[imbrennan]

Hi,

You're right - it was because I was using a management company and not dealing with the possible renters myself that Don wouldn't let me list with his site.

[bike42]

Originally Posted by downeaster

Anotherlinda listed with other sites. imbrennan used a management firm. Could that account for the difference in the response by Don at Villages4rent?

Yes -- you can't list on villages4rent if anyone else MANAGES your property or the rental process. You can list on as many sites as you wish as long as you do your own management.

[another Linda]

Originally Posted by VT2TV

Since the original question was about too many rentals in TV, I would like to answer that. Please remember that it is just my opinion, so there is no reason to flame me. My opinion will not change anything, so no personal attacks. I understand that everyone here certainly has the right to have rentals, and if that is what you want from TV that is up to you. But we were talking to a sales person at a furniture store today who has been in the area for 50 years. She does not live in the villages so I am not sure of her information. She was telling us that at first you could only have 1 extra house per person-that was when the houses were selling quickly. Then when the market slowed down, TV started heavily marketing in Europe and Canada, and very soon there were people who had up to 10 houses that they purchased and rented. We were shocked!!!!!
So hearing that (don't know if it is true, but doesn't matter with my concerns) these are my thoughts about rentals-again just my opinion. If more and more people start purchasing houses for rentals-and again, I was shocked to hear ( from this thread, this woman, and our realtor), how many rentals there are, that this place is becoming more and more like a vacation resort or even a sort of timeshare instead of a home and neighborhoods with long time friends and family. And I am not implying it is like that now-I love TV, and all the neighbors I have met. Our next door neighbor (who seems extremely nice) is using his house for a rental for possibly 2 years. With that comes the possibility that after moving here to be in a retirement facility, we could wind up with children of all ages living full time beside us. DEFINIATLY not what we expected when we bought our land. Plus when people are renting in TV, they aren't vested in keeping the house or villages as wonderful as people who actually live here. This is our home for us, but just vacation for them. Even more accidents may occur because drivers are not familiar with the rules of the road, or round-a-bouts-==certainly don't need any more problems with those!! Plus-when the house is occupied by a owner, there is a possibility that they will not go to the squares every night but maybe only 3-4 times a week. But if people are here on vacation they will certainly want to get their monies worth and will be there every time. Because of that, it gets so very crowded when the majority of renters are here. I have actually had LONG TIME owners of TV say they hate it when the renters are here because they don't go to a lot of things because it is too crowded and hard to find parking. So a lot of residents are missing out on activities they pay for-and I know that this may be their own choice, but a lot of owners have some physical restriction that may prevent them walking long distances to park, or stand if it is crowded.
Like I said --- this is just an opinion. I realize that it may be just my opinion, and not shared by anyone. I understand everyone is within their rights to buy and rent out their house(s)-I just can't help wishing this was "just" a place to live with only some rentals for people who come to pick out their house.
Sorry this is so long-I get very windy this time of night. Again, no flames for just expressing my opinion

I do understand your complaint, VT2TV. Unfortunately many of us are not yet retired, or can't be here full time. For us, renting part of the time works well. But I do understand how you feel.

[VT2TV]

Thanks for the calm replies. I think my thoughts are also swayed because we are now in a rental near Spanish Springs. It is a nice house, and a nice neighborhood. But the house has NOT been well maintained!!!!! The owner actually had it listed for sale, and took it off for us to rent it. I can't begin to mention all the thimgs that have gone wrong during our stay from numerous bulbs burning out in a few days of each other-yard not being mowed freq., to not being able to feel good about using the golf cart-electric-it has only been used sporadically at best. We have been afraid to even take it to Spanish Springs-it jumps, and does several other things we didn't feel like it should do. The towels are very worn, and seemed to be odds and ends. The BIG blinds in the Florida room don't close all the way, and the house backs up to El Camino. We have made numerous calls to the owner, who has been very nice, but when she brought blinds over (she happened to be staying in one of her other houses) she made the comment that she didn't want to put any more money into the house because she wants to sell it-boy will it need work!
Back to the light bulbs-my husband happened to have a currency tester with him, and when he checked the wall sockets, he said the wattage? or something was very high. When we called the owner she took care of things that she could while she was in TV, but she soon went back to her home. There was also a big rip or cut across the bathroom floor. So we are eager to leave when our house is ready-we will have been here for 2 months. BTW-the owner has NEVER stayed in the house. She was nice, and did what she could when we asked, but we had to take care of a few things ourselves.
So all this contributes to my feelings about rentals and being poorly upkept. I am NOT implying that all rentals are not maintained well, but it does concern me that as the owners age, a lot of rentals will go the same way as this one. I also wonder about if the market goes more south, if these houses will go "underwater"
I guess that is all. I promise I won't keep writing these chapters about my feelings!!! I just love the Villages, and don't want "the friendliest HOMETOWN" to turn into anything even remotely ressembling a timeshare. Again all this is JMHO , and I won't keep subjecting all of you to it.
BTW--Bill, you are def. right about needing to go to bed earlier!!!!!!!!

