[Shellshack]

Throw a dart a a Villages Map. Where ever it lands in the Villages is better than where you live now. Come and enjoy the rest of your life.

[eweissenbach]

“Buildout” is in 2015!

[Curtisbwp]

I live in Sable Chase, a short walk from sumter landing. I love it here. Virginia Trace is also very nice. Sumter landing is is NOT in an outlining area. Spanish springs is on 27/441 and outsiders (thugs).
Brownwood has a police station for a good reason. But move where YOU are comfortable.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by diva1

Just something to consider...if you buy a resale home with no bond, you can fix anything you think needs updating for the price of the big bond you will be paying on the new construction homes.

yes, except that the price of the resale has increased dramatically due to the scarcity of the new houses in that area. . . so the comment is comparing apples and oranges.

the comparison is always, how much can you afford, and where do you want to live. If you want to live 1.5 mi from LSL, and you can't afford the purchase price, or there are no houses in your price range, the bond doesn't matter either way.

The bond is a future expense. The house price is a here and now cash purchase. .

finance guy

[markusmom]

We moved here 4 months ago and live close to Sumter Landing. There are 3 town squares, Spanish Springs, Sumter Landing and Brownwood. All three have live bands every night in the square. But Sumter Landing seems to have more activities. The theatre has been open since we moved here while Spanish Springs and Brownwood are closed. It is has more swimming pools and golf courses and close to all the shopping we need. TV announced they won't be making any more town squares. However, with the new high school going in on 470 along with a new town it will probably be the center of activity in 5 years with plenty of restaurants and shopping. Sporting areas will be all together on the other side 470 with a man made lake. It is closer to the turnpike and Orlando.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by jimdecastro

There are just too many variables. Visiting is the key to your choice. Eventually 470 (which was renamed Central Parkway recently) will be the “halfway point”. But who knows? We just moved to Citrus Grove because of amenities that have been confirmed (hospital, Eastport, Eziel, Sawgrass, etc.). But I have to tell you, I am very concerned about the lack of retail and chain restaurants down here. Hopefully when Meggison and 470 meet that will open up some retail to the east…

But there is ready access to the Turnpike. For now, look a little outside the Villages.


Leesburg is just 15 min away, Clairmount 20, Orlando/Tampa 45, Disney 50.

The northern sections are 20+ min further away.

[ronda]

Originally Posted by Laker14

El Diablo Joe, Bill 14564's post is right on the money. Frankly, I wouldn't worry about being "central" to the overall area of TV. It will be too big of an area for you to get a lot of value by trying to visit the extremes from the middle, wherever those places may happen to eventually be.
What I think would be more helpful is to try to be central to the amenities you think you'll find most meaningful to you. Supposedly, and I think this is true, if you want to be convenient to the most number of golf courses, probably between the 6s (between 466 and 466A), but there's plenty of golf north of 466, and in the Brownwood Area as well, but as you go to those extremes you'll have a longer commute to some of the tracks. If biking and hiking on the trails is your bag, the newer areas would be more attractive. There will still be golf, but not as much, and some long commutes to much of it.
I thought I could figure it out with a few short visits, and even looking at maps, but what really helped us pin down what we wanted was 3 seasons of renting. You don't need 3 seasons of renting, but the more time you spend here the better you'll understand what you want. There is a reason that so many people change locations within TV, and I think the reason is not having spent enough time in the bubble before buying.
So, what activities and features do you think you'll find most attractive?

Laker14, you took the words right out of my mouth. I think the area between 466 and 466A is very desirable, because of the proximity to town squares and golf courses. This appeal should remain, even if TV grows. I can't imaging an amenity they would put in the south that i won't have between the 6's, and if there is, I can always get in the car and drive to it.

I would recommend more focus on Local conditions things like: close to town squares, but not so close you hear the music at night, not close to pickle ball courts and hear the click/click, not too close the Polo field and hear the loud speakers, not too close to major road and hear traffic noise, if golf course lot then no golf cart path behind and out of range for golf balls, southern exposure on the lanai, not close to family pools and hear the kids squawking, no power lines in back yard, etc.

[frose]

rent for a couple of months to see if this place will agree with you.. made that mistake, purchased before I knew what this place was all about.

[ronda]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

yes, except that the price of the resale has increased dramatically due to the scarcity of the new houses in that area. . . so the comment is comparing apples and oranges.

the comparison is always, how much can you afford, and where do you want to live. If you want to live 1.5 mi from LSL, and you can't afford the purchase price, or there are no houses in your price range, the bond doesn't matter either way.

The bond is a future expense. The house price is a here and now cash purchase. .

finance guy

Finance guy, interesting thoughts. I guess this is where behavioral economics come in.

I've grappled with how to think about the bond for a bit, before I bought my house. In my brain the bond is an ongoing carrying expense every year, like a mortgage. It's not a 100% comparison, because then bond can be transferred to the person who buys your house, if you sell it. So, I think it somewhat depends on how long you plan to keep the house. Not sure if you sell a house wiht a lower bond, if you get a higher selling price. My guess is no, but it might be viewed as more desirable than one with a higher bond, and therefore get more offers.

Also, if you buy a house without a bond, you can always take a mortgage out on it for the value of the bond you would have paid on the other house you were going to buy and call it even, if you keep the house. If you sell the house, of course you need to pay off the mortgage,, where bonds get passed on to the new homeowner.

Well, those are my thought, for what they are worth.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by ronda

I can't imaging an amenity they would put in the south that i won't have between the 6's

The southern area has lots of beautiful walking/biking paths. North of Route 44, there are none.

Originally Posted by ronda

and if there is, I can always get in the car and drive to it.

