[Yorio]

I read some where that only 8000 homes were sold up to year 2000. This would mean that many homes were bought during the crazy bubble which lasted until the end of 2007. I don't know how many homes were sold up to the end of 2007 in The Villages but I am sure quite a few. Is the reason I hear no major distressed calls from most buyers would be that most bought at a higher price but you were also able to sell your old homes at a much higher price? And that you paid in full without any mortgage? Since most other areas in Florida are in pretty bad housing crisis still, The Village owners do not seem to have been affected. We don't hear any word about foreclosures here. I have difficult time explaining to friends why we don't have problems in The Villages. They were told that Florida was hit the hardest. Your thought?

[keithwand]

Supply and Demand.

[Cedwards38]

I could have bought a less expensive, and still nice house somewhere else in Florida, and still enjoyed the Florida sun, but we choose to purchase in TV because we were willing to pay for the lifestyle that goes along with the home. That's worth a lot, at least to my wife and me.

[rp001]

There are foreclosures here..I have one on my block in Lynnhaven. My understanding is the homes on the market now are beginning to rise in price,atleast that is what a realtor friend has said to me....A lot to be said for Location....Location....Location

[Tom Hannon]

Originally Posted by Cedwards38

I could have bought a less expensive, and still nice house somewhere else in Florida, and still enjoyed the Florida sun, but we choose to purchase in TV because we were willing to pay for the lifestyle that goes along with the home. That's worth a lot, at least to my wife and me.

I agree with you. This is our last lap around the track. We've sacraficed all out life. It is time for us. TV lifestyle is our reward. We deserve it. And if it cost a little more than other places who cares. We can't take it with us.

[eweissenbach]

I have looked at homes in TV that were bought in the 2007 area that are now being offered at $50,000 and more under their sales price. I have seen a few foreclosures in TV, but relative to other parts of Florida and the country as a whole, way fewer. A couple of factors IMO - Many people pay cash for their homes here, as they have sold a more expensive home prior to buying here - This is a retirement destination, so most people are not taking job offers with relocation, not losing their job, necessitating a sale, and not looking for an ever bigger home. If they are they can still afford to sell at a loss and move on. The other issue is that while home prices in TV have come down in the last five years, they have not come close to bottoming out like they have in other areas. Also, many of the areas, particularly in Florida, that have experienced huge drops in value, were areas where speculators as well as individuals, had come in and driven up prices on condos and homes, and the developers overbuilt given that demand. When the market dropped they were left with plunging prices, causing foreclosures, and unsold inventory that dropped precipitously in value. Over supply - under demand; has not happened in TV.

[lovesports]

You're right, people who bought at the peak of the market (me) took quite a loss when selling their homes in today's market. Also, there are foreclosures and short sells, more than most people realize.
But you are right, the baby boomers are really kicking into gear now. More demand than homes. Plus as you said, most working couples are fine financially in here.
We know 2 women who bought with their boyfriends and when the boyfriends left, they couldn't make the payments. Both ended up in foreclosures and the women have no money now. Sad.
There are hardship cases. I know a couple of people who were flipping homes and they got caught. But the majority of us are doing fine, even if we bought when the bubble was peaking.

[thistrucksforyou]

Originally Posted by Tom Hannon

I agree with you. This is our last lap around the track. We've sacraficed all out life. It is time for us. TV lifestyle is our reward. We deserve it. And if it cost a little more than other places who cares. We can't take it with us.

TOTALLY !

[QuincyM]

If The Villages Real Estate is selling a pre-owned home, is the listed price on the web page negotiable?

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by QuincyM

If The Villages Real Estate is selling a pre-owned home, is the listed price on the web page negotiable?

Not as much as a listing with an MLS agent. Remember the Villages Real Estate sales agents are representing the seller not you. An MLS agent can work as a buyer's agent representing "you the buyer" not the seller. So their goal is the best price they can get for you. And believe me as a former REALTOR the difference in commission is not that great if they get you a better price. But if a Village sales agent gets top dollar for the seller that gets them more referrals. So "buyer beware"!

[bike42]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Remember the Villages Real Estate sales agents are representing the seller not you. An MLS agent can work as a buyer's agent representing "you the buyer" not the seller. So their goal is the best price they can get for you. And believe me as a former REALTOR the difference in commission is not that great if they get you a better price. But if a Village sales agent gets top dollar for the seller that gets them more referrals. So "buyer beware"!

This is not true. The price on a pre-owned home is totally negotiable on either MLS or VLS listings. You can make any offer you want. The owner can accept or refuse any offer you make, or counter-offer. The agent (either MLS or VLS) makes his/her commission on the price agreed to between you and the owner.

VLS has agents who work primarily with sellers, and those who work primarily with buyers. The LISTING agent is the seller's agent, but you can see any VLS house with the VLS agent of your choice. If you feel that any agent (MLS or VLS) is not working in your best interests, change agents.
VLS agents are just as eager to make a sale as MLS agents.

[asianthree]

made a lower offer on a preowned and didn't have any problems, after all its the sellers money not the villages

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by bike42

This is not true. The price on a pre-owned home is totally negotiable on either MLS or VLS listings. You can make any offer you want. The owner can accept or refuse any offer you make, or counter-offer. The agent (either MLS or VLS) makes his/her commission on the price agreed to between you and the owner.

VLS has agents who work primarily with sellers, and those who work primarily with buyers. The LISTING agent is the seller's agent, but you can see any VLS house with the VLS agent of your choice. If you feel that any agent (MLS or VLS) is not working in your best interests, change agents.
VLS agents are just as eager to make a sale as MLS agents.

Beg to differ - I was specifically told by the VLS agents they represent the seller not the buyer. Of course the price of the home is negotiable - my point is the VLS seller agent negotiating the deal with a buyer is looking for the highest price for the seller to maintain their reputation with sellers. VLS agents will also tell you VA loans on preowned "just aren't done here" because Citizens is not approved to do VA loans. I obtained a VA loan on a preowned and closed in 30 days so I'm just saying look at all your options and ask lots of questions so you are sure you have the full story.

[cybermuda]

Originally Posted by QuincyM

If The Villages Real Estate is selling a pre-owned home, is the listed price on the web page negotiable?

We offered 10% less (on a price that had already been reduced considerably from the original asking price) and it was accepted the same day

Makes us wish we'd offered 20% less :-)

All depends on how keen/desperate the sellers are to sell

[Yorio]

Guess most people from 2001 to 2007 didn't opt for mortgages so bubble busting didn't affect them or didn't care. Even if the homes went down in price, if this was the "last" home who cares as long as they love the lifestyle. By the time our children get hold of the house, we wouldn't care where the house appreciated or not. If it goes up, it's fine and if it doesn't it's fine too. I like this attitude and I'll abide by it. Hi Tom, see you in November.