[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Number 10 GI

Seems like some people think a real estate agent must also be an investment counselor, tax expert, and a housing inspector.

Very often they will tell the buyer how well this house has been built and what great shape the appliances are in.

And that is why before purchasing a home everyone should hire an inspector.

[kstew43]

in order to be called a Realtor...you must join your county Realtors Association which also allows you to access the MLS... A real estate sales agent......The villages agents..... do not need to join a board, they work for the developer, hence, they are not Realtors...

[kstew43]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

We have discussed this before. Apparently this is important to you.

I think realtor with a capital R is just a capitalized name for someone who sells real estate.

Jim has sold real estate in the Eastern State where he was born. He sells real estate here and he is allowed to sell new homes in The Villages and the realtors you talk of, from MLS, cannot sell new homes in The Villages. Jim can also sell used homes in The Villages. Jim has had to hire a helper he is so busy.

But Jim can only work for one, Builder or Broker, so Jim can ONLY sell the villages homes....

[kstew43]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

When you look at the taxes of a RESALE home they are based on what that owner paid for it. Our taxes doubled because the original owner was protected by the "Florida Save Our Homes" CAP over the previous 9 years based on what HE paid for it. We start that over based on our price. Our agent said the taxes were $900 when we asked, which was true, but they turned out to be $1800 when we closed based on OUR purchase price not the first/previous owner. Even at 2X 1 year was equal to 1 1/2 months up north so no complaints.

There is a thing in Florida called Portability. If you already owned a home in Florida, and transfer your homestead exemption to your new home. you subtract the market value of your old home from its assessed value and that figure is now portability. subtract that number from the sale price of your new home.... and you now have a lower taxed assessed value on your new home, plus subtract homestead and wah la......your tax rate is a lot less there your neighbor from out of state.

Not everyone buyer knows this information, but your Realtor should tell you this. Its simple paperwork.... Check it out on Sumter/Lake county tax site.

[Mrprez]

Originally Posted by kstew43

in order to be called a Realtor...you must join your county Realtors Association which also allows you to access the MLS... A real estate sales agent......The villages agents..... do not need to join a board, they work for the developer, hence, they are not Realtors...

In order to be called a realtor you must join the NAR and take some classes. It is not a legal requirement nor does it make a realtor better than anyone else. Stop looking down at other people who choose to work for TV.

[kstew43]

Originally Posted by Mrprez

In order to be called a realtor you must join the NAR and take some classes. It is not a legal requirement nor does it make a realtor better than anyone else. Stop looking down at other people who choose to work for TV.

I never look down on anyone......Its just the difference between working for a Builder or a Broker office. I'm retired and could not care less who sells what......and sales agents also have to be licensed and take courses every 2 years to maintain their license VLS and MLS.

[Ladygolfer93]

Originally Posted by Hospes444

BEWARE
Those looking to buy a property from a Villages realtor; do your due diligence and don't trust the realtors to be forthcoming with important information
Those who are looking to buy a home without inspecting it themselves, or having a trusted friend take a look, you might be surprised at the cosmetic condition when you arrive for the closing.
Make certain to call the tax office in whatever county you are purchasing in. DONT trust the realtor to tell you whether or not the tax rate reflects "Homestead" discount...even if you ask.
These realtors are not looking out for you.
It's unfortunate that so many homes are listed in the Villages and are not a MLS.

Absolutely true, personal experience ! Not just true of villages agents, no agent is as concerned about YOU as YOU are, not even if the agent is your own relative. Good advice above. Make sure you educate yourself completely and in great detail about "inspectors" and "inspections", these are also definitely not looking out for your best interests even though you will definitely be the one paying. The best experience I have ever had was hiring my own "inspector" (not a bank, agent, or state recommended one) who was an extremely skilled community college instructor in building trades. He was NOT "state licensed", was someone with incredible knowledge and rather than calling himself an inspector, he had no "skin in the game" and for a fee would go over every aspect of construction WITH the perspective buyer. My horrific experiences with "inspectors" in two different states in addition to Florida were all the same, they definitely DID NOT allow the perspective buyer to accompany them. I unknowingly parked my car and watched one $400 inspector I had "hired". He never removed any type of ladder from his vehicle, yet I later received a "report" that included a thorough inspection of the gutters and roof ! After four expensive and very fraudulent home inspections, I am more leery of them than I am of used car sales people who only sell the used vehicles of the little old ladies who only drive to church on Sunday !

