TV Fact or Fiction

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Old 05-27-2008, 03:31 PM
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Default TV Fact or Fiction

When we were down to TV in April we spent an afternoon with a real estate agent who made several statements that we wondered about. I think I know the fact/fiction status of some of these claims, but would like to get verification:
  • the home prices were inflating at the rate of 18% per year during the boom but have now "cooled off" to 8% - my take: FICTION
  • summers are hot, but the humidity is not bad; there is a line just north of Orlando where the humidity level drops off from the oppressive humidity of Orlando - my take: FICTION
  • About a third of the TV residents still hold a job of some sort - my take: I suspect that this is high
  • it doesn't matter where you live relative to the town squares since most people never visit them; most social activities revolve around the community centers - my take: I tend to doubt it; that town squares are where you want to be for most restaurants, movies, etc.
  • you can't keep outdoor furniture in bird cages unless you want to wash it off after every rain - my take: there may be an air of truth to this, but probably is exaggerated
  • all houses (both vinyl and CBS) need their siding washed twice a year or they start to look dirty - my take: this seems excessive
  • all-electric houses are not that costly to operate since the heat pumps are amazingly efficient. My take: I would like to believe this, but I can't imaging electricity being competitve with gas for heat, hot water and the dryer.
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Old 05-27-2008, 03:49 PM
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Default Re: TV Fact or Fiction

Mich,

Here's my take on your questions...mostly opinion based on living here for almost 2 years and probably having bought at the very peak of the market (sigh)

the home prices were inflating at the rate of 18% per year during the boom but have now "cooled off" to 8% - my take: FICTION

>>>prices did go nuts during the housing boom but have dropped then leveled off; in 06, TV commanded some pretty hefty lot premiums for views/privacy. This is an add on they have a lot of room to manipulate; they have also stated cost of housing materials have gone down. My take .... I think TV has already hit its bottom and is on the way back up, ever so slightly but still well below the peak of mid 2006.

summers are hot, but the humidity is not bad; there is a line just north of Orlando where the humidity level drops off from the oppressive humidity of Orlando - my take: FICTION

>>> summers here are quite tolerable, just long; the mornings start out with 100% humidity but the air dries out during the day, clouds start billowing in around noon and a breeze picks up. Evenings are gorgeous. I remember vacationing in Orlando one July 4th and never thought I had been so hot or sticky. Truly does not feel that bad here.

About a third of the TV residents still hold a job of some sort - my take: I suspect that this is high

>>>maybe a little high, but, not that much...lots of people have part time jobs or full time careers or home based business/cottage industry. Of course, I would assume we are talking full time residents only.

it doesn't matter where you live relative to the town squares since most people never visit them; most social activities revolve around the community centers - my take: I tend to doubt it; that town squares are where you want to be for most restaurants, movies, etc.

>>> People do go to the town square and also lots of community/neighborhood events. But, truthfully, location doesn't matter that much..you can pretty much get where you need to go in 20 mins or less. I live in a very central location (relative to the full build out of the Villages) and am happy to be here. I personally might not select a house up in the far NW corner because it seems far from squares. I am 8 mins by golf cart from LSL and glad to be close by.

you can't keep outdoor furniture in bird cages unless you want to wash it off after every rain - my take: there may be an air of truth to this, but probably is exaggerated

>>> probably exaggerated...if you live in an area where there is still construction, then, yes you will be wiping down lanai furniture frequently. Don't think it much matters if it's birdcage or roofed lanai...stuff flies thru the air.

all houses (both vinyl and CBS) need their siding washed twice a year or they start to look dirty - my take: this seems excessive

>>> we have been here 18 months in CBS house with very light color paint....looks fine to me...no need to wash it down. For vinyl, once a year is fine.

all-electric houses are not that costly to operate since the heat pumps are amazingly efficient. My take: I would like to believe this, but I can't imaging electricity being competitve with gas for heat, hot water and the dryer.

