[2BNTV]

Real estate agents have told me , "the buyers will determine the price one gets for their home, not the sellers", in a downturned market. Sellers always think their home is worth more, than it is.

However, that is not the case here, as inventory is low, and prices asked for are easily obtained. When build-out finishes, (whenever that will be, and only Gary Morse reallly knows), I think the prices will go up even further.

I know when I bought, the market hadn't taken off yet in terms of prices, so I am so glad I bought when I did. The real estate agent did me a favor when he said, "you need to pull the trigger". A sales gimmick as viewed by some, and a reality to others, who have seen prices skyrocket.

I think the VLS agents had a carefree attitude toward someone purchasing a home, as they knew the next buyer would purchase that particular home. Hopefully, it was their customer.

I am sure you will find a home somewhere in your price range, but prices have gone up dramatically.

[Happydaz]

I am absolutely convinced by people who know exactly how things are going to turn out in the future, but I must admit I was disappointed by the end of the world prediction that was posted on a telephone pole on my daily commute in New Hampshire. As the date for the end of the world passed the sign was never removed. The rain, sun, and snow slowly wore the message off until it became unreadable.

[Billyworld]

There are no hardcore facts to predict the future. I do know as a fact that most people that invested in the stock market in the early 2000's lost their butt. The same people that invested in Real Estate in the mid 2000's lost also. They all jumped on the bandwagon and lost. I NEVER LOST! As for the "snowbirds moving down here full time or at least for 9 moths why wouldn't they? We have no state income tax and unlike most northern states, when you die the greedy Govt. doesn't steal your estate money that you would leave to your kids. With owning a home in TV, why would you not take advantage of the tax laws we enjoy. As for where will people go? I lived in the Datyona area for 23 years before moving to TV. In Volusia County,look and see what a house compared to yours in TV would go for. I could buy my house on a larger lot for 200k less. This ain't no deal. Also, our sales tax was 6.5% for the first $5,000 and 6% after the first $5,000 in purchase. If you think this bubble won't burst, I suggest you gobble up as many properties as you can possibly buy. That would be what a serious investor would do with a "sure thing".

[kittygilchrist]

Just saying, I'm putting thousands and thousands into my home. You can't get everything upgraded by TV.

[villagerjack]

Most snowbirds, I know want to keep two homes. Your thesis is based upon a false premise. You seem to have a mixed message when you suggest this would be a good place to buy a home because of the tax advantages but Then suggest we are in a bubble? Which is it? Real estate prices are just catching up to rents which have been rising for the last 7 years while home values stagnated or declined. That is the primary reason home values are rising, that and the confidence coming from a rising stock market. Another piece of information for you to consider it is that it is the a Snowbirds who are buying a large percentage of homes in spite of the fact that they are the ones who come here only during the times when everyone else says it is crowded. I do not find it "crowded". We play golf 3 times a week and get T times at 10AM or before, play pickle all inthe early morning and my wife plays tennis twice a week, also in the morning hours with no problem. We head to the pool after lunch at a restaurant of our choice, no problem there either, and then head to one of the pools at 2PM, always get a lounge chair. Then we head to one of the 3 squares for some free entertainment and dancing. The perfect life and it's unavailable anywhere else in the world for this price, essentially free since I bought in 2007 and my home is now valued at about $50-60k more than we paid. So, Billy no doom and gloom from this family. I am too happy to worry about what the mystery snowbirds will do or not do. Life is too short.

[Medtrans]

Thank you Villagerjack for that upbeat post. We are coming from Chicago on the 22nd for our preview and frankly I was starting to get nervous and wonder if we could achieve the retirement we have been dreaming about which is golfing at least 3 times a week, plenty of pool time and eating out at lunch, preferably outdoors. You made me believe again that we can make that dream happen. Thank you.

[villagerjack]

Originally Posted by Medtrans

Thank you Villagerjack for that upbeat post. We are coming from Chicago on the 22nd for our preview and frankly I was starting to get nervous and wonder if we could achieve the retirement we have been dreaming about which is golfing at least 3 times a week, plenty of pool time and eating out at lunch, preferably outdoors. You made me believe again that we can make that dream happen. Thank you.

Come on down Medtrans....Life is good here. It is truly the Worlds Friendliest Community. I must confess that there is one thing that I do find somewhat crowded...and that is the churches...but I view that as a good thing, indicative of the kind of folks we have living here. In NY we are closing Catholic Schools and churches. Here we are building churches of all denominations. We do get a seat on church, if we leave early enough so even that is not a problem. And an early arrival at church gives me an opportunity to pray for some of the folks who aren't as happy as we are

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

Just saying, I'm putting thousands and thousands into my home. You can't get everything upgraded by TV.

