[Normal]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

We are talking about new homes no re-sales.

Yes, and resales are almost always propionate to new home sales. When you can buy a comparable unit at a lesser cost it is always enticing to go for the better value. Of course used and new units balance each other. Great point! It will be interesting to see The Villages own paper The Sun and its release too.

[frayedends]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I think that’s a good call out - Richmond was such an anomaly, and will be again when the last section goes up for sale later this year - some people think that was the “norm” for sales. I think we all agree that sales have slowed a bit, but all the new villages will eventually sellout. People buying in the newer southern villages are doing so with “eyes wide open” and having done their homework. What amenities that are important for some, may not be so important for someone else. I know I like not having a ton of crowded retail space around me, as I barely patronize brick-and- mortar stores anymore, nor do most of my neighbors.

Wife and I were just discussing this. Other than restaurants, food shopping, and sometimes clothes, we don't go to retail stores for anything at all. Most clothes are even ordered online. We have no need for much retail being close. We also don't think a 30 minute cart ride to town squares is a big deal. Especially once we are retired and have nothing but time. I mentioned previously (maybe in a different thread) that in Lake Denham we have easy access to Sawgrass, Homestead, Ezel, Franklin as well as the Dabney pool. Brownwood and Eastport a 30 minute cart ride. Plus we walking trails for miles. The area will sell out.

[GoRedSox!]

The folks who live down south don't seem to be selling at a furious pace. I hear nothing but great things from folks who live in St. Catherine's, St. John's, Hawkins, Desoto, particularly Fenney and Hammock at Fenney, Linden, Desoto, Marsh Bend, DeLuna, Cason Hammock, Citrus Grove, etc. I think the factor that could be coming into play somewhat in Newell, Lake Denham and Dabney is a combo of the higher mortgage rates, higher bonds, higher bond interest rates, and Lake County/Leesburg taxes. That being said, we would have bought down there because the homes are nice and so is the area and the people, and pragmatically, that's where the new homes were/are being sold. However, we found a place right near Brownwood that we really liked and bought, but if that wasn't available we would be in Lake Denham right now and I'm sure we would be very happy. I think mortgage rates will continue to fall as 2024 unfolds. Those houses will all sell and we will be on talking about the next village.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

I think that’s a good call out - Richmond was such an anomaly, and will be again when the last section goes up for sale later this year - some people think that was the “norm” for sales. I think we all agree that sales have slowed a bit, but all the new villages will eventually sellout. People buying in the newer southern villages are doing so with “eyes wide open” and having done their homework. What amenities that are important for some, may not be so important for someone else. I know I like not having a ton of crowded retail space around me, as I barely patronize brick-and- mortar stores anymore, nor do most of my neighbors.

Richmond is close to Brownwood. The anomaly there is that it attracted many investors. First, You can charge a much higher rent than other areas because renters like to be close to the squares. It is also easier to find renters year round. As rental property, they are profit makers.

Second, homes near squares appreciate much faster than homes at a distance. When I left my CYV near a square, the market price was in the high $600,000. It sold in 3 days. CYV in other areas do not command that high price tag. As resales, homes near squares are a gold mine.

Investors know what they are doing! Some even buy 3 or 4 on the same street if the homes are near a square.

Will Richmond sell out quickly, again? Maybe, but this time around, there is more investment profit to be made in the Eastport area. Brownwood is now a square of the past.

I have lived here since early 2000. There have been ups and downs with real estate. Newell, Lake Denham and Dabney is unusual. Available homes are sitting much longer. A yearly drop in sales of 23% supports this. But, this is the first time interest rates have been high.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by frayedends

Wife and I were just discussing this. Other than restaurants, food shopping, and sometimes clothes, we don't go to retail stores for anything at all. Most clothes are even ordered online. We have no need for much retail being close. We also don't think a 30 minute cart ride to town squares is a big deal. Especially once we are retired and have nothing but time. I mentioned previously (maybe in a different thread) that in Lake Denham we have easy access to Sawgrass, Homestead, Ezel, Franklin as well as the Dabney pool. Brownwood and Eastport a 30 minute cart ride. Plus we walking trails for miles. The area will sell out.

Homes near squares provide an ease of living. Restaurants, grocery stores, doctors, and gas to fill your golf cart is minutes away. Some residents are still employed and can easily walk to work. If you like to get out of your home and stretch your legs, a square is a wonderful place to do that. Your walk is scenic and fun. When attending special events, you do not have to stress about traffic and parking. Out enjoying a fun game of pickleball or a round of golf? You can easily pick up necessities or take out on the way home. Out of town guests? Hotels are a stone throw away. Going to the airport? Transportation pick up is at your doorstep. Everything you need is within walking distance or a 5 minute drive by golf cart.

[frayedends]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

Homes near squares provide an ease of living. Restaurants, grocery stores, doctors, and gas to fill your golf cart is minutes away. Some residents are still employed and can easily walk to work. If you like to get out of your home and stretch your legs, a square is a wonderful place to do that. Your walk is scenic and fun. When attending special events, you do not have to stress about traffic and parking. Out enjoying a fun game of pickleball or a round of golf? You can easily pick up necessities or take out on the way home. Out of town guests? Hotels are a stone throw away. Going to the airport? Transportation pick up is at your doorstep. Everything you need is within walking distance or a 5 minute drive by golf cart.

