[andercat]

We have our home for sale listed with the Properties of The Villages. I tend to be skeptical by nature and was wondering if anyone has experienced what we have experienced. During high season we had very few showings on our house. Now that high season is over, we are seeing 4 to 5 showings a week. How is this possible? We have fewer people in town yet more showings. Does anyone know if The Villages sales representatives are given incentives to show new homes during high season? New homes continue to have a discount so that has not changed. Just seems odd to me. I'm interested in your thoughts.

[Carla B]

Don't know if they're given incentives. In April of the year we bought, the salesperson discouraged looking at pre-owned homes by saying they cost as much as new houses. It was while the market was on the way down.

[Cobh521]

I don't believe that is the case. When we were looking two years ago, we wanted to see preowned properties with bond paid. Our sales rep showed us whatever we wanted. While most were very nice, the owners of the preowned wanted the same amount as the new construction. The preowned also needed some decor modifications. When we sat down and thought about it we decided not to go with preowned and bought new instead.

[shcisamax]

I think the above means went with new due to the warranty rather than went with preowned.
What we discovered after purchasing a new home (we built) was there was a boat load of money that needed to be spent on top of the price of the house. If I were to do it again, I would only buy preowned. A couple years old with everything done even if you have to repaint because of colors is a whole lot easier and far less expensive after purchase than buying new.

[shcisamax]

As for the OP's question as to whether the agents are working to sell new first. I would have to agree. There are two houses nearby that have been for sale for several months. They have had several people come but none had been brought by Village agents until last week. Curious.

[CFrance]

Our neighbor's house sold in a week through TV, in high season. Our neighbor on the other side sold in one day last fall through TV.

Lots of different equations go into the time it takes to sell a house--the condition of the house, the location, the lot, the price...

[shcisamax]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Lots of different equations go into the time it takes to sell a house--the condition of the house, the location, the lot, the price...

Very true and pricing of the house is paramount. I wonder if the agents for these houses over priced them.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Our neighbor's house sold in a week through TV, in high season. Our neighbor on the other side sold in one day last fall through TV.

Lots of different equations go into the time it takes to sell a house--the condition of the house, the location, the lot, the price...

Exactly. Our friends sold in less than a week and had several lookers because the house (villa) was pristine, in a good location, and priced right. Very little negotiation needed. Handled by The Villages sales rep.

[capecoralbill]

I had a Prop of the Villages listing that finally sold after 2 months this April 2015, I asked the Village person for more open houses ....she practically laughed at me. All they do is list, then sit back and let the system/web do their work for them. I am not impressed, but they have you captive. And they only allow such a small sign on the house that no one driving by would hardly notice it, outside MLS realtors at least put up signs you can see and conduct open houses. Not sure what i'd do the next time, maybe FSBO, as the 6 percent commission can really add up.

[T-325]

First though I had was -- is it time for the sales contract renewal? Maybe they were trying to create some excitement so that you would renew with them.

Probably off base..but

[NYGUY]

Let us not forget, season is not over at the end of March, many stay through April and some into and through May.

[JoMar]

Originally Posted by capecoralbill

I had a Prop of the Villages listing that finally sold after 2 months this April 2015, I asked the Village person for more open houses ....she practically laughed at me. All they do is list, then sit back and let the system/web do their work for them. I am not impressed, but they have you captive. And they only allow such a small sign on the house that no one driving by would hardly notice it, outside MLS realtors at least put up signs you can see and conduct open houses. Not sure what i'd do the next time, maybe FSBO, as the 6 percent commission can really add up.

At this end of the world no signs are permitted by either TV, MLS or owners. You can put them out until someone calls Community Standards and then deal with it. Not sure what the rules are farther north. It would be interesting to know the success rate of MLS sales compared to TV but somehow I doubt we will ever know.

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by shcisamax

As for the OP's question as to whether the agents are working to sell new first. I would have to agree. There are two houses nearby that have been for sale for several months. They have had several people come but none had been brought by Village agents until last week. Curious.

I was told by a TV sales rep that one reason new homes are shown to newcomers and preview people is that it's to give them an idea of the various home series (villas, ranch/cottage, designer, premier) and floor plans. Then, after narrowing down the type/price of home, a more serious buyer is looking at the resale listings.

With 300+ lifestyle preview people/couples here at any given time, it would be a madhouse for sellers if TV sales reps were to set up showings for all the lookers here who aren't ready yet or aren't serious about buying yet.

I know when we've listed our past homes for sale, it is maddening to get it all ready and perfected for showings when you're living in it, and have to take the pets away during the showings. Sellers want serious buyers coming for showings, and all the lifestyle preview people here by the dozens shouldn't go traipsing thru pre-owned sellers' homes when they're not remotely ready to buy.

[skipalong]

Don't kid yourself. The villages Real Estate's MAIN job is to sell NEW homes. Sure they sell used homes but ask anyone that has bought a new home that started by looking at used homes and I'll bet ya they were heavily encouraged to buy a new one. They sure do sell used homes the one's that are priced right and look great but I'd love to see some stats on how many used buyers bought new houses. I'm on my third house and I can tell you buying new costs a lot more in the long run than a nice used home.....

[sunnyatlast]

Originally Posted by skipalong

Don't kid yourself. The villages Real Estate's MAIN job is to sell NEW homes. Sure they sell used homes but ask anyone that has bought a new home that started by looking at used homes and I'll bet ya they were heavily encouraged to buy a new one. They sure do sell used homes the one's that are priced right and look great but I'd love to see some stats on how many used buyers bought new houses. I'm on my third house and I can tell you buying new costs a lot more in the long run than a nice used home.....

I agree, but there is definite joy in buying/building a brand new home having no Granny decor and no smells from other people or pets in it.

Many people here have never had a brand new home before, and now they finally get to experience that and seeing all their decades of hard work and saving/investing turn into a joyful new home.

If most buyers coming in wanted used homes, TV certainly wouldn't be building 2,000 more new ones in Fruitland Park and 800 more new ones along 466-A and several hundred in Marion County along 42.