[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by vlm790

Are these statistics for Villages Sales People or Private Real Estate People??

Both. If you read the post you responded to, Lyle Gant is a real estate person NOT employed by The Villages.

They both show the same statistics. The Villages do sell more resales and of course ALL new homes..

And many are sold by owner. We did and used McLin and Burnsed to close. Cost $750. (Three years ago)

[gardeniagirl]

My Ranch home in Summerhill, bond paid, with many upgrades, listed for sale with the Villages from June, 2014 until December, 2014(require 6 month listing). If you want out of contract due to non performance, you are required to pay all
"costs"--trips to the home, advertising, and anything they do regarding your home. I had a very negative "sales agent", sold new homes almost exclusively. I was assigned another agent, who was also busy selling the new 2,000 homes released by the Villages in August--- so few showings. I just spoke with one MLS agent, lists herself as a "Top Buyer's Agent" and is very insistent on me lowering my price by $9,000 from last price, after installing laminate floors, whole house water filter, and having all concrete done with painted finish, so that amounts to about $4,000 more reduction, for $13,000 plus @ $12,000 real estate fees, so maybe I'll go the FSBO route.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

There is a very simple explanation. Sales peak at this time of year. We bought our first home here at this time. Jim McLaughlin, our rep said that this time, going into summer was the busiest season for lookers and buyers.. The potential buyers and lookers and short term renters had gone home and are missing the place. And traditionally all over the country this is the time real estate really MOVES. They have to sell the one back home, usually.

The price breaks and discounts happen more before...this time of the year. Think about it.

If your house is priced right, staged right, is clean and doesn't smell of smoke, it will sell soon. You watch.

Bingo!!!

[Fred R]

I certainly have little experience in this matter, since I only purchased in March of this year, but when I met with the mortgage guy he said they sell as many homes in the Summer than in the high season of Winter. He said folks come in the Winter, look decide and many come back in the Summer and buy. When I was looking I set the parameters for my salesman and he showed me exactly what I wanted to see.

[paulat585]

Originally Posted by liere

When we bought four years ago, we went to the sales office and said we wanted to look at new and resale homes. When the agent came to talk to us, he said he was reluctant to show us resales since we were just starting our search and he said if he took us to a resale, the home owner would get their hopes up, and maybe we were just looking. I said, "What?!!" I then went on to the Villages website and found a resale that was what we wanted at a great price and called the agent to ask to see it...he was amazed that I found a house at the price listed and he showed it to us and we bought it the next day. Just recently we started to look at larger resale homes and the Villages' agent was willing to show us anything that we requested to see, and knowing what we were looking for he contacted us several times with information on homes that would be to our liking. In our recent search of homes, we have gone to many open houses and I have to say that quite often the agent is on the phone, or the computer and not very attentive to those looking at the house. Of course, we have encountered other agents who are very personable, attentive and these are the agents we remember and contact.

I had the same experience with Villages "sales" people. I looked at 100 houses before buying in March. Most of the VLS open houses I went to were hosted by "agents" who were either on the phone or the computer or were visiting with friends who had dropped by and completely ignored me as I went through the house they were "showing." All I can say to sellers is beware and be aware of who your agent is.

[JoMar]

We purchased our home in July of last year. Our sales rep never pressured one way or the other and we viewed almost 20 homes,both new and pre-owned. We settled on a new home because of our personal preferences. There are a bazillion real estate sales folks here with various skill levels and work focus. If we had a rep that tried to pressure us or lead us one way or the other we would find another rep.

[mgcsooner]

My advice would be to make sure your Village Sales Agent is working for you! In reality they work for the villages first of course, but those with experience here realize that if they make a good sale with you, you will drive more business back to them personally either by recommendation or when you choose you want to do it again!!! I know--you find the perfect house, but then decide for one reason or another you want to move again. What is it they say--the average is 3 times here, and it's not because they don't like TV. Start off slowing, and new homes are good for establishing value since they do drive many of the prices here.

I'd keep looking at the new ones until you find out what is important to you, how big, #bdrms, etc. No real hurry with the new homes, although sometimes they have deals! Once you understand what you can get for your value, and
how locations matter to you, THEN be prepared to look at used homes--but be careful, since many of them get snapped up pronto. Get both a Village sales and outside MLS rep to show you since they are mutually exclusive listings --meaning they can't show you the others product. TV Sales sells 60-70% of all the used homes here and of course 100% of the new ones. There are many wonderful, updated used homes that have many improvements so you need to do homework. Homes built during the 2000s and more recently are built to more stringent building codes.

There's few if any new homes here that are probably "must buy now" since you can replicate any of them on other lots. Used homes on the other hand might be more difficult to replicate the value as easily, hence if you find it-grab it. The more time you have to put into it the better selection and probability of finding the right match.

But to be able to do it this way, you need to be in more control of the viewing schedule and approach, otherwise the sales staff--MLS or VLS may be tempted to show you fewer opportunities. So there, it's a matter of your time available, your patience, endurance and ability to jump if you find the right one.

[Fraugoofy]

We bought a pre owned twice each exactly one year apart in the same neighborhood! Couldn't be happier!

[vlm790]

I'm convinced the village sales people are too focused on selling new. I see the advantage to them. It's easier to show a bunch of new homes on one street rather than having to drive from one area to another for a pre-owned home. I listed with the village sales and am now sorry I did. After buying 2 new homes I thought they would work harder to sell mine. Very, very disappointed

[Vernster]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Both. If you read the post you responded to, Lyle Gant is a real estate person NOT employed by The Villages.

They both show the same statistics. The Villages do sell more resales and of course ALL new homes..

And many are sold by owner. We did and used McLin and Burnsed to close. Cost $750. (Three years ago)

I've sold 2 homes using FSBO. Both were sold during the 1st open house. Easy to do. No sales commission to pay and closing cost are so much less.
Try to sell it yourself.

[kstew43]

MLS realtors.....not village salespeople.

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by andercat

We have our home for sale listed with the Properties of The Villages. I tend to be skeptical by nature and was wondering if anyone has experienced what we have experienced. During high season we had very few showings on our house. Now that high season is over, we are seeing 4 to 5 showings a week. How is this possible? We have fewer people in town yet more showings. Does anyone know if The Villages sales representatives are given incentives to show new homes during high season? New homes continue to have a discount so that has not changed. Just seems odd to me. I'm interested in your thoughts.

The developer owns the real estate company. Of course they are going to push new homes before they show yours. You should have listed with an independent. Knowing the developer, the contract you signed is ironclad. When it's time for renewal, run.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by outlaw

The developer owns the real estate company. Of course they are going to push new homes before they show yours. You should have listed with an independent. Knowing the developer, the contract you signed is ironclad. When it's time for renewal, run.

Are you speaking from personal experience?
Twice we've bought pre-owned homes. New homes were never pushed on us.
We listed our CYV with The Villages in 2010, and it sold for more than we expected.
Perhaps things have changed.

[hulahips]

Yes they are given a bonus to sell new. Our friends are R E agents

[beachx4me]

For those who listed with MLS agents how many open houses did you average in a month??