[landfall42]

We are Jerry and Diane Wheeler. Our home in East Coast Florida has a purchase contract. We have looked at homes and the facilities at TV 3 times and will be back this week. What are the problems that we should know about and be careful about when looking?

[Rickg]

Originally Posted by landfall42

We are Jerry and Diane Wheeler. Our home in East Coast Florida has a purchase contract. We have looked at homes and the facilities at TV 3 times and will be back this week. What are the problems that we should know about and be careful about when looking?

Biggest problem I saw was looking. Once you do you're hooked!

[graciegirl]

I will TRY not to paint everything in a positive light, but it is very hard for MEnot too.

Things you need to know.

There is a bond that is separate from the new home price. It is charged separately for infrastructure. It is about 23K on a new Designer home.

There are all sizes of homes from about 1200 sq.ft to about 4000 sq. ft.

Some homes are modular, some are site built most are frame or block and stucco and well constructed.

Homes can be purchased here starting at about 70K and going up to greater than a million five.

Both ends of the home price spectrum have the same amenities.

This is a CDD form of government so if you think that something needs to be changed, it won't go to a vote.

There are a LOT of older people living here, I noticed that the other day.

Children under the age of 19 can visit no more than 30 days a year.

In homes south of 466 the deed restrictions are strict and you may be reported for stray cannons and lawn geese in tutus and they will have to be removed.

The IRS is investigating whether it is legal to do something with the bonds. (That may be incorrect, I don't understand it but they have been investigating it for over five years) If you want to hear a good explanation PM EDV on this forum. He speaks IRS fluently.

The bicylists and the car drivers can't be friends but the farmers and the cowmen are doing all right.

You can get more home for less money outside of the Villages.

There are big ugly utility boxes on almost every property.

The fine dining experiences are not too readily available, but decent and not expensive in a beautiful surroundings are offered everywhere here.

I am running out of negatives, but there are many folks who will help you out on this forum.

OH The Daily Sun does not please everyone.

The Developer contributes heavily to one of the political parties.


AND OH MY GOODNESS. WELCOME TO THE FORUM. You will love it here.

[OldDave]

Welcome. You really cannot do better than Gracie for information. She is a dyed in the wool fan of this place, BUT she will be very honest with you as she has done in her posting.

If you want the very worst opinion of the place, read the Leisureville book or search the Orlando Sentinel paper. They have a columnist who really hates the place. I've done both, and I'm a very, very skeptical person, and still hope to move there.

We are wantabes who are making our second trip from lovely (ha) Kansas in March.

I would add, if it bothers you, that since this isn't a city but rather a privately held development, it is a bit odd. Since you're from Florida you've probably seen many of the CDD places...this one is just huge with actually several different districts, but at the present all controlled directly or indirectly by the developer.

This means that the newspaper, radio station and cable TV station are all controlled by them, and are really just advertising outlets for the developer rather than true media outlets. But, you can listen to other radio, watch other TV and subscribe to other papers. Just wanted to point this out because it can feel pretty odd. Plus the developer is a very dedicated republican and that shows in programming.

Best of luck,

Dave

[asianthree]

buy the time you close i would suggest you store your furniture and rent for a few months.. it will be off season by then and you will be able to find somthing, or rent a place unfurnished bring your stuff and settle in see what you like or dislike and enjoy

[Golfingnut]

With your property selection, verify the proximity to any Waste processing plant. In our drives around the villages, their are a few very special locations that will cross your eyes when the wind is just right. Fortunately, we were lucky when we bought as that was not on my check list.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

"Bring your checkbook" when you come to visit - you're just liable to find a home you'll like!!!!

Welcome to TOTV!!

Bill

[graciegirl]

Don't forget dogs. We have a LOTof them and most of them are sweet and furry and sniffy and some poop.

Well all of them do, but that is another dozen or so threads.

[seacoastbargain]

Gracie Girl - you are a hoot.
I hope we can meet you when we move there!

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I will TRY not to paint everything in a positive light, but it is very hard for MEnot too.

Things you need to know.

There is a bond that is separate from the new home price. It is charged separately for infrastructure. It is about 23K on a new Designer home.

There are all sizes of homes from about 1200 sq.ft to about 4000 sq. ft.

Some homes are modular, some are site built most are frame or block and stucco and well constructed.

Homes can be purchased here starting at about 70K and going up to greater than a million five.

Both ends of the home price spectrum have the same amenities.

This is a CDD form of government so if you think that something needs to be changed, it won't go to a vote.

There are a LOT of older people living here, I noticed that the other day.

Children under the age of 19 can visit no more than 30 days a year.

In homes south of 466 the deed restrictions are strict and you may be reported for stray cannons and lawn geese in tutus and they will have to be removed.

The IRS is investigating whether it is legal to do something with the bonds. (That may be incorrect, I don't understand it but they have been investigating it for over five years) If you want to hear a good explanation PM EDV on this forum. He speaks IRS fluently.

The bicylists and the car drivers can't be friends but the farmers and the cowmen are doing all right.

You can get more home for less money outside of the Villages.

There are big ugly utility boxes on almost every property.

The fine dining experiences are not too readily available, but decent and not expensive in a beautiful surroundings are offered everywhere here.

