[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by frayedends

Amazon collects taxes. I buy from many online retailers. None of that is the point. You are right. They aren’t amenities, so we have all the amenities down here that up north has.

I could sell my home for a $150k profit right now if my year was up. Maybe a small house with missing lanai wouldn’t make a profit but I’m secure in my home value. Prices dropping in the dead of winter is not a concern for anyone looking long term.

RIGHT NOW, buyers are not lining up in the Dabney area. The developer had to slash the price of HUNDREDS of homes. This is the first time this has occurred in the southern area. Using this information, some of us are speculating that a resell in that area is going to be difficult. I hope you prove us wrong!

We are not bashing the Dabney area. We are simply discussing what the Dabney area lacks. There must be a reason buyers are not willing to purchase there. Again, I hope you are correct that this is silly talk and all will work out in the end.

A further discussion are homes in Moultrie Creek. The question for buyers AT THIS TIME is, " Should I wait to buy near Eastport because the Developer will have to slash prices like in Dabney?" We are ALL on the same learning curve.

This is an open discussion that none of us know the correct answer. Time will tell. Please do not take it to heart.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Yeah and you continually complain that Southern Oaks is too close to the turnpike...

Now you're complaining that Laurel Oak is "right next to the turnpike"...

Would you have complained that this mythical course, that hey had plenty of room to build, was also too close to the turnpike?

I have never complained about Southern Oaks being too close to the Turnpike. In fact, I think it is a great location for a golf course.

And I didn’t complain about Laurel Oaks being next to the Turnpike. I mentioned Laurel Oaks because, according to the maps, it appears to take up very little space so I think there was room for it on the other side of the Turnpike.

I would much prefer that the developer build golf courses right next to the Turnpike instead of putting houses next to the Turnpike. Houses would have a golf course view and be farther from the Turnpike. The Turnpike noise doesn’t bother me when I play golf but I have seen a lot of comments from people who live near the Turnpike and it does appear to be a problem for some of them.

[Pat2015]

Originally Posted by mikemalloy

Just curious, if you need a quart of milk where do you go?

Guess you don’t know that there’s all kinds of shopping 10 mins or less away by car to Publix, Winn Dixie, gas stations, restaurants, etc., right at 470 and 29.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Pat2015

Guess you don’t know that there’s all kinds of shopping 10 mins or less away by car to Publix, Winn Dixie, gas stations, restaurants, etc., right at 470 and 29.

This is getting old! A poster stated he does not need brick and mortar stores. Another poster then asked, "so, where do you buy a quart of milk?" Proving that we ALL need brick and mortar stores.

[Randall55]

Just a heads up! I went to Moultrie Creek to look at the floorplans of the new models. Sales in that area are ON FIRE! For now, it appears buyers were simply not interested in Lake Denham/Dabney. Let's see what the end of summer brings. For many reasons, I still prefer the villages that will be closer to Eastport. But, many are loving this area. The Championship golf course and country club are beautiful.

The new floorplans are nice.Very modern and different than the older models. I expect a premiere area will be built somewhere in the Eastport area. Goldwingnut will have to fill us in.

[frayedends]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

This is getting old! A poster stated he does not need brick and mortar stores. Another poster then asked, "so, where do you buy a quart of milk?" Proving that we ALL need brick and mortar stores.

Just to clarify, when I said I don’t need brick and mortar stores it was about the stores in the squares. Not food markets. I don’t let other people pick my meat and produce.

[Craig Vernon]

Originally Posted by TeresaE

The Villages real estate company, Properties of The Villages, does not participate in the local mls. To find all the available preowned homes you need to engage both a Villages real estate agent for the homes listed with The Properties of The Villages AND and outside agent who can show you the homes listed for sale that you can find on Zillow.

I am well aware of this thank you. As of 2-18 there are 1,400 total homes for sale in TV and growing daily.

[Craig Vernon]

Originally Posted by Justputt

I live in Dabney, and you are correct in some respects. The distance by CART to Eastport is a pain, since you have to go North to Sawgrass to cross the TP. However, by car it's only about 4 miles and a very fast run from Dabney over 470. Sawgrass is an easy run, but not much there, IMO. On the bright side, Dabney is only a few miles by CAR to Winn-Dixie, Publix, Wendy's, McD, etc along 27, which also makes a run to Walmart, etc. easy enough. I do wish getting over the TP by cart was easier, but access to anything by cart is really just a TV thing, lol. Bond prices near Eastport are higher, don't like being that close to the prison (lights/safety/etc), and if Eastport ends up being a major hub of activity, that's going to mean traffic, noise, probably a lot of rentals rather than steady neighbors, and all the ball fields, lake, etc activities, probably year around congestion. In Dabney, I can drive over in minutes for anything that interests me and drive back to peace and quiet just as quickly.

Very kind and thoughtful response. Thank You...

[Craig Vernon]

Originally Posted by frayedends

It’s horrible here in Lake Denham. I’m sitting here wondering how I’ll survive the huge financial loss. Nowhere to go. Nothing to do. Nothing to see. A vast wasteland. It’s like Mad Max out here. Not even a gas station. I think the villages is going to put a real bubble dome over us and forget we are here at all. Oh how I wish we bought up north. Oh the humanity.

