[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

I did did a search of Realtors in The Villages and here are the results. Find Realtors & Real Estate Agents in The Villages, FL | realtor.com(R)

After talking with a Villages agent, I found out that The Property of The Villages brokerage is not a member of the National Association of Realtors. Therefore, agents who work for them are not allowed to join the NAR and cannot advertise that they are Realtors. But, many of the experienced agents were previously Realtors for years before coming to work for The Villages, but they can no longer be a member. That is why you won't see any Villages agents on the NAR member list. However, their bio will indicate prior membership in the NAR.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

After talking with a Villages agent, I found out that The Property of The Villages brokerage is not a member of the National Association of Realtors. Therefore, agents who work for them are not allowed to join the NAR and cannot advertise that they are Realtors. But, many of the experienced agents were previously Realtors for years before coming to work for The Villages, but they can no longer be a member. That is why you won't see any Villages agents on the NAR member list. However, their bio will indicate prior membership in the NAR.

And?

[Retoline]

Does title company charge an extra fee to handle it?

[melpetezrinski]

Originally Posted by Retoline

Does title company charge an extra fee to handle it?

$450 total with buyer and seller splitting the costs.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by txbob34

I am selling my designer house in Marsh Bend (south of the turnpike). My neighbors are telling me that this neighborhood is one of the most desirable in this area as its next to the softball fields and stores. They are also telling me that several people sold their homes by owner within days of advertised it and used a real estate attorney to draw up the contract.

I was told that a couple of the people who sold it on their own had consulted a Villages realtor who recommended selling their homes for considerably less than they ended up selling on the own.

Being the market is so hot at the moment. What advantage is there selling a house using a realtor vs using a real estate attorney to write the contract?

This is one of those questions that will probably leave you still confused or undecided. We used a real estate agent ONCE. There is not tale of horror to tell, but we never did it again (the next 4 times we sold, moved, etc.) The agent was a "nice" person, but broke a lot of promises. We signed a contract that said we'd get 24 notice before a showing... that almost never happened. We were told people would be accompanied in every room when going through the house, that never happened (even found dresser drawer opened and not closed completely, we were told there would absolutely be NO smoking in our home, found a "make shift ashtray, a 1/8 full old soda, on our deck table (forgot it I guess) and TWO crushed cigarette butts on our garage floor. So, we realized not all agents are like this, but found later many people other than us had agents who would do anything NOT to "insult" a possible buyer, even give permission or say nothing, about smoking, or even using our bathroom behind a locked door ! ? So, while some have no problem with any of this, we made the decision the amount of money we didn't get out of the sale, was not worth what we got (inability to control the traffic, anxiety about when we would get a call that "someone was flying out in 3 hours and agent was bringing them RIGHT over, etc. etc.). After that, we sold by owner, never a hitch, great attorney (much better than the one the bank has attend the closing and you "only THINK" is representing you ! No matter where we were, we were able to find an excellent and reasonable attorney, NOTHING like a 4%, 5% and even 6% "fee" to the agent. Others are going to tell you nothing but horror stories I am sure, so this may not help at all....LOL ! I can tell you my own family member just sold a designer home for 26K MORE than the agent wanted to list it for... my relatives believe wanted it listed low to either make a very quick sale, but really don't know. They sold it themselves, took just about two weeks to sell, and they got the the price they had researched and wanted it listed for. Sold for $486K, agent wanted it listed for, $459.990 ! That could have been a BIG expensive, mistake to agree with agent ! Now just watch the fireworks begin because this is an honest post ....LOL !

[Robbb]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I agree, but it also seems to apply to pre-owned houses in general. New houses are a better bargain. People selling a pre-owned house seem to think that they should get 100 percent of the cost of any upgrades they made to the house.

Oh totally agree, I don't know if its the agents jacking things up, but the prices of many pre owned homes are just not realistic. I'm coming down on Monday to start looking at a new home. Just doesn't make sense to me to purchase a pre owned for more than a new one. Compared to the inflated prices on pre-owned new ones are a better value.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Robbb

Oh totally agree, I don't know if its the agents jacking things up, but the prices of many pre owned homes are just not realistic. I'm coming down on Monday to start looking at a new home. Just doesn't make sense to me to purchase a pre owned for more than a new one. Compared to the inflated prices on pre-owned new ones are a better value.

Location, Location, Location...

[melpetezrinski]

Originally Posted by Robbb

Oh totally agree, I don't know if its the agents jacking things up, but the prices of many pre owned homes are just not realistic. I'm coming down on Monday to start looking at a new home. Just doesn't make sense to me to purchase a pre owned for more than a new one. Compared to the inflated prices on pre-owned new ones are a better value.

It all depends upon the "value" a buyer assigns to a homes features. How much value do you put on a house that is located in a quiet, established neighborhood as opposed to a having a TURNPIKE in your backyard? Or loud, construction vehicles kicking up dust for the next several months? Do you play a lot of golf? Between the 6's are your best bet for quick, easy access to most of the executive and Championship courses. You also have to remember that new homes come with a bond. Some of those $220k new villa's have a $32,000 bond AND an new $1,000 line item on your property tax bill (Wildwood tax).

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by melpetezrinski

It all depends upon the "value" a buyer assigns to a homes features. How much value do you put on a house that is located in a quiet, established neighborhood as opposed to a having a TURNPIKE in your backyard? Or loud, construction vehicles kicking up dust for the next several months? Do you play a lot of golf? Between the 6's are your best bet for quick, easy access to most of the executive and Championship courses. You also have to remember that new homes come with a bond. Some of those $220k new villa's have a $32,000 bond AND an new $1,000 line item on your property tax bill (Wildwood tax).

And don't forget, many resales already have the upgrades many folks like.

Epoxy Garage floor
Painted Driveway/Lanai
Water Softener/Filter
Upgraded flooring
Upgraded landscaping