That is true. Since we live north of Route 44, we need to put our bikes on a carrier and drive to the southern area just to ride our bikes.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by ronda

Finance guy, interesting thoughts. I guess this is where behavioral economics come in.

I've grappled with how to think about the bond for a bit, before I bought my house. In my brain the bond is an ongoing carrying expense every year, like a mortgage. It's not a 100% comparison, because then bond can be transferred to the person who buys your house, if you sell it. So, I think it somewhat depends on how long you plan to keep the house. Not sure if you sell a house wiht a lower bond, if you get a higher selling price. My guess is no, but it might be viewed as more desirable than one with a higher bond, and therefore get more offers.

Also, if you buy a house without a bond, you can always take a mortgage out on it for the value of the bond you would have paid on the other house you were going to buy and call it even, if you keep the house. If you sell the house, of course you need to pay off the mortgage,, where bonds get passed on to the new homeowner.

Well, those are my thought, for what they are worth.

Good for you! The question is actually difficult to answer, because every transaction is unique, just as every buyer and every house is unique. That being said, your question comes down to the buyer, can he/she afford and find your property worth the sales price and the bond, if any? If not, you wait until there is one.. . the problem with selling a house is usually being motivated to sell, ie, one needs the money asap and can't afford to wait to realize the desired sales price, excluding this market.

But, you also type as if you aren't sure whether you the bond should be paid off. That is a different question. If you are young 55-65 and after a year or two, you think that this is a forever type home, then paying off the bond, if easily affordable, removes rented money and a monthly expense, assuming that you save monthly for the annual payment, removing the payment from the your capital base, and keeping it within your annual income. That last statement was written for those who confuse a monthly expense with an annual payment. . .

Reducing fixed expenses from a fixed income stream, whether a salary or a social security payment gives more flexibility to discretionary spending, and reduces stress on unexpected expenses . .

Will you get your money back if you pay off the bond early? yes, if the sales price is greater than the purchase price plus the bond value. . . which has recently happened with the surge of prices due to excess demand by retiring peeps. . . but this is unusual in how fast it happened.

So the OP, be sure you understand what the bond means, and the implication for you finances and affordability of whatever you decide to buy.

Although many advise to rent to figure out exactly where you want to buy, there are times when getting in sooner gives you more options in the future, especially if your finances are tight, or you truly can't make a decision in a relatively reasonable time, when supply is desirable and limited. We did buy in our first week of our first visit when Marsh bend was just opened, and little amenities or retail was built, as we could envision the future and the lot was close to alot of current and future desirable options.

figure out what is important to you and look for that scenario

[patfla06]

Location is definitely important when buying a house here.

When we bought in 2013 we didn’t care about the location of the amenities
as much as buying a new house. Neither of us golfs so it made location easier.

We spent many years up north redoing our house and then built a new custom house in Tampa. We knew we wanted only new. There was only 1 model we wanted. And we wanted a view. Luckily being just south of 466A
amenities were already built.

In 2013 when we bought they were selling 500 houses a month compared
to 200 a month now. It was totally crazy.

[Koapaka]

We chose to buy in the current geographic center of TV for access....but as time passes, that center area will drift south with development......no concerns here, because they will then be dealing with the "development" issues to the south of them (like Brownwood is now) insulating us even further into "why bother" territory". Damn the bad luck....LOL

[Kelevision]

Originally Posted by Boston-Sean

Having not visited yet I'm curious what about Fenny makes it too noisy. Can't be the turnpike. What about the location of your friends home makes it noisy?

Noise is a major concern of mine and until I visit all I have to go by is looking at a map and speculating on what might be a problem.

Having said that I've lived near Logan airport for 20 years and I barely notice the planes unless they are flying right over head.

Fenney is so quiet. It’s the most beautiful of the Villages IMO. I don’t live there but frequently eat at the Grill and ride my bike around all the paths. Incredibly quiet. The lots in Hammock of Fenney are some of the most expensive due to the privacy. They price lots based on rooftops. How close/far and how many you can see. Those lots in Fenney for sale now, you only see golf course and nature preserve. No rooftop in sight.

[ronda]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

Good for you! The question is actually difficult to answer, because every transaction is unique, just as every buyer and every house is unique. That being said, your question comes down to the buyer, can he/she afford and find your property worth the sales price and the bond, if any? If not, you wait until there is one.. . the problem with selling a house is usually being motivated to sell, ie, one needs the money asap and can't afford to wait to realize the desired sales price, excluding this market.

But, you also type as if you aren't sure whether you the bond should be paid off. That is a different question. If you are young 55-65 and after a year or two, you think that this is a forever type home, then paying off the bond, if easily affordable, removes rented money and a monthly expense, assuming that you save monthly for the annual payment, removing the payment from the your capital base, and keeping it within your annual income. That last statement was written for those who confuse a monthly expense with an annual payment. . .

Reducing fixed expenses from a fixed income stream, whether a salary or a social security payment gives more flexibility to discretionary spending, and reduces stress on unexpected expenses . .

Will you get your money back if you pay off the bond early? yes, if the sales price is greater than the purchase price plus the bond value. . . which has recently happened with the surge of prices due to excess demand by retiring peeps. . . but this is unusual in how fast it happened.

So the OP, be sure you understand what the bond means, and the implication for you finances and affordability of whatever you decide to buy.

Although many advise to rent to figure out exactly where you want to buy, there are times when getting in sooner gives you more options in the future, especially if your finances are tight, or you truly can't make a decision in a relatively reasonable time, when supply is desirable and limited. We did buy in our first week of our first visit when Marsh bend was just opened, and little amenities or retail was built, as we could envision the future and the lot was close to alot of current and future desirable options.

figure out what is important to you and look for that scenario

CoachKandSportsGuy,

Thanks for your reply. Great to get the perspectives of fellow villagers.