[dizz42]

After viewing the DVD, my husband and I are "this close" to checking availability for a 3-night visit through The Villages web site. Can anyone tell me what happens after you send in that request? Do they contact you with a specific place to stay and instructions on what you can and can't do? What is included in your visit besides the accommodation? Any sales presentations that you must attend?
Thanks much for any info you can share. I'm anxious to learn.

[Barefoot]

We booked our lifestyle preview over the phone. It included luxurious accommodation in the Cottages, plus lots of freebies, dinner at The Cattle Baron, and much, much more. We could even include our two dogs. We didn't get a lot of pressure from the Village agents. They were happy to show us both new and resales. We ended up putting in an offer through MLS.

If you call The Villages, they'll tell you everything that is included.

Good luck and enjoy. Be careful .. it is SO easy to fall in love.

[Fourpar]

We took the tour and it was eye opening. Stayed in a house similar to what we would consider buying. And it was spotless! At check-in they gave us the coupon book...we weren't expecting all the freebies!

Once we put our stuff in the house, we thought "When are the sales wolves gonna call?" They never did. We called to make an appointment with one toward the end of our stay, and that was the start of a good relationship. The Villages does not pressure potential buyers, at all. Their approach is "Here's our product, if you wish to buy, great..but we won't press you into anything." And they live up to it.

Long story short, after 2 more visits, and 7 months or so, we bought (May '07). We are trying to sell our existing home, after which we'll be moving and we can't wait!

Your goal with lifestyle preview is to see as much of the Villages as you can...and use all the coupons!

[Russ_Boston]

I agree with Fourpar. We spent 6 days a few weeks ago in a home similar to what we want to buy. They gave us a 3 bed/2 bath Jasmine II model that was in impeccable shape. It allowed us to 'make believe' we were owners.

We rented a golf cart for the week to get the full experience and we used all (OK most) of the freebies that they offered. We almost paid for no food during the week. Check out my reviews on the restaurant forum.

Sales NEVER called. We went looking at many open houses on our own (check the Daily sun everyday for open houses that day). I've I had 350K hanging around I would have pulled the trigger on a house on the Havana course (in Amelia I believe).

I played golf at Havana and the course, when mature, is going to be a real challenge. I visited with some new TOTV friends and met up with an old acquaintance. We hung out at the pools during the heat of the day and spent some time at the squares at night.

We toured the hospital and took a quick drive around the major roads to see what lies outside the 'campus'.

I would suggest more than 3 days if you can since the price per night is so low anyway. We paid $100 per night but with the freebies the real cost was very close to zero.

[dizz42]

OHMYGAWSH...thank you so much everyone for your input! It seems that everything I was HOPING would happen on a visit, DOES. :bigthumbsup: I thought I was asking too much for 1) no pressure; 2) nice place to stay; 3) tours if we wanted them; 4) open houses; 5) leisure time to ourselves. That's a tall order but at this stage in our research, it was the pace we felt we wanted. Turns out my order isn't so tall after all! That's good news and I will be calling to sign up for a visit. Only hold-up now is I would like to see if we can stay longer as Russ_Boston suggests. I'm excited! ;D

[Russ_Boston]

Don't wait too long Dizz, it gets real hot, real fast in the summer.

I forgot to mention that we also took a pickleball beginner lesson (free) on Tuesday at Lake Miona rec center. You need to call them first to register since they only hold it if enough people sign up and it starts to get slow in June (so they told me). Ask your sales rep if interested.

If you are golfers remember that they will give you two free rounds each at any of the championship courses - again just ask the sales rep.

[Donna]

Hi Dizz,

We signed up for the week preview, it was great..Had a golf cart, ate at great restaurants every night, drove around till we got tired every day..Viewed all the new homes, and bought our home after one day!! LOL
I am so compulsive

Best of luck!

[graciegirl]

We came down last month and we too agree with fourpar. The house was beautifully decorated and spotless and the nice meals and golf were a total surprise. NO ONE, I repeat, NO one in any way pressured us and there was no "sales presentation". They took you to see whatever you wanted. NOT a word about buying. It was just wonderful.

[dizz42]

Thanks again for all your responses. After much discussion, unfortunately we have to postpone our visit. It is definitely only postponed as we now will be going in January, 2009. We are spending a week at Disney World and then stopping at The Villages on our way north. Also, this way we might be able to stay longer - 4 or 5 days as opposed to only 3.

What are your thoughts on coming in January? I'm assuming everything is in full swing because all the snowbirds would be back. We actually felt we may get a better feel for things if everybody and everything is hopping.

[TomW]

I concur with Russ in that you will want to spend more than 3 days in TV. Once you get your bearings, you will find so many things to do and places you will want to explore that you will be hard pressed to see and do it all in a couple of days. Many have to come back for a second and perhaps a third 5 day stay to take it all in.

[angelbaby.47]

We were there for 4 days in Apr and there was absolutely no pressure of any kind. We had to call someone to say we wanted to look at some properties. With all the freebies, we hardly spent a dime, it was great! Does anyone know if you make a second trip if you can do another preview deal?

[johudd]

Dear Dizz - my husband and I are coming to TV on May 30 for our 3 day visit - wish we had more time. If we like what we see - our house will go on the market as soon as we get home. I'm excited and scared! Can't wait to see for myself the "Utopia" that everyone talks about. Reading these posts has really enlightened me on questions for our Sales Agent.

[Russ_Boston]

Jo - I wouldn't set my sights at 'utopia' but I'm sure you'll love it. Our visit was too short at 6 days. Can't wait to secure my semi-retirement and join my TOTV friends for good!

[dizz42]

Originally Posted by johudd

Dear Dizz - my husband and I are coming to TV on May 30 for our 3 day visit - wish we had more time. If we like what we see - our house will go on the market as soon as we get home. I'm excited and scared! Can't wait to see for myself the "Utopia" that everyone talks about. Reading these posts has really enlightened me on questions for our Sales Agent.

Dear Jo~
Please come back to this forum and let me know what you think after your visit.
My husband said just what you said..."the next 2 years should be scary but exciting". ;D

[ROEnBILL]

We're coming down in October with another couple on the recommendation of friends. We're all looking forward to it. We're coming for 6 days and I think we are only getting 4 meals. Are they at specific restaurants and can anyone tell me which ones? Are these included in the coupon book? It seemed like it was something separate.

I was told about the coupon book but no specifics were given. Can anyone who has taken this preview tell us more about what’s included? Are there meals in that coupon book?

It seems like there are more activities than we would ever have time for. Are there any that you would recommend? We like dancing, having an adult beverage or two, games, cards, theater, music and of course, golf. The pickleball sound like it would be fun as well.

We were discouraged from renting a golf cart. They seemed to encourage a car because the place is so big & this would allow us to have access to more. It would also allow us to go offsite. Does anyone have a strong opinion on this?

Thanks for taking the time to help.