[Joaniesmom]

I don't play golf but definitely don't mind paying the amenity free. There are so many other things to enjoy in The Villages other than golf and the fees pay for them all.

Joaniesmom

[senior citizen]

........

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Quixote

While I would have to agree that the person whose email I posted has a “way with words” and expresses an opinion very strongly, I just want to apologize and say that it was not my intention to start a firestorm or to criticize anyone’s choice of new versus resale. I know from my experience over the years that there are many Villages wannabees on this site, and my intention was to point out to them the advantages of a resale, something that Villages salespeople don’t do, which I’ll explain.

As rubicon said in a post, “My previous post was to offer people who have not purchased a home here yet an opportunity to be more circumspect about this choice. I wish someone had offered me that opportunity. Please allow me my right of ‘free expression’.” Or villageshooter who wrote, “tell ur story and help others,,,,they have made billions off of unsepecting folks!” It’s up to us to educate ourselves and know exactly what the options are.

Before I continue, I would like to quote again what rubicon said in another posting and I agree with: “So IMHO offering potential buyers the benefit of your point of view is the right thing to do. After all all you are doing is simply offering an opinion and then it is up to the potential buyers to decide.” However, I don’t agree that this has anything to do with politics or political correctness. We don’t need to politicize everything but rather need only to accept the statement on face value and learn, if we wish to, from the experiences of others.

I agree with the poster who was selling a house and noticed that Villages real estate salespeople did little to promote selling a pre-owned home and instead rushed potential clients to buy new and spending far more time showing the latter. When I first came, I had the most honest and ethical salesman with whom remained friends until he left employment here, even though in the end I didn’t buy through him. I had made it clear to him that I wanted a resale and nothing else, and even so, he showed me resales but insisted on showing me new homes as well. I have heard it alleged that Villages salespeople must sell x number of new houses each year or lose their jobs; I was never able to document this, but I did hear it more than once.

I have owned two resales in TV. The first was listed with TV; once the owner and I agreed to a price, he simply called the realty office and canceled his contract, and I bought directly. (TV has changed its policy since then, and this can no longer be done.) The original owners had done very little with the house itself (though they had very obviously spent a fortune on landscaping), resulting in an exceptionally reasonable sale price (with bond paid by them!) while leaving us a clean slate to do as I wished. When I moved within TV some years later, I had a very specific style house in mind, very few of which exist, and when one was on the market in my desired location, I jumped at it, and this was with an outside realty firm. Again, the price was very low in part because the original owners had done little in the parts of the house and property where I wanted to do my thing, and what they did was very well done AND didn’t get in the way of the vision I had for the house. Here the bond was not paid, but it was such a small amount that I just paid it off.

As fromct says, “The best part of this thread is that in a couple of years it will be a moot point and everyone can concentrate on making the most of the decisions they made....” For sure, when there are no more new homes and only resales, the resales will be worth much more than they are now, when so many people (some because they know exactly what they want, and others possibly because they just don’t know, which is why I started this post) focus only on new homes that resales languish and drop in price.

As far as amenities fees are concerned (unrelated to my original post), I too do not golf and wish that golf were a separate membership within TV, as I’ve seen in other communities, but it is what it is. I signed knowing that they were not separate and am willing to accept that everything cannot be my way. This is a wonderful place to live!

As createquilts said, “I have a question about the older neighborhoods. Don't you think some of them will turn over, just like the neighborhood I live in up north is doing now?” Yes, of course, they’re all turning over all the time. I traveled through the village of Sanibel for the first time recently and already saw a for sale sign in a window (outside realtor). This means it’s a resale of a house that cannot be more than a couple of months old, and it struck me how sad this is. Life can change in a moment.... I live in a long established area where two house across the street sold just before we came, and the house next door and the house behind me sold since I’m here.

Again I apologize if I came across as less than civil. This was certainly not what I intended but rather to share the resale experience with potential newcomers.

A wise man sees his errors. And you aren't wrong, I don't think so at all. There are two wonderful posters on here who frequently point out the merits of buying a resale. They are Buggyone and PTurner. They also say how lovely it is to live north of 466, and they are right on that one too.

Neither of them ever used such a colorful way to describe one of the new homes, to be fair.

