[Maryland Girl]

I don't know if I have the strength to write this-just exhausted with the pace TV sets for you when you are thinking of purchasing a new home. Our experience has been as follows: our rep says 'You have from 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM to decide on this property. If issues arise, the time now becomes 10:00 AM until 12 noon and so on. If you decide to purchase, agreement is faxed and you have until 5 PM the next day to read, absorb, initial/sign and fax back. (We are not in Florida but home in MD).

In November, we put a deposit on a nice oversized lot in Buttonwood, but really want a CYV, in part, so our dogs can be fenced. Then the Edgewater Bungalows open up and we ride the above mentioned time-setting conveyor belt but back out before signing faxed documents because, as stated, the size is just too small. THEN I happen to open the webite and notice ALL the Edgewater Bungalows are now for sale. Oh my, one CYV is stretched and is perfect for our needs. What to do, what to do!!!! Well, this villa sells faster than you can say 'sold!" No other CYV suits us so...back to the lot in Buttonwood. That same evening, we are on the phone with our rep who says 'looks like this sale might not go through and the CYV will be back on the market.' Apparently, if the sale is cancelled after 5 or 6 PM, no rep can queque up to sell again before 5 PM the next day..so, the rep gets in line hoping to snare this property for his client. We wait until 5 PM the next day to get the news that the villa is ours if we want it. Then back on the time-setting conveyor belt to make a decision to slam down a quarter of a million dollars + in two hours! Decision is made-we will purchase. The faxed documents come through once again with time to read, absord, initial/sign by 5 PM the following day. In addition, it is 20% down or cash and the closing is generously stretched a bit to Feb 3 as the villa is not ready by the time the papers are faxed. Talk about 'stick a fork in it-we are pressured cooked to perfection!' What an experience!! For some strange reason, we thought we were in a buyers' market!!!'

Are we happy? Yes and no. We believe we got the perfect home, but....the biggest concern we have is finding medical care, especially a primary care doctor who is caring and who monitors as well as treats your health issues. We have a wonderful primary care doctor now and live near Johns Hopkins Hospital. To our way of thinking, you would be crazy to give that up without feeling a twinge of concern!

When will we be in TV permanently? - don't know. We have to recover from this whole process before attempting a move. Checking with our primary care and Johns Hopkins regarding recuperative care as soon as I post this.

[Niels]

Well if you think that's bad... try doing it in person. Those same documents that you had until 5pm the next day to read and sign I had to read and sign on the spot.

Actually this is what a buyer's market looks like in The Villages. Several years ago you would have paid a higher price and had less choices.

Welcome to The Villages.

[Pturner]

OK, Maryland Girl,
If you haven't had time yet to absorb and be excited then...

I'll be excited for you!
:welcome :

[Tbugs]

Sounds as though you had some really quick decisions to make. I am sure you will be happy, though.

My wife and I worked through a Villages Realty agent as well as a non-Villages agent so we could see both Village listed property as well as non-Villages listed properties. We ended up with a home sold through ERA Realty and we were able to negotiate price with the seller, get the closing date we wanted, and not be rushed. Also extremely low bond since the home is 9 years old in an established neighborhood.

When we first came looking at The Villages about 5 years ago, it was "look at a house, decide within 3 hours, or it was gone". It was also at full price at that time. Even in The Villages, the real estate bubble burst or at least fizzeled.

There are still some remarkable bargains in re-sale home in established neighborhoods for all kinds of houses.

[Maryland Girl]

Originally Posted by Tbugs

Sounds as though you had some really quick decisions to make. I am sure you will be happy, though.

My wife and I worked through a Villages Realty agent as well as a non-Villages agent so we could see both Village listed property as well as non-Villages listed properties. We ended up with a home sold through ERA Realty and we were able to negotiate price with the seller, get the closing date we wanted, and not be rushed. Also extremely low bond since the home is 9 years old in an established neighborhood.

When we first came looking at The Villages about 5 years ago, it was "look at a house, decide within 3 hours, or it was gone". It was also at full price at that time. Even in The Villages, the real estate bubble burst or at least fizzeled.

There are still some remarkable bargains in re-sale home in established neighborhoods for all kinds of houses.

Yes, we know there are some great buys with pre-owned homes. I didn't get into the fact that we seriously considered buying two before we put the deposit down on the lot in Buttonwood. Ideally, what we were looking for didn't exist in TV until Edgewater Bungalows opened. Our sales rep swears even the sales staff didn't know the details of these homes-some of the villas have been expanded in size, with a two-care garage, a large lot and located within walking distance of LSL. Wow!! Truth be told, we were stunned that all of a sudden without warning our 'ideal' home was sitting before us and available for purchase. We took advantage of the opportunity and now will just take some time to absorb our decision.

