Do people really wonder why? It’s a retirement community. It has an inherent turnover rate. People don’t live forever. The local Obituary writer is a busy man.
My visit was eye-opening. And mind you, I visited in 2010 ( 10 yrs before retiring) and absolutely hated it! Long lines at restaurants, crazy golf cart drivers, heavy drinking, and the never ending party atmosphere. Noise, overcrowding, and hoopla was not my idea of retirement. But not to worry, as there seems to be no shortage of folks that love it, and dole out their hard earned savings or income on rising CDD and HOA fees. LOL. More power to 'em.
After seeing some tours of new home interiors/layouts it's ridiculous at the prices. They are built with off the shelf stuff from lowes/home depot, cheapest cabinets, doors, appliances, cheap flooring. They are making a killlllling on the profit margin of building and selling the house.
Another reason that I have heard is that the insurance rates have doubled...and taxes also.as well as HOA fees And being on a fixed income makes it next to impossible to keep the home, especially if your spouse has died!!!
Just some clarification on your response with my experience taxes seem to go up at about the rate of inflation like most places, we have no HOA, insurance for me in 3 years for home owners has only gone up 15% so about 5% a year (note you must shop carriers). As far as spouse passing away be sure to purchase the appropriate size home to accommodate for that or down size the home when that happens and use the profit to off set some of the loss of income. I know this is more than you wanted but something to consider.
Thank you so much for your videos and the information you put out. I have really enjoyed them. Please keep it up! I have at least 10 more years before I can retire, but I love the information you have been giving us.
James you have to wait 10 years. I’m sure a lot will change in the Villages in ten years as the number of homes will be twice what they are today. At their current pace that would be over 200,000 homes vs 100,000 that we have now.
Hello Gary!! My husband and I are flying in tomorrow to look at homes!! We couldn't get a lifestyle visit so we are staying at The Waterfront Inn................can't wait to look at homes!! Thanks for all the information!
When we purchased we stayed at the Waterfront as well. It will be great as you are right there next to the town square and dining. Stay cool as it has been unusually hot this summer.
This is the first time I’ve seen any of your videos. I agree with just about everything you said, especially your number five reason so true once you lose a spouse everything changes things that were fun as a couple suck when you’re single Keep up the good work, buddy.
I notice that new homes in the newer areas south of 44 are being sold at a discount by The Villages. There were no discounts being given by The Villages when I purchased my new home two years ago. How do you convince a buyer to pay more for a resale?
Check out the bonds in the new builds...could be anywhere from $20-60k (or more). Also, if you buy a resale in Sumter County, your tax bill will be approx. 30% less because you aren't paying Wildwood city tax assessment.
I do think there are some deals as some are getting a lot of home with the trade off of where they are in the Villages which is further from any town squares or recreation centers.
I think the weather deters a lot of people, the storms, the heat. It feels good if you're from the snowbelt, but after awhile that heat wears on your nerves . I know, my company moved me to Texas and I've been here now for a number of years, and I cannot stand the heat here. I grew up in the snowbelt. I'm an outside person, and this summer here in Texas was brutal. We had record humidity, which is unusual, we've had months now without a drop of rain. I had venomous snakes in my backyard this summer, I've had raccoons eating my roof off. I'm here because I'm retired ,my husband was a disabled vet and he passed away. I would move back east in a heartbeat, but I'm not paying those ultra high prices for a roof over my head when I own my home here, so sometimes you have to weigh what's important and what's not , in your life.
Not this past week it has been like December weather in Florida as you need a jacket or sweatshirt. Now in NE they got to below freezing temps which is the reason I’m here. When it’s hot I’m at one of the pools.
The overhead to live there is ridiculous. We have no mortgage with my 1780 sq ft new home on 5 acres in a lush firr forest. Tax and insurance,full replacment policy is 2, 230 dollars a year. My highest electric bill is 150 a month. Its my only utility. Well, septic.wood stove. Split system. My vehicle registatuon is 63 dollars a year. We only use our SSI payout now, which we only need 23 % for all house hold expenditures. We don't need our 401 yet. Our emergency fund is way over 40,000. No I don't need to invest it. Our home is worth way way over 500,000. I won't say. I'll save some for my 5 children. It's not what you make. Its the dept you have in retirment spending. This works for us. We dont like people we like the wilderness. I have a shooting range, and can run a chain saw at 4:00AM. FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!
Sounds like you have a great home and low expenses in retirement. I think you understand the Villages does bring a lot of pleasure to many who live here which just doesn’t exist outside of the bubble. Thanks for watching.
