[Cuervo]

Old house vs new house, whether a house is old or new there are always problems that have to be work out. In the past 40 years I live in four different new houses that we contracted to build and there were some problems that we didn't prep for. But at the end of the day if I'm going to face a problem, I want it to be of my own making.

[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.

[La lamy]

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.

I agree about oak trees, but I'm surprised you were allowed to cut it down. Or did you do it without asking?

[motherflippinpicker]

Originally Posted by Guinness835

My wife and I are seriously looking to buy a house in The Villages in the very near future. We have visited several times and have a couple of friends that have moved there, so we are fairly familiar with it.

We have come to the conclusion that we would like to be in the in an established area versus the new builds down in the southern part. We would prefer “between the sixes,” but have also looked at houses between Lake Sumter and Spanish Springs around Tierra Del Sol.

We have seen a couple of houses online recently that were completely renovated, but built in the late 90’s. I have read and heard about insurance difficulties regarding roof age and all of that, so we’re fairly informed about that. I also believe homes built after 2004(ish) had different building requirements such as hurricane clips. I know that it is preferable if a home built before that has these hurricane clips added later.

I am just curious if anyone has any other pros/cons or concerns for buying a home built in 1998-1999 or so versus something built in the 2000’s. I know that probably is a loaded question, but we have learned a lot from this site and just want to do our due diligence and look at all angles. Thank you in advance!

As someone who just went through this, my best advice would be to buy as new as possible. We couldn't get insurance on older homes and anything before 2006 will have higher rates due to building codes. Keep in mind that most of the time insurance rates go up each year or you may be dropped by your company and find yourself scrambling to secure insurance. We moved from Southern Florida due to insurance issues. I'm not trying to scare you but until/if this gets fixed, I would only buy as new as you can. That will offer you ten years of worry -free insurance renewals.

[BostonTom]

Location is number one deciding factor in real estate. We bought courtyard villa directly outside of Brownwood we can walk or one minute golf cart ride into Brownwood or Publix and of course Dunkin first thing in the morning. Although now the resales are much higher due to neighborhood location than courtyard villa down south. We have two car garage but wish it also had golf cart garage. Courtyard villa minimal landscaping. Richmond / Alden / Atwood / Atrim Dells great locations.

[USOTR]

Florida hurricane wind mandate came into effect in 2001.. So most house built in 2002 on have hurricane clips and other items needed to meet code. Have a wind mediation and 4 point inspection done on your prospective house prior to closing. Our inspection saved us over $900 a year on insurance.

Also make sure your prospective home has double pane windows and doors that seal.. Our tropical climate without proper insolation will suck down the electric trying to keep your home cool in the summer.

[phousel]

We bought 4 years ago, in Belvedere. House was 20 years old and recently painted (inside) with new LVP flooring and new roof. House is vinyl sided (stick built) and is in great shape. Since then, I have replaced the HVAC and added a Mini Split to the lanai. Also replaced the water heater. House had wind mitigation "upgrade" already. This was a "location, location, location" sale for me (us)! Close enough for shopping, entertainment and sports (triple crown exec courses right around the corner). Racket, water and softball activities within a 5 minute golf cart ride. We do not has "kissing lanai" but (for me) water and/or golf view are over rated. My enclosed lanai (like most I assume) is used as a another living room.
I last comment- you may concern yourself with the direction you house faces. The afternoon sun (summer) can be a factor.

[Mathmarm]

[/QUOTE]]Personally I'd not go with a direct water vthe area you're looking, you probably won't need to spend $700k. You could probably find a spacious, well-kept home in excellent condition for under $500k. Largo and Sabal Chase have quite a few options right now.[/QUOTE]

Largo is downwind from the water treatment facility and often has a stench hanging over it. Golfers on Bacall or Bogart get a good whiff from time to time.
Even driving through Largo yesterday, you could smell it.

[BobnPeg]

]Personally I'd not go with a direct water vthe area you're looking, you probably won't need to spend $700k. You could probably find a spacious, well-kept home in excellent condition for under $500k. Largo and Sabal Chase have quite a few options right now.[/QUOTE]

Largo is downwind from the water treatment facility and often has a stench hanging over it. Golfers on Bacall or Bogart get a good whiff from time to time.
Even driving through Largo yesterday, you could smell it.[/QUOTE]

We live in Largo east of Canal, no stench in over 3 years living here.

[Sandy and Ed]

Opinion: buy between the “sixes” as you called it. Air conditioners, water heaters and roofs all age. You can expect to replace them every 15 years. The roof obviously depends on your insurance carrier. They seem to like the 15 year point. I live in Pennecamp so we are at that 15 year mark and insurance carriers are already questioning the roof in consideration for renewals. Considering when those three items were replaced might be good to include in your decision when you price compare homes for sale. Hands down, the more recent the build you can probably expect to see better construction so, again betwixt 466 and 466a good choice

[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.

[MicRoDrafting]

COINCIDENTALLY
this reply is actually inline with our reasoning when my wife and I moved into our home last year between Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter Landing .

ESTABLISHED
is Most Definitely the KEY word, and …

… moving in right next to the “Mayor Couple of the Neighborhood” turned out to Truly be a Blessing in Disguise !!

They Quickly helped us to Navigate around the Modal Roads in our Buggy (not golfers - yet), pointed out tons of hot spots to Shop, Eat, Explore Nature and the Enjoy the History surrounding The Villages.

have heard some negativity about the newer southern areas, and while house shopping ourselves felt very disconnected from from the cheerful hustle bustle of the SR 441 Corridor as well as the excitement of the The Village Squares …

… the newer neighborhoods just seemed way too isolated as the business buildup will most likely take quite a few years to come to life

[airstreamingypsy]

My opinion, if I had friends who already live here, I would buy somewhere near them.

[Sandy and Ed]

Caution: that golf course or water view should be behind the house or else you will be looking at traffic on the road zooming past your view. Additionally if the rear of your house is facing the road you can expect both foot and car/golf cart traffic to have a nice view of your lanai, living room area. Be Also when looking at a water view make sure it’s not a view of a swamp breeding mosquitoes. Given your budget you should be able to find a great home in a great location. Suggest you just drive around all the villages in the area of interest to you and then charge your realtor to find you a home that meets your specs. No rush. Plenty on the market and probably more to come soon.

[CarlR33]

I have seen land for sale on the VLS where the old home was torn down and now they are offering the land for sale. If you have a home without a loan and cannot get insurance then bank the money for future roof? The comments above about the newer homes being of lower construction quality are misleading. Why would the developer even consider doing that and risk the reputation of the community? My home did not collapse during Milton and I was in it the whole time.