[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Originally Posted by Snakster66

We bought a 2005 build back in August in Winifred (between 466 and Palmer). Absolutely love the area. Got it for a great price and we are in the middle of doing renovations. We feel central to pretty much everything that we want. Just can't beat the location. My advice, if it needs some updating (and many do), just make sure you get it at the right price and allow for reno. If you can find one already recently upgraded, so much the better. Best of luck.

Winifred is a great place to live - right across the street from us!

[Byte1]

Now is the time to purchase a home in the Villages. It is a buyer's market that the Villages has never seen before. Even when the "bubble" burst years ago, the Villages home prices stayed stable and homes sold fast. There are some REALLY great homes in well established neighborhoods in the Northern part of the Villages. Just saying.

[jrref]

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

I'm not sure this is what is being said. If you go North of Rt44 the homes start at 8 or 9 years old and are in Sumter, no additional local taxes. As you go North from there the homes get older progressively.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by jrref

I'm not sure this is what is being said. If you go North of Rt44 the homes start at 8 or 9 years old and are in Sumter, no additional local taxes. As you go North from there the homes get older progressively.

Note that the houses in Pine Hills and Pine Ridge are in Fruitland Park, Lake County. These houses are about 10 years old.

[seecapecod]

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!

We are in Pennecamp- closer to 466A than 466. Home built in 2011. We are on Red Fish run- house next to ours just sold a month ago for $869k. It had been updated about 5 years ago. My advice- a really good Realtor (MLS) or Sales Agent (VLS) should be able to guide you and answer all of these questions. Ours did, we purchased our home in 2022 $787k next to the one I mentioned above. Then painted the interior, added Crown moulding, just enclosed the lanai etc.

[Angelhug52]

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!

Depending on your age...I would look for a house that will accomadate aging,ease of care. Extra room/ bath if a caregiver is needed. If you plan on another 30 years of active life buy what YOU like. When you no longer are enjoying it or able to care for it sell.You can sell and buy again through the years. Priority is Safety. Good roof good air conditioner/ heat., plumbing Controlled termities. Area north of 466, homes have more privacy and character.

[nn0wheremann]

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!

You will need a five point insurance inspection, (wind mitigation etc). Most of the roofs have been replaced by now. Building codes were changed in 2001, and you will need an occupancy permit or copy of the final building construction permit inspection, available online, showing this was issued after 2002. Roof requirements were made more strict around 2012, but your wind inspection will show compliance.

Lowest taxes are Sumter County, but not in City of Wildwood. Stay out of Lake County, and be sure your electricity comes from Sumter Electric Co-op, not Duke or Leesburg.

The further north you go, the more civilized and benign the traffic, automobile and golf cart, will be.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

maybe its a good time to buy, though I expect there will be a better time in the near future.

If the stonk market tanks, say 20-30%, that will be a signal to really start looking as many retirement portfolios will put a hurt on future affordability of living here. Many CFPs will start advising clients to sit tight, not make any huge life changing events if you are currently on the border of making a lifestyle change.

All depends on your financial strength and the ability to avoid a large drawdown. There will be portion of the population here who can not, and that will be the time to bottom pick a really good deal.

oh, and for those new here, I type cautious on the market recently, when risk appears higher than average.
And I define risk as large potential drawdown of asset values.

[Normal]

Originally Posted by nn0wheremann

….Lowest taxes are Sumter County, but not in City of Wildwood. Stay out of Lake County, and be sure your electricity comes from Sumter Electric Co-op, not Duke or Leesburg….

Absolutely, spot on. The wallet gets the punch in the gut if you move into Fruitland Park, Leesburg or Wildwood. Also, watch out for the northern Villages in Marion County/Lady Lake.

[jimjamuser]

Many economists are predicting a recession this year. That would be the time to buy a house.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

maybe its a good time to buy, though I expect there will be a better time in the near future.

If the stonk market tanks, say 20-30%, that will be a signal to really start looking as many retirement portfolios will put a hurt on future affordability of living here. Many CFPs will start advising clients to sit tight, not make any huge life changing events if you are currently on the border of making a lifestyle change.

All depends on your financial strength and the ability to avoid a large drawdown. There will be portion of the population here who can not, and that will be the time to bottom pick a really good deal.

oh, and for those new here, I type cautious on the market recently, when risk appears higher than average.
And I define risk as large potential drawdown of asset values.

I agree that this is a good prediction of the future.

[Normal]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Many economists are predicting a recession this year. That would be the time to buy a house.

There is a strong possibility because of layoffs and pressure caused by interest rates which aren’t changing anytime soon (July Fed meeting?)

[rjrobart]

If looking in Spanish Springs you're looking at an area that's the oldest in the community of The Villages. That said the older homes are actually built better than today's homes. I was just told us some are new homes aren't even coming with ceiling fans. So what else are they cutting out. My feeling is up to pick the community or the village where you want to be closely associated with. If you want to be fairly close say to Sumpter Landing, then pick something an area where you're comfortable getting to the Village of your choice by golf cart. Roofs can be replaced, or a contingency can be put on the sale. Style open floor plan, and of course the work you need to have done to bring it up to speed of your liking. You can negotiate on existing resales, but not on new home being sold by The Villages. Line up your pros and cons, and negotiate. You'll find it. Patience is a virtue!

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by rjrobart

If looking in Spanish Springs you're looking at an area that's the oldest in the community of The Villages. That said the older homes are actually built better than today's homes. I was just told us some are new homes aren't even coming with ceiling fans. So what else are they cutting out. My feeling is up to pick the community or the village where you want to be closely associated with. If you want to be fairly close say to Sumpter Landing, then pick something an area where you're comfortable getting to the Village of your choice by golf cart. Roofs can be replaced, or a contingency can be put on the sale. Style open floor plan, and of course the work you need to have done to bring it up to speed of your liking. You can negotiate on existing resales, but not on new home being sold by The Villages. Line up your pros and cons, and negotiate. You'll find it. Patience is a virtue!

Please explain what you mean that "older homes are built better than today's homes". I asked another poster the same thing and I got no reply. My experience is that the construction quality has not changed much in the past 25-30 years of Villages construction. My house, built 9 years ago, did not come with ceiling fans, but the electric boxes were installed, and I was able to buy ceiling fans from the builder and they installed them. But, this has absolutely nothing to do with construction quality.

[Bassdeer]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Many economists are predicting a recession this year. That would be the time to buy a house.

Been hearing this for the last four years, Bah Bah Bah