[Cobh521]

I need to disagree with you. I am not sure about what happened with the walk- thru as this should have been done. The sales reps have a list of inspectors that they present to buyers. They should not make the decision. In fact, if they did make the decision, then you must have signed the form to allow them to select an inspector on your behalf. If there was problems with the inspection, then you need to contact the inspector. That is their profession not the sales representatives profession. As for forcing people to buy new homes, I disagree. The sales reps will show you what you want to see. I do believe that the number of new homes and preowned homes is about the same per month. I am sure someone can get you that information.

[New York Transplant]

Gracie, are you the internet forum advisor for the Villages? Just curious. For your info: The post is to make aware of a problem. And by the private messages we're receiving, it seems we're not the only ones. The sellers also need to know that their best interest is not selling their pre-owned home, it's selling a new one and is being mislead in some cases. We've seen it as buyers, looking at over 100 homes. It will haunt the sellers later on if they disclose false information or hide it as well. We're not people to be taken advantage of nor should anyone else, including the sellers. The two associates that handled our transaction seem to be nice people and we wont disclose their names , especially in a public forum since we're being asked. Thank you for your input however the walk through they do when the buyers are not present at the closing and they represent. The offer for a house sign was just that, an offer and yes it's a gift. I'm an adult and know the difference between a gift and a promise, you're totally missing the point but that's okay. It's a norm nowadays that some lack common sense, especially following through.....It's poor customer service period.

[New York Transplant]

There's nothing to disagree about, we're posting our experience.

[New York Transplant]

yes, he seems like a very smart man.

[2BNTV]

Maybe I am looking at my experience simply but I used a MLS buyers agent that was looking out for me.

I am somewhat certain that some VLS agents are less than perfect and that could possibly lead to some problems.

I am sorry the OP had a bad experience.

[BK001]

Originally Posted by New York Transplant

So, we all know that selling a (NEW) home here in the Villages is their number one priority. The high bonds and the interest over time is very lucrative. Granted, it's real estate 101 and it's perfectly understandable that this is the Realtors priority! However, we chose to buy a pre-owned home with a low bond. Low enough to pay off. Even tho we're happy with our decision to buy (PO) &notget trapped into paying interest on a bond , we're not too happy with the way the realtors who handled our closing. Pre-owed owners should have the same priority!
Citizens Bank is awesome however the Village realtors we delt with need some customer service training. We were promised a walk-thru which NEVER took place and the inspection company they recommended overlooked a few major issues. One major issue is an electrical one. Gee, could the inspectors be linked to the Villages and or being paid off not to disclose serious problems? I hate to think this and will give them the benefit of the doubt and will consider it an oversight for now, as long as they take care of the bill.

After moving in we found that the owners who the Villages represented as well didn't fix the minor problems that was on the inspection report. We're talking fixing a few minor holes around pipes, etc, etc. We also found a broken screen window that wasn't there before as well as dirty toilet brushes sitting in the bathroom. The brushes were not there before the closing.

Over all, the people here is the reason why we made the move however some realtors that work for the Villages is less to be desired . (We were also promised a sign for our home which we never received).....that is the least of our issues.

I hope whoever decides to buy here takes this in mind and ask a lot of questions and make sure the inspectors the Villages recommend does their job.

Hey NY Transplant –

We too hail from NY. We bought a preowned (with a high bond that we had no intention of paying off at the closing) through TV in May. We never felt any pressure to buy new. The TV rep, who could not have been more professional, recommended the inspector. We said we wanted the report at least a couple of days before the closing so that we knew what to look for at the final walk-through. We could not believe how thorough (maybe even nit-picking) the inspector was. In fact the sellers mentioned their frustration at the many minor things that were pointed out. They did fix them all but believe me, it was really insignificant in the overall scope of things. As far as you having major issues – electrical, etc., I would tell both the Villages and the inspection company that you are disappointed. I don’t know if there is any recourse for you (probably not) but at least you know that they know. And I’m sure The Villages does not want to use an inspection company that is not doing the job the way it should be done. I think it’s just not worth the negative press for them.

Before the closing WE asked at what time will the final walk-through be scheduled – the day before or the morning of the closing? I guess I don’t understand why you didn’t do the same.

The whole process here was far superior to what we experienced in NY as the sellers.

As far as the house sign yes it is a gift. At the closing the rep gave us a coupon that entitled us to cash it in at a vendor on market night in Spanish Springs who sells house signs. The vendor was pleasant and took our order. It was they who told us that TV is great and buys a sign for all their buyers. BTW – they will also come and install it and you don’t even need to be there. It’s all automatic since they do it all the time. Your rep simply forgot to give you the coupon. You should call them, and with a smile in your voice, tell him or her that you have not received the coupon for the house sign. My guess is that they will be embarrassed that they forgot and will either bring it over or mail it to you right away. I know it’s frustrating but please call – I’m sure it was just an oversight.

As I have found from my many years in business as an HR Diirector, a company may be great but its employees run the full gamut from organized to disorganized, caring to who gives a darn, precise to lax, pleasant to grumpy, etc, etc. We had a rep I would rate as “Outstanding” (on so many levels) and you got one who would probably be rated either Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory.

So sorry that this was your experience. You’ve been through a lot – with a major move and lifestyle change and just know that soon this will be all behind you as you drink in the beauty of The Villages (or the beauty of the drinks LOL) and begin to wind down and just enjoy your retirement.

Welcome. (Now go make that phone call!)

