[KRM0614]

Originally Posted by trekker954

I wasn't sure where to post this to get some insight into my recent purchase here in TV. Problem: I purchased a pre-owned home in June 2020 through the Villages Property using their title company. It was an open house so the realtor got his double commission. During this time, everything for me, a cash buyer (the seller owned the house outright which he bought in Feb. 2019) was to be done electronically including the closing documents, because of Covid. My closing costs seemed minimal. I was credited $1441 for 2020 Taxes from the seller. I am not using my homestead as I still have a home in South Florida for a few more months.

Fast forward to receiving my tax bill which was well over $5000. First I called the title company who said the value of my house increased and told me they used the sellers 2019 tax bill for me and he benefited from his sellers homestead for 2019. Lake County told me my seller had never applied for Homestead (he had a home in PA) so of course his taxes went up in January, but the Title company did not go to their website or call the office to make sure they had the correct estimated tax bill for the seller.

So of course the Title Co rep is no longer with the company but after checking they more or less admitted fault because they sent the seller a letter explaining the error in not collecting enough for me and kindly asked them to make a check out to me for $590 and send it to them and they would forward to me. Well, the seller told them to go pound sand that he felt he lost money on the deal as it was (as a snowbird, he lived in the house such a short time in 2019, and pretty much decided to sell it in February (although not listed until June) because of Covid.

The Title Company came back and said I could always get a lawyer and sue him. Yes thats what the Title Company said. I've never been to small claims court, but I'm assuming that is my only option and I have no idea how much that would cost and if I do have a case. I was copied on the letter the Title Company sent to the seller as well as his response. Does the realtor have any responsibility? He is aware as is his manager and they are supposedly still looking into how this happened.

Obviously who gets an attorney for such a small amount, but had the Title company applied the correct amount the seller would just have credited it the correct amount to me. If a suit is to be had, wouldn't I go after the Title Company. I'm just annoyed they were so lazy as not to call or go on the website to get the correct amount for the 2020 taxes. So I end up paying for my sellers taxes all year rather than just six month.

Everything with villages salsa zombies title etc it’s always a mess

[KRM0614]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I read this through twice, and although admittedly my husband handled all of the details of the eleven closings in our life, it looks on the face of it that you are angry at being surprised at the taxes. (My husband is not a realtor, he is just a smart guy)

Homes in The Villages are escalating like crazy right now, in fact that appears to be so just about everywhere.

I do not think anyone cheated you. I think you were just surprised at the amount of taxes.

I am not a realtor or an agent and we sold our home without a realtor once and it went well. I am not an expert and I really don't like realtors on the whole a lot because many of them pressure. I do really, really, really like Alemorkam, the photographer's wife and Mary Grant and Debbie Boehner back in Cincinnati. (She was my neighbor and friend, married to John Boehner) yes, that one. (We knew someone famous)

Our very favorite house seller in the whole world is Jim McLaughlin from The Villages.

P.S. I don't think anybody gets double commission for having an open house. Do they?????

They get listing and selling commission but now they are accepting 5%

The prices are not going up like you think. Most sales are villas and the rest take 70-90 days

Stay away from village people they lie and will do and say anything for a sale

[KRM0614]

Originally Posted by saratogaman

The agent gets both halves of the commission in that situation -- the one due the listing agent and the one due the selling agent. Since it appears the same agent handled both, he/she is entitled to both halves.

Minus the big chunk the villages take of everything ! No one has an accurate idea how much they deduct from commissions income

[KRM0614]

Originally Posted by Jayhawk

Think back to your post in June where you just bought the house. Remember your excitement at the deal you got? And estimated taxes are just that - estimated based on best available information. Take some time to reflect on your good fortune and enjoy. It's not like anyone went out of their way to cheat you. Peace.

Let me update you all since I started this post. I came up (from South Florida) on June 6, on Day 3 of a 2 week stay, I found my house (believe me I looked at tons, mostly just open houses so I didn't have to really deal with realtors. Anyway, it wasn't the model or the type or even location that I thought I wanted to live but I loved the neighborhood, and loved the house. It was a preowned TV properties, I did get a steal. Its in Pine Hills and is a designer built in 2017. The previous owner also paid cash and are you ready...........paid off the bond!!!! It was really only lived in about 10 months over the three years and never rented. It looks brand new and the owner replaced the carpet with hard wood (which was always on my checklist) I think in November. It was priced to sell quick and i did offer him under which he accepted.