I guess I'm just used to living in the boonies so 30 minutes by golf cart doesn't seem like a big deal to me. For stretching my legs, I'd much rather the miles of walking paths along the preserve behind us.

Add to that the posts about proximity to town squares attracting rental investors, and the complaints I see about renters, I'm glad to be in a place that is not great for rentals.

[twoplanekid]

For those looking at historical new home sales from the beginning of the Villages taken from page 43 of the SLCDD 9/10/2015 Agenda PDF plus additional years I have added from Daily Sun published reports.

The information appearing herein regarding The Villages and the Developer has been furnished by the Developer.
Historical annual home closings and historical annual average sales prices (home and lot) in The Villages are as follows:

Year Homes Sold (Home and Lot) Average Sale Price
1986 511 *
1987 543 *
1988 517 *
1989 542 $ 74,000
1990 502 79,000
1991 430 81,000
1992 562 87,000
1993 567 93,000
1994 686 98,000
1995 700 106,000
1996 753 115,000
1997 1,054 119,000
1998 1,321 129,000
1999 1,544 139,000
2000 1,776 151,000
2001 2,074 156,000
2002 2,260 163,000
2003 3,329 168,000
2004 3,955 204,000
2005 4,263 232,000
2006 3,935 257,000
2007 2,403 251,000
2008 2,236 231,000
2009 2,115 229,000
2010 2,208 231,000
2011 2,307 241,000
2012 2,850 244,000
2013 3,419 271,000
2014 2,601 304,000
2015 2,294 304,000
2016 1,966
2017 2,231
2018 2,134 281,000
2019 2,429 307,000
2020 2,452
2021 4,004
2022 3,923
2023 3,029

Note that 2005 new home sales of 4,263 have yet to be beat. I do enjoy looking at the all data of this unique community called The Villages.

More info from RCLCO
30th Edition: The Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities of 2023

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

Homes near squares provide an ease of living. Restaurants, grocery stores, doctors, and gas to fill your golf cart is minutes away. Some residents are still employed and can easily walk to work. If you like to get out of your home and stretch your legs, a square is a wonderful place to do that. Your walk is scenic and fun. When attending special events, you do not have to stress about traffic and parking. Out enjoying a fun game of pickleball or a round of golf? You can easily pick up necessities or take out on the way home. Out of town guests? Hotels are a stone throw away. Going to the airport? Transportation pick up is at your doorstep. Everything you need is within walking distance or a 5 minute drive by golf cart.

Homes within walking distance to the squares are too busy and too noisy for me, before buying we rented in those areas several times. I have no problem driving 10 minutes to doctors, restaurants, etc., and down here it's only 3 or 4 minutes to groceries and fuel. If I want to stretch my legs shaded walking trails are for me, I didn't enjoy all the traffic along the sidewalks near the squares when walking, again, too noisy and especially with all of the 90+ degree days we have for 8 months a year trains in nature are much better. Hotels are also 10 minutes from here, airport transportation picks up at our doorstep or we leave our car at the Brownwood Hotel again 10 minutes away. I'm sure there are those that like living within walking distance to a square but my guess is there are many more that would prefer a more peaceful environment.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Homes within walking distance to the squares are too busy and too noisy for me, before buying we rented in those areas several times. I have no problem driving 10 minutes to doctors, restaurants, etc., and down here it's only 3 or 4 minutes to groceries and fuel. If I want to stretch my legs shaded walking trails are for me, I didn't enjoy all the traffic along the sidewalks near the squares when walking, again, too noisy and especially with all of the 90+ degree days we have for 8 months a year trains in nature are much better. Hotels are also 10 minutes from here, airport transportation picks up at our doorstep or we leave our car at the Brownwood Hotel again 10 minutes away. I'm sure there are those that like living within walking distance to a square but my guess is there are many more that would prefer a more peaceful environment.

After 23 yrs of living here, my favorite walk is around LSL. Start at the picnic tables, enter the vast gardens, stroll across the wooden bridge and watch the waterfall, cross over to the lake, watch the amazing sunset, gander at the turtles in the lake. Turn around, stop for some ice cream, stroll the shops or listen to music from afar. In my opinion, the best walk in the Villages.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by frayedends

I guess I'm just used to living in the boonies so 30 minutes by golf cart doesn't seem like a big deal to me. For stretching my legs, I'd much rather the miles of walking paths along the preserve behind us.

Add to that the posts about proximity to town squares attracting rental investors, and the complaints I see about renters, I'm glad to be in a place that is not great for rentals.

I had to leave my home near a square because of many rental properties. Your instinct is spot on. Living there became a nightmare!

[MrChip72]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

I had to leave my home near a square because of many rental properties. Your instinct is spot on. Living there became a nightmare!

How did the rental properties make it a nightmare? Which village? My area has some rentals here and there and the tenants don't really act different than the homeowners.

[GoRedSox!]

We are right next to Brownwood and very happy. We were greeted by the welcome wagon on the day we closed with a warm welcome and cookies. That's never happened to us before. There is an AED program here and what seems to be a wonderful community spirit. I don't think it's overly busy or noisy at all. Everyone is friendly. Everyone has different tastes and interests and that's what makes the world go 'round. I think there is a great place for everyone here and while there are different opinions, the truth be told, they are all nice. And if you find out you prefer another area, folks have no problem moving. It's all good.