[thelegges]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

It is NEVER a good idea to look at things from the Developer's side. Yes, he is making money. But! More than 250 new homes have been reduced, there is still a lack of commercial, hospital plans scratched, and Florida weather hasn't been much better than other states. The last hurricane was closer to the Villages than years past. Put all this together and new home sales have seen a 23% decline and preowned homes are sitting on the market with 50-70/week
experiencing drastic price reductions.

Keep posting news the Developer is doing GREAT. The rest of us will post how his GREATNESS is affecting homeowners.

Do you have an update on how many leases there are for Middleton? Last I heard, there was only one- a barbecue joint. Who wants to live in or near a ghost town? The Developers theory," if you build it, they will come", doesn't appear to be working.

You have been here forever, remember when LSL was a ghost town, with developer owned places, furniture store, the spot where Panera is for continental breakfast for lifestyle visit. Sweetwater grocery. Houses were occupied because that was where our lifestyle was, but had to go to SS if you wanted or needed anything.

Then Brownwood was not just a ghost town, but empty land surrounding the square, with lifestyle visit in Aldon Bungalows. Driving up to LSL was a given. Brownwood buildings are finally starting to see business.

So if you move to moultie creek drive up to Brownwood.

There is a theme here. Buy new, drive north for business. Just think when Middleton retail is finished residents will be driving up from whatever the next named village (or unnamed because everything else is taken)

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by thelegges

You have been here forever, remember when LSL was a ghost town, with developer owned places, furniture store, the spot where Panera is for continental breakfast for lifestyle visit. Sweetwater grocery. Houses were occupied because that was where our lifestyle was, but had to go to SS if you wanted or needed anything.

Then Brownwood was not just a ghost town, but empty land surrounding the square, with lifestyle visit in Aldon Bungalows. Driving up to LSL was a given. Brownwood buildings are finally starting to see business.

So if you move to moultie creek drive up to Brownwood.

There is a theme here. Buy new, drive north for business. Just think when Middleton retail is finished residents will be driving up from whatever the next named village (or unnamed because everything else is taken)

A little different this time around. Not enough population to attract commercial business in Middleton and it will remain off the beaten path with no thru traffic except school. Not a good scenario for a business owner. Which most likely means leases are not going to be signed anytime in the near future. I was in sales for 30+ years. I wouldn't attempt to open a business there. Numbers are FAR MORE attractive in Eastport and the general surroundings including the Brownwood area. The turnpike traffic is a plus.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

A little different this time around. Not enough population to attract commercial business in Middleton and it will remain off the beaten path with no thru traffic except school. Not a good scenario for a business owner. Which most likely means leases are not going to be signed anytime in the near future. I was in sales for 30+ years. I wouldn't attempt to open a business there. Numbers are FAR MORE attractive in Eastport and the general surroundings including the Brownwood area. The turnpike traffic is a plus.

Yet in Brownwood still empty lots with no foreseen build start. Still open store fronts, and now the street of disappointment is leaving another large empty store front. When we came SS was fully occupied but have no idea how many years it took, then again developers owned and operated businesses in SS.

2007 LSL had many empty store fronts, and Side note Rumors that developers were done developing, during that time, plus developer owned

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

A little different this time around. Not enough population to attract commercial business in Middleton and it will remain off the beaten path with no thru traffic except school. Not a good scenario for a business owner. Which most likely means leases are not going to be signed anytime in the near future. I was in sales for 30+ years. I wouldn't attempt to open a business there. Numbers are FAR MORE attractive in Eastport and the general surroundings including the Brownwood area. The turnpike traffic is a plus.

I believe just the opposite. You may have been in sales for 30+ years, but it is the business owners with vision that will matter.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

I believe just the opposite. You may have been in sales for 30+ years, but it is the business owners with vision that will matter.

Some variation of the "5 miles or 15 minutes" rule, apply to most businesses. If there aren't sufficient people of the proper demographic within their radius, all the wishing in the world isn't going to change anything.

[Papa_lecki]

One thing I noticed with the shops, when Village Grown was in Brownwood, the place was empty all the time. A move to Sawgrass, and the place is always full.

Certain segments of the commercial real estate are really not made for all tenants.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Marathon Man

I believe just the opposite. You may have been in sales for 30+ years, but it is the business owners with vision that will matter.

The Villages is not afraid to innovate and try something new.

For example, the dark cloud people went off adnauseam on Edna's and Sawgrass which are now very successful.

