[gm1180]

I am very new in the process of looking at The Villages and hope to visit this year. Guess I need to start that process now. In reading this do I understand that they put you up in privately owned homes that are in some sort of program? If so is that a good investment opportunity for someone wishing to move there in a few years?

[Posh 08]

OK. My guy says they hope to know by the 1st or 2nd week in April what program is being offered. Soooooo, I'm going to roll the dice and put in for leave. My Sis is coming this trip. Miss Sam is booked up til Sept. We'll make the trip even if it means the WFI.

For now, I must get the corned beef going.

[Ohiogirl]

Originally Posted by gm1180

I am very new in the process of looking at The Villages and hope to visit this year. Guess I need to start that process now. In reading this do I understand that they put you up in privately owned homes that are in some sort of program? If so is that a good investment opportunity for someone wishing to move there in a few years?

The Villages periodically changes their Lifestyle preview plan accommodations. Currently they use Creekside Cabanas (except for the street they sold), the unsold Cottages at Lake Sumter, and private homes in their Property Management portfolio. I don't know how they make those assignments, not sure if you can request a private home or not. Previously, I don't think you were able to request a private home in a particular village or even general area, just found out what you got when you got here.

Maybe it was a good investment opportunity to buy and rent out for awhile when prices here and everywhere else in Florida were rising astronomically - they were still going up when my sister and I bought. I rented ours out for 4 years, using for vacations and maintenance weeks. I rented mine privately (using rental websites and repeat tenants). It's a lot of work doing it from a distance, even with local caretakers and cleaning services, and although a nice tax write-off for me, not for everyone.

My sister uses The Villages Prop Mgmt, and there are several other companies that do all the work for you - but you pay a substantial percentage of your rents for that (around 15-22%). They send you a monthly statement and I think check (or direct deposit probably) if applicable. If you're in The Villages program, your contract says you cannot use it at all Jan.-March, and the rest of the time, you have to pay $25/night (I think that is the current price) to stay in your own home while you are here, plus a cleaning fee when you leave.

Most "experts" feel it will take years for the real estate market to improve, although here in TV we haven't been hit nearly as hard as most of the rest of Florida and much of the country. Prices here or still at or slightly below where they were in early 2007, before the bust. I think more expensive stuff (resales, anyway) has been hurt more than the under $250,000 range. Just MO, haven't tracked this.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by beckychilton

what does " crisper" mean?

The third Friday of every month, there is a TOTV lunch at Crisper's restaurant for anyone from TOTV who wants to meet and mingle with the people who post on TOTV. And I am planning on being at the June TOTV lunch at Crispers as I will be in TV then.

[daca55]

I went to LSV in Nov 2011. I made my reservation but I didn't hear from them about arrangements until Sept. Hang in there. You will hear from them. Call a sales agent if you aren't comfortable waiting.

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by daca55

I went to LSV in Nov 2011. I made my reservation but I didn't hear from them about arrangements until Sept. Hang in there. You will hear from them. Call a sales agent if you aren't comfortable waiting.

I have been in touch with my sales folks. They will alert me when bookings open up. All is well.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Posh 08

I have been in touch with my sales folks. They will alert me when bookings open up. All is well.

happy to hear that it is going to work out for ya! sales folks can do some pretty nifty things! enjoy the visit!

[Posh 08]

LSVs are now open for June. Sis and I are booked. Hope to see some of yall.

[gm1180]

I received a call last week that the summer visits would open up today 4/10 at 9am est. I called this AM a couple minutes after 9 and was told they are not ready to take calls yet. Left my number and now waiting for a call back. We only have three short weeks we can take this summer as we are still both working...I just hope one of them will be available!

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by gm1180

I received a call last week that the summer visits would open up today 4/10 at 9am est. I called this AM a couple minutes after 9 and was told they are not ready to take calls yet. Left my number and now waiting for a call back. We only have three short weeks we can take this summer as we are still both working...I just hope one of them will be available!

If you are working with a sales person, email their asst. Works like a charm.

[gm1180]

Sadly, we have not established a sales person contact yet.

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by gm1180

Sadly, we have not established a sales person contact yet.

Hopefully you got it booked.

[gm1180]

We are now booked for a few days in the second week in August. Looking forward to seeing what this place is all about in person!

[OldDave]

I got a call this afternoon from Linda saying they were open June-Sept for reservations now.

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by gm1180

We are now booked for a few days in the second week in August. Looking forward to seeing what this place is all about in person!

So far we've done nothing but plan meals. Lol we'll need those bicycles to work that off. Glad you made it. Enjoy.