I hate moving. I’d prefer to get it right the first time. As a young adult I could move and unpack in one day and it wouldn’t even look like I had moved. My husband hated the chaos of moving. He never packed, lifted a box nor unpacked a box. In fact, I did it all. I was very good at it. He simply disappeared. If my cousins were helping, one would say, “listen to Cynthia. She knows what she’s doing”. It’ll be quick”. I did. It was.I haven’t moved for 34 years and am dreading it.
Great video and great information as always. I noticed you have some upside down pineapples on your shirt Gary, are you hanging a loofa from your car and cart too? You’re going to start some rumors about TV. 😂😂
That’s funny. I think in my three years in the Villages I have seen one loofa on a car. My video on loofa’s is still one of my top 10 most viewed. Thanks for continuing to watch my videos.
Villages a big isolated place wherr neighbors don't talk or come out only come together in the squares at nite and cant wait to rush out when the bars close
Sellers are still swinging for the fence and believe the hype still exists, that's why so many homes are on zillow for over 45 days. Realistic pricing will help
I passed in it based on where it was and the bond fees. I bought in lmdb & it’s very similar. I’ve heard many go sour with the travel from wherever. Others move around. I moved once. Market is definitely struggling but insurance isn’t bad on this side she no ccd bond fees. Is a fantastic place
My wife and I are in our 70’s and discover more every year that we don’t like people near us. I don’t mean we’re antisocial, we just like living on our 85 acre homesite with no neighbors noise, no unsightly trailers, congested cars, boats etc. I do see some value in the Villages. The homes are mostly small with tiny cramped yards which would make them inexpensive to maintain, I guess. We have friends who live there and it’s nice to visit but we love it when we leave. It just depends on your lifestyle.
YES, SMALL LOTS, BUT YOUR HOA PAYS TO MOW THEM, SMALL SCREEN ROOM IN BACK OF HOUSE, BIGGER HOUSES MAY HAVE POOLS, BUT AGAIN YOUR HIGH HOA FEES PAY FOR THE MANY PUBLIC POOLS IN THE AREA
Here is what I learned. It will be reasonable when buying a new home and after a couple of years you will need to shop around. I have saved hundreds by shopping.
Bought 6 Homes for $234,999 3 years ago each, Sold them for $475,960 on average each, And made $300,000 in Rental, Thats $1.7 million profit… Im retiring next December and going to live in Portugal, Where i have bought a Villa for £96,000 euros . Just 800 feet from a fabulous beach, 😊
Hi Gary - Donna Gamache here. I stumbled across your channel and was so happy to see what you are doing. I retired 2 years ago - are you doing both or are you retired? BTW, we have a place in Vero Beach. So fascinating to learn of the real estate market across the state of Florida! So good to see you!
Nice hearing from you Donna. I retired at the end of May but continued on during a transition period which just so happen to end this week. My wife and I are caretakers for her mom and so we continue to travel between NH and Florida. I have enjoyed making RUclips videos over the last couple of years as I have a couple of different RUclips channels. I have found the Villages very enjoyable riding around in my golf cart.
My parents were a mailman and nurse by trade. Worked 6-7 days a week for years and only 2-3 vacations for the past 25 years. They were smart with saving and living below their means. They are 2 Of the most frugal people to walk the earth and don’t drink or “party”. Guess what? I suggested they do a lifestyle visit bc they were miserable in NJ with covid and the cold weather. OH and really do not like being close to neighbors. They visited and loved it. Found a 3B/3B home this year for a great price with a standard distance to their neighbors. They dont want tons of propertt to Maintain so that is the tradeoff. To each their own and i am always amazed At the negative responses on channels about TV. Why are you watching ANYTHING about TV if you already know you hate the idea? I am 51 And i am ready to Live there myself. 😮
Depends how much you can make as you might not need a new mortgage. I had one person explain how they turned owning multiple homes purchased a few years ago into $1.7 million in profit.
My home isnt in the villages but will be on the market as a direct result of the villages. I built my home near Coleman in 1979 . I didn't sign up for all these homes and all these rude northerners .
Great video - Thanks! I'm planning on moving there in less than two years. I've heard that the power lines are underneath the ground. If so, why are there big power towers there? Also, do you have access to fiber internet throughout the entire city? I'll be looking more up north by Lake Sumter. Thanks for you all the information you share.