Are you the goodwill ambassador for the villages ? They tell customers amenity fees won’t go up, a big lie they don’t disclose all the high prices for basic services that’s because the Morse family gave their greedy paws in everything

[Spalumbos62]

You probably shouldn't waste your time and effort chasing this...but you could certainly mention the title company so others don't use them... or even let them know you will be posting here. Just saying

[Curtisbwp]

Caveat emptor

[Carl99]

They did the same to me

[Villageswimmer]

Originally Posted by Carl99

They did the same to me

“they” who?

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by trekker954

I wasn't sure where to post this to get some insight into my recent purchase here in TV. Problem: I purchased a pre-owned home in June 2020 through the Villages Property using their title company. It was an open house so the realtor got his double commission. During this time, everything for me, a cash buyer (the seller owned the house outright which he bought in Feb. 2019) was to be done electronically including the closing documents, because of Covid. My closing costs seemed minimal. I was credited $1441 for 2020 Taxes from the seller. I am not using my homestead as I still have a home in South Florida for a few more months.

Fast forward to receiving my tax bill which was well over $5000. First I called the title company who said the value of my house increased and told me they used the sellers 2019 tax bill for me and he benefited from his sellers homestead for 2019. Lake County told me my seller had never applied for Homestead (he had a home in PA) so of course his taxes went up in January, but the Title company did not go to their website or call the office to make sure they had the correct estimated tax bill for the seller.

So of course the Title Co rep is no longer with the company but after checking they more or less admitted fault because they sent the seller a letter explaining the error in not collecting enough for me and kindly asked them to make a check out to me for $590 and send it to them and they would forward to me. Well, the seller told them to go pound sand that he felt he lost money on the deal as it was (as a snowbird, he lived in the house such a short time in 2019, and pretty much decided to sell it in February (although not listed until June) because of Covid.

The Title Company came back and said I could always get a lawyer and sue him. Yes thats what the Title Company said. I've never been to small claims court, but I'm assuming that is my only option and I have no idea how much that would cost and if I do have a case. I was copied on the letter the Title Company sent to the seller as well as his response. Does the realtor have any responsibility? He is aware as is his manager and they are supposedly still looking into how this happened.

Obviously who gets an attorney for such a small amount, but had the Title company applied the correct amount the seller would just have credited it the correct amount to me. If a suit is to be had, wouldn't I go after the Title Company. I'm just annoyed they were so lazy as not to call or go on the website to get the correct amount for the 2020 taxes. So I end up paying for my sellers taxes all year rather than just six month.

I'm far from an expert but, the title company guarantees, for a fee that they have investigated that the title is clear, no liens, they do not draft the contract of sale.
If, they made a mistake, they are liable for it. I would contact the bar association and get names of attorneys they will all spend a bit of time with you at no charge and discuss your options. Small claims court? I went to small claims court twice in my lifetime, and it was not in Florida. I won both times and I collected both times. Collecting after you've won is the hard part and your judgement often goes uncollected.
My total fee to the court was $18. Here someone informed me a while ago the fees are percentage of the amount of the case and it is far more than the $18 that I had paid

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by KRM0614

Are you the goodwill ambassador for the villages ? They tell customers amenity fees won’t go up, a big lie they don’t disclose all the high prices for basic services that’s because the Morse family gave their greedy paws in everything

For what it is worth, on an investment show they stated the CPI Consumer Price Index was up 4% this year. Your/our costs for most everything will be going up. Greedy?
If, you would be happier somewhere else, you owe it to yourself to explore it.

[biker1]

The fact that the amenities fee increases are tied to the CPI is well documented in the deed restrictions. There was a "cap" for a bit of time so that the amenities fees could "synch" up across the CDDs but the continuation of that was never guaranteed.

Originally Posted by KRM0614

Are you the goodwill ambassador for the villages ? They tell customers amenity fees won’t go up, a big lie they don’t disclose all the high prices for basic services that’s because the Morse family gave their greedy paws in everything

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by KRM0614

Minus the big chunk the villages take of everything ! No one has an accurate idea how much they deduct from commissions income

It must be exhausting to try to convince others to be hateful and angry.

[croughwell]

Take them to small claims court. No lawyer necessary and argue your case in front of a judge. You'll probably be sent to an arbitrator (no cost) before trial... What do you have to lose?

[Mrodmh]

Wow. It’s amazing how you were so proud to save so much money and not have to pay a bond and getting this property for such a great price and it was everything you ever wanted and now you’re going to complain about $590. Wow.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by Mrodmh

Wow. It’s amazing how you were so proud to save so much money and not have to pay a bond and getting this property for such a great price and it was everything you ever wanted and now you’re going to complain about $590. Wow.

Some people can't be happy all the time, some people survive on gaining sympathy, some people like to exxagerate both the highs and the lows, and some people always feel that they have been stolen from. . . . just sayin'

and they usually aren't any fun being around!