We took the double-barreled approach when buying: working both with a Villages guy and an outside realtor. Both were excellent. Lennie Berger (the Villages agent) was outstanding. We ended up not buying from him (opting instead to purchase a home listed by an outside realty company) but we had no issues with either. If you're looking at new, however, as other posts indicate, you'll have to work with a Villages agent.

We chose pre-owned, for several reasons. More established neighborhoods, generally quieter (our village has only one way in and out so very little traffic), no bond (a biggie), and a whole lot closer to essential businesses and services that the new construction in the South seems to be (we're maybe 10 minutes by golf cart from Lowe's, Wal-mart, Publix, Aldi, Doctor, Dentist, Spanish Springs Town square, a couple of strip malls, etc.).

Enjoy your lifestyle visit! But be prepared for the lily to be heavily gilded. Back in the world I enjoyed woodworking. When discussing hobbies with our Villages "guide" during our lifestyle visit I mentioned that fact. He took us to the woodshop (only one at the time) and proudly showed how it worked, what was expected of the people using it, etc. No mention however that the waiting list was years long (and with the huge influx of people recently, probably approaching a decade). A few other such gildings, but really minor in comparison to what The Villages is, and has to offer.

Enjoy your visit and best of luck buying

MLS can not show Villages listed properties and Vice a versus. To see all preowned homes you need both.

Look online for houses listed by The Villages.

Look online for houses listed by MLS.

Look online for houses listed by owner.

Notice the theme????...............look online.


Realtor vs. Agent vs. Broker ......................Titles don't matter.
The individual matters.............not if you have taken a test and pay dues.
There are good and bad individuals no matter the title.
Same with attorneys, CPAs, doctors, lawn mowers, painters.

:mornincoffee:

There are NO Village Realtors only village sales people "Realtor" is a trademark and only can be used by members belonging to the NAR. Village sales people, their principal is the builder who they represent. A mls Realtor their principal is the customer That would be You.

Be sure to use an MLS realtor and a Villages realtor to get a better selection and better information. If you buy a new home you can only use a Villages realtor. Keep in mind new homes have a bond and maintenance fees which many older homes do not. Have fun looking.

Inspector and escrow
 

Find your own impartial Inspector. Find one who gives the report directly to only you.

Also make sure there is money in escrow so that can be used as leverage against problems found.

Good luck!

179.00 everyone no one pays 500.00

To clarify between a REALTOR and a sales agent, all real estate agents are sales agents: includes both MLS and VLS agents.

The term REALTOR® has one, and only one, meaning: REALTOR® is a federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
A VLS agent cannot be a REALTOR. But they can and do sell Villages homes. Only a Villages agent can sell new in The Villages.

I thought I had read in a previous thread that there is a yearly assessment for infrastructure or something along that line that typically runs about $500-$600, could this be what they are taking about?

Considering Property Taxes in Sumter County
 

I moved from north of 44 to south of 44 new homes. North of 44 is in the county of Wildwood and your taxes will be lower. South of 44 you will pay an additional city tax. (Municipality - Wildwood). That cost me additional $778.00 a year. I don't know which property is in the county vs City. You will have to ask the Sumter property appraisers.

Sumter County has a unique way of calculating your market value in The Villages only. They do it by the model of your home.

Here are some of the model costs south of 44.

BASE RATE Code Model
137.00 DH64 Jasmine
148.00 DH70 Begonia, Indigo
156.00 DH71 Iris, Lily, Mossy Oak
164.00 DH72 Bridgeport, Lantana, Zinnia
162.00 DH73 Woodside, Laurel Oak, IVY
149.00 DH75 Gardenia
$82.76 R5 Outside of the Villages (Beaumont Village)

You can find this information on your property record card. They do not make this information public. You can call the Sumter County at 352-569-6800 to get your property record card and other property record card. That is how I got this information.

Florida has wonderful property tax savings for permanent residents. Be sure to apply for these savings.

1. Homestead - this will reduce your assessed value by $50,000
2. Portability - if you are a Florida resident this is your Save your home benefit. They cannot raise your taxes more than 3% per year. If you lived in a Fl home and bought another Fl home, you have 3 years to move the portability to the new home. I lived in Florida for over 50 years, and I have over $200,000 in portability.
3. Senior Discount - In Sumter it will reduce your assessed value by 15,000 saving you approx. $150 per year. Note: there is an income limit for this benefit.

I am saving approx. $4000 per year on my taxes.

Considering Property Taxes in Sumter County
 

Can you get the senior discount if you are renting it out at all before moving?

How do you get the seperate water bill ?

I just bought and mine is $179.00

I would like to sell the homes in the villages do you know how you can?

do you know how to become a vls agent?