There is a lot of conversation about villages vs. MLS realtors. One thing I haven't seen yet is a mention of VA funding. Villages agents can't (won't?) work with VA funded loans. I've spoken to a few people who have needed to go with an MLS realtor. I think (don't know) that the reason Properties of The Villages doesn't do VA funded sales is because of lead time. Last I heard new home sales must close within 30 days. VA can't meet that schedule. Also, if you talk to an MLS agent, some (perhaps not a lot) also manage rentals in the villages. You could rent for a few months while shopping...?

Talk to a lot of "strangers" while you visit.

Wishing you nothing but luck in your journey.

Download The Villages App. You can see all the homes being sold by The Villages and it has a Destinations tab with directions to everywhere in The Villages via car and cart. Then check out homes on Zillow using appropriate filters. The Villages sold 800 homes last month. Don't know the mix but probably 50/50 new/used. Don't know how many are sold by MLS but I expect quite a few.

If you like natural gas for heat or cooking be aware that houses between 466a and 44 don't have it.

If you are a softball player, most of the action is at the 2 fields along 466, although Everglades in the south will be getting some use now.

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

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.

Well, I asked around when shopping and 8/10 people told me to check with MLS as they had gotten more bang for the buck working with MLS. And I certainly did. Easy choice...

So, it is what it is. And with MLS closings being delayed by 3 weeks because there are so many closing kinda makes that comment a bit nonsensical.

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!

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!!

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

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

Wow cannot believe the arguing over MLS and Village realtors.

They both have something to offer.

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.

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.

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

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. :-)

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.

Realtor recommendation
 

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

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.

Agree — it’s called due diligence.

Played at one (of the 3) of OTOTW golf courses last week and was very nice……but…..it was amazingly apparent that it was very boring there. There were very few people moving around the community in cars, carts, or walking, on a perfect Spring day. There is a reason you get housing cheaper there, not as much to do.

Larry. This is a video of the three developers; siblings, children of Gary Morse, and grandchildren of Harold Schwartz who started this place with modular homes. These three hardworking people stay OUT of the limelight and are often the target of criticism from those that I think are just plain jealous of their enormous success and wealth.

This video is summing up the horrible year of 2020. Larry, meet Mark, Jennifer and Tracey. To me they are heros.

The Villages, Florida. Youtube - Bing video

P.S. I have never met these folks. P.P.S. I don't sell houses or any kind of real estate and never have. P.P.S. I am not single.

If you want new only, you must use the villages agents.
If you consider resale, use one inside and one outside, we decided to buy new.
Visit every square, easy to get to.
Sharpen your pencil and do your calculations before you decide.
So many models, best to get an overview of square footage etc before you look.
Great stuff to do here no matter where you buy.
Top of the world does not hold a candle to this place.
We came on a life style of four days and decided to buy, easy decision.

Hello and welcome. We all have our realtor preferences but no one has mentioned For Sale By Owner. I know some folks here who bought without a realtor from the FSBO website and saved the commission. I am not pushing it, just mentioning a third option.

Thanks! Very good advice indeed.

The Villages Realty agents are a wonderful group - you should learn as much as possible about this place. Not certain if you are aware, but there are two sets of realtors here in The Villages. There is the Villages Realty who are responsible for showing you their inventory of homes on the market and then there are the MLS agents responsible for showing you all the other inventory. A unique structure only found in The Villages which can be confusing to outsiders. You owe it to yourself to engage an agent from each side as you are already doing this with the agent from The Villages. I happen to be a realtor from the MLS side and would be more than honored to help you tour this side. My name is Bill Peck - you can contact me at: 352-459-2641.

But..
 

The “Models” they like are all “new” houses...so an MLS will do them no good!

