Not so much the warranty try get full sink hole insurance on a resale I've been told impossible.

Based on what we saw I agree- they seem to mark up fancy counters and fixtures a lot.... We bought a more basically appointed home, I can do the upgrades cheaper when I want to, and get exactly what I want. To be honest Granite countertops are overrated anyway -the new high res laminate is pretty nice stuff.

:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

I agree completely - we need more like Graciegirl

Clarify please... Do you mean "Formed and Poured" Concrete exterior walls or Block exterior walls?

Regarding the HVAC, I think they could have done better for a small incremental cost. They could have installed air handlers with variable speed fans - next Carrier model up - and they could have used hard ducts instead of flex ducts. Also, they could have used roof sheathing with a built in radiant barrier - small incremental cost. They installed a builder grade hot water heater. For a small incremental cost they could have installed a Marathon water heater, which will last much longer. There is nothing wrong with what they did but for small incremental costs they could have done much better in a number of areas.

For the record, because someone finds the villages less than perfect doesn't mean they don't enjoy living here. Many people love the Villages in spite of its flaws. Can we do without the hostile "love it or leave it" refrain?

Number cruncher here. OK I just purchased a preowned. As I looked at houses I compared the same plan that was new construction adjusted for the lot premium or lack of it and then added the cost of the improvements the owner had made and deducted the depreciation on the appliances, heat and air etc. Many of the pre-owned on the market are sitting have been listed for many months because the price they are at is not in line with what it can be replicated for new. At least 12 of those I looked at had been purchased less than 24 months ago had a birdcage added and put back on the market for 75 to 100 thousand more than the original investment plus the improvements. That is not addressing the issue of the developers increase in what they are listing them at. I think the prices are a little high right now and will probably readjust over time. I don't think they will go down much in the long run. But if you look at those north of or close to 466 the price per square foot is much lower, because they feel in a lot of cases that they need a facelift and have been decorated in questionable taste. As with most markets if a house is priced to match its competition it will sell.

This could help explain the slowing of sales if true that sink hole insurance is not available on a resale. Who would buy a home in a sink hole prone area and not want to have insurance?

That was a change state wide, and we all have catastrophic.

Villages building many cottage houses on the historic side. I have been observing construction of one which is now about 70% complete.
concrete slab construction - pipes are not sleeved
2 x 4 roof truss on 24 inch center - 1/2 inch flake board over truss with aluminum H clips between truss
2 X 4 wood exterior wall - 1/2 flake board
Double pane aluminum frame windows - I inch thick - only the bottom opens - no tilt
1/2 pvc water supply lines everywhere
1/2 drywall walls - 5/8 drywall ceiling
6 inch fiberglass insulation ceiling - without paper backing
4 inch fiberglass insulation exterior walls - with paper backing
contractor grade fiberglass tub and shower
interior wall metal studs
pressure treated wood if in contact with concrete - no barrier
every piece of wood sprayed for termites from floor to about 3 foot level
fiberglass coated wood front entry door

Thoughtful post.

Wouldn't you say that they are built to the local code?

Of course they are - The Villages couldn't get a C/O if not.

Sure catastrophic, but that's is not what I'm talking about.

It's partial damage that's repairable that you can't get coverage on!

Ok but what's your point?

none - just providing facts

One has to remember that local and state building codes are the "MINIMUM" requirements. As a plumbing contractor if I had my choice I would use pex water pipe instead of cpvc; protect all piping going through concrete with a sleeve or wrap (maybe termites have something to do with this); water supply distribution would be 3/4" or 1", with 1/2" only supplying one fixture; acrylic or tile instead of fiberglass bath and/or shower units; and use 1/4-turn brass instead of plastic push-on water supply stops.

What surprises me is the use of 4" exterior walls and only 6" of insulation in the the ceiling. Is the proceeding normal in Florida or is that the minimum required by the building code? Up here in the Great White North, ceilings have to be R44 which is about 14" of insulation, exterior walls have to be R19 which is 6" of insulation, and slabs must also be insulated. Obviously the climate is different in Florida than it is in Minnesota :cold:, but I wonder why 50% less insulation is required in the ceiling.

@pivo: That 319,000 was purchased in 2011 for $265,000...so are you saying that The Villages is slipping in value? I don't think you mean that. Right?

Our ceiling is R-30. the cpvc is 3/4"

1" on 3-4 baths larger homes

Agree with the poster who remarked that the current batch of retirees are more in tune to (in my case) The Eagles, The Who, Chicago, James Taylor, etc and so forth than Lawrence Welk...change the song!

Kleeh- No I didn't mean that, the seller put a very high price on the house, and if somebody buys, then it's worth selling.

????

The only limit is what people are willing to pay.....and so far, folks are willing to pay the price......which means this might result in a different demographic from the past. While this place may become out of reach for some, or those that equate the price of the house with the value , I suspect there will continue to be a market for what is here.

The crux of this argument is reality vs people protecting their investment and validating their choice to buy in The Villages. It is a wonderful, beyond comparison place to be if it floats your boat. I believe some folks would be happy in a teepee if it meant they could live this life style. I think if everyone would be honest we would all admit the houses are over priced - which is why everyone says you are buying a lifestyle. This justifies the decision to pay for an over priced home. But so what - if it's something you can afford and enjoy then it is right for you - if not, it isn't. That's what makes the world go round, the world go round, the world go round!

Nope.

It is the same reason people pay big dollars to live in Manhattan...lifestyle. Same reason Malibu is expensive...lifestyle. That IS the reason people buy; you can't say a lifestyle is overpriced if it is the environment in which someone wants to live.

One can go through these posts and pick out the folks who do not own a home here.