[Taj44]

Sorry to hear about your rental. I think there are a lot of rentals on the market, in part because people are trying to sell homes and are unable to so they try to rent them out. And these people may not be professional landlords, so the quality may not be there. That's not always the case. We used to have a rental ourselves. We got a list from the Villages as to what items were required for properties that were in The Villages rental program, so we made sure everything was right up to snuff. And we wanted repeat customers so we made sure that everything was clean, in working order, etc. But we had been experienced with renting out previously, so we had a pretty good feel for what to do. If someone is trying to sell their home they may not take as much care with their rentals. Anyways, VT2TV, good luck with your new home!

[Sweetgirl]

Originally Posted by VT2TV

Thanks for the calm replies.

Your notes are well written, gentle and thought out. You describe your situation and that helps to explain your feelings and concerns. I'm hoping your rental is just a tiny faction of the rentals available in TV. Unlike the home you are staying in we purchased ours as a second home, not an investment property. Until we are able to move to TV renting it when we are not there is a necessity for us to pay the bills. Every home is an investment. It baffles me as to why a person would not maintain and keep it up to grow that investment. You must of been to The Villages previously? as you are having a home built or has all that been done during your current stay? As Another Linda pointed out, many of us are Wannabes who are getting a head start as part time villagers. In your previous note you mentioned children living full time next to you. Can help you out there, the minimum age to live in TV is 19yrs old. We have been extremely fortunate to have wonderful, responsible, considerate folks renting with us. So our impression is that everyone who comes to TV is generally of the same character. Rental properties are a stepping stone for folks looking to become full time. I have to believe the majority of people living in TV used rentals as a preliminary to buying. We know 9 couples that have stayed with us and have purchased their own homes. The crowds during the winter season are a necessity that pay the bills for a large portion of The Villages businesses, especial the restaurant business. VT2TV you'll be having your home built in what Village and how long before completion? Wish you the best.

[Larry Wilson]

VT2TV,
I'm so glad you posted. We have lived here for many years and love it. We started looking for a home that is a little bigger. What a shock to learn of so many foreclosures. Every size and location.
Then next is the shock of finding the true owners of many homes are companies who bought whole streets as investments. On the tax rolls ,there are names of owners, but when you track back you find this is just a front for an investment company.
And last but not least, is how many homes have never been anything but rentals by absentee landlords. Its sad to see a young home falling apart with a yard full of weeds. It is also unfair to people who want this to be there home, not a revolving door for people who have no interest in the neighborhood.
I hope the developer isn't letting The Villages become a vacation spot for renters. Apparently there was a time when people could buy as many homes as they wanted and maybe that is still true. We are going to be very careful into what neighborhood we buy. The good news is there are wonderful neighborhoods. This time of years it is easy to see the dark streets versus those who have coordinated whole streets of matching decorations.
Thanks again VT2VT for letting me share what we are finding as we look at pre-owned homes for sale.

[VT2TV]

Thanks again for the replies. If all the owners were as thoughtful as you guys,a lot of my concerns would be gone.

To Sweetgirl: My husband and I had never even heard of The Villages until this past May. We were thinking about moving to Florida-spent many, many vacations in Ocala as a child,and many vacations in Orlando as an adult child. We were visiting a friend we had met on a Disney cruise who lives in Orlando. (also works for Disney Cruise Line). She brought us here one day and we came back a few days later to look at some model homes, and came back 2 days later and bought a house. Our home in VA was not even ready to put on the market yet, but we fell in love with this place immediately!!!! We did not even do the LSP. On the issue of children in TV, I understand that children can only visit TV 30 days a year, but our next door neighbor (again, he really seems so very nice we wish he was going to be living there instead of renting) has already rented his brand new home out to 3 different people for a month. So IF all of these renters had children, theoretically we could have children living beside us much of the year. And that is one of the MAIN reasons we moved here-to be around adults only. It also could not happen that way, but with sooooo many people homeschooling their children these days, it would be nothing for them to come to Florida and be schooled here. We actually close in a few ays in Pennecamp.


To Larry: YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had NO IDEA that companies had bought entire streets of houses. That tells me that TV probably doesn't care about our "HOMETOWN" feelings as long as they sell the houses. That really concerns and bothers me. I understand that TV eventually turns control of the neighborhoods over to a council or something. (I really don't understand the flow of that so I shouldn't comment on that) so I wonder what might happen when large companies have "voting or decision" powers. Man, that could really stir up problems. They could start using homes here for bonuses or rewards, or even start having conventions and such here. I need to stop there because my thought could really wander. But Larry, that is shocking and unwelcome news.


Thanks again to everyone for letting me relieve some stress. Since rentals are allowed, I truely hope that you all have good renters, and your houses only be happy places.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by VT2TV

To Larry: YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had NO IDEA that companies had bought entire streets of houses. That tells me that TV probably doesn't care about our "HOMETOWN" feelings as long as they sell the houses. That really concerns and bothers me. I understand that TV eventually turns control of the neighborhoods over to a council or something. (I really don't understand the flow of that so I shouldn't comment on that) so I wonder what might happen when large companies have "voting or decision" powers. Man, that could really stir up problems. They could start using homes here for bonuses or rewards, or even start having conventions and such here. I need to stop there because my thought could really wander. But Larry, that is shocking and unwelcome news.

