Nope still confused a little myself. The information that any rep would have is what they are told. The guy said he was going to assistant living OK does that really matter to me NO, if the lanai was expanded a measuring tape would work well for me.

It's strange that the Real Estate agent didn't finalize the sale by delivering an executed contract to the Purchaser.
This situation leaves a lot of unanswered questions. :confused:
Most Real Estate agents don't get paid until the sale is complete, and a copy of the contract, acknowledged by the Purchaser, has been filed.

Unrealistic
 

It is unrealistic for some to say that VLS is the best over MLS. Not all VLS is good and not all MLS is good as they are driven by personalities. I have a relative who is a broker both in Florida and in a more northern state. She points out the laws in the northern states are much more restrictive than Florida. Anytime we purchase a home we always send the contract off to an expert to let us know if there is anything we should be aware of. That has helped a lot in making sure the holes are plugged. It is difficult to discuss the differences with the MLS vs VLS as what a person believes is "reality" to them and we all know that is hard to change. We really love the Villages but we are not so blind as to believe everything is always right. The Villages Management and Government is also driven by personalities. As the great Barnum once said, "you can fool some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time.":bowdown:

Please read the original post on this thread and see if you can figure out the problem the poster is having.

What's the Point
 

Not sure of the point being made by a writer. Nothing changes from my note. This is all a perception problem. That northern real estate laws may be more restrictive is a fact. That does not detract from the perception that the Agent, in the eyes of the buyer is deceptive? Whether the Agent is "deceptive" is not a fact as the Agent may and probably does have an entirely different view of negotiations. Since this is "Contract" issue it would not be unique for both sides to have different perceptions which they view as reality. Whether MLS or VLS contracts, negotiations remain the same, perceptions remain the same and the end result is compromise. :bowdown:

Me either. I don't understand the original post.

My take is that the OP is a MLS agent trying to discredit TV agents. I just can't believe that she reported to the sales office that they ignored her. The last sentence of her post says it all. "Use MLS"

Well, here's another question for curious minds: In today's classifieds in "The Daily Sun," under Properties of The Villages are photos of various Villages agents with their names and titles. The properties they are advertising are all preowned, not new.

For example, Mike Joy is a "Sales & Marketing Representative," while LaDonna Zimmerman is a "Licensed Real Estate Professional."

So what is the difference between the two designations? Maybe a Sales & Marketing Rep has a real estate agent's license and a Licensed Real Estate Professional has a broker's license?

Impossible!

A Villages' agent cannot and does not have access to the MLS system because The Villages real estate is not a member of the local board.

Absolutely not true. The only thing Villages' agents have to do is take an open book quiz to renew their license every two years.

Members of a local board are offered many different classes for general knowledge and specific courses to obtain various Realtor certifications.

There is a HUGE difference!

I didn't get that impression at all. When someone is unhappy with the way something is done or with the person who represents a certain company, for instance, they will always have unfavorable words for them and choose to use an alternative. In this case they said to "use MLS," which is perfectly understandable in this case.

I don't know anyone who wouldn't use an alternative, given a situation such as this.

All very well and good, but can you understand and explain the OP's original post?

No one has yet figured out what is meant.

Here it is Kup Cake. Can you understand what the problem is?

Gracie -- I think I get it. There is a lot of superfluous information in the post, but I believe Jamblu mentioned those few things so that we readers would understand that the agent lied from the beginning by saying the man was the original owner, that he expanded the lanai, etc. Seemingly, all the things the agent told the buyer (Jamblu) were lies.

Subsequently, when he/she didn't receive the signed contract and after fruitlessly trying to contact the broker, he/she was left hanging with no response from the agent or broker and was really ticked off. Having received no satisfaction whatsoever from the agent or broker, Jamblu is dissing the agent, broker and all VLS agents, which really is not fair, but understandable when a situation such as this happens. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth and everything is exaggerated.

Yes, MLS agents/Realtors are bound by a strict and written Code of Ethics, which the Villages' agents are not. But the truth is you will always find good and bad in every field of business. There is no excuse for him/her not being given a copy of the fully executed contract. Jambu should issue a complaint with the Florida Real Estate Commission and the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation. If everything is true as I understand it to be, Jamblu really does have a leg to stand on and the agent should be disciplined.

