[Schaumburger]

I will be visiting TV for a few days in July to dip my toe in the water, I’ve been visiting TOTV for a few months now, and I’ve learned a lot by reading the posts. TV should be paying a sales commission to the regular posters on this message board, as they really sell TV. A couple of questions:

1. Open Houses: In the Chicago area, most open houses are held on Sunday afternoons. It sounds like open houses are held more often that than in TV. If someone does not live in TV, how does one get through the gate system to get to an open house? Without using a real estate agent (I’m not ready for that yet), how does someone find out the open house schedule?

2. Trolley: Does the trolley leave from the sales office at Lake Sumter Landing? How often does the trolley run – i.e., schedule? Is there a charge to ride the trolley? How long does the trolley ride last?

Thank you in advance.

Laura -Schaumburg, IL

[Allen]

I'll have to leave it to others regarding the open houses, but as far as your visit goes, I would highly recommend that you call and schedule a Lifestyle Preview. You will get a lot more information that way, and you will have a Gate Pass to get into the various villages (using the golf cart that they give you during your stay). Unlike other urban or suburban areas, the best way to get around in TV is the golf cart.

Regarding the trolley... it's not a form of transportation. Think of it more as (about an hour long) tour of TV with a guide. It just gives you a general overall understanding of the area during that time. You schedule your ride at the Lake Sumter Landing Sales Office. This was done for us by our sales person while on the Lifestyle Preview. There was no sales pressure at all... just good information.

Once again, others will be able to address the Open Houses question better than I, as we primarily looked at new construction. We are planning to return for a second visit soon. A few days (or even a week) is not enough time to take it all in and make any sort of decision.

[villages07]

Laura,

Yes, there are open houses every day.... a sampling of the new properties plus anywhere from 10-25 or so resales. They are all listed in the Daily Sun newspaper. All access roads are public roads so you will simply go in on the visitor gate and hit the buzzer.

The trolley leaves from the Sumter Landing sales office every hour and there is no charge for it. It is a good once over tour of parts of the villages with emphasis on the lifestyle and amenities, not on selling houses. It lasts about 45 mins.

Good luck, come on down, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[Pturner]

Laura,

I agree with Allen about doing the Lifestyle Tour. A golf cart, two bicycles and lots of free meals are included, plus you get a visitor pass so you can enjoy the amenities.

Even though the Lifestyle Tour is arranged through the sales office, you would not believe the LACK of pressure to buy a home. When we did ours, our sales agent gave us a lot of great information, showed us to our villa and said something to the effect: "If you would like me to show you houses while you are here, just give me a call. If not, have a great time". It was Nanette Tolleson. She was good to her word and did not contact us to try to sell us anything. (We did contact her the day before the end of our tour to begin looking at houses.) But you can just go to open houses on your own and you'll be fine.

Come on down to Lower Paradise! Prepare to be amazed...

[Annabelle]

Laura,
I do not live in the Villages, but I have visited there for the past two years in the early part of May. My advice to you is to contact an agent who will drive you around to the various open houses and do not even think of driving around on one of the little golf carts.

My suggestion is based upon the fact that the weather down there is extremely hot and since you are on visiting for the purpose of evaluating property you do not want to have to be concerned with overheating.

The Villages is covers a large area and you will not enjoy going to open houses by means of an open air vehicle. I see that you live in Il and I live in Va and believe me until you become acclimated to the very hot weather you will be miserable riding from on community to another on a golf cart. It just isn't practical.

My husband and I went around went and without an agent. However, the homes we were able to go inside were only with an agent. Both years we were there, the two gentleman who should us around were very professional and did not pressure us at all to buy a home.

We will be returning again this upcoming Fall, because we want to spend more time there before we decide if the Villages is really right for us.

Good luck,
Annabelle in Virginia

[thevillagesfl]

Originally Posted by villages07

Laura,

Yes, there are open houses every day.... a sampling of the new properties plus anywhere from 10-25 or so resales. They are all listed in the Daily Sun newspaper. All access roads are public roads so you will simply go in on the visitor gate and hit the buzzer.

The trolley leaves from the Sumter Landing sales office every hour and there is no charge for it. It is a good once over tour of parts of the villages with emphasis on the lifestyle and amenities, not on selling houses. It lasts about 45 mins.

Good luck, come on down, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Where is the Sumter Landing sales office?