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by New York Transplant

Gracie, are you the internet forum advisor for the Villages? Just curious. For your info: The post is to make aware of a problem. And by the private messages we're receiving, it seems we're not the only ones. The sellers also need to know that their best interest is not selling their pre-owned home, it's selling a new one and is being mislead in some cases. We've seen it as buyers, looking at over 100 homes. It will haunt the sellers later on if they disclose false information or hide it as well. We're not people to be taken advantage of nor should anyone else, including the sellers. The two associates that handled our transaction seem to be nice people and we wont disclose their names , especially in a public forum since we're being asked. Thank you for your input however the walk through they do when the buyers are not present at the closing and they represent. The offer for a house sign was just that, an offer and yes it's a gift. I'm an adult and know the difference between a gift and a promise, you're totally missing the point but that's okay. It's a norm nowadays that some lack common sense, especially following through.....It's poor customer service period.

No. I am not. There has been a highly unusual barrage of posts in the last few days from relatively new posters against Villages agents.

I am very aware that there is a GREAT deal of bad feeling among many local MLS realtors because The Villagers does not allow them to participate in the huge business here. There has been trouble in the past when The Villages stopped allowing signs in yards and there was a meeting at Laurel Manor about three years ago that included a lot of very upset realtors. In fact if I remember correctly police presence was needed.

One realtor called me a shill for the developer on this forum NOT too long ago and another poster who has sent me some nasty emails piled on.

I don't care who anybody uses
to buy and sell but I do care when people seem to be launching a barrage of negativity about this place that I absolutely think is run very well. They do not need me to defend them but I do anyway, just because that is what I think and believe.

A good friend can tell you that when he asked us to help him find a house we didn't in anyway suggest MLS or Villages agents. We just went along to be another pair of eyes and to help him find his place here. I don't sell homes. I have never sold homes. I don't have anyone in my family who does or any friends who do except The Village agent that we used twice. We have built several homes over time. We are pleased with the processes here.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by VIN574

I used a Village agent and couldn't have been more pleased.
I bought a resale.
The percentage the agent/broker makes in on the sale price of the property. The bond isn't part of the sale price.
Always do your due diligence to find an independent inspector who doesn't have a connection to the sale.
If you really believe the transaction didn't comply with state standards, file a complaint against their licences. IMHO, I don't think you've got a leg to stand on. You went along with the whole process. Put it behind you and enjoy your new home and your life here.

I agree with the recommendation to find an independent inspector.
We used an MLS agent on one pre-owned home and a VLS agent on our next pre-owned home.
Both transactions went very smoothly.
Perhaps we were just lucky; but I tend to believe the majority of MLS and VLS Real Estate agents are very professional.

[rexxfan]

For what its worth, the agent who handled our purchase of a pre-owned home 18 months ago was great. We had none of these problems. All minor problems were fixed. No major issues were missed. We had a walk through. We even got the sign. Perhaps the agent involved was inexperienced. This is not directed at the OP per se. I find it sad that a sizable percentage of folks nowadays are so distrustful of companies (or even their fellow citizens) that they immediately suspect there is a systematic intent to cheat them. Belief in wild conspiracy theories is a similar problem. Perhaps related to the same underlying dysfunction.
--
Bob C

[Nucky]

I love every realtor that I have ever used. I also am a control freak about every detail of the deal. The couple who bought our home in NJ were guided like puppets throughout the deal by their realtor. They used his lawyer, his inspector, his surveyor, his mortgage company. Each took a little nibble from these people as they didn't do the same job that they would have been forced to do by a seasoned customer. My realtor was great in two previous deals but was sleeping during this one. They all respond to pain. Loss of money is the pain that springs them into action. I'm with the OP totally and would do whatever it takes to rectify the garbage that was pulled on him. A damn shame. I also couldn't be an absentee buyer, not a chance.

[Topspinmo]

Only thing I have to say, when closing read carefully all those papers you sign at the bottom and compare to what's in and on the property, especially if you see any extras added in or on the property. Unfortunately each state different with there codes and restrictions.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Only thing I have to say, when closing read carefully all those papers you sign at the bottom and compare to what's in and on the property, especially if you see any extras added in or on the property. Unfortunately each state different with there codes and restrictions.

Excellent advice!

And I just remembered I have a Realtor friend...or a retired Realtor Friend. Barefoot!

I forgot, Bare. xoxo

[VillagerNut]

Originally Posted by New York Transplant

Sorry, they didn't do their job period! To place blame on the buyer is pathetic as we HIRED them to represent us at closing!! No excuses and it should be public knowledge since there's a lot of money at stake!

You did not hire The Villages Sales Reps to do anything for you as a buyer. The developer always represent the seller at all times which means new and preowned homes. The only thing they have to account for is the money and disclosing any material facts. So every Buyer needs to be aware of who the sales rep represents. It's up to you the buyer to look out for yourself when you're working with the developer. The buyer has no representation when working with the developer. Look at your sales contract where it will disclose that information to you.

[Kathrynsews]

We too had a great purchase experience with our Villages Rep. We made our offer in April and it was accepted, but we had to return to Michigan before the inspection. We also closed by mail. Our rep was terrific, she attended the inspection, we had a conference call with the inspector and the rep, she made sure the identified items were corrected, (all minor) sent us photos, did the pre closing walk through, again sent us pictures, she noticed a problem with the lawn during the walk through and made sure the seller took care of it before we closed. We could not be happier with the transaction. It was our best real estate purchase experience in 47 years, and we have had many! We are loving our new home and look forward to years of happiness in this wonderful place.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by rexxfan

I find it sad that a sizable percentage of folks nowadays are so distrustful of companies (or even their fellow citizens) that they immediately suspect there is a systematic intent to cheat them. Belief in wild conspiracy theories is a similar problem. Perhaps related to the same underlying dysfunction.

People are usually honest, including real estate agents.
There are a few bad apples and you'll find that in any job, and in any city.
But most people strive to be professional and trustworthy.