Of course there is always another side of the story. Perhaps the seller wanted his lawyer to look over the contract, I would, and that takes time. It is not as easy as just signing a piece of paper.

Could Have
 

It is reasonable to also consider the owner (a) said he was the original owner, (b) added the lanai, (c) was going into an assisted living facility. The Agent could have gone to the tax records but felt the owner was truthful. Once the new buyer found out someone did not tell the truth to just rip the contract up. No one was "making" them sign. Rather then walking away there is an attempt to bring consequences to the agent which may be unfair as they could be called out for not doing some additional investigation but no attempt to intentionally mislead. Key word being "intentional". :mornincoffee:

Just for general information. Anyone who is interested in how much homes cost here in The Villages and how old they are and who lived in them and how much the taxes are can go to any of the three county's property owners sites. You type in the address and it tells you how much the previous owner(s) paid for the property, when it was built etc. Here is the one to Sumter County; sumterpa.com. On the Sumter County Site do NOT type in the last part of the street address, such as Lane, Circle, Drive etc. If you want to find out how much your neighbors paid for their homes just type in your street name...no circle, drive, lane, boulevard etc...and see. It pays to stay informed as to how much your investment is worth.

If I were buying a resale I would find out all that I could myself. Having lived here for nine years, I have trust in The Developer. It is not to their best interest to fib. They don't have to. People are lined up to buy homes here. This is the fastest growing area in the whole country.

I am NOT a realtor, agent and I don't sell anything, nor is any one in my family or any friends a realtor.

I love my Village Real Estate Agent.... I have sold and purchased 3 homes here in the Villages and have had absolutely no problem. Like someone previously said, "There can always be a bad apple in the bunch"

I don't know why the o.p. did not complain to The Villages Sales Managers. TV is strict, strict, strict about what is said and done by its sales staff.

Many of the VLS sales reps are independent contractors, paying their own expenses as MLS agents do at outside agencies, and the VLS reps are expendable if they do not produce or commit misrepresentation. There are dozens more available to replace them, as experienced agents move here and get their real estate license in FL.

Experienced agents would LOVE to get that access to TV's literal gold mine of marketing and advertising data system that targets national and international customers.

On the other hand, regular MLS agencies I've seen will keep any Joe Blow as an agent, regardless of whether they produce or starve, because that agent isn't costing the agency anything.

There are two real estate systems which sell pre-owned homes in The Villages - MLS and VLS.
MLS agents don't have access to VLS listings. VLS agents don't have access to MLS listings.
There are more listings for pre-owned homes in The Villages on VLS than on MLS.

True. And in some cases, an MLS agent is paying a "desk fee" to the Broker.

:agree:

Slightly off topic. At what point should a person disclose that they are a florida licensed agent if they are the owner of a property they are trying to sell as owner?

Well this person has place classified ads on totv and shown several properties without revealing. I wonder what the letter of the law says.

There is no difference, Carla. All they are, are agents and one is no different from the other. Period. What they call themselves are words they choose to use -- a marketing ploy, if you will, to make you believe they have earned the title.

If the agents were Realtors and they use a designation, they would have had to work for the title by taking courses and passing tests. Hence -- another difference between Villages' agents and Realtors.

It really irritates me when I read things from (well-meaning perhaps???), self-created experts.

According to what Jamblu said, he did try to contact a broker and never got a call back. Read his/her original post. And NO, only some agents want to sell real estate in TV, but not all licensees because they have too many unusual rules. I'm not aware of an "advertising data system" that targets national and international customers. Please explain what that is.

Qualified real estate offices will generally not keep a Realtor in their employ if they do not produce. They can't afford to as it does cost the broker money to have them affiliated with the company.

The tax rolls do not show physical additions to a property. The agent cannot accept "blind faith" regarding things a seller saysif it's an important fact that relates to the property; it is the agent's responsibility to check details before passing them on as true to the buyer or anyone else.

Neither the buyer or seller cannot "just rip the contract up" and think it's over. There are forms that need to be signed by both parties before it actually could be considered a "dead deal."

If an agent is acting in accordance to the law and in good faith, there will never be consequences for the agent. And yes -- an agent can get away with something if they're a good enough liar!

