[MikeN]

Look for a resale and save all the speculation and uncertainty of the new build. If we had done better research we would have done that. We ended up buying basically a half million dollar fixer upper, put another $35K in landscaping and other improvements and now I’m stuck with a house we can’t sell because of all the new stuff coming on the market every week for less money but in the long run will cost more to get built the way you want it

[rsmurano]

If you want an old dated looking house, then look north of 466a. There are nice areas above 466a but the majority will be old looking. Above 466, these are ancient.
I don’t know anybody buying their 2nd, 3rd or more village house going north, but I do know many people migrating to south of 44 to buy their 2nd/3rd or more house.
Newer updated designs, natural gas option, better bike/walking trails, newer golf courses, younger residents, easy access to the interstate, and it’s quiet with less traffic.
If you shop target/Best Buy on a daily basis, then move north of 466. But if you need Lowe’s/Home Depot on an occasion, they are 20 mins away. Walmart is 15-20 mins away. We rarely travel north of 466, majority travel is 46)a south.
Never buy without checking out the lot/area in person. Stay away from power lines, highway noise, and water plants that can smell.

[eyounkin]

Do you have a realtor? We just went through this and our realtor team was top notch and walked us through every question. I highly recommend Diana and Jonathan Grantham - nothing but great things to say. Once you get your lot, then you sit down with your designer to walk through options. We had Melissa Stanford - she was awesome. Melissa told us we came to her with so much knowledge and ideas and said our realtor did a tremendous job. Find a realtor and lean on them!!! - Eric Younkin

[Tomptomp]

If your avid golfers think about a central location near many courses.
All rec centers are not created equal. They offer a hugh variety of activities. It will take some research.
If you like the “ 5 o’clock “ music at the squares nightly, maybe you want to be close to one.
Generally the older areas have an older population, consider the age of your neighborhood. They are younger down south.
Good luck and happy hunting.

[Bassdeer]

We plan on moving there in the spring of 2026 and plan on renting the rest of our lives. Unless rates drop to 3% again but I doubt that.

[Malsua]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Pretty much going from 466A south to SR 44...

Pine Hills*
Pine Ridge*
*Both of these are in Lake County which has slightly higher property taxes and a different Electric Co. Provider (some say it is less reliable in storms...)

I have owned two properties, simultaneously in TV for 5ish years. One in Lake, one in Sumter.

One has SECO for Electric in Sumter, the other has Duke in Lake.

I can count on 1 finger the amount of times the power went out in our Sumter home in the last year. It was on 100% for both Hurricanes.

The Duke home however? I'm going to says 1-2 times a month there's something, maybe a blip, maybe 10 minutes, maybe a day. Power was out for about a day and a half after Milton.

It was a rental property, but we lived there for about 8 months during a remodel of our Sumter home. The power was always having issues. I also got notifications on my phone when we didn't live there because the home had a bunch of remote access(door, thermostat, garage, cameras, doorbell, water monitor)..

I closed on the sale of it last week. I shan't be purchasing another home in Lake(higher taxes) or that has Duke.

[Shelbyh]

Originally Posted by Lolabird

Hello everyone,

My name is Lora. My husband Mark and I are headed to your beautiful community in February for the first time. We have been excited about our home buying / building process, and are planning on getting started when we arrive.

We have never built a home before, and I would appreciate any suggestions from those who know so much more than we do.

We have chosen a model (Anhinga), and will most likely choose a site near Waters Edge.

I would appreciate any suggestions as to what I should ask when we meet with the staff.

Such as:

1) types of finishes (flooring, cabinetry, countertops, roof, etc.)

2) insulation

3) gas vs electric

4) making changes or additions to the model - remove a wall, put washer / dryer in garage'
additional outlets

5) what does it mean exactly to "stretch" a floorplan?

6) location of lot to choose - noise level (I hear many people comment on this)

7) What does it mean when a floorplan has a C or F after its name?

Building vs. purchasing an existing home in other areas of the Villages.

Thank you all so much for your time and expertise. I have been perusing the forums, and you are all such a wealth of information. I look forward to your guidance!

Lora from RI

Very excited for you! I believe cost will dictate how much you will upgrade. With that being said, I will only share what I almost did. We decided that we wanted a simple home and downsize from our large home back north. I almost bought another large home here but in reality we didn’t need or really want that, nor do I want to clean another large home. As far as space, we have a 1675 sq foot home with a 2 car garage. I told my husband that if we can’t make that work with just the two of us then we need to get rid of more junk! So far so good.
Welcome to TV you will love it here!!

