[DrHitch]

To the O.P., each person has their own final decision re: where to live. Maybe you'll move multiple times (typical).

We just closed on a 30 year old house in Spanish Springs, and you couldn't pay me enough to want to live south of the Turnpike. But, each to their own choices. At 70 years old, here's what went into our decision process:

• We have snowbirded for 2 month stretches for past 3 years in Spanish Springs area
• We have many friends in new and old areas of The Villages
• Buying a house with a new bond will add about 5% to 10% to your total cost
• We like the closeness of infrastructure
• We like the fully-developed greenery, etc

Those things said, the house we bought has a) a brand new roof (better for insurance), b) has been remodeled by previous owner (don't have to deal with contractors, mess), c) great location with very few if any short-term renters, and d) easy cart ride to facilities including golf, pools, rec centers, and both town squares. When we want to go to Brownwood or Sawgrass (or even Eastport next year) we'll simply take the car.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

I would do more than just a lifestyle visit. A week is not nearly enough time to figure out if you want to move here as well as where to live.

We rented for a month and if we had a do over would have rented longer

More and more are choosing to rent. Your money collects interest while you are deciding if the Villages is the place you want to retire. In a year's time, the interest earned can add up significantly. Your social security payments may easily pay the entire cost of the rent. Go to villages4rent.com to see the homes available. Some are completely furnished with a golf cart included. Worry-free living until you choose a home.

A family member is currently looking for a home. In many areas, we noticed the price of older homes is now equal or lower than new construction. You can find a good deal now that available inventory has exploded. If you are not set on a particular home, you can wait until the Developer drops the price in the Eastport area. There are always some homes that get reduced so he can move on to his next phase of building. The reduced cost may help to pay the bond. If you are in a hurry, check out the current reduced prices for new homes in Lake Denham and Dabney. To do this, go to the villages website. MLS is not able to sell new homes and you will not find any listings for them.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by heartofthecountry

My wife and I have noticed that many of the homes we are looking at under MLS or VLS from up north in TV are from 2000-2004 [not considering the east with the mobile home section] Most have all been updated, roof, hvac, water heater, and sometimes appliances, floor, etc, most no bond which is good. But they are now 20 to 24 years old, and I have heard/read that some insurance companies won’t insure homes that are at this age, even with a new roof. Then there is the fact that there will be obvious work needing to be done on older homes. Then we move towards the middle of TV and we see homes built in 2008-let’s say to 2013 and many of these may have nice upgrades like cabinets, epoxy garage, garage screen, lani cage, etc, etc, but the major stuff like roof, hvac, water heater, flooring are like in between their shelf life and have not been replaced, and of course a bond that usually has some kind of balance. So if we purchased one from that era, we are looking at a new roof not too far down the road and perhaps more cost with other appliances, hvac, water heater, etc to replace. Then going south some are built in 2017-2019, obviously new enough for not having to think about roof, etc, right now, but much higher bond and usually more expensive than in northern area. Then of course there are new builds and spec homes with everything new, but highest bond payment. So we are on the fence as to which way to proceed. On the one hand perhaps paying the higher bond is better and cheaper, than having an older house but having to put more money in it for what I described above. I am aware of the two sides of the coin as to whether new or resale. I’m also aware of the pros and cons to the north vs south part of TV, such as: closer/further away to amenities, stores, doctors, etc. My wife and I do not care which part of TV other than we want Sumter county. We are in our late 60’s early 70’s and realize we will not be in the home 30 years. We are looking to buy 350 and under, no mortgage. We have been here to visit two times, and are doing another life style visit late summer with the intent to make a decision since I want to retire this December. Would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you

Don't over think this.
Just come down for a couple of visits and find a house you like in an area you like.
The bonds are simply a deferred portion of the cost of the original house. Without the bond, the price of house would have reflected the complete cost of the new home including all if the developer infrastructure costs.
Buying a home here is no different than any other home buying experience.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

Don't over think this.
Just come down for a couple of visits and find a house you like in an area you like.
The bonds are simply a deferred portion of the cost of the original house. Without the bond, the price of house would have reflected the complete cost of the new home including all if the developer infrastructure costs.
Buying a home here is no different than any other home buying experience.

A word of caution. Do not buy a home that has a price of $65K+ above the cost of a newly built home. On MLS, many homeowners who did this have to settle for a loss in order to sell their home.

Example: A new Winslow-C model price is $460,000.

A preowned is asking $545,000 for the same model with no upgrades to the home. Bond still significantly high because the owner lived in the home for 1-4 years.

We discovered on MLS and VLS these homes are sitting for months. Homeowners are not able to reduce the price because they must pay 30k plus in closing and moving costs.