>>> gas vs electric for heat is almost a non issue because you just don't use it that much. I doubt we had heat on more than 10 days last winter. I doubt there is a significant diff between all electric house and one that combines gas and elec. You pay enough just to maintain 2 accounts (service fee/base charge) to perhaps make up the difference in usage costs. I have gas and elec and my combined bills average 100/month over the course of the year. It's just not that huge an expense here compared to colder climates.

Hope this helps Mich....
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Old 05-27-2008, 04:11 PM
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Default Re: TV Fact or Fiction

I just do the ones I care about:

Summers are hot, but the humidity is not bad; there is a line just north of Orlando where the humidity level drops off from the oppressive humidity of Orlando - my take: FICTION

During the summer plan on taking a shower or at least changing clothes after a round of golf - championship or executive. You will be wet from the sweat. As far as non-strenous activity - not a problem.

it doesn't matter where you live relative to the town squares since most people never visit them; most social activities revolve around the community centers - my take: I tend to doubt it; that town squares are where you want to be for most restaurants, movies, etc.

I do the squares for lunch and some shopping. I don't go to the square as much as I used to for the afternoon bands only because I found other things to do. I still make an occasional visit in the evening. I live in the NW corner and it takes about 30 minutes by cart to get to either square.

all houses (both vinyl and CBS) need their siding washed twice a year or they start to look dirty - my take: this seems excessive

I schedule a cleaning twice a year. It is only $50 and it does make the house look nicer. When it is time to schedule a cleaning. I do a check and if it seems dirty I make the call. Otherwise I put it off for a month and check again. Some vinyl houses tend to get algae on them and might need to be checked more often. I think a sprinkler adjustment would fix the problem (keep the water off of the vinyl siding).

All-electric houses are not that costly to operate since the heat pumps are amazingly efficient. My take: I would like to believe this, but I can't imaging electricity being competitive with gas for heat, hot water and the dryer.

I have gas and electric. On an annual basis, I spend $1800 for electricity and $420 for gas. Gas for hot water, cooking, dryer and heat).
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Old 05-27-2008, 10:15 PM
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Default Re: TV Fact or Fiction

I let my stucco house go for three years without pressure washing (never heard of doing it before) and it was stained badly.

I have since heard that vinyl needs twice a year cleaning and stucco once a year at about $50 each.
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Old 05-28-2008, 12:14 AM
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Default Re: TV Fact or Fiction

Just had my vinyl house washed today.
We bought the house in November and it looked fine then. Now 6 months later we had mildew all over the northwest side of the house. It took the guys about 2 hours and it looks spectacular. I guess it was worse than we thought cause it sure looks good now. I used the S&S folks who advertise here on TOTV. They suggested every 6 months for vinyl. Can't dispute that considering the amount of build-up we have had since November.
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Old 05-29-2008, 06:39 PM
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Default Re: TV Fact or Fiction

I don't know percentages, but I believe that here in TV we already hit bottom on housing prices and they're creeping back up.

Haven't been here in the summer, but I suspect it isn't as bad as Orlando and parts south.

A substantial number of residents do have jobs (full- or part-time) or businesses or cottage industries of some sort; one third may be a bit high, but I doubt it's less than one quarter.

Movies are in the town squares; while there are restaurants there, there are also restaurants all over heck and creation. I would think that folks like proximity to the town squares, even if they're not there nightly for the entertainment.

In areas that are still being built, everything outdoors will get dusty, including lanai furniture even with a roof over it, assuming it's screened and not enclosed; and certainly furniture in a bird cage will. Not sure what the point was about cleaning the furniture after every rain....

Exterior house cleaning would depend on exposures, I would think. Some houses might indeed need it twice a year, whether vinyl or CBS; others may not. The homeowner can evaluate and get it done (or do it) whenever it's needed.

Haven't owned for a full year yet, so I can't comment on utility costs. Can't imagine there's a lot of heating going on, whether electricity or gas.

