are upgrades that enhance curb appeal. Access Denied

Inflation adjusted, more like 2%-3%. Understanding Home Appreciation & The Effects of Inflation

Can you provide a cite to that source?

Less than 50% of sales in The Villages, are cash transactions. The vast majority involve a mortgage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdwbIr4vzbk

MLS didn't "change the rules". MLS is not a party to consent agreement with the National Association of Realtors. The ONLY "change in the rules", is NAR can't advertise commissions on MLS services. You can learn all about it, here: NAR Settlement FAQs

Well of course they're likely to be "worth more" ... people paid more for them.

I"m curious about your "this is fact", though. Do you have any evidence that 3+ bedroom homes, with 3+ garages, sell faster? Call me crazy, but I'm not sure 3+ bedrooms, with 3+ bathrooms & 3+ garages, are in high demand in a retirement market. If they were. The Villages would be building more of them.

Only buy a house you love and make improvements that make sense to you. I am not going to live with cheap, junky appliances because I may sell the house some day. Bonds make a difference or ads would not make an issue of saying “no bond.” My bond was at 6 percent and, like a mortgage, was over a term of 30 years. Do the math, we paid off the bond at closing ten years ago. Anyone who thinks someone with a paid bond will not take that into consideration at pricing their home is crazy. If you are trying to time the market, good luck. This is a wonderful place and buying a house here is a good thing. Only you can determine if it is worth it to you.

One more thing, slightly off topic but is a follow up to an earlier post. Don't depend on a view that goes over other people's property. We did improvements that partially blocked a neighbor’s view. They complain to ARB. ARB basically told them, TOUGH BANANAS. We filled beforehand with ARC & was approved.

Yes just go into the Villages home finder site and search on the homes with 4 bedrooms and or 3 car garage for example and you will see how much more they are selling for. Then track a couple and you will see since there are not a lot of them they tend to sell faster because people who what those features will pay for it since there are not a lot to choose from compared to a typical home configuration here in the Villages. Are they in demand? They are if you have deep pockets and there are a lot of people looking for a home with those pockets.

Good neighbors are hard to find.

The whole question concerning about the Bond revolves around those who can't pay it off or are splitting hairs over paying it off vs those who have the ability to pay it off for whatever reason. Remember, just because you may be earning good interest on your money now, there is no guarantee that interest rate will be available for the long term these days. There is no correct or incorrect answer since everyone has their own specific situation, But you are correct. When someone is looking for a home, having the bond paid off is just another significant advantage like a new HVAC system, nicer landscaping, etc, which will make your home more attractive to purchase and enable you to get the price you want as long as you market it correctly. For example, if you have a $20,000 bond and you pay it off, that gets lost when you include it in your $500K to $800K home as an example when you sell as long as your home is well maintained. In the newer areas having a bond to pay off can add anywhere from $2,000 - $5,000 more a year to your costs. The only time I wouldn't pay off the bond even if I could is if I didn't plan to stay in the home or If you are the type that keeps moving around the Villages.

I'd say the most important thing to consider in buying a new home is to make sure the entrance door is wide. You don't want anyone scraping their knuckles when they carry you out of it for the last time.:1rotfl:

I agree
4/3 have always been in demand. That’s why you see so many New models adding to the previous 3. Biggest differences from original 4/3 is SF. Newer models are 2100-2300, but still are in demand. Many need the work from home space, or like us wanted 3,000sf to our previous 2,100sf.

Today seven 4/3 are pending, three remain on the market (2 are less than 2300sf the third is 1.7 with over 3,000sf)for less than 30 days.
We keep a running tab on all 4/3 over 2900sf with a view

Posts trolling for political comments have been removed.

Please refrain from engaging in any discussion that hints for a political response.

Pre-owned homes often have many upgrades. TV build a basic (but nice) home and subsequent owners add upgrades which make the home more appealing to them and boost the price. Carpet replacement, enclosing lanais, painting the concrete, crown molding, solar tubes, and the list goes on. I think you can get a deal on a pre-owned home with upgrades for less that a newer home - especially when you consider the cost of the upgrades.