IMHO, the design/sales departments for TV would be wise to consider another such neighborhood for Brownwood as well as a small area of designer homes with fences-bet they would be snapped up quickly like the Edgewater Bungalows!

[Maryland Girl]

Originally Posted by Niels

Well if you think that's bad... try doing it in person. Those same documents that you had until 5pm the next day to read and sign I had to read and sign on the spot.

Actually this is what a buyer's market looks like in The Villages. Several years ago you would have paid a higher price and had less choices.

Welcome to The Villages.

Thank you!

[pooh]

Welcome!!! You're getting practice for all the stuff you'll be doing around here...

We purchased our home from pictures sent to us by our agent. Again, that 2 hour window, but the house was the perfect one for us.....and we got the call at 6:30 in the morning. Agent forgot about the time difference, we were in CA. Everything worked out, we're here a bit over 4 years and it was the best move we've ever made. You'll feel the same way, too....and you'll find the right health care for you and spouse.

CONGRATULATIONS!

[tudacee]

Went through something similar ...via buying long distance. But, once the hubbub is over with, you can relax and enjoy it...

Happy Holidays...a great gift to give yourself...
Welcome to the Villages.

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by Maryland Girl

<snip>
IMHO, the design/sales departments for TV would be wise to consider another such neighborhood for Brownwood as well as a small area of designer homes with fences-bet they would be snapped up quickly like the Edgewater Bungalows!

The fence/pet friendly/larger lot is a fine idea, though we will probably not have a pet there. While the pet and control situation in TV works for all, having the ability to allow free roaming on your grounds is a plus.
As far as the pressure, we bought our second home from Maryland based on a listing and visit by our friends there.
We left the decision to 'fate' and made an offer we though was sure to be ignored completely, but they accepted it even without a counter. There were no TV properties nor anything new that they would allow, and there was plenty of time for us to call the shots on timing.
We're not sure when we'll re-locate, but snagged it just in case the urge hits.
We'll be snowdrifts till then

L and L

[Maryland Girl]

Originally Posted by Pturner

OK, Maryland Girl,
If you haven't had time yet to absorb and be excited then...

I'll be excited for you!
:welcome :

Bless you and thank you and Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!!!

[kb8tpw]

Great reading, I'm sure living it wasn't the same. You will be happy. Don't let the medical scenario worry you, you'll do okay, maybe make a change or two to tweak, but the medical choices and selections are fine. We've made a change or two and recently had a primary care doctor change practices, so will have to find another, but between the two of us we have a multitude of medical needs and we're satisfied. I signed our sales ageement in the Villages hospital a year ago next month so we started our medical journey off right.

Sounds as if you did your home work, so you'll reap the benefits....

Welcome !

[bike42]

Originally Posted by Maryland Girl

We took advantage of the opportunity and now will just take some time to absorb our decision.

You made a great choice; those bungalows are unique and will only go up in value. They are poured concrete (not block) so your utility bills will be so low you won't even notice you paid them. You'll find plenty of health care options here, and if you absolutely have to go back to Maryland once in a while, the flights are cheap.

[Maryland Girl]

Oh my gosh, we thank each and everyone of you for your encouraging comments! It just lifts the spirit to see how people overcome adversity and manage to keep their generous hearts and beautiful smiles. Living in TV will be wonderful with so many caring and supportive folks around us!

Blessings always and may you and those you love have a beautiful Christmas season and a happy and peaceful New Year.

[festusrules]

We recently looked at several properties and chose one. Sales person was nice and not pushy. Soon as we decided to buy the process went into hyperspeed. Review and sign their contracts, but do not make changes.
Take all the time you need, as long as it is done in 2-3 hours.

I resisted at first (their contract language was one-sided) but relented and signed bsed on feeling that this place is so popular and apparently all the hypothetical issues have not caused problems with the residents.

Closed in early December and moving in early January. Hope we have made a good decision.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by festusrules

We recently looked at several properties and chose one. Sales person was nice and not pushy. Soon as we decided to buy the process went into hyperspeed. Review and sign their contracts, but do not make changes.
Take all the time you need, as long as it is done in 2-3 hours.

I resisted at first (their contract language was one-sided) but relented and signed bsed on feeling that this place is so popular and apparently all the hypothetical issues have not caused problems with the residents.

Closed in early December and moving in early January. Hope we have made a good decision.

Festus,
That's exciting. You made a great decision! So far, I've never met a Villager who regretted moving or owning in TV. There are just too many nice people to meet and too much fun to be had.

Good luck on your move and all best wishes!