I consider myself a "frog" so I am here till I croak.

My son will have to worry if real esate has appreciated or not.

[Ohiogirl]

Stuff under $250,000 in 2006-07 has probably appreciated quite a bit - at least CYVs and patio villas have. I know ours is worth at least $30,000 more than we paid for it in 2006, possibly more like 40-45,000.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Billyworld

There are no hardcore facts to predict the future. I do know as a fact that most people that invested in the stock market in the early 2000's lost their butt. The same people that invested in Real Estate in the mid 2000's lost also. They all jumped on the bandwagon and lost. I NEVER LOST! As for the "snowbirds moving down here full time or at least for 9 moths why wouldn't they? We have no state income tax and unlike most northern states, when you die the greedy Govt. doesn't steal your estate money that you would leave to your kids. With owning a home in TV, why would you not take advantage of the tax laws we enjoy. As for where will people go? I lived in the Datyona area for 23 years before moving to TV. In Volusia County,look and see what a house compared to yours in TV would go for. I could buy my house on a larger lot for 200k less. This ain't no deal. Also, our sales tax was 6.5% for the first $5,000 and 6% after the first $5,000 in purchase. If you think this bubble won't burst, I suggest you gobble up as many properties as you can possibly buy. That would be what a serious investor would do with a "sure thing".

Because we like where we live - except in the winter?
Because we don't like the extended season of heat/humidity?
Because we don't like love bugs?
Because we want to stay near family?
Because we don't play golf, pickleball, shuffleboard, cards or line dance either.
Because we have other residences to frequent or favorite places to travel to?
Because we have medical issues that require us to?
Because our pre-paid funeral arrangements and burial plots are there?
etc

[Steve & Deanna]

In regards to real estate prices, it appears that we could sell for at least $50K more than what we paid, but who wants to sell? We golf pretty much any time we want and get a golf course of our choice, go out when we want, shop when we want and life is good (except tough to get some bingo times nearby). So we sell, upgrade and pay $50K more? It's all relative. We are happy, happy, happy !!!

[TexaninVA]

Originally Posted by TrudyM

OK- I know prices are what the market will bear but really.
When I look at a house that is preowned and compare the listing price with the last sold at price (listed on Zillow) a lot of the listings were bought within the last two years and are listed for 50 to 100 thousand over what they paid. And I recognize quite a few of them from when I was looking at rentals a year ago. I think there are some real estate speculators at work here. I understand 20 thou, real estate commission and then a little profit but when a house sold new construction for 60% of the current asking I think that the speculation is out of hand.
Do you think it is a bubble that will burst or level out. I mean the number of preowned on the market both VLS, MLS and buy owner as a % of total units built in the villages seems high to me. I know they are selling but how much do you think the hype of the sales people "grab it now or it will be gone" is influencing things.

What could possibly go wrong? The Fed has decreed that asset prices will never ever go down.

[ilovetv]

The Villages and Florida in general will always be attractive to people in other states who are sick and tired of paying always increasing state and property taxes, and the chill of subzero weather and huge heating fuel prices.......

Property Taxes Ranked by State:

Tax as Percent of Home Value

1. Wisconsin
2. Texas
3. Nebraska
4. Vermont
5. New Hampshire....
28. Florida

From this article: PROPERTY TAXES; WHERE DOES YOUR STATE RANK
----

10 states with the highest state tax burden:

10. Pennsylvania Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 10.2%

9. Maine Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 10.3%

8. Massachusetts Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 10.4%

7. Minnesota Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 10.8%

6. Rhode Island Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 10.9%

5. Wisconsin Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 11.1%

4. California Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 11.2%

3. Connecticut Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 12.3%

2. New Jersey Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 12.4%

1. New York Taxes paid by residents as pct. of income: 12.8%

From this article: States with the highest and lowest taxes

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Happydaz

I am absolutely convinced by people who know exactly how things are going to turn out in the future, but I must admit I was disappointed by the end of the world prediction that was posted on a telephone pole on my daily commute in New Hampshire. As the date for the end of the world passed the sign was never removed. The rain, sun, and snow slowly wore the message off until it became unreadable.

Excellent post.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Billyworld

...most people that invested in the stock market in the early 2000's lost their butt. The same people that invested in Real Estate in the mid 2000's lost also. They all jumped on the bandwagon and lost. I NEVER LOST!

I never did either, but I'm not foolish enough to think that means I can predict the future.