Larry, my wife and I retired and moved here in November of 2019. We came here several times to look at homes. We looked with Villages Realty and also used an outside realtor. We took the 3 tour bus rides, which explained what The Villages had to offer.
Villages Realty suggested buying a new home down in the Fenney area, but showed any we wished to see. We went back and forth between courtyard vs open lawn/yard homes. We finally decided on a courtyard villa for our small rescue dog and privacy. We also decided we liked Spanish Springs for the look and mature landscape. Fenney was too new and too sterile looking, due to the new construction. Some folks we met suggested, because we we younger, Spanish Springs residents might be too old for us. Here’s my opinion, I believe you will find an assortment of ages in all areas of The Villages. Our neighborhood has a range of late 50’s to late 80 year old folks. All of them are healthy and very active. Many of us get together in each other’s driveways in the evening. This is truly a friendly and active environment. You will find a few negative folks here and there, but most everyone we know and met, love it here.
If you are on Medicare, check on your medical part. I went with United Health Care and my membership at the MVP gyms (located in Spanish Springs & Brownwood) are free. I go there 5 times each week.
As someone else suggested above, look with Village and MLS realtors. I hope you enjoy it here as much as we do.
If you’d like to talk with me (via phone) about The Villages, I’d be very happy to do so.
Have a great day.

You will love it here. New areas won't be new all that long, the Villages keeps moving south at great speed. Large Bond there to take into consideration. North of 466A, most Bonds already paid off. All areas are great in their own way. Visit all areas, talk to people out and about, find a house you love and buy it. All areas are good and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Welcome to the Villages. You will love it here.

Great! You’ll love it here! Villages realtor can show you plenty! If you still don’t see something you love, look on Zillow for additional houses.
Two things.... bring your checkbook, and put a for sale sign on your Texas house before you leave! :1rotfl:
Good luck!!

Hello, I bought a starter house in "The Historic Side" & 3 years later bought "My Forever House" on Aloha Way on Lake Paradise. Got rid on my car 2 years ago. Use a friend to go to Sams, otherwise it's a Yamaha gas Golf Cart for all my travel needs. Seldom need to go south of 466. Left ALL my problems in Chicago, never been happier.

Agree with most of the post particularly suggestions to use an outside realtor. Villages realtors really push you for what they want to sell. If you want to talk to someone who has "been there-done that" my wife and I would be happy to meet with you while you are here and hopefully share our view of "Americas friendliest home town.".

Have you looked at Robson Ranch homes?
I liked the houses there much better than the Villages but like the Florida ambiance better.

Colleen Wotring
Properties of The Villages
Mobile: 352-267-2064

Ohiobuckeye
 

Larry, we lived i TV for about 8 yrs. & moves to Northlake, TX. because we have a daughter, grandchildren & great grandchildren living there. We really miss TV. You’ll love it there & it’ll fit you perfectly because it’s big enough to make you sorta feel at home. You won’t regret it, lots to do & a lot less traveling to get to entertainment & restaurants. It’s a lot more fun living there than Texas. Make sure you get a golf cart though!

Welcome! We moved from Southlake part time last year and love it.

As you can see, everyone seems to have an opinion here. I lived here 9 months and still didn’t know the best place to be. I believe the stat is the most in the Villages wind up with three homes. What does that tell you? A month or even two months before you buy isn’t going to get you into the right home...

Good luck. I’d suggest starting south, most of the grumpy opinionated folks seem to live up north. Check out Edna’s and the area surrounding it. Edna’s is a little beer garden with food trucks and live music every day. Great place to meet people and see the type of folks you’ll be living around.


Best of luck!

The Villages sold 800 homes last month. Don't know the mix but probably 50/50 new/used. Don't know how many are sold by MLS but I expect quite a few.

Well...that means MLS sold 3200 homes last month according to one of the above posters! Yikes!!! :boxing2:

I’m tired of people thinking the developers are the second coming. Cheaper to build. LOL.

To correct the statement about NO SQUARE, Sawgrass Grove is being built in Hawkins as we speak. Its expected to open in the fall of this year. We love living south of 44. Especially now that the bridges are open for easy access up to Brownwood square.

Larry, I sent you private message.