Hope this helps.
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Old 12-18-2008, 12:02 PM
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I power wash the house once a year and that seems to work just fine.
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Old 12-23-2008, 11:31 AM
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Default Power Washing

I power washed my house when i first got it 3yrs ago and it still looks good
Almost forgot my house is Vinyl Sided
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Old 12-23-2008, 12:51 PM
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A few comments from our observations on living here 6 month of our 1st yr (Dec to April and 6 weeks in July and August)

1. House prices > can't comment too much on since they seem to have a wide range for even the same model. It seems like they went down a bit from 2007 not much and I think location plays a large role in the price. A nice or larger lot can add $ to your home. You need to determine if its worth the extra $. If you see two new and similar 3 bedroom Ranches in the newspaper > one at $165 and one at $190 for example, I think you will find the difference when you walk through them and around the outside. Again different thinks please different people and each has their own priorities.

2.Summer > we spend 6 weeks here in the summer to test the water and we loved it. We did different things, like a lot more water things and were able to get on golf course almost when ever we wanted. Restaurants had specials and weren't crowded but The Villages was far from a ghost town. There was a lot of things going on and all the activity you could handle. We also found you needed to play pickleball earlier since by 8:30 you would be soaked.

3.Close to Town Squares > I really think its an advantage to be close to the Town Sq. Granted once you live here you might not go as frequent but it sure is nice to be able to hop into you golf cart and be at a Sq for a quick dance, a movie, some shopping, food or just killing time.

4.Pressure Washing. We washed ours (vinyl)after about 1 yr and I think thats a good schedule for us. I know the concert/block ones also need to be washed. Six months seems a little too quick and a few post on this board suggest doing it yourself with a hose and brush.

5.I would GUESS electric is more expensive then gas based on what I know from up north. But you you certainly don't use the heat as much here and AC is always electric. I do know my gas bills aren't much.
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Old 12-24-2008, 11:07 PM
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Default What color is the vinyl siding?

You may think I am nuts, but, it makes a difference.

My house is yellow. You might say canary yellow. When I first moved in seven plus years ago, someone said my color "attracted dirt". I thought they were nuts.

They were anything but nuts. I wash my house twice as often as my neighbors of other colors due to mildew.

A note on pressure washing. Don't. Careless and/or misdirected pressure washing can force large amounts off water through seams and bleed holes. Also, if too much pressure is applied to windows it can break the seal causing clouding between the panes.

I wash my own house by spraying (garden sprayer) on a cleaning solution, letting it sit for 15 minutes and then rinsing with the garden hose. Keep to the shady side and watch the wind to prevent getting caught in over-spray. Also, rinse shrubs immediately.

BTW, there is one company whose name is No Pressure Wash House Cleaning.
Used them a couple of times years ago but then discovered it was a simple job I could do with ease.
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Old 12-25-2008, 10:09 AM
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We came from N VA and I will tell you the humidity is high there during the summer and no worst here in TV ...you just have it over a longer period. If you are commming from north of the mason dixon line, you will most likely feel a difference but it is by all means liveable in TV especially if you plan your days properly.

WE are in the NW corner of Caroline and within walking distance of Lake Sumter Landing, Sweetbay etc and love it. The Villages close to 466A offer many amentiies and you will learn to benefit from what is offered, but having a central location and just a short Cart ride (or walk) to LSL....or even to Spanish Springs for a movie or a Paulies Pizza ..well you cant beat that. I enjoy a quick ride through the square in the evenings to see who is playing on the square...and Sweetbay we use as our local 7-11..very convient.

But think about it, whenever you talk to someone in TV they all say how great their location is wherever they live..and they are right. If one emphasizes the positives, you certainly cant go wrong, and NO house whether you live on the Square or on the golf course is perfect. The fact that you are in TV itself is a reason for being here!!

Just MHO!!

Last edited by 784caroline; 12-25-2008 at 10:13 AM.
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Old 12-25-2008, 11:24 AM
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784Caroline,

Well said, and I completely 100% agree with you,there is no such thing as going wrong ANYWHERE in The Villages!.
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