LOCAL HOUSE POWER IS UNDERGROUND, BUT THE HIGH P OWER LINES ARE 7000 VOLTS OR MORE AND MUST BE UP HIGH IN THE AIR ON TOWERS FOR FREE AIR FLOW THAT COOLS THE LINES
IMO, many investors just bought to flip, the flipping has started. Be patient, list what you want in a home , don’t be afraid to buy in the north section.
@@stonecrestquilt prices are starting to come down, we like it in the north GC ride to Lowe’s, Walmart, many other big box stores. Also an easy ride to Sumter and Brownwood IMO. Homes up north may be more per sqft but all the upgrades to lawn and drives are done.
I remember back when the villages first started. They were worried about whether or not they sell and look at them now. One thing if you do move out there, don’t forget to get your new pineapples and your pink flamingos and you have to have a certain color loofah on your car. I did look at a neighborhood up in Jacksonville, which is positioning themselves to compete against the villages. This neighborhood is already bought land all the way to the Georgia border. But in talking to the agents I am looking at the fees I can’t do 6000 year for HOA. The only way I would do that is if I had the biggest house on Lake Butler in the snobbiest neighborhood, of course Windemere. That’s the only way I would pay that much you’re an HOA.
We continue to see some fabulous homes in the Villages and everyone can dream. One of the great things about the Villages homes appear to never lose their value here, so swapping or upgrading homes is common. We don’t have a good reason at this point but you never know.
While all valid, many of the reasons given are true at any time. Unique to this market are cashing in on the large near term equity gains. Maybe insurance fears of those new to FL. FL has had a lot of bad press recently.
Frank, did you see one of the comments under this section that he made $1.7 million in three years by purchasing multiple homes, renting then selling them. He definitely got the timing perfect.
@@GaryAbbott Yes, and another fellow in 2008 did the same thing and went bankrupt…. A dangerous game for an older investor who may not have enough time to ride out a down market. I had a home in DC that was flat for 10 years! Then in the next 10 it shot up 4x. Mostly due to Fed driving interest rates to zero. Next 10 years????
I just watched RUclipsr “David is in the Villages” who does the stats from MLS. I went back to his video of May 2022 and it seemed to confirm what I thought. The homes sales per week are not necessarily changed. He had homes going pending each week between 34 to 49 over a four week period. Currently he is reporting about 40 per week which to me means the pace of sales is the same, but the number new listing is out pacing the demand. This is why homes take longer as the sales have flatten over the three years and the number of buyers each week are staying about the same. In 2020 not enough homes were available in the preowned and new homes sales benefited. The Villages quarterly sales report will be out soon. It will be interesting to compare that info.
Beside the cost of living going up and living on a fixed income does not coincide! The villages have gotten too busy and too crowded.... It started out as a retirement community a slow pace of life to go when you're retired now it's more like the jet setters😂
I would think that seniors, like me, with several hundred thousand in equity, could easily sell and almost fully fund a home in The Villages. My current home is almost completely paid for, and I love to golf. What's not to like? Problem is that I am almost 68, and I have a massive library to move. Wouldn't be easy.
Realy though? The reflectors in the road on the yellow line are a noise concern for you😅? It's a safety device for visual reference and in the event someone's wandering out of there lane, sooooo If your hearing the annoying thumping of tire meets reflector, it's a testament to how many of your peers can't keep a lane.
I am planning to move to The Villages in early 2025 in Eastport (Veranda Home/ Eaton or Monroe). It seems to me as of today that the new construction homes are selling for less than 2-5 year old homes. What have you noticed from your observations? I only have the MLS and VLS to draw my conclusion.
My observation is new homes cost more than 2-5 years ago in the Villages and bonds on the homes are higher. But they are much lower than what a home goes for in NJ, NY, or New England. :)
@@GaryAbbott you can add PA to that list. Especially Bucks and Montgomery counties. The prices here are ridiculous. I blame the realtors. How high do they think people can go with purchases? It’s become unrealistic.
I just bought a new home in Dabney 2 months ago. Yes it was cheaper than resale but if you don’t know you will be doing some expensive upgrades. Painting is 3k, closet organizers 3k, landscaping 3k, etc.
@@Livefreeordi I'm looking at homes in Dabney tomorrow, I love the Charlotte model, but the ones left for sale hwy 470 is right behind the wall, so I'm looking there first to check out the noise factor, then Monday looking a homes in Moultrie Creek and Shady Brook.
Paying for a parent's or spouses assisted living could be another reason. Total care for an Alzheimer patient is 8k and up, with many places demanding a 250k deposit before they will even talk about accepting someone.
