[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Marty94

My realtor/Villages sales agent was Chris Hallmark. He is just amazing and extremely knowledgeable. He has been selling homes in TV for many years. (His license information is provided below.) And even though my home was fairly new, I still paid for an inspection as termites are fairly prevalent in the south and I really didn’t want to walk up on the roof to check for weather damage or loose shingles. Chris set that up and the cost was reasonable.

Concerning exemptions, I wouldn’t expect a realtor to know this as that’s getting into tax law. You can easily look up tax information though on the county’s website. Prior to moving to Florida, I did my own due diligence and looked up what I needed to do to apply as I am also a veteran and many states have additional property tax exemptions (Florida among the most generous toward veterans).

Real Estate Broker or Sales HALLMARK, CHRISTOPHER PA Primary SL700267
Sales Associate Current, Active

I agree that Chris Hallmark is an excellent real estate agent. However, as far as I know, he is not a "Realtor". In fact, I have looked up many of the best agents who work for The Villages, and almost none of them are "Realtors".

[New Adventures]

Originally Posted by Kilmacowen

They are licenced by the state of Florida. Most, if not all, have worked for MLS previously. "Code of ethics" is a joke. All sales people work for their own benefit, no matter what business they are in. Does anyone think financial advisers work for your interest first?

Actually, financial advisers made it possible for my husband and I to be able to move here. As for The Villages salespeople, I had some that were not too interested in my needs and I quickly moved on to another that found us a home that was exactly what we wanted.

Sure, there are some questionable people out there and it's our own responsibility to check on their references before we dive into anything that will consume a large amount of your money. But don't drop the hammer on those that are good people who look out for your interests. They are out there!

[manaboutown]

My first Villages agent steered me to new houses and evaded showing me even one preowned home after repeated requests. He also dodged around my questions about the infamous "bond". He professed not to know how much it was on any of the few spec homes he bothered to show me. I found him disingenuous at best. Then to top it off he told me to drive myself around and if I saw a home I wanted to see to let him know. Thanks, but no thanks. I would not do all the work that a real estate agent does to earn a commission so he could get handed a commission for doing next to nothing.

Several Villagers have told me that homes they listed to sell with Villages agents were not shown or effectively marketed and took a long time to sell. That may or not be common. I do not know. From what I have been told Villages agents are more financially motivated to sell new homes.

As an aside, I am following what is happening with the renegade agents who left the developer"s "employ" and have started their own real estate company in violation of a covenant not to compete they signed with the developer. Since real estate agents are typically independent contractors and not employees it will be interesting to see how this shakes out. From following the legal happenings I have gained some knowledge on how behind the curtain the developer actually runs its sales organization. I find it quite amusing that its sales agents have to memorize a spiel they are to give on every corner of a square as they walk customers around it. They must demonstrate to a supervisor they have their presentation nailed down pat as they walk with the supervisor around the square until they get it right. For some reason I found that quite funny. BTW I did not get the walk or the spiel. My agent must have been selling so prolifically he had not the time nor the need. Perhaps he had become exempt. He did confide to me he had eaten in the executive dining room and flown on at least one of the developer's jets so he was a hotshot salesman of new homes who had been recognized and honored by the developer.

As others have posted anyone looking to buy in The Villages needs both a VLS agent and an MLS Realtor in order to see all the preowned homes for sale; one requires a VLS agent for new homes. IMHO finding the right agents is paramount.

[yankygrl]

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.

Most are not realtors, they are sales reps, working for the developer and not you the client..if someone says different they are lying.

[Marathon Man]

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.

Four posts four complaints.

As for this one: How can anyone reach retirement age and not know how to buy a house?

[ficoguy]

I think my guy was just a sales representative. He had to call a Villages real estate agent to do the paperwork. He basically took us around the villages, and then when it came time to buy he pretty much went from the front to the back seat.

[Dilligas]

Why do ya'll do this same post all the time. It sound like some MLS agents jealous of Villages agents. The answer here is simple.....1) In every profession there are good and bad people, and the title after their name does not change that. 2) If you want to move to TV, you either have to have a Villages agent or a non villages agent. You will see more listings on The Villages website versus MLS, because more homes are sold by The Villages. There are some Villages agents that cooperate with MLS agents and vice versa, but they can not sell the other group's listings. On TV listings, you will only have homes that are in The Villages and have the amenities that TV offers. In the MLS, you will see homes in The Villages (with TV amenities) and home not in The Villages but just outside. Some of the neighboring areas refer their location with names that include the word Village, but are not part of TV. You get what you pay for.....