Keep 'em coming Quixote! We learn from each other here and that is the reason I love this forum and this wonderful place.

[CanalTownMary]

While I agree "each to his own", I recently purchased a resale in Hacienda East and agree completly with the writers assessment of the older neighborhoods...especially this one. I have always thought you get soooo much more for your money with a resale! Most older homes have been well maintaned and everything has been done, leaving me to just enjoy a glass of wine on the birdcage. Two things I love most about resale...mature lush landscapeing and in my case...NO bond. Big savings all around. All that being said, its wonderful living here, whatever you choose. Come on down.

[2 Oldcrabs]

When we first started looking, I was sure we would buy a resale. I did not like the idea of the bond on new homes. Looked at many resales thru TV & MLS. Resales that met our needs were higher than having the the house built including the bond cost. Many of the resales had ugly wallpaper and "dated" colors Never made an Offer on a resale, because they did not meet our needs. But I am sure I could have gotten a "good deal". I custom built my last home using many upgrades and energy effiecent HVAC that builders do not offer. New TV homes are"track housing" not custom built, but certainly not a POS ! Everybody's wants and needs are different. "DO the math" and buy what you want.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Joaniesmom

I don't play golf but definitely don't mind paying the amenity free. There are so many other things to enjoy in The Villages other than golf and the fees pay for them all.

Joaniesmom

I don't believe amenities apply to golf?

[dkrhardy]

rubicon - who pays for the executive courses? Residents do. How do they pay? With the amenities fees. If you know of another way they are paid for, let me know. The fees also pay for all of the upkeep, squares entertainment, as well as improvements.
Don

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by dkrhardy

rubicon - who pays for the executive courses? Residents do. How do they pay? With the amenities fees. If you know of another way they are paid for, let me know. The fees also pay for all of the upkeep, squares entertainment, as well as improvements.
Don

they get the money for the executive by charging to see the elephant mounds on the new golf courses (post from april 1)

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by dkrhardy

The fees also pay for all of the upkeep, squares entertainment, as well as improvements.
Don

The upkeep of the Town Squares and entertainment costs, are NOT paid out of residents' amenity fees. The Squares, shops, restaurants and entertainment are open to the public, unlike our golf courses and pools!

[hulababy]

Could it be the builder is using more "cost effective" materials when building now?? I did see some cottage style homes where the bathrooms appeared cheaply made. Just like food prices, prices go up, the quanity went down. What used to be a box of cereal for $2.99 is now 1/2 a box of cereal for $3.50. It would NOt surprise me if the quality of workmanship is poorer as the population has grown and they probably just want to build out and get it over with. I know my style home changed through the years When I bought you got Three windows in kitchen, then they went to two windows in kitchen, from a cathedral ceiling to a regular low ceiling. I would agree the homes have changed. Resales are probably doing very well considering you could find something nice in a great location for a lower bond.

[hdh1470]

As stated before to each their own.For those on a tighter budget you can do much better on a resale.Today I saw a house in springdale listed for 189,000 bond bal 4500.maint 400 a yr.That new model would cost you 210,000 bond 23,000 and maint. about 1,000yr.Assuming you could buy for 180,000 that's almost 50k difference.Point being that those wanting a house they can't afford maybe you can.Also taxes are going to be a lot cheaper.

[CaptJohn]

Quixote, Post 71 was nicely written. Very good explanations and points made.

[dkrhardy]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

The upkeep of the Town Squares and entertainment costs, are NOT paid out of residents' amenity fees. The Squares, shops, restaurants and entertainment are open to the public, unlike our golf courses and pools!

So what does pay for them? Open to the public or not, those things ARE paid for by some funds.
Don

[Joaniesmom]

Way to go, Trish. Hurry on down. We need more folks just like you!

Joaniesmom

[Joaniesmom]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

We bought two resales in TV. I agree with the above poster that you can do better financially on a resale over new. Plus getting a larger lot in a mature neighborhood, and a more central location.

However there is an emotional component to buying new. For many Wrinklies, their home in TV will be their last opportunity to buy new. There is an excitement in choosing a lot and being part of the creative process; of making choices and feeling the satisfaction of seeing a vision come to life.

Well now. Wrinklies. I like the sound of that better than frog. Thanks for the idea. I'll mull it over.

Wrinklie Joaniesmom