Originally Posted by thelegges (Post 2422201)

Money goes a long way in today’s market. So buy now, hold on to current home, rent low to offset costs, then when market has an upturn sell. Under contract a home can be more desirable

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2421776)

Real estate values are always driven by supply and demand. Supply is being added very rapidly, buts that’s nothing new in the Villages. Demand for homes has slowed, increasing inventories. My take on slower demand includes the following:

Inflation - This is a very real and significant problem, cutting significantly into people’s disposal income and willingness to purchase a second home (which represents a significant percentage of Villages homes).

Decrease in home values up north - This makes it much more difficult, and risky, for those looking to flip their northern home into a Villages residence.

Floridas outrageously high property and casualty insurance (both homeowners and auto), property taxes, and the bond that comes with many Villages homes - It’s not just the price of homes that buyers must be able to afford, it’s the total package.

Economic uncertainties - These always exist, but seem unusually elevated these days, with new tariff driven inflation and recession fears and a very volatile (not in a good way) stock market. Not an environment conducive to making a significant investment in a home. I suspect many retirees equity in their investment portfolios have a high correlation to their willingness to purchase property.

Investor owned properties- The demand from this segment has slowed for several reasons, which all make a speculative real estate investment more risky than in prior years.

Hurricane burnout - it’s easy to forget about this factor this time of the year, but come mid October it’s fresh in people’s minds. This also effects the homeowners insurance market, which is a previously mentioned problem.

Reduced demand from those outside the USA - Many of these folks appear to be disenchanted and generally pi$$ed off with the USA these days.

Mortgage rates no longer at rock bottom like they were for many years - I suppose this is a deterrent to the segment of buyers not paying cash for their homes.

Just some random thoughts.

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2422202)

I would rent right now and wait for the home prices to come down further. We are at the end of the big selling season with less than lackluster data. Renting is cheaper now, and it makes you more portable when you do decide to pull the trigger.

Originally Posted by Bridget Staunton (Post 2422138)

Not near as high as we used to pay years ago I remember paying 10% and I was glad to pay, just save a little more

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2422185)

Good point, lack of quality health care in and around the Villages is a very real issue. Not only could it cause older retirees with health issues to relocate, but potential new residents might finally be waking up to the problem. Adequate quality health was a real issue here several years ago, and it only keeps getting worse as the rapid growth in housing is suffocating the healthcare system.

Originally Posted by Vernon Hud (Post 2422382)

I have heard through the grapevine, that the Villages developer has their people sitting on used property, and only trying to sell new homes.

Originally Posted by Vernon Hud (Post 2422382)

I have heard through the grapevine, that the Villages developer has their people sitting on used property, and only trying to sell new homes.

Originally Posted by Vernon Hud (Post 2422382)

I have heard through the grapevine, that the Villages developer has their people sitting on used property, and only trying to sell new homes.

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2421796)

Spare cash may be the real problem soon enough. A Market Crash isn’t welcome by any of us. Most don’t NEED a house in the Villages. Security and safe harbor come first.

Originally Posted by margaretmattson (Post 2434258)

I moved to the Villages when Spanish Springs was the only town square. When LSL was being built, hundreds of residents sold their present home and bought in the new area. Brownwood begins construction, same thing. Hundreds of residents sold their homes and bought new. Presently, the homes being constructed are very near the new Eastport square. Like clockwork, hundreds of residents have listed their present homes and bought new. Fear of missing out is one reason the inventory has exploded. If you glance at the Villages weekly sales, you will notice buyers from Florida are leading the pack by a large margin. Once the Eastport homes are all sold, I expect the inventory to return to somewhat normal.

Originally Posted by Bridget Staunton (Post 2422138)

Not near as high as we used to pay years ago I remember paying 10% and I was glad to pay, just save a little more

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2434242)

Naturally they steer them to new homes cause they are employees of developer who in business selling developed additions that’s where big bucks are not chicken feed on resales.