Buyers look at these homes, see everything is essentially the same as new construction and choose to buy new because it is almost 100K less and under a one-year warranty. The tax rate is cheaper on the new and is located merely a few miles away from the preowned. The buyer sees nothing lost.

Do not place yourself in a predicament where selling your home, if needed, will be extremely difficult. The developer will be building for 15+ more years. New construction will always be less than preowned. Most buyers will choose the cheapest route leaving you out in the cold.

Some will tell you it will be easy to sell the home if you do not like it for a sizeable profit. This is no longer the case. BUYER BEWARE.

[DONNIEBRONX]

I'm in pennecamp between 466 and 466a. I recommend an area like this as you have access to the squares and recall. Up north is too old and the south is remote with continual construction

[craarmy]

Biggest diiference in insurnce is wither your home is stick built or manufactored. Manufactored only 2 insurance companies to choose from. Foremost sells through 3rd parties. Dont get caught up in third parties selling Foremost. I.E. AARP- Foremost, Progresso- Foremost ect.

[AliAst]

I don't know where you heard about difficulties insuring homes that are 20+ years old. We bought our house, originally built in 2003, just over 4 years ago. No bond, recently renovated, in Sumter County. Zero issues on inspection, zero issues on insurance (we even have sinkhole insurance, which is hard to come by). Yes, we'll need to replace the roof at some point, though that's true no matter the age of the house. If what you said was true about houses more than 20 years old, everyone who lives above Rte 466 (and some below) would have insurance difficulties, which is simply NOT the case. What IS true is that several insurance companies have pulled out of the Florida market, so people have had to suddenly shop around for new insurance and can't necessarily get the exact same coverage, and since HO insurance prices have risen drastically throughout Florida, they've had to pay more, but again, that impacts all of us. And just like all of us, houses age, so that under-20-year-old-house you buy because of theoretical insurance issues will be 20 years old+ before you know it! Personally, I think not having a bond and settling into a house you want in a community near the amenities you care about is what matters most...

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Indydealmaker

Don't over think this.
Just come down for a couple of visits and find a house you like in an area you like.
The bonds are simply a deferred portion of the cost of the original house. Without the bond, the price of house would have reflected the complete cost of the new home including all if the developer infrastructure costs.
Buying a home here is no different than any other home buying experience.

I so agree.

[Pat2015]

Originally Posted by heartofthecountry

I realize that, but that is our budget. I know we could never purchase a designer home. Thank you

You can get a new nice designer home for that price near Eastport at around 1300 to 1500 or so sq. Ft. Taxes will be a bit higher along with bond, but you’ll have a brand new home and be close to the new square. Good luck to you in your decision .

[jacqueline larsen]

I bought the less expensive, near shopping and medical, enjoyed upgrading it and have money left over for traveling.

[Pat2015]

I don’t see the prices decreasing in the Eastport area. If anything I see the prices increasing with the surrounding Villages closest to the square like in Waters Edge. Just speculation, but I think that’s going to be a hot area for buyers.

[Pat2015]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

I bought a 20 year old house when I moved here four years ago. New roof and HVAC and appliances and countertops. Great house, well kept up. 20 years old is NOT old. But you have to judge whether or not things need to be replaced and take that into account when you choose a house. The reason there are so many for sale is that the people moved in when they were your age and now are dying off. A lot of the residents will still be much older than you. Do you have to have, say, stone countertops? I’m fine with Formica. Avoid a house where the shingles need to be replaced, or it’s the original HVAC system. I did have the original Berber carpet replaced with luxury vinyl plank flooring. That was $14,000.

The new roof and hvac are good. The plank sounds a bit pricey?

[Pat2015]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Point #1 why did they wait until the warranty was up to get an inspector? #2 failed window seals has nothing to do with poor or rushed constructions, they are factory made packets, not made by TV contractors and they are guaranteed for 10 years. I personally know a lot of people that bought new and can't say that I know one that was not happy with their new home. You most likely never purchased a new home in TV and are relying solely on hearsay.

Agree!

[Lanieb]

I have a courtyard villa for sale in your price range. It’s a 2 bed 2 bath completely renovated.
I really like this enclosed style as you don’t have to worry about tornadoes or hurricanes.
Please call me for details.
Lanie. 336 337 5885.

[elevatorman]

Our house was built 2009, located in Duval, new roof this year, water heater last year. Our bond is paid and there are many extras. Insurance has not been a problem. There are many of my neighbors in the same situation. Some have also replaced air conditioning systems. What I am saying is homes built around this time period are in need of the things you are concerned about. But many have done the work already. I would not exclude any area. there are quite a few gems hidden in with the others.