[rowval]

my hubby and I were on a 3 day lifestyle visit this week. We saw some patio villas that were in our price range. we are not ready to retire yet. we would like to purchase within the next year or so, rent for the season plus other months when we will not be using the home. I have a few ?s
there are a lot of homes in TV for sale both new and resale-what is the "talk" do you think that prices will come down?
renting out-are homes in TV still in demand for Jan-April ? is there an influx of homes for rent? Thank you

[graciegirl]

It seems that the houses here continue to sell. I don't know about resale but the new villages keep selling and filling up. Our street in Hadley and I think almost all homes in Hadley are sold. I see a LOT of activity in Hemingway and Bonita now, they are the newly built areas.

I don't know if the prices are going to go down further or not. By all reports, the economic crisis is still going on and getting worse. I do know that our lives are ticking away and now is the time to grab some happiness.

I hope you hear from people who rent their homes, so you will be better guided for your decision. My husband and I feel that this house in Hadley is a decent investment in these trying economic times.(We don't rent it out)

Good luck for your search for answers. I can tell you this: I have had a full and active life and this is the icing on the cake, the cat's pajamas, Paradise, and one heck of a good time with absolutely lovely, interesting, kind and charming new friends. I hope you will be one of them.

[novelchick]

i can tell your struggling with your decision and it's very hard to know what to do. General talk from experts say interest rates may still go down end of year. In 2004 my husband and i had to make same decision only difference was we did not want to rent out our new home. we were still working and didn't think we could swing it. We took the plunge and now we thank God we did because you can no longer design your home the way you used to be able to. All i can say to you though is this, I usually keep an eye on the prices of the homes and the patio villas seem to stay in same ballpark so i don't think you need to panic. As far as renting, it may become more difficult as the villages just bought all these new homes to rent out for lifestyle plan and there are a tremendous amt of rentals. our friends could only rent theirs out for Jan and Feb last yr and this yr not much better luck. If you decide not to buy now, you have so much to look forward to. it's so much fun when you do and the lifestyle is wonderful!! so many great new friends to meet!! Good Luck with your decision. i know it's very difficult.

[F16 1UB]

Originally Posted by rowval

there are a lot of homes in TV for sale both new and resale-what is the "talk" do you think that prices will come down?
renting out-are homes in TV still in demand for Jan-April ? is there an influx of homes for rent? Thank you

rowval,

We waited 3 yrs & bought in Apr 08 and elected to go new versus pre-owned. However, since then I've noticed that pre-owned homes have been reducing. There are some great buys available both ways. Many factors to consider. We especially liked a an older designer with no bond but thought it was too high. We didn't even make an offer thinking we were crazy to even try. Well guess what? The price dropped considerably and the house sold immediately.

Have we seen the bottom on new home prices? IMO yes. But the developer can always tweak the inventory by renaming/designing a few models to entice the public.

Gracie Girl - While we were in Hadley in Nov we walked daily thru the Hadley hood and noticed many homes that appeared to be void of furniture. Sold? Maybe, but we sure noticed many that appeared to be empty. Probably like us waiting to sell up north so we can purchase a REAL BED to put in our new home.

F16

[Safe Home Watch Mary Edwards]

We came to look in TV almost a year,trying to find the right house but prices never really came down.So we decided to pick a lot on the golf course found one in Hemingway. What a breeze 90 days later we have our house. Only catch is we still have another house in Punta Gorda on the golf course that has not sold. Gave up our business their of home watching to be here. Going to try home watching here soon.Got a great house plenty to do,but no furniture. But life goes on we love it here.

[ijusluvit]

Any respectable financial planner (oxymoron?) will tell you not to count on income you aren't sure of, rental income being the perfect example. Renting a home in TV can be very successful or very unsuccessful, so don't depend on a lucky roll of the dice.

Also, it's an artificial and unnecessary distraction to focus on whether the market stars and moons are in the exact right spot.

Focus on two things: how much you like TV as your future home and what you can afford to buy. If you do like it and you buy your dream place, YOU WILL BE HAPPY!! What's better than that?

And then, since you planned so conservatively, in a little while you will do like bizillions of current TV residents have done - trade up to an even nicer TV home!

Good luck!!!!!

[scooper]

Thank you so much everyone for input. My husband and i are coming back for a Lifestyles visit in early May and are hoping to buy this year. We are not retiring anytime soon and would like to rent it out when we are not here. . It is good to hear candid opinions about renting. I heard from someone yesterday who said she has noticed a decline in inqueries for next year. I imagine the economy is effecting rentals. I wonder about buying? We saw a stucco patio villa we liked in Hemingway last week. I think we will narrow our search to that style with 2 bedrooms. We like the privacy in the back. However we are social people and look forward to meeting our future new friends!