[richs631]

Originally Posted by spike36

Check out Top of the World in Ocala before you buy here…..A lot more home for the money and better golf courses.

You do get more home for your money but OTOTW IS NO COMPARISON to the villages, not even on the same planet. Maybe 3 of there golf courses are better is because they only have 3.

[Tmarkwald]

Originally Posted by richs631

I don’t know we’re you got that info but you are 100% incorrect.

Originally Posted by richs631

You do get more home for your money but OTOTW IS NO COMPARISON to the villages, not even on the same planet. Maybe 3 of there golf courses are better is because they only have 3.

There are a few great YouTube videos comparing OTOTW and TV. World of difference, Especially the drone flyovers showing.. nothing...happening at OTOTW.

Entertainment alone is almost nonexistent. And I swear, after touring there, the only person under 85 was me and my realtor.... It's an assisted living facility without the 'assisted' part...

But, no problem getting tee times. problem might be getting together a foursome and actually completing a course!

[akerwin1909]

I use Realtor.com. Look at all homes North of 44. I’ve been here 11 months this week and can assure you that you’ll like a lot of things about the Villages, but it is not like the Dallas area. Outside of The Villages is very country and small town. Look at new homes but the bulk of The Villages, most of the action and miles and miles of the golf cart paths are North of Hwy. 44. Rent for at least a month to find out where you want to land. There’s no hurry!!

[riamd1954]

Welcome I own a sun kissed small cottage home! It has a great floor plan

[richs631]

Originally Posted by Tmarkwald

Bond was mentioned in Post #10 - and bond, for me, meant the home would cost 10% more.

Then, when I factored in landscaping, upgraded interior stuff, etc, just got too dear.

Some people come down here with loads of cash and really don't care or the costs. And that's fine. We are all on equal footing here - nobody is better than anybody else. We're on an even playing field, as we should be!

One other thing that needs to be pointed out - the amenity fee is currently $164 / monthly.

Once you add all the other hidden fees from other developers you will see that the costs are very similar

[Stu from NYC]

Wow cannot believe the arguing over MLS and Village realtors.

They both have something to offer.

[sallyg]

Get an MLS realtor as well or you won't see everything that is available.
I wish we would have rented before purchasing a home. The Villages has grown so much, and continues to grow, it is hard to take it all in during a short visit. Good luck.

[JMintzer]

We worked w/a Villages realtor. She showed us both new (South of 44) and resales (between 446 & 446A) because those were the areas we wanted to be.

After looking at Chitty Chatty and Bradford, my wife ruled out those area due to her aversion to the plethora of power lines. She hates seeing them and won't live near them.

I felt Isolated West of 75, although the area was beautiful. My wife has met some women there (taking lessons at the Golf Academy) and now plays golf with them. I've been over there more and it's definitely grown on me, but for me, being North of 44 was what "WE" wanted. Just like chocolate and vanilla ice cream, everyone likes something different...

Once we knew where we wanted to be, our realtor worked really hard to find us what we wanted and even made a few calls for us on MLS listings (even though she would not get the commission). She never "pushed the new homes" or spoke ill of the resales. She asked us what WE wanted and worked to find us exactly that!

We found a beautiful resale in Osceola Hills (Soaring Eagle), which happened to be right down the street from some friends of ours.

[Ele201]

Thanks for the info! Btw, what vibe is the area around lake Sumter (Virginia Trace, etc). Curious because I’m renting there.

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

You’ll also want an MLS realtor. The Villages sales agents can’t sell MLS houses and MLS realtors can’t sell Villages properties.
I don’t know the breakdown of MLS vs Villages homes - but you are probably missing 50% of the homes by only working with one agent.

Also, above is correct, you can’t make a decision in 3 days - you’ll want to be here for a month. The place is huge and each “area” has a different vibe.

[Robnlaura]

We are coming in june to check it out and to be honest we have no interest in resale units at all. New home new life new. Neighbors.. we prefer having a warranty on everything and homes built to the latest construction codes

Hey Larry! Congratulations on your decision to retire!! My husband and I are in the process of moving here too. So exciting!

Everyone does their research differently, according to what works for them. We started our research last June when we were vacationing here why my sister. We spent one day with a VLS (villages) agent who showed us new amd resales. When we returned home, we kept an eye on Realtor.com and the Villages listings.

When the market exploded this spring, we pulled the trigger and our house at home was under contract in a day. Once we made it through inspections and appraisal, I high-tailed it down here. I had been talking with a VLS agent and I also contacted an MLS agent, prepared to work with both. The MLS agent was less than responsive.

The day before I came, I found a new construction (But completed) house that was the model we were looking for and I put a hold on it. When I got here, my VLS agent took me to several homes (including a couple resales), and it confirmed my choice of the one I had on hold. Because of the advance research we did I was able to shop for and buy a house in one day.

The discussion of new/pre-owned is interesting. New houses cost significantly less because they have not had the money put in for landscaping and other improvements. We decided that we wanted to go that way—you will make the decision that is right for you!

Regarding areas: I am learning that the South (Fenney—near the turnpike) has a slightly younger population, the North (Spanish Springs) has beautiful, mature trees and landscaping, plus a plethora of golf courses. In the South, some have complained about Turnpike noise. In the North I hear that insurance is hard to get if a roof hasn’t been replaced. In EVERY section, you will find many pleasant neighbors, and the occasional lemon.

Hopefully you will get here and become enchanted! It’s a pretty cool place. :-)

[Tmarkwald]

Originally Posted by richs631

Once you add all the other hidden fees from other developers you will see that the costs are very similar

I've bought resales and there are no hidden fees at all. Please explain what you mean and these 'other developers'

2 months ago I bought my second home - resale 2000 square foot, cul-de-sac for 300K on the nose. That was 100K less than a new home and had all the upgrades already.

So, enlightened me about the hidden fees on a resale unit.

[Ele201]

Hi I’m looking for a good realtor to show me around the Villages. Any recommendations? Thanks!

Originally Posted by LarryRCTexas

Hi Everyone!

I'm considering retiring and moving to The Villages. I currently live in a suburb of Dallas, Texas. I'm coming to The Villages May 20th - May 23rd.
I'm looking at homes - both new and used. Since I'm single, I don't need a large place to live. I like the floor plans of Colony, Austin, Corpus Christi, Cabot Cove, Ruby and Pearl.
I have a Villages Real Estate Agent who will be taking me around while I'm there.
Hopefully, I will be able to meet some of you while I'm in town.

Larry

[beccaboo**]

Would make a few suggestions to help with your decision making:
1. Take advantage of the Lifestyle Preview option that the Villages offers, would recommend the full week.
2. Location is critical, and we are all looking for different things. Spend an evening at each of the town squares to get a flavor for what they offer. This may help in you choice of where to live.
3. My bias is toward the established neighborhoods, but you may prefer the new, so look at both options.
Whatever your choice, wishing all the best in your search. Welcome to the Villages.

[KimmieK]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Wow cannot believe the arguing over MLS and Village realtors.

They both have something to offer.

Agree — it’s called due diligence.