[springfield]

We will arrive in TV on July 3 to start the process of finding that perfect place to call home. We are very torn between buying a preowned home or building new. We really want to pick your brains about your opinions on this or experiences you have had. Thank you in advance for your help. Teri and David

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by springfield

We will arrive in TV on July 3 to start the process of finding that perfect place to call home. We are very torn between buying a preowned home or building new. We really want to pick your brains about your opinions on this or experiences you have had. Thank you in advance for your help. Teri and David

It is about the same. You have some negotiating possibilities with preowned and NONE with new. I think the prices are pretty similar if you include the bond in your considerations.

We bought a brand new spec home two years ago, the opportunity to build was not offered at that time. At walk through the builder was great about showing us how to set the sprinkler system, how to maintain the exterior, whether we could add on, etc. and as to the repair of all of the VERY MINOR things on our list..... He stood in our kitchen and made all of the calls to the sub contractors about the repairs on our list and within 15 minutes workers were there fixing the issues. While he was in the home talking to us this all happened and each item was fixed. WE WERE IMPRESSED!

They have the building of homes down to a science. Your home is built and done when they say and closing is right on time. They have teams all scheduled to do this and that like clockwork. I was VERY suspicious of the quality of the homes when we first came looking. I have no complaints. We have had homes built a number of times in our lives and we would build here without hesitancy. We will sell our Camellia and get a little bigger home for the three of us when we move permanently. I have no hesitancy about building OR buying a resale.

Just my two cents.

[skip0358]

I agree with GG completly. We went new on our designer and are quite happy. A few items needed fixing which were done quickly. We chose new because we felt everyone would be in the same boat as us. Just moving down, looking for a new start, new friends etc. We lucked out and have GREAT neighbors. There are some very good deals on new closeouts at the present time. If you go on The Villages homes page and scout the inventory homes you'll see. Good luck , no mater what you decide it'll be right.

[NJblue]

Pros for buying a pre-owned house:

- most of the "little" things that people tend to do will already have been done (adding attic stairs, gutters in the back/sides, window treatments, finishing the paint/pavers for driveway, enclose lanai, landscaping, etc., etc.) As you can tell, these "little" things really aren't little from an expense perspective - they can add up to many tens of thousands of dollars.

- can buy a house in any part of TV that you want versus only in the newer sections which tend to be far away from town squares and major shopping areas.

- it is possible that the bond will have been paid off or at least partially paid off.

Pros for buying new:

- your house is fresh, never lived in and no wear and tear

- you have a full year warranty on everything, with a builder who bends over backwards to make everything right during the course of this warranty. The tiniest detail down to cracks in grout lines will be taken care of for you.

- you have control over what house model to put on which lot, features and architectural design elements, appliance/cabinet/counter top choice, colors of interior/exterior elements, light fixtures, etc. You also control the selection of all the add-on elements that you choose to do after you buy, such as landscaping, etc. To undo these choices in a pre-owned house to make it right for you may offset any of the cost savings as mentioned above.

- You will be moving into a neighborhood that is just getting established from a social perspective with everyone in the same boat in terms of establishing social ties.

[jebartle]

Biggest PRO would be NO BOND if you buy pre-owned in Lake County...All homes are wonderful in ALL of the Villages and GREAT neighbors....I really don't think you can go wrong....TV is a heaven!...Good luck and welcome to a great life!

[Pturner]

Another pro on re-sales is the beautiful mature trees and landscaping on the northside, and the fact that the homes tend to be further apart and have more privacy.

I agree though, if it's in TV, you're gonna love it!

[swrinfla]

Seems to me that it's a really very personal thing!

When I bought just over 5 years ago, I built to my specifications (within allowed limits, of course). I had one week to clear up "issues" with my builder after I closed. On The Day, I had a list of a half dozen minor, mostly cosmetic things. The builder's representative called in workers according to the issue, they descended upon my house like bees and, with one very minor exception, all my issues were resolved before the day was over!

After nearly 44 years in my then-100-year-old house, I was so excited to have everything fresh and new. I never even considered an "old" house, despite the obvious benefits of them (established landscaping, many nice-to-haves already added, etc.).

You must seek out both. Your built-for-you or your spec-built house will probably have virtually no trees around, and you'll be out in the open, like a sitting duck! Your new neighbors will almost certainly be in the same boat as you - wondering who everyone is, came from, etc. There's a certain bond established when the whole street moves in almost at the same time.

Your pre-owned is likely in an established area, with some sizeable trees, long-standing bushes, etc. The neighbors may, however, be a little less inclined to bring you into their circle, especially if they've been there since "Day One." All that means, though, is that you may have to work a little harder!

Wherever you settle, TV will become home, and a home that you won't want to leave ever again!

Good luck!

SWR

[mgman]

After a lot of research and talking with realtors, we discovered one thing. If you want one of the bigger, 1900 plus square foot designer home with golf car garage, you can build it cheaper, including bond, than buying a used. Or multilist realtor told us point blank that what we wanted would cost more used than new by more than $20000. It seems ridiculous but it is the case. We wanted a Begonia and the only choice was new because not many were on the market. The smaller, 1500 square feet homes were plentiful, but not with a golf car garage. Sometimes our priorities limit our lives.

[ght70]

Wherever you choose to build, be VERY CAUTIOUS if you look into building/buying with Peter Trematerra, Parkwood Builders. His business ethic is very shady and he cannot be trusted.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by ght70

Wherever you choose to build, be VERY CAUTIOUS if you look into building/buying with Peter Trematerra, Parkwood Builders. His business ethic is very shady and he cannot be trusted.

Welcome to the forum. I see this is your first post.

I feel that I should point out that there are no builders in TV but the developer, The Villages. The company that owns this place employes builders and they work only for them.

There are no other outside independent builders here.

Perhaps I misunderstood your statement. Where does Peter Trematerra, Parkwood Builders build? Isn't Parkwood a village for families that is closeby but not part of The Villages??

[K9-Lovers]

"- you have control over what house model to put on which lot, features and architectural design elements, appliance/cabinet/counter top choice, colors of interior/exterior elements, light fixtures, etc. You also control the selection of all the add-on elements that you choose to do after you buy, such as landscaping, etc."

Above comment is only true if you are buying a designer or premier home.

[ght70]

Peter Trematerra is with Parkwood Builders. They build in The Villages of Parkwood. A lot of elderly are moving in there because they want the variety of people and ages, not just elderly. However, Peter has been taking advantage of these people. It has gotten so bad, one man tried to run his car through the sales office in a rage, due to the shady business done by Peter and his company.

[grandma-annie]

where is the Village of Parkwood

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by grandma-annie

where is the Village of Parkwood

It's adjacent and west of The Villages, north of 466. Residents of Parkwood do not pay TV amenity fees and do not have use of TV amenities. The developer built it as a place where TV employees who have children can live.

[villages07]

PT.... Sounds like you are describing Bison Valley, the all age community built by The Villages developer just north of 466. It was built primarily for families employed by and for The Villages (although I believe anyone can buy in there).

Villages of Parkwood is another new all age community in the same general area (a little further north) but its developer is not related to the Villages developer.