[bvp7527]

I'm coming to visit The Villages for my first time in early Feb. I'm staying at a hotel because the lifestyle visits are all booked. My mode of transportation is a rented golf cart. I'm probably about 5 -10 years away from retirement, I just want to get an idea what TV is really like. I don't know any villagers. I'd like to take a look at a manufactured home, a ranch, and a patio villa. I'm not serious about buying at this point in my life, I just want to see what they are like. Should make an appointment with a sales rep to see a couple places when I know I'm not serious about buying? Or should I just drive around and see what's out there? Are there for sale signs on the lawns? How can I get a good map of the area? Any help or suggestions appreciated. Thank you.

[zcaveman]

Banner Mercantile will have a map for $5.00. Most of the houses do have for sale signs but you probably need a Realtor to get an appointment to look at the house.

On the first and second pages of the classified section of the Daily Sun there is a list of the Open Houses. I am not sure if that is open for everyone or just buyers with their agents. I have never been able to figure that out. Maybe someone else can tell you.

I would guess that just to ride around and look at the different styles might help.

You can also talk to people at the square.

You can stop by any sales office and pick up the package which has the house layouts. But you will not see anything on the historic side. Ranches do not exist anymore. We have been downgrade to cottages. I have an Amarillo - similar to the Sun-kissed.

Enjoy your stay.

Z

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by zcaveman

Banner Mercantile will have a map for $5.00. Most of the houses do have for sale signs but you probably need a Realtor to get an appointment to look at the house.

On the first and second pages of the classified section of the Daily Sun there is a list of the Open Houses. I am not sure if that is open for everyone or just buyers with their agents. I have never been able to figure that out. Maybe someone else can tell you.

I would guess that just to ride around and look at the different styles might help.

You can also talk to people at the square.

You can stop by any sales office and pick up the package which has the house layouts. But you will not see anything on the historic side. Ranches do not exist anymore. We have been downgrade to cottages. I have an Amarillo - similar to the Sun-kissed.

Enjoy your stay.

Z

Z gives good advice! Get a copy of the Daily Sun each day and look at open houses. There will be open houses listed by the Villages, usually two pages worth. There will be open houses listed by MLS realtors scattered throughout the RE section, and there will also be for sale by owner open houses, especially on weekends. You may go to the open houses without a realtor, and it will afford you an opportunity to meet several realtors and see if there is one you want to work with, though that is not necessary this far out. Good luck and have fun

[collie1228]

We were over four years from retirement on our first visit. The Villages sales office assigned an agent to assist us, and we made it very clear from the get-go that we were several years away from retirement, but were just interested in "kicking tires" at that point. The service we got was nothing short of outstanding. The agent never once put the slightest pressure on us, and clearly he didn't have any attitude about being assigned to help people who weren't going to contribute to his income in the short term. Say what you want about the developer, he understands the lifestyle will sell itself and doesn't require any help from pushy sales people. The agent drove us around in his car, showed us several different models of courtyard villa, and even gave us a guided tour of the Savannah Center. I agree you should go to open houses, as we did that as well. But I also recommend you contact the sales office and talk to a sales agent. You won't be disappointed. Good luck.

[2BNTV]

When you are ready to buy, it has been recommended that you also get an MLS agent in addition to TV sales representative if buying a pre-owned home. You can see all of the properties that are availble. Also FSBO is another option.

Theres no pressure from TV sales people as they know someone will buy what is available.

Enjoy your visit.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

When you are ready to buy, it has been recommended that you also get an MLS agent in addition to TV sales representative if buying a pre-owned home. You can see all of the properties that are availble. Also FSBO is another option.

Theres no pressure from TV sales people as they know someone will buy what is available.

Enjoy your visit.

They also know that a large percentage of folks who look at property prior to retirement end up buying in TV ultimately, and if they do you right you will buy from them. You plant the seed long before the harvest.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

They also know that a large percentage of folks who look at property prior to retirement end up buying in TV ultimately, and if they do you right you will buy from them. You plant the seed long before the harvest.