[Craig Vernon]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

RIGHT NOW, buyers are not lining up in the Dabney area. The developer had to slash the price of HUNDREDS of homes. This is the first time this has occurred in the southern area. Using this information, some of us are speculating that a resell in that area is going to be difficult. I hope you prove us wrong!

We are not bashing the Dabney area. We are simply discussing what the Dabney area lacks. There must be a reason buyers are not willing to purchase there. Again, I hope you are correct that this is silly talk and all will work out in the end.

A further discussion are homes in Moultrie Creek. The question for buyers AT THIS TIME is, " Should I wait to buy near Eastport because the Developer will have to slash prices like in Dabney?" We are ALL on the same learning curve.

This is an open discussion that none of us know the correct answer. Time will tell. Please do not take it to heart.

Well said.

[Coop63]

Originally Posted by Normal

It’s a buyer’s market. If you buy, look only for the very best deals. I would hold off a little longer. Inventory is already at historic highs (6 months). Wait at least till summer.

Anecdotal observation based on looking at homes on Zillow. Tastefully decorated homes between the sixes, and just south of 466a seem to be moving. Homes north of 466 are overpriced. This is just my opinion.

I am nearing retirement, living in a northern blue state, snow birding near Orlando. I am selling my home when we get back (beginning of April) and moving to the Villages. I have never seen so much political divisiveness and my main concern is getting value out of my existing homestead before things get any worse. I know it sounds like fear, maybe age, but conditions are quickly deteriorating in suburban areas.

I am seeing more younger couples with dogs, rather than families, who vote based on emotion. They proudly display their ideological preferences on flags and banners. They seem fine paying more taxes in the face of shrinking services and more accepting of the encroaching blight.

Perhaps these are similar to the complaints of our grand parents. At this point in life, I would rather be around people who share similar values. I was super impressed with the cleanliness of the villages. Given what I have seen walking around our neighborhood at home, I developed a new found appreciation for deed restrictions. I have seen too many brightly colored doors that clash with the house, and yards in need of fertilizer, edging, hedging and basic home care that our generation took pride in. Yep, I am getting older, maybe wiser :-)

[Normal]

Originally Posted by Coop63

Anecdotal observation based on looking at homes on Zillow. Tastefully decorated homes between the sixes, and just south of 466a seem to be moving. Homes north of 466 are overpriced. This is just my opinion.

I am nearing retirement, living in a northern blue state, snow birding near Orlando. I am selling my home when we get back (beginning of April) and moving to the Villages. I have never seen so much political divisiveness and my main concern is getting value out of my existing homestead before things get any worse. I know it sounds like fear, maybe age, but conditions are quickly deteriorating in suburban areas.

I am seeing more younger couples with dogs, rather than families, who vote based on emotion. They proudly display their ideological preferences on flags and banners. They seem fine paying more taxes in the face of shrinking services and more accepting of the encroaching blight.

Perhaps these are similar to the complaints of our grand parents. At this point in life, I would rather be around people who share similar values. I was super impressed with the cleanliness of the villages. Given what I have seen walking around our neighborhood at home, I developed a new found appreciation for deed restrictions. I have seen too many "brightly colored" doors that clash with the house, and yards in need of fertilizer, edging, hedging and basic home care that our generation took pride in. Yep, I am getting older, maybe wiser :-)

Welcome!

I couldn’t agree more. They shall reap what they sew in 30 years when their children (few and far between) will have to support the tax system, SS (if it’s around) and everything else. Their puppies won’t cut it.

If you are choosing the Villages, there are a few considerations to reduce financial losses.

Look for unincorporated areas. Avoid Wildwood, Fruitland Park, Leesburg and Lady Lake. Buying Villages property in those areas guarantees 10 to 15 percent add ons to your tax bill. Also Lake county charges more than Sumter for taxes for now.

Look for stucco mason structures, those reduce some insurance costs.

Look for paid bonds, that will reduce your fees aggregated with taxes and file for exemptions like homestead or military.

Also, buy that fixer upper if you can. Property taxes are based on what you pay for your home, not future values.

Good luck!

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I have not once bashed the north. I love Brownwood.

The above quote makes me laugh. Here’s your sign. When someone references a place that is about a 45 minute golf cart ride due south from your home as “the north”, you know the Villages is getting really big! It makes one wonder how many different broadcast frequencies WVLG will be airing ten years from now?

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Don't forget the toll plaza is nearby with a couple of fast food places and odds & ends. Came in handy very early one morning. :-)

But you have to get on the highway to get to the plaza & then get off of the highway to get home. Convenient if you are going somewhere passing by the plaza, not so convenient otherwise.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

The above quote makes me laugh. Here’s your sign. When someone references a place that is about a 45 minute golf cart ride due south from your home as “the north”, you know the Villages is getting really big! It makes one wonder how many different broadcast frequencies WVLG will be airing ten years from now?

Below Brownwood - too hot for me. Is the predominant language still English that far below the equator ?