[Normal]

50,000 dollars for a bond and a lifetime of annual GUARANTEED CITY TAXES! No thanks.

Avoid new areas and their bonds like the plague. The money you save moving to a more northern area can buy A LOT of upgrades. Additional city taxes on a new home run north of 1000 per year on almost any house south of 44. Besides, most upgrades like a driveway or granite are already done in a preowned home. Heck, half the time the furniture is included too.

[coconutmama]

Originally Posted by bowlingal

just be aware....the houses further into the northern areas have lots of oak trees. Yes, good shade in the summer, BUT creates a mess from about Oct thru March with all the leaves and acorns dropping. You will be out there almost every day raking if you want your lawn looking nice. They also block the sunlight, so grass does not grow in that area. Believe me, I know. had my oak taken down, couldn't do it anymore. Much happier now.

So true. Also any limbs hanging over your home are a liability in hurricanes. Additionally they are an avenue for squirrels, rats & raccoons to your roof

[Kittycat2]

So you’re supporting the ‘disposable community ‘ theory? Use it while it’s shiny then throw it away.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by Normal

50,000 dollars for a bond and a lifetime of annual GUARANTEED CITY TAXES! No thanks.

Avoid new areas and their bonds like the plague. The money you save moving to a more northern area can buy A LOT of upgrades. Additional city taxes on a new home run north of 1000 per year on almost any house south of 44. Besides, most upgrades like a driveway or granite are already done in a preowned home. Heck, half the time the furniture is included too.

It ok there are thousands who have zero issues with a bond, and truly living proof there is life and the pursuit of happiness south of 44. Especially if you are in your 40s and 50s, who only want to move once to a forever home. Buying a Forty year old house when you are only 50, will be in need of a great deal of maintenance for 20-30-40 plus years.

Then again those who choose to have newer seem to take bond and taxes with less stress than residents in their 70s-90s. Change can be very difficult as one ages

[Normal]

Originally Posted by thelegges

It ok there are thousands who have zero issues with a bond, and truly living proof there is life and the pursuit of happiness south of 44. Especially if you are in your 40s and 50s, who only want to move once to a forever home. Buying a Forty year old house when you are only 50, will be in need of a great deal of maintenance for 20-30-40 plus years.

Then again those who choose to have newer seem to take bond and taxes with less stress than residents in their 70s-90s. Change can be very difficult as one ages

Enjoy

I guess some are fine with throwing away cash. Avoid Newell and Dabney though, the Lake County and Leesburg tax man is hungry and upping the ante again.

[jjombrello]

My home was built in 1998 and we have hurricane clips and passed an inspection that confirmed we met the building code. It lowered our insurance costs. I have also replaced the roof and have a newer hot water heater. What you might find in a resell is that a lot of improvements and enhancements have been designed into, or added to the home, that may come as a bonus in a purchase. You will find some very good homes available that meet your criteria, and I support your decision to look in established areas. Should you find something to your liking, have and inspection done to make sure all is to your satisfaction. It's just a matter of what makes you happy with the decision.

[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by Normal

Enjoy

I guess some are fine with throwing away cash. Avoid Newell and Dabney though, the Lake County and Leesburg tax man is hungry and upping the ante again.

I can move out as quickly as I moved in which most my age will not consider. Pay on a bond or put that same money toward the headache of renovating or fixing the stuff that someone DIY’d incorrectly. I guess to each their own.

[Birdrm]

Originally Posted by Normal

50,000 dollars for a bond and a lifetime of annual GUARANTEED CITY TAXES! No thanks.

Avoid new areas and their bonds like the plague. The money you save moving to a more northern area can buy A LOT of upgrades. Additional city taxes on a new home run north of 1000 per year on almost any house south of 44. Besides, most upgrades like a driveway or granite are already done in a preowned home. Heck, half the time the furniture is included too.

Not all homes south of 44 are that expensive, I bought a 1900sf 3 bedroom villa and the city tax is less than $800 and my bond was $17,000!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by sdeikenberry

Our home was built in 1995 and has hurricane wind mitigation. This is just south of Spanish Springs. I believe you get more for your money with an older home. Landscaping, home upgrades, renovations, and stable neighborhood, and generally better construction than the newer homes

You also get a bigger yard. I would advise visiting in the summer.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by bowlingal

just be aware....the houses further into the northern areas have lots of oak trees. Yes, good shade in the summer, BUT creates a mess from about Oct thru March with all the leaves and acorns dropping. You will be out there almost every day raking if you want your lawn looking nice. They also block the sunlight, so grass does not grow in that area. Believe me, I know. had my oak taken down, couldn't do it anymore. Much happier now.