I am running out of negatives, but there are many folks who will help you out on this forum.

OH The Daily Sun does not please everyone.

The Developer contributes heavily to one of the political parties.


AND OH MY GOODNESS. WELCOME TO THE FORUM. You will love it here.

[chuckinca]

Watch out for the gators and coyotes.

Happy hour in Spanish Springs is 5 - 7; the two newer squares have happy hour from 5 - 6. (Maybe the younger folks get blasted faster.)

.

[Steve & Deanna]

Hi Jerry & Diane;
We rented through TV in February of 2007 in Bonnybrook. Fortunately, friends took us under their wing and showed us around. We came back for two months in 2008 and again in 2009, one month in 2010, bought in 2011 and spent 2012 and spending 2013 winters here. Our advice would be, probably to rent for a couple of months and go to open houses and decide what you want and where you want to be. We purchased through TV and there was no pressure at all. Our agent was great. That said, we studied the hell out of location and what we wanted and bought a pre-owned. At times, we wished that we had bought a 'turnkey' or furnished home but you're just as well off to get your own style and comfort in a home. That's what we are presently doing and it is getting quite comfy now. We also shopped for furniture near Ocala, Leesburg, garage sales etc. I almost hate to say it as TV does have a captive audience but we had become quite comfortable with Showcase Direct and Southern Lifestyles. All in all, there are deals to be had for everything here if you are patient. Now, we're living the dream. Oh by the way, someone mentioned that the developer was Republican? Well, so is about 70% of Sumter County including us. Good luck on your quest for a new place.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I will TRY not to paint everything in a positive light, but it is very hard for MEnot too.

Things you need to know.

There is a bond that is separate from the new home price. It is charged separately for infrastructure. It is about 23K on a new Designer home.

There are all sizes of homes from about 1200 sq.ft to about 4000 sq. ft.

Some homes are modular, some are site built most are frame or block and stucco and well constructed.

Homes can be purchased here starting at about 70K and going up to greater than a million five.

Both ends of the home price spectrum have the same amenities.

This is a CDD form of government so if you think that something needs to be changed, it won't go to a vote.

There are a LOT of older people living here, I noticed that the other day.

Children under the age of 19 can visit no more than 30 days a year.

In homes south of 466 the deed restrictions are strict and you may be reported for stray cannons and lawn geese in tutus and they will have to be removed.

The IRS is investigating whether it is legal to do something with the bonds. (That may be incorrect, I don't understand it but they have been investigating it for over five years) If you want to hear a good explanation PM EDV on this forum. He speaks IRS fluently.

The bicylists and the car drivers can't be friends but the farmers and the cowmen are doing all right.

You can get more home for less money outside of the Villages.

There are big ugly utility boxes on almost every property.

The fine dining experiences are not too readily available, but decent and not expensive in a beautiful surroundings are offered everywhere here.

I am running out of negatives, but there are many folks who will help you out on this forum.

OH The Daily Sun does not please everyone.

The Developer contributes heavily to one of the political parties.


AND OH MY GOODNESS. WELCOME TO THE FORUM. You will love it here.

This pretty much says it all. Gracie is always on the money.

[mickey100]

Originally Posted by Steve & Deanna

Hi Jerry & Diane;
We rented through TV in February of 2007 in Bonnybrook. Fortunately, friends took us under their wing and showed us around. We came back for two months in 2008 and again in 2009, one month in 2010, bought in 2011 and spent 2012 and spending 2013 winters here. Our advice would be, probably to rent for a couple of months and go to open houses and decide what you want and where you want to be. ...Oh by the way, someone mentioned that the developer was Republican? Well, so is about 70% of Sumter County including us. Good luck on your quest for a new place.

Just a quick correction - from the Sumter County Board of Elections registered voters as of 2/3 2013: Republicans: 36,788; Democrats: 22,441; Others: 14,220

So no matter what your political persuasion, there is something here for everyone!

[Bizdoc]

Since you are from FL, I assume that you know that the building code has been tightened up with respect to hurricane resistance. If you decide to buy a pre-owned, check first with your insurance company as the year it was built may influence your rates by quite a bit. We bought a new home in Fernandina and ended up in a *long* conversation with the insurance folks. Turned out that since it was new, it was significantly less expensive to insure than an older home due to changes in the code. While I'm not an expert in either real estate or insurance, it may be worth a call to your insurance co before you sign a purchase agreement.

That having been said, you'll fall in love with TV just as the rest of us have.

[hotrodgirl]

Jerry and Diane,
There are positives and negatives in any place you might choose to live. In the end, it is usually what you choose to make it. But here, it's a bit different. If you are bored or unhappy, have misgivings or hate your surroundings, it's likely your own fault. There are SO many wonderful opportunities here. Most people are happy and kind and honest. Most are always happy to meet and greet new people and get involved in the myriad of activities offered here. The entertainment in wonderful, the restaurants many, and the general optimism of the owners contagious. No, it is not perfect. There are a couple of things on my short list, but would those things cause me to leave? Never! Come down and enjoy yourselves, rent awhile if you'd like, but I jumped in right away with both feet! I have not looked back....