[Bugface]

Originally Posted by Lolabird

Is it fair to assume that the "newer neighborhoods" are in the southern sections?

We are 60 years old. Can you recommend a neighborhood that fits your description - a bit more established, homes that a few years old, landscaped. etc.

Dusty Star and Orange Blossom Baby mentioned " "north of 44 & south of 466A. "

Could you please offer some village names in that area so that I may look at a map?

Again, many thanks to all!

Lora

My husband and I purchased a home in the village of Marsh Bend and absolutely LOVE it! When we bought 4 years ago we were considered the southern part of The Villages, but with all the building going on, we’re going to be pretty centrally located. The biggest selling point for us was being walking distance to the Hogeye Preserve. We like to run, walk, bike on a daily basis, and having the paved trails and green space so close has been awesome. Right next to the Hogeye trail is Edna’s on the Green where they have live music every day, food, and drinks. Also in the same area is Pitch and Putt golf as well as an executive course. When we were looking for a house, our requirements were a block house that did not have a kissing lanai that was near green space. I wouldn’t worry too much about not being super close to everything as The Villages builds everything so quickly. When we moved in, there wasn’t even a bridge that connected us to the rest of the villages so we could not access by golf cart. Within a year, all the connecting bridges were completed and we had a shopping center up the road with a grocery store, restaurants, hair salon, etc.

This area has gas stoves.

You also mentioned putting the washer/dryer in the garage. If you plan to live here year round, the garage can be super hot.

Noise is definitely a consideration if you like the quiet. Avoid being too close to the highway, town squares or pickleball courts.

Most people seem to love whatever village they live in, and of course, we all have our own preferences. We have met so many wonderful people! It’s definitely a fun place to live and the process of looking is exciting. Good luck in your search!

[Heytubes]

I suggest you not only let The Villages realtor show homes but get a private one and search established areas north of 466 and west of 27/441 such as LaZamora as there are many private listings if you want convenient shopping, mature trees and the ability to upgrade an older home if desired. Plenty of listings with new roofs, ac’s and appliances. No bonds and reasonable prices.

[Lisanp@aol.com]

Each lot is limited in the models that will be permitted to be built on it. This is also true of stretches. One model may allow a stretch on a certain lot, while another model will not. If you want to build, I suggest that you place first preference on the lot and then see what models are permitted on that lot over being wedded to a specific model. I think all new homes are gas. You will learn a lot once you are here so don't go in with too many pre-specified wants as you need to be very open to the process to see what works best for your needs. There is not too much flexibility in the build process today contrary to the past.

[Drrichross]

Lots of great answers already given. A couple things you should understand. If you want to build new you have to go thru the villages builder. Others can tell you how much input you can have. I understand it's not like building at home where there is a lot of leeway. They are building hundreds of cookie cutter houses and don't have the time to make each different.
You asked for names of villages to look at for pre-owned. This implies you are using the villages website for resales. You need to realize that villages sales agents are not Realtors. They do not use MLS listing and so the website will only show probably less than 10% of the pre-owned options. Zillow or Realtor.com do not list by village but by geographic areas. You have to be careful because their boundaries move as you move on the screen and you might look at a house that isn't actually in the villages. VLS sales people push new sales over resale. Others have commented on that. We bought in 2021 during a buying frenzy where out house was on the market 6 minutes. Bought sight unseen, but we are part timers. We are way up north in Mulberry. Neighbors are mostly older, but we have met many in late 50s like us at pools. Will probably move a little more south when we get ready to retire and spend more time, but like the amenities of the established areas. To each their own. Villages are great for so many different reasons. We love music at squares, some don't. I golf, wife likes pool options and shopping. I will say at 58 I feel young in the north and old when I head south of brownwood.

[Justputt]

Originally Posted by Lolabird

Hello everyone,

My name is Lora. My husband Mark and I are headed to your beautiful community in February for the first time. We have been excited about our home buying / building process, and are planning on getting started when we arrive.

We have never built a home before, and I would appreciate any suggestions from those who know so much more than we do.

We have chosen a model (Anhinga), and will most likely choose a site near Waters Edge.

I would appreciate any suggestions as to what I should ask when we meet with the staff.

