[taylor111947]

From previous threads it appears I need to consider several options when I come down to look for a house - an MLS realtor, a TV realtor for both new and previously owned homes and FSBO homes.

I linked to the site on the main webpage here and was disappointed that there were so few listings. Is there another site I should be looking at?

[mulligan]

Probably the most comprehensive general RE website is ZILLOW. Not only most available listings in a given area(except actual villages listings ), but a lot of pertinent data germain to the local market HAPPY HUNTING!!!

[Ohiogirl]

I'm a former (more than 10 years ago) real estate agent, and there are more on this forum to correct me if I'm wrong.

My take on FSBO's is that in a very good market, it may be easy to sell your house on your own, and in a very good market, you may need to look at FSBO's in order to get the best house for you (i.e., choose from ALL homes on the market).

Those selling by owner are trying to avoid paying the commission, and those buying from owner are also trying to avoid paying the commission (i.e., getting a house for less).

Although The Villages is a unique market and not affected price-wise as much as most of the rest of the country right now, there probably are not as many FSBO listings out there as normally, in The Villages, most people don't HAVE to sell - they just want to move up or down, or perhaps into independent/assisted living or it's an estate situation.

If you do go the FSBO route, be sure you have already researched the market in depth before you do so.

I think you will also find that there are deals to be had thru listed properties as well, probably more so than in FSBOs, at least in The Villages.

And, I could be mistaken, but I believe ZILLOW and other national sites get their info from the Nat'l Assoc. of Realtors and from individual county websites, none of which list current FSBO's, only current realtor listings and of course, all transfer stats (by nature after the fact).

[champion6]

Here are some FSBO links that I use:
http://www.thevillagesfsbo.com
http://www.byownermls.com/search.php...rt=LowestPrice

Of course you can google For Sale By Owner to find more sites. The difficult aspect of FSBO is that there is no single, consolidated list of FSBO properties. Obviously this is a feature of the MLS and VLS lists.

[njbchbum]

i like to use this site: http://www.lylesellsfla.com/ because it gives the number of days that the property has been on the market - which helps in considering the house and an offer. i like the zillow site as well; combining the two gives you a really good idea of what is available for your consideration.

[JenAjd]

For whatever it's worth....we just sold our house thru a FSBO/MLS agency up north. We found we got good exposure thru it AND that's how we ultimately sold the house..though we had a sign in front as well. I think there's more than one way to "skin a horse"....we did o.k. this way. Felt we got a decent price, only paid 3% of the commission and things went very well. Sooo if there is an MLS site here for TV then look into it if that's the way you want to go.
Best wishes!! Oh...we also had pictures of the house so people could "shop" online too before they came for a look.

[Ohiogirl]

it's true that my real estate experience is getting dated (as am I, but so far I haven't noticed a FSBO/MLS agency in TV.

There are at least 2 or 3 in the greater Columbus, OH area and it's true than an online looker would be able to get info and see pictures at one site (e.g., realtor.com or numerous other real estate agency sites, which normally have all listings entered into the MLS) . Anyone know if that's available in TV (a discount broker)? It would make a difference.