[Boomer]

While The Villages (VLS) site is easy to navigate, I don't see a way to find out the days-on-market. I guess I could figure it out, sort of, on specific listings by the listing number. But sometimes houses are relisted with a new number.

MLS sites for TV houses sometimes show days-on-market. Zilliow does, too.

I think being aware of days-on-market can be helpful to both buyers and sellers. For sellers who want to list, knowing how an agent is doing with existing listings is a factor to consider. If you can't find the info, ask.

But, overall, the market is the market.

[autumnspring]

Originally Posted by justjim

In talking with my Village Sales representative in the spring, she told me that November was a good month for sales. I remember exactly because I questioned November being a good month.

The Villages is no longer selling new homes at the same pace of a couple years ago. That is pretty easy to observe with the discounts they are giving. The homes in Lake County (Pine Ridge and Pine Hills)are not selling as fast as they once thought they would. As you probably know, taxes are higher in Lake County than in Sumter. Most buyers today are pretty "savvy" when purchasing a home. I believe all golf course lots are sold and there will not be anymore north of State Rt. 44. The Villages south of LaBelle are considerably more distance to Brownwood too.

In short, this all adds up to slower sales than in past years---especially the month of November. In some way, it slows resales too if fewer potential buyers are coming to TV. This Year there was a contentious election and some might be putting off moving and purchasing a retirement home until later.

That said, with interest rates heading up, the election over, and stocks headed higher, I wouldn't be surprised that increased sales of new and resale homes in TV will follow. Prices, however, may be a bit lower until demand catches up with supply.

BTY, I am not a Realtor nor currently a real estate investor although I have been an investor in the past. Like most of you I am happy to be a retiree.

As a former sales rep in the photo industry. If, anyone asks THINGS ARE GREAT.
For real estate sales, it is a predicable game. A broker will tell you that they will get you a high price for your house so that you give them the listing. That ties you up for six months. If anyone sells your house in that time period they get 1/2 of the commission which they need to split with the office they work for. That is the reason why the listing broker is motivated to be the selling broker as well.
If, a home doesn't sell in a month or two it is like old eggs-a bit stale.

Look at ZILLOW. The hard cold rude facts are easy to see.
You can see what your model is listed for and more important what it SELLS for.

[Boomer]

Does anybody know if TV salespeople or MLS agents "tour" new pre-owned listings or present their new pre-owned listings at office meetings? My guess is some do, some don't, but I really don't know. Anybody?

[Boomer]

Forgive me. I was writing a post of unsolicited, but ever-so-helpful, advice about photos for real estate ads. -- But either my iPad or my connection is overly sensitive and going haywire this morning and kept posting partial posts. I just gave up and took it out.

[kstew43]

As a retired Realtor in Broward county florida.....

You ABSOLUTELY push your listings in your office with your fellow office realtors. We had sales lunches every week to hear about all the new listings in our office.

And we used to have caravans....we would all get together once a week and preview our offices listing then meet for lunch paid by our broker. Strive to keep the commissions in the company.

That is just good business....

[Greg Nelson]

In Green Valley,AZ there are tons for sale and cheap too

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Does anybody know if TV salespeople or MLS agents "tour" new pre-owned listings or present their new pre-owned listings at office meetings? My guess is some do, some don't, but I really don't know. Anybody?

Originally Posted by kstew43;13***02

As a retired Realtor in Broward county florida.....

You ABSOLUTELY push your listings in your office with your fellow office realtors. We had sales lunches every week to hear about all the new listings in our office.

And we used to have caravans....we would all get together once a week and preview our offices listing then meet for lunch paid by our broker. Strive to keep the commissions in the company.

That is just good business....

Yes. Definitely. Good business.

Our house up north is in a large city where some agents "tour" or "caravan" and some do not. There are brokerages that are so big that they end up having a whole lot of agents, some of whom only want to get the listings and that's it.

I have found out that some of TV MLS agents "caravan" but I don't know if all the MLS offices do. My guess is yes.......or the agents choose as individuals.

But does anyone know if the salespeople who work for TV bring other agents through their new pre-owned listings or present the new listings at meetings?

Buyers need two agents if they want to know the whole TV market -- one MLS and one VLS. But sellers have to decide which one will get the listing. Lots to think about -- either way.