One couple in The Villages strikes me as being extremely close and I worry should something happen to one of them. They are still comparatively young so it’s not likely any time soon. I worry more so about him. She’s very sweet, but very strong.
I know the Villages has over 100,000 homes and I haven’t seen one in three years have a problem since 2021. You bet I will make a video if I see one. Now I’m not counting roadways where it’s a combination of drainage and infrastructure that they seem to be able to repair. I do know it has happen in the past but not enough of a concern to stop sales.
So how many homes ARE on the market in the villages? What is your source of #'s? How does current inventory # compare to 1 yr ago? 5 yrs ago? What does the term "so many" mean? What are you comparing to? All valid real estate market questions. YOU are assuming we know these answers from the beginning? Please backup your assumption at the outset before answering a question. Is there actually so many homes for sale in the villages? We want some facts please. Not just opinions. Thank you.
Take a look at RUclipsr “David is in Florida” channel who quotes weekly on the real estate MLS numbers. You can then go back to his older videos for comparison. I watch his channel for the numbers and it doesn’t take long riding around in a golf cart to see the large amount of homes on the market compared three years ago. Thanks for watching.
I’ve been to a few of those wild parties in the villages, call them fish bowl parties are they call them candy bowl parties. They party out there they there’s no doubt the neighborhood I live in now the house is paid for the car is paid for motorcycles, and paid for, I have no interest in paying all those high fees that neighborhood wants. I don’t particularly care to finance somebody else’s lifestyle. Golf cart madness out there. I’ll tell you that they will run you over if you get in their way. Then you have a loofah crowd All different colors loofahs. The last fun party out there got home and I looked up all these loofah colors. All I can say is OMG.
Florida relied on retires entirely to much then went to war against education, Disney, cruise lines and so on the chickens have come to roost imo. Its a downward trend from now one Im kind of hoping it crashes because I will retire in 5 years but I do not think it will crash enough for me. Perhaps if Florida stats erosion mitigation (they wont) improves there education (they wont) Helps their farmers (they wont) Stop building now (they wont)
NOT ENOGUH ROOM TO BUILD MORE, INSURANCE, IS VERY HIGH, SOME NEED FLOOD INSURANCE, HOUSE TAXES ARE HIHG, BUT YOU GET A DOUBLE EXEMPTION IF YOU 65 OR OLDER, CONDOWS NOW GOING FOR HALF PRICE, TONS FOR SALE RIGHT NOW
You got it. I recently did a video on the Villages Market Report for the 3rd quarter and that is what it is showing. So about the same number of homes sold each year but 10 times more homes on the market. Buyers are getting a lot of choices but prices are staying up with the average home price above $400k.
It’s like most other places. One week we had a Trump golf cart parade and the next week we had a Harris parade. Just like the country divided. Just remember to vote who ever you support.
We lived there for 3 years and we left n 2020 for a few reasons. No security, no rental restrictions and just the fact that they bought a ton of land right after we closed on our house in 2017. Enough to double the size of The Villages. However, my medical condition has changed and we are now considering moving back because of that. So, we have been looking at new homes in the new area to return since we would also like to be closer to the airport at MCO and TPA for personal reasons. The prices in the new areas keep dropping which makes it easier to pay cash. Pre owned homes do not seem to be dropping as much but they also are not selling as fast as they once did. Once current Villagers looking to sell realize this is not the same market as even last year, they will have to lower their expectations of the amount of money they will get from a pre-owned home and homes will start selling quicker.
I'd be looking for an older home...one reason is I resent being forced to make a Bond pay't each month as well. So for me that'd probably be from Spanish Springs down to maybe the middle of The Villages where it's 50-50 (?) there's a Bond still due or not. The brand new sections (like in Eastport) are out, mainly due to the (for sure) Bond. I also like the homes "up North" are on slightly larger lots and not so close together, and the streets aren't as narrow. Seems the new areas are putting everything closer together and even making streets narrower. Not good. -- BR
@@living2day617 Hopefully, as with older homes likely to have their Bonds paid off, it's also possible the vinyl siding of older homes might have been replaced as well. Win-win. And roof shingles. Win-win-win. I hope. If not, I'd have to live long enough to care about those things (not likely)...even though The Plan is to live forever and it's going along nicely -- "So far, so good." Still, I have this persistent, nagging feeling I've overlooked something, miscalculated some small detail perhaps. Hmmm... ;-) -- BR
@@johnkom2339 Well, it IS possible. For one reason, The Rapture could happen first: "Then those of us who are still alive..." But really, who knows? In the meantime I'm doing some very serious (but not urgent!) research looking into what colors are available for my golf-car. Presently, Peridot Green is my favorite (being my birthstone). ;-) -- BR
Should be but I just don’t see it so far. Also new home sales are up in the second quarter as compared to last year which may be a sign things are heading back up.