Such as:

1) types of finishes (flooring, cabinetry, countertops, roof, etc.) - LVP, tile, carpet are the most common (IMO avoid carpet), you only get to choose cabinet door face and not layout (fixed based on model), you pick shingles color but generally insurance companies demand replacement by year 15 (so don't buy 50 yr shingles), you pick your colors, countertops (we like Quartz and there are something like 6 grades of it), you pick plumbing and electrical fixtures, but keep in mine these aren't really custom homes and you can't just add outlets, lights, move interior walls, etc.)

2) insulation, Comes standard on all homes and only in the walls and ceiling (not rafters)

3) gas vs electric, IMO gas as it is cheaper, better to cook on and heat the house.

4) making changes or additions to the model - remove a wall, put washer / dryer in garage, additional outlets, [B]Washer/Dryer location is fixed based on model and you cannot move it. You can pick a roof line, e.g. shallow for more peak for more usable storage area, but then I'd insulate the rafters, close it off from the other open attic space with insulation board, and put in solar fans to vent heat to keep the temps low enough to be usable storage (that won't melt plastic, etc.).[/B]

5) what does it mean exactly to "stretch" a floorplan? [B]Floor plan stretches are Exterior walls, usually in 2' increments. I'd max stretch the garage in all directions because that will be most/all of your easily accessible storage. I'd also stretch the Laini by at least 4' in most models.[/B]

6) location of lot to choose - noise level (I hear many people comment on this), This is personal, but avoid Turnpike (noise), and try to be at least several blocks from pickleball courts (very noisy game). Lake front will have gators and several people have told us they're sick of watching gators kill and eat the birds, avoid kissing Laini with zero privacy. The new area (Eastport) has larger commerical area with restaurants, shops, sports areas, and will be busier and noisier (IMO), and I think will be more attractive to renters giving you less stable neighborhoods. Nearby is Middleton, which is family housing, so more young people and all that brings (good and bad), $1B in schools, stadiums, baseball fields, games nights (probably many), traffic, etc. We have a preserve lot so it feels private even though a fraction of an acre.

7) What does it mean when a floorplan has a C or F after its name? Usually, the build options are Framed, Concrete block or Precast concrete. Some models only differ in the method used.

Building vs. purchasing an existing home in other areas of the Villages. Existing homes may not be up to the latest building code for storms, power protection, etc. They may have roofs that are nearing the insurance company's replacement requirement, may have older HVAC systems needing work/replacement, in the original area may have older more chopped up floorplans, and remodeling may be needed. On the bright side bonds will be less.

Thank you all so much for your time and expertise. I have been perusing the forums, and you are all such a wealth of information. I look forward to your guidance!

Lora from RI

Good luck

[Lolabird]

This is incredible, everyone!

So much that I did not know.
I am realizing the the Bond is a major consideration. Is that paid separately, or as part of the financing package? Is there a time limit to pay it off?

We plan on being snowbirds, and living in the Villages Dec-April.

I was considering an east facing house, since the sun would set in the back
lanai when it would be warmest in the winter months. Does that sound logical?

Again, thank you all so very much. I knew I came to the right place to have my questions answered !

Lora

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by rsmurano

If you want an old dated looking house, then look north of 466a. There are nice areas above 466a but the majority will be old looking. Above 466, these are ancient.
I don’t know anybody buying their 2nd, 3rd or more village house going north, but I do know many people migrating to south of 44 to buy their 2nd/3rd or more house.
Newer updated designs, natural gas option, better bike/walking trails, newer golf courses, younger residents, easy access to the interstate, and it’s quiet with less traffic.
If you shop target/Best Buy on a daily basis, then move north of 466. But if you need Lowe’s/Home Depot on an occasion, they are 20 mins away. Walmart is 15-20 mins away. We rarely travel north of 466, majority travel is 46)a south.
Never buy without checking out the lot/area in person. Stay away from power lines, highway noise, and water plants that can smell.

Well said.

[ElDiabloJoe]

Originally Posted by FloridaGuy66

It's amusing when people living in the least desirable/highest crime areas are giving advice on where to live in the Villages.

Not to mention the areas with the most traffic, the oldest amenities, the oldest and least renovated homes, and the most rundown neighborhoods. I don't care much about proximity to shopping, that's what my internet connection and Amazon are for. But hey! At least the bond is paid.