It is also easy to pick out those who either do not understand the economics/dynamics of real estate.

Overpriced? The first home we ever built in the 70's ws less than $50,000....one acre wooded corner lot......brick ranch...2100 square feet.....3 bedrooms...2 baths.....sold it 4 years later for almost $200,000.

Overpriced? No. Worth it? Of course, why would it not be?

If you don't like the price of the homes now....just wait a few years and see what happens. Of course the prices will be up even more!

I agree. Its whatever floats your boat. And obviously its right for many of us or we wouldn't be living here. But it would be nice if reality would kick in for some people.

I purchased a new home in The Villages last December, a good friend/ high school classmate purchased one in January and now my brother will own one down the street from me in March. Surely all three of us didn’t make the same mistake? We are all going to have fun no matter what others might say about this cruise ship on land.

Home Price of Zero
 

While I am living in the home... I would like my home to be priced near Zero... and not have the worry or stress to know what it is worth tomorrow... I only hope it will be market value when I sell or leave this wonderful place! It might sound foolish but you have to admit its the truth in most cases... Well, then again no taxes for the politicians to work with either if my home does not have market value... so there is no way to please me..

Maybe a nice way to close this thread ... We can only please 50% of us on most subjects... I think most us (over 51% are happy we have moved here) I know I am... !!!

You are right once again.

It is the same people over and over who have an agenda to be negative.
There are some who are realtors who have not been allowed to sell new homes by the builder. Some are those who live outside The Villages and are envious. Some are very involved with certain groups that start with a P that do not get big donations from the Morse family. It is mostly sour grapes.

And some are just not happy here. This place is for people who like to be involved with people. Some are happier in a more secluded area or somewhat distanced from neighbors. Some people have never had rules about deed restrictions and they don't like being told they can't do this or that.

All homes in our village are less than three years old. Our neighbor across the street sold their home last year and made slightly more than $90,000 more than they paid for it. Lots of you know where we live and you can look it up.

There are a lot of homes on the market right now, more than usual, as they gear up to finish. They are building, building, building. They will all sell and then when there are no more being built...well just wait and see.

We have lived here for eight years and they have been the most fun and least stressful time of our lives.

When you have been on the forum as long as Bille and I have you get to know who says what and why.

When you see a negative post, read back on their posts, most of them will be negative. Some people are NEVER happy.

The villages builds them both ways actually.

This whole subject reminds me of a group I belong to called Thunderbird Nest. A very popular blog question (poll) there is 'future value of our retros'. But I posted there that 20 years from now who cares, or will even be alive. I said to them 'drive it like you stole it'. We are not negative on The Villages, as we've already rented for later this year. The 800+ homes development that we're currently renting in near Bradenton, Fl is one of dozens around here like it. And ironically, the 'locals' would rather not have renters or at least limit the rentals to a minimum of 6 months....

Although there are things about the Villages I would improve if I had the chance, I don't see where anyone says they are unhappy living here. And I don't know where that misconception arises??? Are there posts somewhere I've missed? When I read back through the posts, most if not everyone living here says they enjoy it, and have compromised or learned to live with the things that are less than desirable. The crux of the matter is that some people are able to admit that the Villages is not perfect. And perhaps they like to point out things to newbies so people can get a balanced view of reality prior to purchase. Simple as that. Saying that The Villages is not perfect doesn't make the lifestyle here unacceptable, nor does it mean people are unhappy. It simply means there are a few things that aren't perfect. Why people have to twist that into some nefarious agenda is really pretty sad. I can only guess some people feel threatened when the truth comes out.

Well said. Whenever you identify some aspect of life on TOTV as less than perfect, you will ALWAYS be attacked. Whether it is about The Villages or the world in general, it comes with the territory as some feel threatened by constructive criticism.

Also keep in mind the "some" of the people that do or react as described are the minority representation which always seems to get the attention. Add to that there will always be a number of posts on either side of an issue by folks who are not residents. And an even smaller group of snipers and trolls.
The other 95% of us love it like it is and that it gets better with every year.

Nope. Homes in The Villages sell at market value which means they are not "overpriced".
Yes, you can pay less in surrounding areas, but as Shcisamax pointed out:
"you can't say a lifestyle is overpriced if it is the environment in which someone wants to live"

DEFINITION OF MARKET VALUE

The highest price a willing buyer would pay and a willing seller would accept, both being fully informed,
and the property being exposed for sale for a reasonable period of time.

Back to The OP....prices are higher and sales are lower but the sky is not falling! TV is a wonderful place to live and it will continue to prosper at whatever rate and price the market will bear.

The add that is in the paper for resale homes shows in last 12 months new home sales average 210 a month. One year ago this was 250 a month. Resales are also down but not as much. But if you take the dollar value of the new homes sold now, given there are not any new houses below $200,00 any more and more and more $250,000-$300,00, cash flow probably isn't much different. Thus the developer can afford to have a large inventory sitting empty. Eventually they will all sell.

Each new section of the villages had the golf and the promise of more things to come. There are numerous examples of unique activities in the north end of town. As you head south the lure was a central location and numerous execs surround you and another square with water views. Brownwood was pitched well because it was another new themed square. Walking to a square for breakfast or a some dancing sounds very attractive. So buy close to Brownwood. That's value added in the purchase.

I'm not sure how they are pitching Fruitland Park unless it's "buy now" to own a new house in the last part of the villages. It will be closest to the turnpike. They say location is most important. My fairly new home was up around 15% in less than 2 years but I think it's slipping a little after looking at new home prices.

I'm not complaining. I still can't believe my lifestyle. I'm just trying to figure out what to expect.