Reason #6 - old geezers can't drive their golf carts around while they are drunk anymore.........without legal repercussions!!!.....just sayin'..........🥴
Everything looks the same! Not sure where you have been but Spanish Springs homes look a lot different than the Villages new areas. Have you seen the Premiere Homes sections?
![Twenty One Pilots - The Line (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XCz7WUotXs8/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video Gary. I agree with your points !
Glad you enjoyed it
Do people really wonder why? It’s a retirement community. It has an inherent turnover rate. People don’t live forever. The local Obituary writer is a busy man.
Ok captain obvious.
Florida is GOD’s waiting room.
There's people of all ages not just 55+ lol thats just a suggestion.
😂😂😂so true!
My visit was eye-opening. And mind you, I visited in 2010 ( 10 yrs before retiring) and absolutely hated it! Long lines at restaurants, crazy golf cart drivers, heavy drinking, and the never ending party atmosphere. Noise, overcrowding, and hoopla was not my idea of retirement. But not to worry, as there seems to be no shortage of folks that love it, and dole out their hard earned savings or income on rising CDD and HOA fees. LOL. More power to 'em.
After seeing some tours of new home interiors/layouts it's ridiculous at the prices. They are built with off the shelf stuff from lowes/home depot, cheapest cabinets, doors, appliances, cheap flooring. They are making a killlllling on the profit margin of building and selling the house.
Plus the lot sizes are often miniscule. Who wants their neighbors ten feet away. If you don't love golf, The Villages is not for you.
Great information! I thought of moving there a few years ago but then prices started skyrocketing. Those smaller homes are way overpriced.
Another reason that I have heard is that the insurance rates have doubled...and taxes also.as well as HOA fees And being on a fixed income makes it next to impossible to keep the home, especially if your spouse has died!!!
Just some clarification on your response with my experience taxes seem to go up at about the rate of inflation like most places, we have no HOA, insurance for me in 3 years for home owners has only gone up 15% so about 5% a year (note you must shop carriers). As far as spouse passing away be sure to purchase the appropriate size home to accommodate for that or down size the home when that happens and use the profit to off set some of the loss of income. I know this is more than you wanted but something to consider.
Thanks for passing along some great information
My pleasure.
Perhaps they are moving to Boca Del Vista to be closer to Frank, Estelle, and the Seinfeld.😂
🤣🤣🤣
Thank you so much for your videos and the information you put out. I have really enjoyed them. Please keep it up! I have at least 10 more years before I can retire, but I love the information you have been giving us.
James you have to wait 10 years. I’m sure a lot will change in the Villages in ten years as the number of homes will be twice what they are today. At their current pace that would be over 200,000 homes vs 100,000 that we have now.
This is good. I think you’re right - I think the increased values have a big impact on resales.
Great information not just for the villages but for any 55 plus communities. 🤔 Thanks
Very true!
Thank you for covering this topic! Great video.
My pleasure!
Hello Gary!! My husband and I are flying in tomorrow to look at homes!! We couldn't get a lifestyle visit so we are staying at The Waterfront Inn................can't wait to look at homes!! Thanks for all the information!
When we purchased we stayed at the Waterfront as well. It will be great as you are right there next to the town square and dining. Stay cool as it has been unusually hot this summer.
Your GOING TO LOVE IT
Beautiful area!!!
We did our own “life style “ visit twice rented a home with GC. Welcome we bought into TV 3.5 years ago no regrets.
This is the first time I’ve seen any of your videos. I agree with just about everything you said, especially your number five reason so true once you lose a spouse everything changes things that were fun as a couple suck when you’re single
Keep up the good work, buddy.
People moving from coast lines do to hurricanes so inland is a good spot where the villages are to be safe
I notice that new homes in the newer areas south of 44 are being sold at a discount by The Villages. There were no discounts being given by The Villages when I purchased my new home two years ago. How do you convince a buyer to pay more for a resale?
Check out the bonds in the new builds...could be anywhere from $20-60k (or more). Also, if you buy a resale in Sumter County, your tax bill will be approx. 30% less because you aren't paying Wildwood city tax assessment.
