[New Englander]

Originally Posted by B-flat

I have a question too. We are considering buying a Patio Villa. I recently viewed a YouTube video by an MLS Real Estate Agent from the Grizzard Agency. He suggests having 2 agents when buying since the Villages sales agents are called VLS and do not belong to the MLS organization. Any thoughts? Is this video accurate?

I bought a Patio Villa and used a Villages sales agent. Before I came down here on a lifestyle preview the agent asked me to describe what I looking for. When I got here she showed me several homes, one of which caught my eye and I bought it. Actually, she was great to work with.

[asianthree]

The key is you need to visit, take in what TV has to offer, and take your time to decide what and what home you would like. Of course average resident moves 2.8 times in TV. We are on our third house.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

Skip Smith has done a lot of pretty good videos on various aspects of life in The Villages. Here is one. The Villages - The Good The Bad The Ugly - YouTube

I agree. Skip's videos are very good. He has his own You Tube channel that people can subscribe to. He posts about 1 video per week.

[JerryLBell]

You might want to consider writing up a list of what you consider to be requirements for your dream retirement home and then contact not just The Villages but any of a number of other retirement communities in the area (and there are a bunch of them scattered all over Florida) for answers on who allows or disallows what. And definitely try to come down and see whatever communities are the finalists on your list. All will be willing to show you around and many have something similar to the "lifestyle preview" that is offered by The Villages where you can stay for a week at a modest price and see what it's really like to live and play in the given community.

The Villages definitely has some restrictions but when my wife and I were researching, we found that most retirement communities have similar ones. Some other communities may be open to a fenced-in yard or multiple flag poles or expansive yard decoration or multiple pets or whatever floats your boat. Remember, The Villages isn't your only choice. It's just what most of us who bought here thought was the best choice for us.

Good luck on your research and your decision. It's a big decision to make and you don't want to rush yourself into making the wrong one.

[Sgroemm]

One thing to consider when comparing TV to Water Oak and surrounding communities....what do you want to do in retirement? Golf and tennis are prevalent at most communities. TV is unique with more than 2000 clubs, sports and activities included in your monthly fee. If you want an active lifestyle with choices from archery to Civil War History to softball to Classic car enthusiast.....choose TV. If you are happy playing golf and sitting by a pool....look at the many surrounding communities. For me, a Jersey Girl born and raised....it was a no-brainer....TV offers something that all the rest cannot come close to!

When you start to look, remember to check three places 1) MLS listings such as those on ERA Grizzard's easy to use site 2) Properties for sale by the Realty Executives in TV (easy app to download on your phone) 3)Properties for sale by owner (lots on TOTV and Google search FSBO-Villages). I used Leslie Williamson at ERA Grizzard and purchased a property with ease from NJ and closed long distance without a hitch. She is a no pressure wonderful agent!

[skyking]

When I bought 5 years ago you needed to have one occupant over 55 years of age to buy a new home (to keep the over 55 percentage above 80 percent) but anyone over 19 could purchase a resale house. We used both Villages and non Villages agents to have access to all available homes. Absolutely no pressure from either.