If something doesn't work, they're not afraid to adapt or shut it down.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Yet in Brownwood still empty lots with no foreseen build start. Still open store fronts, and now the street of disappointment is leaving another large empty store front. When we came SS was fully occupied but have no idea how many years it took, then again developers owned and operated businesses in SS.

2007 LSL had many empty store fronts, and Side note Rumors that developers were done developing, during that time, plus developer owned

Agree. I was responding to a post that was very pro developer. He does a great job but EVERYTHING is not perfect. I believe Middleton falls into the mistake category. At least, until now. MANY MANY more homes must be built and sold to attract business. You cant afford to stay in business if your only traffic is during school hours and on weekends. A night business might work. But, it cannot be based on alcohol profit. It is a family community.

[Normal]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

Agree. I was responding to a post that was very pro developer. He does a great job but EVERYTHING is not perfect. I believe Middleton falls into the mistake category. At least, until now. MANY MANY more homes must be built and sold to attract business. And, you cant afford to stay in business if your only traffic is during school hours and on weekends. A night business might work. But, it cannot be based on alcohol profit. It is a family community.

Some are successful, others like Oxford, not so much. You can’t win ‘em all.

[MSchad]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

Agree. I was responding to a post that was very pro developer. He does a great job but EVERYTHING is not perfect. I believe Middleton falls into the mistake category. At least, until now. MANY MANY more homes must be built and sold to attract business. You cant afford to stay in business if your only traffic is during school hours and on weekends. A night business might work. But, it cannot be based on alcohol profit. It is a family community.

Remember where the previous schools are? Area flourished, and still is. Developer thinks lonnnng range when it comes to this community. Thank god they are willing to invest AND support it until then.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by MSchad

Remember where the previous schools are? Area flourished, and still is. Developer thinks lonnnng range when it comes to this community. Thank god they are willing to invest AND support it until then.

They still have plenty of land to build on. It will all work out in the end. I just do not want to live there until it does! Which is what the OP was asking. He wanted to get as much information as possible before buying.

[Danth1980]

First of all Congratulations on your decision and I hope you are happy with the location and model you choose. I just went through the design process in October, most of what you read on TOTV is no longer true and is from those who built prior to 2023. You Cannot move interior walls, add an extra room (pantry), add additional outlets or spigots, move outlets change the size of outlets. All bathrooms Must have the same tile. The laundry room must have cabinets and countertops as the kitchen. You cannot opt out of the appliances or cap lights and fan with the intent of adding your own. If you plan on doing any stretches ask your agent if lot size wasn’t an issue what stretches are allowed on this model. We will be closing on our home in 5 weeks and almost all of the suspended interior light fixtures will be getting replaced the first week. You must take their landscaping selection, you have No choice there either. We will be throwing out and redoing all the landscaping the developer installed. What a shame!

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Altavia

For example, the dark cloud people went off adnauseam on Edna's and Sawgrass which are now very successful.

If something doesn't work, they're not afraid to adapt or shut it down.

How could they not be? You have to pack a suitcase & fire up the GPS to get somewhere else.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

They still have plenty of land to build on. It will all work out in the end. I just do not want to live there until it does! Which is what the OP was asking. He wanted to get as much information as possible before buying.

Goldwing pointed out the next possible Town square. One could think it may be up to 10-20years away for that property to developed. I am guessing most on this site will either not travel that far anymore or be taking a dirt nap.

The farther south one goes residents are younger, my guess is they will see Middleton, and beyond just as busy and popular as all other squares.

As a side note, Rivers BBQ made a smart move. Probably tap into HS kids for employees, quick food for students, and every event at the HS will bring a wave of customers. It’s cut above fast food, and kids or parents nowadays have that cash.

[Robbb]

Originally Posted by Danth1980

First of all Congratulations on your decision and I hope you are happy with the location and model you choose. I just went through the design process in October, most of what you read on TOTV is no longer true and is from those who built prior to 2023. You Cannot move interior walls, add an extra room (pantry), add additional outlets or spigots, move outlets change the size of outlets. All bathrooms Must have the same tile. The laundry room must have cabinets and countertops as the kitchen. You cannot opt out of the appliances or cap lights and fan with the intent of adding your own. If you plan on doing any stretches ask your agent if lot size wasn’t an issue what stretches are allowed on this model. We will be closing on our home in 5 weeks and almost all of the suspended interior light fixtures will be getting replaced the first week. You must take their landscaping selection, you have No choice there either. We will be throwing out and redoing all the landscaping the developer installed. What a shame!

So what is the purpose of getting "custom" built?