I do think there are some deals as some are getting a lot of home with the trade off of where they are in the Villages which is further from any town squares or recreation centers.
Interesting video, Gary - thanks for posting 👏🏻👍
I think the weather deters a lot of people, the storms, the heat. It feels good if you're from the snowbelt, but after awhile that heat wears on your nerves . I know, my company moved me to Texas and I've been here now for a number of years, and I cannot stand the heat here. I grew up in the snowbelt. I'm an outside person, and this summer here in Texas was brutal. We had record humidity, which is unusual, we've had months now without a drop of rain. I had venomous snakes in my backyard this summer, I've had raccoons eating my roof off. I'm here because I'm retired ,my husband was a disabled vet and he passed away. I would move back east in a heartbeat, but I'm not paying those ultra high prices for a roof over my head when I own my home here, so sometimes you have to weigh what's important and what's not , in your life.
Not this past week it has been like December weather in Florida as you need a jacket or sweatshirt. Now in NE they got to below freezing temps which is the reason I’m here. When it’s hot I’m at one of the pools.
Hello Gary great video and a lot of wonderful information, I don't think I will sell my dream home but you never know, please take care.
I think many don’t find their dream home but glad you did.
Thanks Gary! So many things I had not thought about.
Glad you enjoyed it.
The overhead to live there is ridiculous.
We have no mortgage with my 1780 sq ft new home on 5 acres in a lush firr forest.
Tax and insurance,full replacment policy is 2, 230 dollars a year. My highest electric bill is 150 a month.
Its my only utility. Well, septic.wood stove. Split system.
My vehicle registatuon is 63 dollars a year.
We only use our SSI payout now, which we only need 23 % for all house hold expenditures.
We don't need our 401 yet. Our emergency fund is way over 40,000. No I don't need to invest it. Our home is worth way way over 500,000. I won't say.
I'll save some for my 5 children.
It's not what you make. Its the dept you have in retirment spending.
This works for us. We dont like people we like the wilderness.
I have a shooting range, and can run a chain saw at 4:00AM.
FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!
Sounds like you have a great home and low expenses in retirement. I think you understand the Villages does bring a lot of pleasure to many who live here which just doesn’t exist outside of the bubble. Thanks for watching.
People are “TRYING” to get out before it hits the fan !!
I agree! That's why they keep lowering their asking price!
What hits the fan?
@@nf2885 “ IT “
@@4DMRD explain
@@nf2885 explain what ??
You forgot about the person dies, and no one in the family wants to live in the villages, so they sell for the money.
Exactly
I hate moving. I’d prefer to get it right the first time. As a young adult I could move and unpack in one day and it wouldn’t even look like I had moved. My husband hated the chaos of moving. He never packed, lifted a box nor unpacked a box. In fact, I did it all. I was very good at it. He simply disappeared. If my cousins were helping, one would say, “listen to Cynthia. She knows what she’s doing”. It’ll be quick”. I did. It was.I haven’t moved for 34 years and am dreading it.
Great video and great information as always. I noticed you have some upside down pineapples on your shirt Gary, are you hanging a loofa from your car and cart too? You’re going to start some rumors about TV. 😂😂
That’s funny. I think in my three years in the Villages I have seen one loofa on a car. My video on loofa’s is still one of my top 10 most viewed. Thanks for continuing to watch my videos.
thanks for the intelligent video very informative stay safe alk in Michigan
How about that are charging way to much for what you get. 1800 sq ft on a postage stamp size lot and they are asking 400,000 is ridiculous.
SUPPY AND DEMAND CONTROLS ALL PRICES,
Villages a big isolated place wherr neighbors don't talk or come out only come together in the squares at nite and cant wait to rush out when the bars close
Great show!!!
Sellers are still swinging for the fence and believe the hype still exists, that's why so many homes are on zillow for over 45 days. Realistic pricing will help
The crazy thing is I think sellers are still getting unbelievable money even after waiting on the market 45 days.
I passed in it based on where it was and the bond fees. I bought in lmdb & it’s very similar. I’ve heard many go sour with the travel from wherever. Others move around. I moved once. Market is definitely struggling but insurance isn’t bad on this side she no ccd bond fees. Is a fantastic place
Thanks for sharing and watching my video.
