[Golden Years]

My wife and I want to plan a visit to the villages. What would make the visit most benifical? We would like to check out homes for sale. Would you recommend reaching out to a realtor or just doing some leg work on our own? I requested a lifestyle video about a month ago but it has not arrived so far. Should I make another request or does it just take awhile for them to arrive?

[hulahips]

I personally would do all on my own. Go to squares, talk to villagers, go to pools, talk more. Go to open houses, resales (everyday they have them). Look at rec centers, and definitely rent a golf cart to really get the feel for the villages. Enjoy!

[pqrstar]

Originally Posted by Golden Years

My wife and I want to plan a visit to the villages. What would make the visit most benifical? We would like to check out homes for sale. Would you recommend reaching out to a realtor or just doing some leg work on our own? I requested a lifestyle video about a month ago but it has not arrived so far. Should I make another request or does it just take awhile for them to arrive?

Here is the visitors video online
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjTm075Ig1A

There are quite a selection of other informational videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheVillagesFlorida/videos

I would ride the trolley and also get a Villages sales representation to take you out. This will give you a feel for what is available. There is absolutely no sales pressure -- the developer takes pride in that fact.

Also visit open houses. These are advertised daily in the local newspaper.

[mherzberg]

If you are interested in houses, first go to the villages.com and look at all of the homes for sale. Check out the floor plans for the type you like (before you even get her) when you arrive! Buy a Daily Sun newspaper and see what available - and go see. If you have a Villages Sales person to accompany you, there is absolutely NO pressure and No sales pitch - it is what it is attitude! BUT, if you see something you like, buy it - because it will most likely be gone the next day!

[obxgal]

Go here and enjoy a Villages Vacation from only $99* a night! (Summer prices) You get a house to stay in and each is fully equipped with everything you need to enjoy your dream vacation, including golf car!
The Villages - Lifestyle Preview Plan

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by obxgal

Go here and enjoy a Villages Vacation from only $99* a night! (Summer prices) You get a house to stay in and each is fully equipped with everything you need to enjoy your dream vacation, including golf car!
The Villages - Lifestyle Preview Plan

I would also recommend you contact The Villages sales office and take a Lifestyle Preview Plan visit. These visits range from 4 to 7 days. If you can take the full 7 days I would recommend it to get the fullest experience of The Villages. You won't encounter a hard sales pitch from a Villages sales rep as The Villages pretty much sells itself.

And if you want to make a second visit to The Villages, I would recommend you rent a private home in The Villages. In the summer/early fall months, it is pretty easy to find a weekly or two week rental. I have rented in The Villages several times in the past for 7 and 8 night stays in the months between May and October. If you can rent for a month, that would even be better as you have more time to get a feel of what living in The Villages is like.

If you do come to visit The Villages, don't hesitate to ask questions of Villagers. When I have visited The Villages, most people are very happy to share their experiences about living in The Villages.

[Abby10]

You can also get a map from the sales office. I believe they cost $5.00. Then pick different areas (Village neighborhoods) that you want to check out, go there, park your car, and take a walk around. We probably learned more doing that than anything else. As Schaumburger said, Village residents love to talk about living there. On our walks we would run into people who would answer our questions, give us advice, and some even offered to show us their houses. Really a friendly bunch of people.

If looking at the different models of houses is high on your agenda, I would recommend really studying The Villages website before going. See if there are specific models that you especially like, then as others said, get The Daily Sun newspaper and seek out open houses of those specific models. Requesting an agent from the sales office is also a good idea as they will do the homework for you to show you what you want to see. And as others said, no pressure to buy.

One last thing, take lots of notes and follow up with someone at the sales office or here on TOTV with any questions. Most importantly, just enjoy your time.............it's a wonderful place to explore!

[JMEZARIC3]

Originally Posted by Golden Years

My wife and I want to plan a visit to the villages. What would make the visit most benifical? We would like to check out homes for sale. Would you recommend reaching out to a realtor or just doing some leg work on our own? I requested a lifestyle video about a month ago but it has not arrived so far. Should I make another request or does it just take awhile for them to arrive?

I think the video is delayed because they need to edit out the old Katie Belles and the Cattle Baron.
My advice to you is take the Lifestyle tour for 5 days.If you like the place,rent a home for a month and then make your decision.

[Villager Joyce]

Agree with the above, particularly renting a golf cart and then drive it everywhere -- to the squares, dinner, house shopping, etc. if you attend church regularly, check out the churches. Lots are golf cart accessible. There are also churches off property that many villagers attend. If you want to check out villagers, pull over in your golf cart and see how many people go past you verses the number who stop to see if you need help.

[njbchbum]

Another benefit to enjoying the Lifestyle Preview Plan is having a sales rep to direct you or take you directly to those homes for sale. It saves a lot of time trying to read that map you bought and figure out where you are going! You can save that part of the fun for later when you are out cruising in the golf cart.

[Golden Years]

Wow a lot of great advice. Some of this I was thinking but being able to receive advice from people that have been there done that is priceless.

[golfing eagles]

I'd like to add my voice to those advocating the Lifestyle Preview Plan. My advice would be to check out the Villages website thoroughly, as well as other retirement communities. Personally, I found most Florida golfing retirement properties were a single golf course with homes around it, a single clubhouse in which all activities were held, and services such as grocery stores, banks, drug stores and the like could be miles away--nothing that came close to TV. Check out the community calendar and the Lifelong Learning college offerings and see if it is to your liking (hard not be , since we have just about everything). If still interested, look at the homes available. Try to decide what is to your liking (and budget). Main considerations include new vs. pre-owned, location, size/series --premium/designer/patio villa, and what type of view you would like--golf course/water/or interior. Since there are hundreds of both new and pre-owned homes available, this narrows down your choices and makes it easier for the real estate agent.
Then definitely try to stay a week on the LPP---the real estate agent won't try to sell you anything--the place sells itself. Ours was wonderful, brought us anywhere we wanted, accommodated our schedule, and just provided tons of information---we still take him out to dinner when we visit even though it is more than a year later. Look at the rec centers, play a round or two, go to the entertainment at the Squares, but most of all just talk to Villagers----we will sell you far more than any realtor will.
My wife and I were lucky---we knew what we wanted, had to look at about 50 homes to find it, and bought it 4 days after arriving---not reckless, just knew a good thing when we saw it---now just waiting to move in full time later this year. I also agree with those who posted to grab it if it is right for you---when we closed in April 2014 , we were the 7th or 8th to buy in a new neighborhood unit of 124 homes--when we were back in October there were 3 left---the golf front lots were the first to go. Good luck to you whatever you decide.

[rjm1cc]

You are testing the life style so stay as long as you can. Meet with a Village salesman ASAP and tell them your objective. I think you will find them helpfully and not pressure you to buy. I would not look at many houses on your first trip.

[Sashss]

My wife and I did the lifestyle program for 8 days. It was perfect for us because we were there long enough to get a feel for living there. We did spend time with a salesperson and it was great to learn information and have someone to answer our questions. There was no pressure from the salesperson. We did that three years ago and then came back this year and purchased our home in February. We're not down there yet, but looking forward to it.

[Cobh521]

I would highly recommend the Lifestyle Preview Visit. Please PM me and I can provide additional information.