[jk928]

How do the lotteries work if a VLS agent has multiple clients that want the same home in the lottery? Do they entire all the names right at 8am or are the names put in prior and selected at 8am? Is it whomever hits the button first for a specific client? Trying to understand as we have lost out 6 times on a Veranda so far and I am sure there will be many more losses while we wait for our home.

[jimhoward]

I would ask the VLS agent about that directly. I suspect that only the first client that the agent enters into the system has any chance to win the lottery. But maybe not...definitely need to ask.

We won a lottery on our 5th or 6th try. I think we were our agent's only client entering in the lotteries that he entered us in. He would call us and tell us about a home coming up for bid (or whatever you call the lottery) that he thought might interest us. We would say yes, we want that one. He would get up early on the day (like 6AM according to him) and drive to sales center to use their computers, enter our name and at 8AM on the dot, hit submit. I don't know why using their computers mattered, or why 8AM on the dot mattered. Or if it did. But that was the procedure.

[spk7951]

List of new homes is posted for sales reps mid/late afternoon the day before they get released. System is open for booking at 8am the next day. So basically, the quickest at the keyboard wins and the best place to be is in a sales office. A "winner" is not known until the process is finished, which is usually a few minutes.
We struck out three times before getting a Veranda Villa. One of the homes we wanted had 23 "bids" on it.

[asianthree]

For our agent.. list the lots coming tomorrow in what order you want. It was 15 try’s before we got a build lot. Then continued for 6 more, plus 3 models.

As to who your agent puts in first no idea. Some have multiple family as agents, some prioritize who is buying the most expensive, some may use the I think you won’t be a PITA as the first.

[jk928]

Thank you for the information.

[fruitcup]

Does anyone know if it really does matter if the realtor does it at the sales office vs another location at the 8:00 lottery time? We've missed out a few times and our realtor does it from home. He does push the submit at 8:00, but no luck so far.

[jimhoward]

Originally Posted by fruitcup

Does anyone know if it really does matter if the realtor does it at the sales office vs another location at the 8:00 lottery time? We've missed out a few times and our realtor does it from home. He does push the submit at 8:00, but no luck so far.

Our VLS agent thought it mattered and always got up early did it from the sales office. We won one on our 6th try.

Other people say it doesn't matter. Its impossible to tell from results because you only win lotteries a small fraction of the time, regardless.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by jk928

How do the lotteries work if a VLS agent has multiple clients that want the same home in the lottery? Do they entire all the names right at 8am or are the names put in prior and selected at 8am? Is it whomever hits the button first for a specific client? Trying to understand as we have lost out 6 times on a Veranda so far and I am sure there will be many more losses while we wait for our home.

Each time we lost our rep sent us screenshots of what place we were for each lot.. out of 15 the closest we scored was #8-46. We were #1 on the 16th try, truthfully I thought it was a mistake or cruel joke from our agent.

We paid the deposit and then tried for 5 more lots, and 3 models that had a view, but not as stretched as what we built.

[fflmaster]

I am not understanding all the talk on the lottery, since I see homes always available for many months. Is there certain models that go faster? Except for the premium view lots it doesn’t look hard to purchase a home in the Villages.

Am I missing something? Looking to purchase in 2027, so doing my research now.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by fflmaster

I am not understanding all the talk on the lottery, since I see homes always available for many months. Is there certain models that go faster? Except for the premium view lots it doesn’t look hard to purchase a home in the Villages.

Am I missing something? Looking to purchase in 2027, so doing my research now.

If you want a certain model or in this case a Veranda that has become very popular, lottery is the only way they are released. Lottery has existed for many years so nothing new. Veranda’s with a view are few and far between or lot that can accommodate a pool. You will see upwards of 45+ trying for the same spec home.

If you don’t care what model you want or non specific area…interior lots sit for good amount of time. As does kissing lanai or near pickleball courts, or busy road.

[Topspinmo]

I think auction to highest bidder would work better…

[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I think auction to highest bidder would work better…

Or don’t forget about the pre owned home lottery, LOL. I bet the odds are better and you be in a home faster.

[jimhoward]

Originally Posted by fflmaster

I am not understanding all the talk on the lottery, since I see homes always available for many months. Is there certain models that go faster? Except for the premium view lots it doesn’t look hard to purchase a home in the Villages.

Am I missing something? Looking to purchase in 2027, so doing my research now.

Interior lots and prebuilt homes on interior lots sit for a long time and are readily available. Even Verandas on interior lots are easy to find. View lots, and prebuilt homes on view lots sell immediately and by lottery.

[jimhoward]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

I think auction to highest bidder would work better…

A lot of people would agree with you. But prices on view lots would be much higher if they did that. With the lottery, a lucky winner gets to buy a desirable property at the asking price.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by jk928

How do the lotteries work if a VLS agent has multiple clients that want the same home in the lottery? Do they entire all the names right at 8am or are the names put in prior and selected at 8am? Is it whomever hits the button first for a specific client? Trying to understand as we have lost out 6 times on a Veranda so far and I am sure there will be many more losses while we wait for our home.

I’m not answering your question, but trying to give some friendly advice. It’s currently a buyers market with practically unlimited options available on the preowned home market. Why not pursue all your options and don’t limit yourself to a new home lottery market where you don’t have any negotiation leverage? I guess if you’re hell bent on buying brand new, then go for it. But if you want the best deal possible, look in other directions.