My wife and I are in our 70’s and discover more every year that we don’t like people near us. I don’t mean we’re antisocial, we just like living on our 85 acre homesite with no neighbors noise, no unsightly trailers, congested cars, boats etc. I do see some value in the Villages. The homes are mostly small with tiny cramped yards which would make them inexpensive to maintain, I guess. We have friends who live there and it’s nice to visit but we love it when we leave. It just depends on your lifestyle.
I agree it is not for everyone.
YES, SMALL LOTS, BUT YOUR HOA PAYS TO MOW THEM, SMALL SCREEN ROOM IN BACK OF HOUSE, BIGGER HOUSES MAY HAVE POOLS, BUT AGAIN YOUR HIGH HOA FEES PAY FOR THE MANY PUBLIC POOLS IN THE AREA
What about property insurance rates?
Here is what I learned. It will be reasonable when buying a new home and after a couple of years you will need to shop around. I have saved hundreds by shopping.
@@GaryAbbott how much does it go up annually? Do you also need wind and water policies?
Bought 6 Homes for $234,999 3 years ago each, Sold them for $475,960 on average each, And made $300,000 in Rental, Thats $1.7 million profit… Im retiring next December and going to live in Portugal, Where i have bought a Villa for £96,000 euros . Just 800 feet from a fabulous beach, 😊
Sounds like a plan. Wish you all the best.
Grifter 😢😢😢
I love your shirt!
Ex. video, very informative and sad at the same time. It is always sad when reality sets in. Getting old is tough.
It sure is
Very good article. Thanks.
Glad you liked it!
Hi Gary - Donna Gamache here. I stumbled across your channel and was so happy to see what you are doing. I retired 2 years ago - are you doing both or are you retired? BTW, we have a place in Vero Beach. So fascinating to learn of the real estate market across the state of Florida! So good to see you!
Nice hearing from you Donna. I retired at the end of May but continued on during a transition period which just so happen to end this week. My wife and I are caretakers for her mom and so we continue to travel between NH and Florida. I have enjoyed making RUclips videos over the last couple of years as I have a couple of different RUclips channels. I have found the Villages very enjoyable riding around in my golf cart.
It sounds perfectly delightful. Your hands are full as caregivers. Hats off to you and your wife on that 🙏
Retiring soon I'm going to move to North Korea, peace and quiet.
My buddy just sold his very very nice home in lake land florida listed 1.3 mil sold 995K he took a 300k haircut was it worth 1.3 ye it was.
The thousands of homes they're building and are still not sold add to the number.
Good information
My parents were a mailman and nurse by trade. Worked 6-7 days a week for years and only 2-3 vacations for the past 25 years. They were smart with saving and living below their means. They are 2
Of the most frugal people to walk the earth and don’t drink or “party”. Guess what? I suggested they do a lifestyle visit bc they were miserable in NJ with covid and the cold weather. OH and really do not like being close to neighbors. They visited and loved it. Found a 3B/3B home this year for a great price with a standard distance to their neighbors. They dont want tons of propertt to
Maintain so that is the tradeoff. To each their own and i am always amazed
At the negative responses on channels about TV. Why are you watching ANYTHING about TV if you already know you hate the idea? I am 51
And i am ready to
Live there myself. 😮
The Villages just has so many positives and once someone visits they finally understand.
Who can afford to give up a 2.75% mortgage for a new 6.75% interest rate. Thankfully we paid off our house in 2012 at the age of 47.
Depends how much you can make as you might not need a new mortgage. I had one person explain how they turned owning multiple homes purchased a few years ago into $1.7 million in profit.
My home isnt in the villages but will be on the market as a direct result of the villages. I built my home near Coleman in 1979 . I didn't sign up for all these homes and all these rude northerners .
Mark I get it, as the Villages grow south of the Turnpike that entire area is going to change.
Time to move. The neighborhood changed but blame it on just the Northerners is ridiculous.
No quality and shoody materials .Black roofs,laminated counter tops ,over priced building materials ,to many fees!
Broken windows near a golf course are definitely a thing; not a deal breaker necessarily but your life is in the hands of a bad golfer’s slice…
Put in resistant glass. Helps
Great video - Thanks! I'm planning on moving there in less than two years. I've heard that the power lines are underneath the ground. If so, why are there big power towers there? Also, do you have access to fiber internet throughout the entire city? I'll be looking more up north by Lake Sumter. Thanks for you all the information you share.
I'm in the north, look into sumter county, cheaper property taxes. Also try and get a home with the bond paid.
Distribution lines are underground. Transmission lines are high Voltage and need to be overhead.
The big power lines are always above ground.