They have relocation services. They locate a realtor in your northern city who works with you and them, IF you want that kind of service....and you get discounts on movers, etc. The Villages gets a kick back if I remember correctly.

The Villages sold ten percent of all U.S. Real Estate sold during the past down season when real estate was stagnant all across the land.. New customers are generally assigned to the Villages Agents unless the client asks for one particularly. Being aggressive and persistent is discouraged. They don't have to be aggressive or persistent, they just need to be low key and available. They are wonderful and don't call you back unless you ask them to.

I have read Jamblu's post several times and only she knows what it means. She is unhappy and she feels she has been lied to, but the rest doesn't make any logical points for many of us.

Perhaps the agent was fired when Jamblu reported she lied. They can have whoever they want to sell for them. They don't need to keep anyone who is not top drawer.

They can call themselves Villages reps, and many of us call them friends. They seem to enjoy themselves and us older buyers who have to be the savviest in the market. We have been there, done that in some cases all over the country and in some cases the world.

So I assume it should have also been disclosed into a totv ad?

You are correct and a "referral fee" is universal throughout the industry.

Quick to Act
 

It is unfortunate so many are quick to want to fire someone or complain to their Manager and cause them real problems but those same people are slow to do it themselves. Not everybody understands the complex system which may be needed to track and trace property. I thinks I pretty much understand the process but don't put the same assumptions on others. That is a classic short coming in understanding others and their limitations. We should be slow to judge others and quick to give them some slack and understanding. :wave:

Truthfully, I can't remember the legality of posting it with the ad, but most reputable licensees would have the words "owner/agent" in the ad.

Barefoot -- you are correct that the Villages has more resale listings than MLS brokers. However, I am surprised at how many homeowners whose property did not sell when initially listed with TV, have sold fairly quickly when listed with an outside broker (MLS).

I have heard some not very nice stories about Village listed resale properties but will not quote them here because I have no way to verify their credibility.

My VLS agent kept pushing me toward new homes. He never showed me a preowned even though I repeatedly asked him to do so. He also informed me he would not help me find a bargain. I finally gave up on him although he had several referrals on TOTV from supposedly happy customers.

I'd need to know the VLS list price versus the MLS list price to comment.
Sometimes owners set a high price with VLS and insist that their house is worth that money.
And then, after a few months of inactivity, they realize their house is overpriced.
They reduce the price, list with MLS, and their home sells quickly.
That is speculation on my part, but that was our experience in 2007.

The CYV we purchased was listed with The Villages for a few months, and we felt the price was too high.
And then the owners dropped the price significantly, and listed the CYV with MLS.
I was watching the CYV on the computer because it backed on a golf course and was in a mid-town location.
We bought the CYV on MLS, sight unseen.
Not because of clever marketing, but because the price had been reduced.

Our VLS showed us preowned at our request. We decided both times to buy new. I didn't feel he did anything but follow our lead.

He told you he wouldn't find a bargain or he told you there was no negotiating on a new home? Which is always surprising to new shoppers here. There isn't. AND you can only buy with a conventional loan on a new home, not VA or FHA.

I understand that more than half of people buying homes in The Villages pay for them outright with no loan.

Wife Smart
 

My wife gets all the credit for the home we purchased. She studied The Villages, and homes for sale for about 2 years. We rented one year for 2 months and another year for a month. When the right home and location became available we knew exactly what we were buying and we immediately bought. We didn't rely on a sales person as my wife did the homework. That was about 9 years ago and we are extremely happy with the home and location. No question the Villages Administration made the purchase much easier, (e.g. closing etc.). I think that is the way to move to the Villages since there are so many choices and it is critical to make the right decision first rather than buying multiple homes over the years to get it right. It is a saying that many residents buy multiple homes before they get it right. :popcorn:

With Open House 7 days a week, morning and afternoon sessions, there's more opportunity to see and browse preowned homes that way than with a couple of hours with a sales rep.

If they push newbies toward new homes, it's to teach/learn what the various floorpans are like in a category/categories.

The sellers of resale homes expect showings of their home to be interested buyers, not everyone here on Lifestyle Preview Stay (hundreds weekly) who don't even know yet if they'd like to live in Central Florida, much less here TV.