He and his wife have been invited to a few of the parties. Unless he’s just messing with me. *shrug*

Not gonna lie. The first time we visited we met a nice couple at the Chophouse bar. They actually invited us back to their place for drinks. We declined but it had me wondering. Lol

What a great place! Congratulations!

We are planning to move there permanently in the next couple of years. We are also looking at buying in the near future and maybe renting it out a few months each year until we move.

We came down and stayed at the Brownwood Hotel this past spring and did some scouting.

I am a golfer so it will be perfect for me.

Did you get a chance to visit Shooters World while you were there?

^^^

Yes we did visit Shooters World the first time we were here. It was pretty cool. Nothing like it where I live now.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Congrats, not something I would ever consider doing but understand and it seems many like and enjoy the idea.


That lifestyle has no appeal to me. But if it did 2209er's post about restrictions, rules, busybodies and all the rest would make run, not walk away. That is not my idea of how to spend my golden years by any stretch.

I just read it too. You can count me out. Slim shady politics, taxes, and straight up bullshit.

quote:

Originally posted by Prefontaine:

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Congrats, not something I would ever consider doing but understand and it seems many like and enjoy the idea.


That lifestyle has no appeal to me. But if it did 2209er's post about restrictions, rules, busybodies and all the rest would make run, not walk away. That is not my idea of how to spend my golden years by any stretch.

I just read it too. You can count me out. Slim shady politics, taxes, and straight up bullshit.

Did I miss a link to the post you guys are talking about? Anyhow th Villages has deed restrictions that I’ve read and I’m good with. There isn’t an “HOA” and no busy body neighbors can get elected and make shitty rules. What we’ve found here is a super active community of like minded people.

^^^ORC edited his post to comment about the following link/post by '220-9er', which was posted AFTER his original post...Kinda confusing!

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
An interesting story, and one to be aware of, here. Management has almost total control and uses it to their advantage.
Anyone who runs their numbers to see if it can work for them needs to factor this into the equation.

https://theintercept.com/2023/...illages-oren-miller/

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
^^^ORC edited his post to comment about the following link/post by '220-9er', which was posted AFTER his original post...Kinda confusing!

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
An interesting story, and one to be aware of, here. Management has almost total control and uses it to their advantage.
Anyone who runs their numbers to see if it can work for them needs to factor this into the equation.

https://theintercept.com/2023/...illages-oren-miller/

Ahh okay. I started that article and it’s long and convoluted. Definitely an “anti-Villages” vibe. The Morse family does control just about everything in the Villages. I’m okay with that because they keep it how I want it. Cost wise it seems about the same as most retirement areas and offers way way more.

The part about busy bodies and Del Boca Vista shows clearly the writer doesn’t really know how the Villages works.

I think you will definitely have to get a golf cart.

Only been through there a few times. People seemed nice. Personally, I like the aspect of being able to get by without a car. We haven't been getting the rain this summer that we usually do.

We need more good people in Florida as opposed to the ones fleeing from NY and NJ.

quote:

We will be absentee owners for a few years and may rent it now and then.

I do recognize the attraction of the Villages Florida as a retirement community.
But I don't really get the reason for being absentee owners before you are ready to retire or move there unless the place will cash flow itself, which it sounds like it will not.

Golf cart is a must.

Regarding absentee owner, the return on the investment should we sell in the future will be more than we will make in our retirement accounts. Apart from that it was all about getting the location we wanted and the house plan.

quote:

the return on the investment should we sell in the future will be more than we will make in our retirement accounts.

Possibly. But that's all based on assumptions and timing.
So, I guess what you're saying is that you got a really good deal and could sell for more than you paid? If so, I get it.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

quote:

the return on the investment should we sell in the future will be more than we will make in our retirement accounts.

Possibly. But that's all based on assumptions and timing.
So, I guess what you're saying is that you got a really good deal and could sell for more than you paid? If so, I get it.

The Villages homes have an average 14% year over year increase in value. They didn’t even lose value in the crash of 2008 IIRC. Because the majority buyers are cash, interest rates and mortgage trends don’t affect them as much as most.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
The Villages homes have an average 14% year over year increase in value. They didn’t even lose value in the crash of 2008 IIRC. Because the majority buyers are cash, interest rates and mortgage trends don’t affect them as much as most.

Over what period? You're saying that 'on average' homes in The Villages DOUBLE in value every six years! Are you assuming that trend is expected to continue? If so, I'd think that's a bit optimistic. We've all heard the saying, 'Past performance is not indicative of future results'...It definitely applies here as well.

The real estate market has seen unprecedented increases in value during the past few years, and that market WILL correct, if not crash spectacularly. It's coming...It's not a matter of if, but when that will happen IMO. Anyone that has purchased into the current market with new capital (not a traditional purchase after the sale of an existing home) will lose money/value when that happens. It'll likely be worse than 2008, and will affect commercial real estate followed by residential properties shortly thereafter. The only real question is whether the losses are worse in the financial markets or real estate market.

Yes I optimistic. The Villages is selling between 250-500 homes per month. We got a site on a preserve with more space between than most houses. We may likely decide to keep it when we make the permanent move. That all depends on the market and the new areas. They are doubling in size.

We also are considering ways to move there permanently a few years early. At most we have 5 years before retirement.

1) Retirement village. Population is > 55. Must be a continuous turnover.
2) Real estate is headed for a correction. Just matter of time.
If you like the property — great. Real estate has always been location and supply.

The Villages has grown from a Mobile Home development of 400 homes in the 70's to one of the largest and highest thriving retirement communities in the USA with a GDP of $2.1 billion.

It 32 square miles
It's bigger than Manhattan,
Population of close to 80,000.
Named the top selling planned community 9 years in a row,
4,000 homes sold in 2021,
It's decidedly conservative.

Average down payment is 27%, the highest in the country,
Average credit score, 806 highest in the country,

There are a lot more facts at the link, the Villages have been a super successful planned retirement community who's growth has been phenomenal.

Link

Thanks HRK, absolutely right. That's why we fell in love with it so fast. We just landed at home and the weather is again miserable. The truth is we will end up in Florida full time sooner than we thought. We just ran some quick numbers and could sell our home here, pay off the mortgage in Florida (and here). We'd need 120K or so to add a pool. But we may be able to save that in the next year or so.

Only thing is then we will need to work down there, for much less money most likely. We can do it though, and with the crappy weather and politics here we are looking to get out.