[njbchbum]

bvp7527 -
try to take the trolley ride that departs from the lake sumter landing sales office so that you can become familiar with our neighborhoods as far as their layout, home design, and amenities/facilities. you can also buy your $5 villages map at the sales center.

knowing the locations of the town squares and the various neighborhoods will help you navigate your way to the open houses listed in the newspaper. travel by golf cart over to the historic side can be a bit of a challange for a visitor, so be sure to 'leave early' when heading for an open house on that side...you want to make sure you leave some time for getting lost along the way. you are sure to meet some of the villages friendliest folks each time you are not sure where you are!

and my suggestion for starting up a conversation with anyone...just ask them how they like living here! have a great visit!

[4glori]

I am coming back in June or July to make my purchase so while I am here now, am looking at many open houses. I have a TV realtor that I just love. He NEVER says anything negative about the independent realtors. Tells me to shop with them also if I desire. However some of the independent realtors really slam the TV realtors, talk about them only being sales people, looking to make a sale, only show new, blah, blah. their negativity has steered me 100% to my TV realtor. Besides I like having a Villages knowledgeable person in my corner to answer all my questions about fencing, property, available styles, etc. Some of the independents said they would check and get back to me. I guess it is all in your comfort zone and perhaps you are more knowledgeable than me. But I have annoyed my tv agent for over 2 years now with questions and requests to which he has promptly responded via phone or email and he has my loyalty....he has not ever frowned upon me...yet....am I pushing my luck???? ha ha, maybe but don't think so.

[swrinfla]

A small word of caution: the current map (checked at Banner Mercantile last Friday 01/06) does not have any thing south of CR466A (so no streets in Sanibel, Charlotte or Fernandina Villages). The map dates from January 2011 so one assumes there'll be a new one shortly!

Just seems a shame to lay out $5.35 for an obsolete map, especially when the new onemay be at the printers!

SWR

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by 4glori

I am coming back in June or July to make my purchase so while I am here now, am looking at many open houses. I have a TV realtor that I just love. He NEVER says anything negative about the independent realtors. Tells me to shop with them also if I desire. However some of the independent realtors really slam the TV realtors, talk about them only being sales people, looking to make a sale, only show new, blah, blah. their negativity has steered me 100% to my TV realtor. Besides I like having a Villages knowledgeable person in my corner to answer all my questions about fencing, property, available styles, etc. Some of the independents said they would check and get back to me. I guess it is all in your comfort zone and perhaps you are more knowledgeable than me. But I have annoyed my tv agent for over 2 years now with questions and requests to which he has promptly responded via phone or email and he has my loyalty....he has not ever frowned upon me...yet....am I pushing my luck???? ha ha, maybe but don't think so.

Too bad you had negative experience with MLS realtors. Ours is Lyle Gant and he is excellent, along with our TV rep Tony Trussler. The problem with choosing to deal with TV rep alone is that you will not get to see about half the available pre-owned listings. The one that would be your dream home may be among them.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by swrinfla

A small word of caution: the current map (checked at Banner Mercantile last Friday 01/06) does not have any thing south of CR466A (so no streets in Sanibel, Charlotte or Fernandina Villages). The map dates from January 2011 so one assumes there'll be a new one shortly!

Just seems a shame to lay out $5.35 for an obsolete map, especially when the new onemay be at the printers!

SWR

swr, Sandy and I experienced the same thing last month when we tried to find a new, updated version of the $5 map. Our current one in the golf cart looks like cheese cloth!!! We've used the heck out of it. We stopped at 2 sales centers - "Oh yes, we have the new maps!!" I asked to see if before we handed over the cash......and it's the same as the one we've had since early last year. "El Paso!" We took the one out of our car and swapped it with the the one in the cart as it gets much more use.

I've gotta figure they're going to have something more current printed soon. But they must be sitting on a really big stash of the older ones that they need to sell first!!

Bill

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

Too bad you had negative experience with MLS realtors. Ours is Lyle Gant and he is excellent, along with our TV rep Tony Trussler. The problem with choosing to deal with TV rep alone is that you will not get to see about half the available pre-owned listings. The one that would be your dream home may be among them.

Hi 4Glori,
Ed makes an important point. If you are unhappy with your MLS Realtor, find another to represent you. Villagers can help you with recommendations. Since TV sales office and MLS Realtors do not share listings, you severely limit your choices by not having both. Your TV Agent won't mind. The exclusive listings are what they are.