Originally Posted by Larry Wilson

VT2TV,
I'm so glad you posted. We have lived here for many years and love it. We started looking for a home that is a little bigger. What a shock to learn of so many foreclosures. Every size and location.
Then next is the shock of finding the true owners of many homes are companies who bought whole streets as investments. On the tax rolls ,there are names of owners, but when you track back you find this is just a front for an investment company.

While some people do own a few homes for investment reasons it is not the rule.

To my knowledge there are no whole streets that lay dormant because of investor owned homes. There are no 'large companies' that will have voting powers. There are no "young homes falling apart with a yard full of weeds". There are very few foreclosures when you consider the entire size of TV.

If you could provide some statistics to state your claim that would be helpful. Perhaps list some streets that are falling apart or lay dormant?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

While some people do own a few homes for investment reasons it is not the rule.

To my knowledge there are no whole streets that lay dormant because of investor owned homes. There are no 'large companies' that will have voting powers. There are no "young homes falling apart with a yard full of weeds". There are very few foreclosures when you consider the entire size of TV.

Not sure if you two have ever actually been here. If you have you must have different glasses than I do!!

Russ is COMPLETELY right as usual.

I think someone is posting erroneous information....and I am not sure why.

One must keep up ones home or face penalties.

[Larry Wilson]

Merry Christmas! We are in the Christmas parade! Sorry you don't believe me and sorry to think you know everything!!!!!!!!!!
Some of us have lived full time in the Villages way before TOTV. Believe what you want. When you finally do live here full time, go around and look at rentals and pre sales and foreclosures. Talk to people in the know.
One hidden company is NRJ LLC and that company owns whole streets purchased in 2003-2004.
How many years have you lived here full time and how many years have you looked at foreclosures and rentals????????????

[BobKat1]

A couple of years ago while trying find a short term rental on short notice, I came across home, after home, after home on **** that were owned and rented out by the same company. I was surprised at how many there were, but didn't think much of it at the time.

[spk7951]

Out of curiosity I did a search of Sumter County land records for NRJ LLC and the search came back with one property currently listed to that name.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by Larry Wilson

Merry Christmas! We are in the Christmas parade! Sorry you don't believe me and sorry to think you know everything!!!!!!!!!!
Some of us have lived full time in the Villages way before TOTV. Believe what you want. When you finally do live here full time, go around and look at rentals and pre sales and foreclosures. Talk to people in the know.
One hidden company is NRJ LLC and that company owns whole streets purchased in 2003-2004.
How many years have you lived here full time and how many years have you looked at foreclosures and rentals????????????

You're correct I don't live there yet. But I have visited many, many times and sometimes during the 'off' season. I've looked at every area of TV when we decided to purchase earlier this year (ended up with a new home in Buttonwood).

You many be correct that I don't know everything (but my ego won't let me believe that ). So why don't you point me to the exact locations you are referring to: whole streets that have gone vacant, young homes that are now full of weeds, vast amount of foreclosures (there are exactly 72 according to a recent state count in Sumter county). I'll be there in January and I'll investigate what you are saying. If you're right I'll be the first to issue a written apology or even in person if you'd like.

Yes some investors, for a time, were allowed to buy homes for rent. My agent was very clear about that. And yes investors can still by pre-owned homes for rentals. But isn't it in the best interests of these investors to keep up their homes to invite potential renters? I just don't see the blight that you are referring to. Maybe my glasses are too rose-colored so please give me specifics so I can clear them up.

[Taj44]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

While some people do own a few homes for investment reasons it is not the rule.... There are no "young homes falling apart with a yard full of weeds"...

Russ, we live here full time and have been here since 2004 and have seen a lot of The Villages.The house next door to me is almost completely weeds, very little grass, and it is what I consider a "young" home, built in 2006. The air conditioner has never been maintained to my knowledge, it was power washed once in 4 years, etc., etc. They only recently hired pest control people. I've been to neighborhoods in various villages and you can always tell who the absentee landlords are. If the homes are vinyl, they aren't power washed on a regular schedule. They have the minimum amount of landscaping, and often times, not all the time of course, but often enough you see that they get the minimum amount of maintenance and upkeep. We have acquaintences who are going thru foreclosure, and the house is in limbo between them and the bank. They aren't doing anything to the house in the way of lawn care, pest control, etc. My cousin rented when she first came down about 5 years ago, and even then, she was in a rental near Spanish Springs that was crawling with cockroaches. These conditions are not the norm, but they do exist. I personally think it is a better idea to get in a neighborhood where most of the people live there year round and do not rent their home out. I'm not going to "diss" anyone's Village or street or neighborhood, but some are nicer than others, and oftentimes the rentals are not very well kept up. I remember when we purchased back in 2002 during the housing boom, the real estate agent told me people were buying villas for example, like hotcakes; they might by 5 or 10 at a time, rent them out for awhile, then try to flip them. Some were bought new over the phone, sight unseen. Even the real estate people were buying them. Then the housing market dropped and a lot of people got caught in the bust.