Originally Posted by Carla B

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?

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.

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv

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.

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.

Originally Posted by PennBF

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".

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!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Kup Kake

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Allegiance

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?

Originally Posted by Barefoot

If it were me, I'd disclose when the Purchasers made their first appointment to view the property.

Yes -- immediately at first contact. This comes under "full disclosure" and it needs to be written into the contract, as well.

[Allegiance]

Originally Posted by Kup Kake

Yes -- immediately at first contact. This comes under "full disclosure" and it needs to be written into the contract, as well.

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

Originally Posted by graciegirl

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.

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

[PennBF]

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.

Originally Posted by Allegiance

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

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.

Originally Posted by Barefoot

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.

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.

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by Kup Kake

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.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Kup Kake

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'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.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

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.

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.

[PennBF]

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.

[goodtimesintv]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

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.

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.