[Boomer]

A long time ago, in a different city, in the world of real estate, in a class, it was said that an Open House rarely sells the house that is Open.......

The general idea, then and there, was that an Open House was a good way for the agent to meet people who might eventually become clients for the agent but rarely for the house where they met.

Is that how things work in TV? Does an Open House sell the Open House more often here than in other markets? (My guess is maybe, especially considering "No Signs Allowed.")

[justjim]

Since you can't put a sign up in the yard but can put up a temporary open house sign, open house does likely sell better in The Villages than in other real estate markets. This is especially true for "For sale by owner". Just my opinion.

[CassieInVa]

Was at an Open House this week (preowned home listed with the Villages) and agent said that prices are good right now to purchase but might want to wait a bit to sell, as prices should go back up soon. Mentioned there are a lot less available listings than normal right now and hopefully a sellers market coming up. Of course, it is anybody's guess.

[BobnBev]

Originally Posted by virgind

///

Can you PM me with your address and home info?

[HimandMe]

Originally Posted by Boomer

There are designers......and then, there are designers........

As you look for a courtyard villa, you also might want to think about looking at some of the smaller designers on inside lots.

For instance, a classic, smaller Gardenia can give you a nice open 1887 sq. ft. (or slightly more) with a full 2-car garage and lots of natural light.

The front portico area of the Gardenia can be paved. Pavers in the small backyard, too, will cut down on grass to mow. Hiring mowing done for smaller inside lots is relatively inexpensive.

Even though those designers on inside lots look really close together, you might find that the way the houses are sited sometimes allows for more privacy than you might have thought possible. -- And......if you can find a designer that backs up to a courtyard villa neighborhood, you can get backyard privacy from the villa wall.

May I suggest that as you look at courtyard neighborhoods, you might want to expand your search and see what is for sale behind them. When a designer backs up to a villa wall, you don't have to have a kissing lanai or a street in your backyard -- both of which usually can be helped with landscaping though. -- btw, landscaping is just one of the reasons to go with pre-owned.

I wish you the best of luck as you search for the home you will know is yours. (Just for the record, I think pre-owned homes are often the best choice for many reasons.)

Good idea...consider Designers that back up to those courtyard walls. You get all the designer extras and the privacy.

[HimandMe]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Thanks again for answering my question. I am quoting us here because I have more questions about turnkey sales..........

It seems to me that before the house is listed, the best thing to do would be for the seller to remove any items they want to keep. But that might not always be possible.

Do sellers mark items that will not stay or do they provide an inventory of what will stay? Or both?

If a turnkey has always been a private home and never a rental, a seller probably has a few more things to think about when preparing the house for listing. For instance, what about artwork? If the seller is taking a painting, should they just mark it to show it does not stay? Or just get it out of there, leaving a blank wall? Or, if possible, try to find something to replace it for staging? Or is it better to just have freshly painted walls with nothing, or very few items?

Suggestions? Advice? For sellers and/or buyers of a turnkey home?

You usually get an itemized list. A private home is often beloved and furnished differently. Major items often stay but other things are often not trinkets and go with the owner or heirs.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Greg Nelson;13***16

In Green Valley,AZ there are tons for sale and cheap too

I have a first cousin who lives there in Green Valley, Az. He has been there five or six years and likes it. However, he usually does his traveling in July and August because of the heat. We looked Arizona over prior to settling on Florida and Arizona just didn't do it for us. Too many rocks and "brown tones". Sorry, off the thread subject a bit.

There were close to 500 ready built new homes for sale just a week ago and most were discounted. This affects the resale market to some extent in TV. Depending on the location you prefer the resales may have an advantage because new homes/villas are either "far" north or south in The Villages.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by HimandMe

Good idea...consider Designers that back up to those courtyard walls. You get all the designer extras and the privacy.

Originally Posted by HimandMe

You usually get an itemized list. A private home is often beloved and furnished differently. Major items often stay but other things are often not trinkets and go with the owner or heirs.

Yes and Yes.

When I walked in the front door of this light, bright, well-maintained, conveniently located, pre-owned designer and looked straight through to the back and saw that wall -- I knew.

This home has always been a private home and you are so right about how it is furnished.....and beloved -- by us and by the previous owner, too..........