Or, in january, interest rates drop and prices don’t drop

Not necessarily. I know of two people who have been run out of their neighborhood in The Villages, one was in the historic area and she moved to the very north part. The other one, actually a couple, was in the north west area of the Villages and that family moved to Mallory. I think it was how they treated their dogs because we saw it at Mallory too. But ours is a different neighborhood and after months of “gentle nudging” by neighbors they started to fit in. Everyone’s back to being content again. They are now invited to all the socials etc.

North of 466, and to some extent north of 466A, there is no bond to worry about on the property. Def south of 44 all homes have bonds to pay also, plus you'll either be in Wildwood or Lady Lake jurisdiction and have to pay city tax in addition to county tax. Amenities like shopping, grocery, and restaurants will be slow to come way south because entities wait until there is sufficient population to support them investing themselves. The amenities like golf, rec centers, etc., will be in place when they start selling homes. If you want mature landscaping and areas with good growth of community landscaping you'll want to consider north of 44. South you'll have far less large mature landscaping and a lot of new homes will have very basic landscaping, which will be an additional cost to you if you want to upgrade. I live near Spanish Springs and have every shopping entity I need within a 10 minute golf cart ride, with grocery, pharmacy, and restaurants within 3-4 mins by golf cart. You'll find the majority of golf courses north of 44 also if golf is a strong interest of yours. Same for entertainment venues. The reason to move south is because you just want a new home...otherwise consider looking in the more mature areas north of 466A. As far as meeting people and gaining friends, I think anywhere you move in The Villages you'll find people you can associate with...we're all very friendly here for the most part.

Drops
 

For sure drops can happen either way. Home price drops could be gradual in a month or two. An interest rate cut by the Fed could be immediate or next Spring.

No…lol
 

Moodys housing market analytics, integration of FRED stats, inventory and the compressed aggregation of US Treasury bills vs Fed lending rates with broader payroll data all help model pricing moves.

Anyone that tells you the market is going to be better in six months is a liar. Note Tampa and the Miami Lauderdale market problems. Other negative impacts on our Florida market are the condo and insurance issues.

It ain’t gettin any sweeter anytime soon.

Maybe you should buy right now? I’ll bet almost all say ,”NO”

In fact EVERYONE’S crystal ball should say,”Now is not the time to sell or buy..”

Totally agree with this post. Others can only offer suggestions, but bottom line, only you can really decide. Existing homes have many advantages (just had dinner with a real estate agent friend last week who related the enormous cost of bonds on the new homes, but to many this is of no concern). We found a new home had a long list of expenditures that are not always considered, just small things like additional shelving, knee walls or enclosed lanai's, driveway additions, landscaping over and above the minimum of a new model, and much more. Some will advise a new home in a new village for neighbor's of similar age; but that is often misleading too. Many existing homes in older neighborhoods have changed metrics, plus, NEVER buy a home due to the neighbors/neighborhood, can change totally in a matter of months. Go with the "when I see it I'll know it's the one for me". So many groups and activities for socializing, I'd advise you not rely on that as a major variable, go more on your interests: travel, golf, scuba, tennis, photography, ballroom dance, or softball to name a TINY few. Changes are your social life will revolve around your interests not your address, but by posting you will certainly get enough replies to confuse you...LOL !

You know that I disagree. The person who will give you a ride if you need it to the bus depot is not going to be the guy you played water volleyball with. It’s going to be the lady next door. The person who lends you a part to your AC in an emergency is not going to be your pickle ball buddy, but the guy across the street. The person who brings you the AED should something happen, my husband needed it at age 62 when he had never had any health issues to that day, is going to be the closest neighbor who has one. And so on. A few neighbors may change but not your whole street in your life time.

I can see housing prices drop some more but not as much as your prediction. Happy in house and see no reason to buy another one

TV location
 

I noticed that no one mention location of Orlando or the Orlando airport. probably 20-25 miles closer south of 44 or Warm Springs

You will easily make numerous friends in The Villages wherever you live. More important that you like your house and its location, the older areas being closer to businesses which you will use. Since you are in your 50's, you may be able to wait the 10+ years for major stores below the turnpike. It took 5 years just to get a gas station at Magnolia Plaza.

Plenty of good, fun people here. Everybody has an interesting life story.

Suggest to be careful building your social circle around neighbors.

I've seen several instances where the entire neighborhood were good buddies, then some start getting too much in your business, feelings get hurt, things get nasty and people have to move.

I'll be your friend, Stu...:p

While not the same age difference, we also had no problems making friends in our (re-sale) home...

Of course, it's my wife who is the social director, so she meets our new neighbors first (probably a good thing...:o)

So much incorrect information in that post...

But let the North/South bashing begin!

We have those same block parties monthly in my village just north of 44... My neighbor across the street and another down the street have loaned me tools and offered to help with my DYI projects...

People are people where ever you go...