[SteveFromNY]

Yodamom, I think you need to look at it more in terms of percentages than absolute amounts. If the market is down 10% between 2005 & now, then one of the lower priced homes (say $150K in 2005) would be down $15,000, while a $600,000 premier home would be down $60,000.
So you could be "losing" $40K on your sale but buy a house that's now worth $60K less than a while ago. Remember when the market moves up, it's going to move in percentages as well. So a lower price will appreciate slower (same rate but less absolute cash value), a higher priced home faster.
And then, as SNOK says, if you're going to stay, none of this makes a difference anyway. It will eventually be worth more than you paid for it and your heirs can sort it out.
As they used to say, "The time to buy real estate is now!"

[jjdees]

Steve, How did you find the Zillow chart? I tried to find the data for other areas of the country and could not.

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by jjdees

Steve, How did you find the Zillow chart? I tried to find the data for other areas of the country and could not.

Go to zillow.com and put in either the address or zip or city name on the Homes screen. Once that returns, there are tabs across the top one of which is Local Info. Click on that and you see a drop down with Home Values on it. Click on that and you'll get the charts.

[JohnN]

I doubt TV has declined as much as many areas, the population trend of aging baby boomers continues and this is a unique market.

Regardless, what the price was several years back didn't matter to me,
it was price today of my current house and the Villages house, and how did tha fit in my finances. We chose to buy

[jjdees]

Steve,

I got it. Thanks for the help.

[YodaMom]

Thanks StevefromNY. I think looking at it through percentages is wise advice. Will take your advice.

[JohnN]

Steve, zillow is a mighty fine sight - people need to remember it's a tool and not the absolute, but it is very good. Great suggestion.

[tankdvr1950]

FYI...wife and i will be heading to TV (forever) in late May after we have closed on the sale of our home here in NY

have been in regular contact with our sales agent...latest info is that TV increased the price of all homes .5% on April 1 and plans a like increase on May 1....beyond that, who knows

[Cassie325]

was out yesterday looking at homes for the in-laws....prices quoted were stated that they were 4% off. Looked at brand new CY Stucco villas....only $161 and up!! Could not believe it! These are brand new....bought ours pre-owned 4 years ago for $200....with no upgrades!!!

[SteveFromNY]

Originally Posted by JohnN

Steve, zillow is a mighty fine sight - people need to remember it's a tool and not the absolute, but it is very good. Great suggestion.

My experience is people who look at Zillow seem to find it accurate when it meets their needs, and wrong when it doesn't! If someone is selling and it's high on Zillow, Zillow is the gospel. If it's lower than their expectations, it's wrong!

It's based on some averages of recent sales and tax appraisals. It has no sense of condition or amenities in an individual home, so you're absolutely right, it's a tool. However, I think when you view zip-code wide sales tracking charts, it's got to be a pretty accurate measurement.