[Dilligas]

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.

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.

[graciegirl]

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.

[merrymini]

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.

[JanetMM]

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.

[Ele201]

Thanks! Very good advice indeed.

[Phantomf8]

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

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.

[paulajr]

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

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.

[dicktracy4120]

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.

[Villagesgal]

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.

[Psacc0]

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

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!
Good luck!!

[wganderson13]

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

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.

[sterlingcnslts]

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.".

[brfree1411@aol.com]

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

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Ele201

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

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

[OhioBuckeye]

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

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!