[Art cov]

(1) only hire high octane agents.(2) don’t use cousins or whoever unless they sell lots of houses! 10 houses a year? not with my major investment! I don’t want an agent that sells for a hobby, they must be in the top 5 around the area or one with lots of motivation that’s a big impact and thriving to be num 1. (3) negotiate! 6 percent is there goal but I have never paid that! Also in my experience an all star champion realtor will make you money. Lots of lazy ones out there that just want listings and don’t mind letting everyone else do the selling. I could say a lot but will move on. Remember this is usually the greatest asset a person has, don’t leave a bunch of money on the table or in someone else’s pocket. (4) you have one chance to make a first impression. You want to knock it out of the park! Have the neatest, cleanest, most perfect place around. Curb appeal! Fix everything that is needed. Fixer uppers are buyers deals. I personally hire a inspector when I plan to sell because they find a lot of things that need attention. Then when buyers hire inspector it should be a piece of cake. I have had the inspector fix little things when he was doing his job. (5) be truthful n do it right. Inside/outside to be in move in ready I could say a lot more but I hope this helps someone

[Skunky1]

The agents in the Villages,Florida sales office are not Realtors!

[jacksonbrown]

Originally Posted by Mrprez

In order to be called a realtor you must join the NAR and take some classes. It is not a legal requirement nor does it make a realtor better than anyone else. Stop looking down at other people who choose to work for TV.

Nor do I "look down" on anyone. However, prospective home buyers need to know the difference. And the consequences potentially ARE HUGE. It's the legal difference between contracting with a "sellers" agent, or a "buyers" agent. The difference could cost a buyer thousands, post sale.

[egmcaninch]

Originally Posted by Hospes444

BEWARE
Those looking to buy a property from a Villages realtor; do your due diligence and don't trust the realtors to be forthcoming with important information
Those who are looking to buy a home without inspecting it themselves, or having a trusted friend take a look, you might be surprised at the cosmetic condition when you arrive for the closing.
Make certain to call the tax office in whatever county you are purchasing in. DONT trust the realtor to tell you whether or not the tax rate reflects "Homestead" discount...even if you ask.
These realtors are not looking out for you.
It's unfortunate that so many homes are listed in the Villages and are not a MLS.

How sad to have so little trust in someone who works with you on such an important decision! I trusted my Villages realtor 100% and did my own due diligence. I chose to do both

[tsmall22204]

Why blame others for your failures. If you don't handle business, it will handle you.

[Pillowtalk]

No, they are not “Realtors”. They do no belong to the National Board of Realtors. Realtors (who work through MLS are offered education) and MA has an arbitration board for agent’s that hear complaints by the public and have the power to suspend or remove their license for violations. The Villages salespeople are just that, sales people, not “Realtors’.

[jonathanb]

You must be licensed by the state you live in to sell real estate. The only difference between a REALTOR and a Licensed Real Estate Representative for Properties of The Villages is the Realtor designation and the $600+/- they had to pay for it. REALTOR IS A DESIGNATION NOT A LICENSE. I know I was a REALTOR in Pa and a LICENSED REAL ESTATE REPRESENTATIVE for Properties of The Villages now retired. As far as ethical sales people go it is your duty to interview them and see who you work well with. All real estate sales people are independent contractors and work differently.

[Pamelah]

Originally Posted by MSchad

////

What do those lines //// mean ??????