Basically, maple trees are better than oak trees.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Villagesgal

Don't let anyone talk you out of a golf course and water view. We have lived in our designer championship golf course front home with a beautiful water view now for 24 years. Homes built in 2001 have the hurricane clips. Every day that we open our blinds/curtains we are still in awe of the view.
Every single day. Most of our neighbors on our side of the street have sold only when they moved to assisted living or passed away. Homes on our side very rarely go up for sale and sell immediately in the $600,000 plus range.
Buy what you love the first time and there's no need to ever move.
By the way, construction quality on the Designer and Premier homes built in the early 2000's, is far superior to newer homes, we have friends who moved here and bought new down south, they have lots of problems due to poorer build quality. Have a structural engineer do your home inspection either way. You will never regret having a beautiful golf front/water view, but you will regret not having one everytime you open your windows and see your neighbors house directly behind you.

This is a good post with much VALUABLE information.

[jimjamuser]

I think that the average age of the residents seems to go DOWN as you go SOUTH in The Villages. Lakes and golf views may be important to many people, but I think that the AGE of the people in your Village is an underappreciated factor.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by Normal

Enjoy

I guess some are fine with throwing away cash. Avoid Newell and Dabney though, the Lake County and Leesburg tax man is hungry and upping the ante again.

In “07”the wrong place to buy was Virginia Trace, 2010 Pennacamp, 2012, Fernandina. Funny we bought in all those wrong places and not only enjoyed the area, sold each with a great profit along with the bond balance. Never listened to the horror throwing away money posts then, just like today. Warnings haven’t changed in 20 years.

We did however Throw our profit of monies into the next houses in TV. Not sure I would consider throw away money. Some post fear without first hand experience. Usually those who shelter in same home, can’t really warn anyone, because the lack of first hand knowledge is just gossip at the grocery. Or just newer residents with less experience.

Residents have known about Lake county for 20plus years, so no big surprises.
Many of us came from areas that our taxes were triple or quadrupled higher than Lake, Leesburg. So many TV residents bank the cash savings from the high taxes all over the US.

Over half of our neighborhood is those who have moved from northern areas of TV.

[Santiagogirl]

We love our home near Savannah Center, polo fields, shopping, etc. Great neighbors, including original owners as well 50- & 60-something youngsters who are moving in as neighborhood turns over due to age. Only construction issue we worry about is plastic plumbing lines, which can become frail & fail with time. Of course our friends in southern half of The Villages also love their homes. This is great place, period. You will likely be happy wherever you choose. Two pieces of advice:
1) Live as close as possible to the activities you enjoy. For example, of you want join a bowling league or the bridge club, or play softball in a division whose games are played mostly on the north end of The Villages, you will never get back all of the precious time you will spend commuting back & forth from the southern areas of the development (particularly if you wish to travel by golf cart). On the other hand, if you plan to visit theme parks frequently or are still working & need to fly out of MCO on a regular basis, locating close to the turnpike could make your life much easier. If your needs change, you can consider a move.
2) Downsize as much as you can, & bring as little as possible when you move. People come here for nice weather & activities, not to impress the Joneses. If family visits only 2 or 3 times a year, would you be better off renting them a nice Airbnb when the need arises, and enjoying a smaller, well-appointed villa with a golf course view and a huge lanai for entertaining? Lower maintenance requirements & more in your budget for cruises, etc, could make this your smartest option.
Consider what features are really important to you in a home.
None of these houses have enough storage--an extended garage or golf cart garage is valuable even if you have a single vehicle, & enhances resale. We love the neighborhood & sports pools, & were only too happy to leave behind maintenance of a large pool at our old home. However, if a private pool is important for you there are plenty available all over The Villages. Having a nearby dog park or other place to walk your pet when the pavement is too hot for their paws may be high on your list. Etc, etc.

Good luck on your home search.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

If we were able to afford it at the time, we probably would've ended up just south of Sumter Landing, around the northern curve of Odell Circle - or just south of Spanish Springs, off Del Mar or maybe in Chula Vista. Where we come from an "old" house is something built before 1950. And there are homes where we come from dating back to the 1700s that are still standing and inhabitable.

This notion of "old houses" being built in the 1980's is just insane. I don't understand the concept or the mentality at all.