[KevinF]

Hello All,
I'm new to TOTV. My wife and I rented for the month of February 2009 and we loved it. We looked at some homes but were reluctant to buy in an unsettled market. Now MIGHT be the time... but there are so many unanswered questions.. I would appreciate any opinions of residents and "snowbirds" more experienced than we are..
Can I purchase something within 3 miles of Lake Sumter Landing
Priced in the neighborhood of $175,000.
Concrete construction preferably
3 bedrooms, 2 baths, again preferably.
Vaulted ceiling in the living room area.
Don't be reluctant to point out anything unrealistic on my part.
Thanks in advance. My AOL address is dbmchief@aol.com.
KevinF
Brooklyn, NY

[coach]

I think you can do everything your list included except find a 3/2 blook & stucco for $175,000. Lots of homes are in that price range but they will be frame and vinyl siding. Block & stucco will start in the designer series about $190,000 and go up.

Good luck. we have been here for five years and love every day,

[champion6]

Take a look for yourself online by going to http://www.thevillages.com Click on Homes and look at both new and pre-owned.

You should also call or email The Villages and request the free video. You will also get a booklet that shows floor plans including square footage.

The Villages website shows both new and pre-owned homes. The pre-owned are on the VLS (Villages Listing Service) and are shown by TV sales reps. They are NOT included on the MLS that we are already familiar with everywhere else.

Here are some websites for local realtors who have access to the MLS. Each one also has some unique features that will help you learn more about TV.
http://www.lylesellsfla.com
http://www.milfordleedy.com
http://www.presprop.com

Of course many homes are for sale by owner. Here is one FSBO site: http://www.thevillagesfsbo.com Google will find many more for you.

Have fun!!! Good Luck!!!

[Army Guy]

Just bought alomost exactly what you wanted, EXCEPT 2bed/2bath for $174,000. I do not believe as others have said you can find for that price a 3/3.

Army Guy

[tankdvr1950]

do check out the villages web site and look at the homes there (as suggested above)...it is a good place to get a feel for whats out there...and check back often.....the homes there change frequently....but remember....the web site is only a partial listing....you really need to get with a sales agent and spend time going out and looking at whats available...just tell him/her what you are looking for and they will be happy to show you whats out there.....and keep you informed when something pops up on the market....new or pre-owned

we are in a Courtyard Villa (Savannah style, Stoneybrook model) and just closed on the 10th.......you will find concrete homes around $10k higher than frame.....3DR/2BR (new) in the $180's (Foxglove) and it goes up from there.

Questions?????....you have come to the right place to get answers....nothing better than TOTV

[Russ_Boston]

Kevin - Also remember that the new home will also have a bond in the range of 15K-25K depending on what model you end up with. This is in addition to the sales price. The bond on a 'used' home will be the unpaid balance.

You can get a 3bdr (den)/2 bath Concrete home or villa for right around 200K or just under as mentioned. The prices get higher (can be much higher) for the particluar lot/view that you pick or purchase used.

[rshoffer]

Yes--->a Courtyard Villa, interior site can come in close to that price.

[champion6]

One more thing regarding new construction... timing is everything!

We learned that as the developer finishes the building of a neighborhood within a village, the last few unsold homes are often offered at greater-than-normal discounts.

Have fun looking!

[ron56]

I am also a new member of TOTV. This is a great site with lots of great info. I'm still trying to figure out how to start a post and my way around the site. I was at TV in January and looked around at different homes. I have sold my house in Mass and am planning on coming down in September to buy. I was wondering if the new town square is going to be south of 446A. They were building in the Hemmingway area when I was there and I was wondering also if they are done building there. Thanks.

[spk7951]

Originally Posted by ron56

I am also a new member of TOTV. This is a great site with lots of great info. I'm still trying to figure out how to start a post and my way around the site. I was at TV in January and looked around at different homes. I have sold my house in Mass and am planning on coming down in September to buy. I was wondering if the new town square is going to be south of 446A. They were building in the Hemmingway area when I was there and I was wondering also if they are done building there. Thanks.

Brownwood will be south of 466A, not sure but the distance is around 2 miles???
Hemingway is far from completed. I drove down Odell Circle Sunday and noticed they have started pouring foundations in the newest section of Hemingway that is between the Kilimanjaro and Roosevelt golf courses.

[another Linda]

I think the best thing potential buyers can do is rent for several months. Except for the high season (Jan - March) there should be plenty of places available for a reasonable rent. That gives you plenty of time to look, meet people, and to really experience TV.

Our experience was that the things I was sure I wanted when we started looking became not so important. For me, I was absolutely positive I wanted volume ceilings, had to have them. But then I would find that I would look at a place, leave, and not have noticed whether or not it had volume ceilings. (Duh!) In the end, the things that mattered to us (everyone is different) were location and privacy. Our hot tub under the stars, priceless!

[ron56]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of renting but I know I would like to be between Mallory Square and 466A. I also know what size house I want. Being single I won't need a lot of room. Has anyone checked out the new Cottage type homes. I understand they are like the ranch houses without a few of the upgrades. Now I just have to decide on new or pre-owned.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by ron56

Being single I won't need a lot of room.

Better save some room for all the casseroles you'll be getting!

I saw some of the cottage style homes and other affordable plans being built in the St. Charles area. Some interesting new designs on villas as well. We were looking for something a little bigger so I didn't investigate the homes that much.

[ron56]

Thanks Russ. I like that line about the casseroles. Got a good laugh out of it. I see you are from Norton. I live in Natick. Can't wait to be in TV this winter. I know a couple guys I used to work with that live in TV and they both love it. Both avid golfers so I guess that helps.

[senior citizen]

Posting a question for a dear friend who is not a member. Long story, but they have had difficulty getting connected.

Perhaps this might be more of a survey directed to the widows and widowers out there who are either contemplating or have made the leap of faith and moved from their long time residence up north to TV.

Annie has given it the required six months or more before even thinking of relocating. In some ways she feels she really needs a change of scenary and a warmer climate plus an easier to care for home, now that hubby is gone.

Please, all you widows or widowers who would care to share "your story" of how you made the final decision, if you sold all the northern furniture before you moved down.......what type of home you ultimately decided on......plus any other pertinent info you'd care to share to help my friend "think" about the path she should take in the future.

A more simple lifestyle is uppermost with lower home maintenance; close to the town square and to shopping, groceries, post office, libary, etc.
Not necessarily a villa as she would have visiting children and grandchildren and need the 3 bedrooms.

Thank you all in advance for any stories you might wish to share regarding your personal moves down to TV after widowhood , etc. Was it a hardship being away from the children and grandchildren? Did you miss the old homestead.........or did you feel like it was a clean slate? An adventure?