[tjwarzel]

Just came back from our 2nd visit a few weeks ago. Had another great time. Did some serious looking at both new and preowned. We were wondering what went into anyone elses thought process when deciding weather to buy new or preowned. Also what does the new home warrany cover and for how long.Thanks in advance.

[another Linda]

We ended up buying a pre-owned largely because we found something we liked, with a lot we loved, in a great location, with lots of extras like beautiful landscaping, solar tubes, attic stairs, etc. It also was very reasonably priced with bond paid. It finally came down to a decision between a 1 yo CYV and the CYV we bought that is about 15 yo. We got more for our money with the older one plus we liked the stucco wall instead of the vinyl fence.

The houses and villas I've seen in TV are all very well built, so I don't think there is much danger in buying an older unit. We went over everything carefully with the inspector though.

[swrinfla]

I frankly never even considered a re-sale home. Mostly because I was coming from my 100-year-old home where I had been for nearly 45 years, where my late wife and I had lived since our fourth anniversary. I wanted completely new!

But, there are many, many pre-owned homes available, and I can definitely appreciate another Linda's approach.

The quality of construction has always been good, so the old places are just as well-built as the new ones. But, most will have lots and lots of changes, upgrades, etc., and will have established landscaping and maybe even some nice tall trees.

Whatever you choose, come on back and dig right in!

SWR

[Barefoot]

Buying a brand new home is definitely delightful. And as SWR points out, an excellent way to make a fresh, new start.

But I personally believe that you get much more for your money by buying a resale. Sometimes the bond is paid, and the bond can add many thousands of dollars to the base price of a new home. With a resale, it is likely that the owner has added many extras, such as palm trees, birdcages, attic stairs, painting driveways, sun tunnels, etc., etc. Plus I find a more mature neighbourhood with tall trees to be very appealing.

Each to his own, sometimes it is just a matter of falling in love with a house.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by tjwarzel

Just came back from our 2nd visit a few weeks ago. Had another great time. Did some serious looking at both new and preowned. We were wondering what went into anyone elses thought process when deciding weather to buy new or preowned. Also what does the new home warrany cover and for how long.Thanks in advance.

Wasn't your sales rep. able to provide you with warranty information?

[JohnN]

the limiting factor on new homes is location. If you have no problem with that, new is a great way to go. I think they're a bit less expensive (strangely) than pre-owned.

new home warranty is 1-year, soup to nuts, everything.
2 or more years on things like the HVAC, structure, etc, but as said above, let the sales rep give details.

I bought new, and happy I did, if looking again, I'd certainly look at preowned too though. good luck

[tpop1]

We made the decision to buy new for a number of reasons, not the least of which all the people would be new and from what we have observed, new neighborhoods afford more group activities.

As it turns out, we were right with our neighborhood..there is a very strong neighborhood group; very inclusive with many activities for all!

That said, re-sales afford other advantages as previously started.

Bottom line, do what makes you happiest...oh, but isn't that the TV credo!!!

[sschuler1]

We had every intention of buying a resale for all the reasons that were stated. (ie..mature landscaping, extras already put in...etc..) However, we were never able to find a resale that had all the things that we were looking for on our must have list. (maybe we were being too picky?) Also, many of the "extras" that other people put into their homes really were not to our taste, so many things would have to be done after purchasing. We got everything we wanted with the new home and it was less expensive than the resales that we looked at. (and that is including the bond! So don't let the bond scare you off. We included the bond into our price comparisons on all new and resales.)

[champion6]

Originally Posted by sschuler1

We got everything we wanted with the new home and it was less expensive than the resales that we looked at. (and that is including the bond! So don't let the bond scare you off. We included the bond into our price comparisons on all new and resales.)

Interesting. Gotta remember that.

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by sschuler1

We had every intention of buying a resale for all the reasons that were stated. (ie..mature landscaping, extras already put in...etc..) However, we were never able to find a resale that had all the things that we were looking for on our must have list. (maybe we were being too picky?) Also, many of the "extras" that other people put into their homes really were not to our taste, so many things would have to be done after purchasing. We got everything we wanted with the new home and it was less expensive than the resales that we looked at. (and that is including the bond! So don't let the bond scare you off. We included the bond into our price comparisons on all new and resales.)

Sue,

That was our exact expereince. We also found that one resale that had paid off the bond added $30,000 +/- to the price when comped against the other resales. The bond in Duval isn't that high on the new homes.


TJ,

What we did is make up a spreadsheet of what were musts and, maybe even more importantly, what were MUST NOTS. We then narrowed down, home vs villa and desired model. Our first choice was a Bridgeport - and it is unique - so we only looked at resales that were Bridgeports. TV had made some improvements in the floor plan (and has made more since we bought) so that also pointed us to new.

Good luck...

[l2ridehd]

I looked at both. I made spread sheets as well of all the things I wanted, what I was willing to pay for those "must haves" and bond balance and everything else. Lot size, models, extras, location, and then compared both new and used. I actually found that used was less. And with used I could make offers. So ended up buying used for both homes I now have. And at some point will buy another and again will go used.

You have to place a value on what you will pay for. Example, attic stairs. You know you will do them so if a used house has them already, give a credit for them. Then do that with everything. You will change the landscaping, so if you like it in the used home, it adds a value. Bond difference adds a value. Do that with everything and almost always used is less. But you must find a used home you like with those things your willing to pay for. Then make an offer below asking / your value assigned, and if you get it great, if not keep looking.

[angel222]

After looking at lots of resales and the new models, I decided to buy new and have been happy with my decision. The resales I saw included so much for their upgrades to the price and sometimes the upgrades were things I would not be interested in. The mature landscaping was nice but the model I bought was the Iris and am planning on doing landscaping in the spring that I would like....the bond seems to be a big issue but the house I bought including the bond was less than the resales I looked into for the same size house. The bond being paid off was a great appeal when I looked but it seemed to me the owners were just including it into the price they were asking...Its really a personal decision and all that really matters in the end is that you live in paradise!!

[Cajungirl]

Bought our pre-owned designer home in Glenbrook 1.5 yrs ago for $223K and have to return home because of serious illness in our family. Our home is currently on the market with TV for $194,900. We were told we are lucky to get close to that. In one and a half year this is what we added to this home. We put in screen garage door at a cost of $900, pavers on the driveway $3,500, all brand new wood and ceramic floors an additional $10,000. Bond is paid, leaving golf cart at no charge. The furniture (everything but my nos. bed) can stay if they need it and the list goes on. Now I ask you, why would anyone buy new? Do you get landscape that is mature in a new home? Do you get an upgrade 5 burner gas stove, upgrade Bosch dishwasher, top of the line Kenmore Washer/dryer, side by side refrigerator and acrylic enclosed lanai in a new home? The garage has unlimited cabinets for storage and the pull down stairs leads to all floored garage for additional storage! All this stuff stays with this price. If we could hold off five years we could get the value of this house again, but we gotta go so we pay the piper. Good luck on your decision. The decision will be different for everyone. We chose used because it was less out of pocket for us. It seems we lost anyway. Or did we? 1.5 years in The Villages was worth it all!! Take care everyone and enjoy your new homes whichever your choices. God Bless!