LOCAL HOUSE POWER IS UNDERGROUND, BUT THE HIGH P OWER LINES ARE 7000 VOLTS OR MORE AND MUST BE UP HIGH IN THE AIR ON TOWERS FOR FREE AIR FLOW THAT COOLS THE LINES
@@domcizek you're screaming.
Love your shirt. Who makes it?
The answer for this will have to wait until I get back to the Villages in a couple of weeks.
The shirt is a Havana Jim. Really comfortable.
@@GaryAbbott Thanks for the reply!
IMO, many investors just bought to flip, the flipping has started. Be patient, list what you want in a home , don’t be afraid to buy in the north section.
What is it like in the north section?
@@stonecrestquilt prices are starting to come down, we like it in the north GC ride to Lowe’s, Walmart, many other big box stores. Also an easy ride to Sumter and Brownwood IMO. Homes up north may be more per sqft but all the upgrades to lawn and drives are done.
@@Harold-u8c and bonds paid also
good show
Thank you for sharing.
I remember back when the villages first started. They were worried about whether or not they sell and look at them now. One thing if you do move out there, don’t forget to get your new pineapples and your pink flamingos and you have to have a certain color loofah on your car. I did look at a neighborhood up in Jacksonville, which is positioning themselves to compete against the villages. This neighborhood is already bought land all the way to the Georgia border. But in talking to the agents I am looking at the fees I can’t do 6000 year for HOA. The only way I would do that is if I had the biggest house on Lake Butler in the snobbiest neighborhood, of course Windemere. That’s the only way I would pay that much you’re an HOA.
Glad we don't have a HOA. I think that is why the Villages development corp has had such a success is home owners don't get to screw it up.
Cost people tapped out
HI Gary did you say your wife wants to move and if so? where to? and for what reason? thanks Gary!
We continue to see some fabulous homes in the Villages and everyone can dream. One of the great things about the Villages homes appear to never lose their value here, so swapping or upgrading homes is common. We don’t have a good reason at this point but you never know.
Yes...still true tha there's no place like home! I am not a fan of The Villages at all!
Just want to be clear that for me The Villages is home. As I was discussing changing homes in the Villages.
While all valid, many of the reasons given are true at any time. Unique to this market are cashing in on the large near term equity gains. Maybe insurance fears of those new to FL. FL has had a lot of bad press recently.
Frank, did you see one of the comments under this section that he made $1.7 million in three years by purchasing multiple homes, renting then selling them. He definitely got the timing perfect.
@@GaryAbbott Yes, and another fellow in 2008 did the same thing and went bankrupt…. A dangerous game for an older investor who may not have enough time to ride out a down market. I had a home in DC that was flat for 10 years! Then in the next 10 it shot up 4x. Mostly due to Fed driving interest rates to zero. Next 10 years????
Great video!
Thanks!
As a follow up video... Why are they not selling fast enough compared to 2020-2022??? I will be waiting for the video.
I just watched RUclipsr “David is in the Villages” who does the stats from MLS. I went back to his video of May 2022 and it seemed to confirm what I thought. The homes sales per week are not necessarily changed. He had homes going pending each week between 34 to 49 over a four week period. Currently he is reporting about 40 per week which to me means the pace of sales is the same, but the number new listing is out pacing the demand. This is why homes take longer as the sales have flatten over the three years and the number of buyers each week are staying about the same. In 2020 not enough homes were available in the preowned and new homes sales benefited. The Villages quarterly sales report will be out soon. It will be interesting to compare that info.
INTEREST RATS ARE WAY TO HIGH, WHICH DOUBLE YOUR MORTAGE PAYMENT
Beside the cost of living going up and living on a fixed income does not coincide!
The villages have gotten too busy and too crowded.... It started out as a retirement community a slow pace of life to go when you're retired now it's more like the jet setters😂
I would think that seniors, like me, with several hundred thousand in equity, could easily sell and almost fully fund a home in The Villages. My current home is almost completely paid for, and I love to golf. What's not to like? Problem is that I am almost 68, and I have a massive library to move. Wouldn't be easy.
Only the highest end houses in the villages have space for a library.
ENJOY LIFE WHILE YOU CAN, FREE GOLF,
Realy though? The reflectors in the road on the yellow line are a noise concern for you😅? It's a safety device for visual reference and in the event someone's wandering out of there lane, sooooo If your hearing the annoying thumping of tire meets reflector, it's a testament to how many of your peers can't keep a lane.
Are the Villages still the penultimate Baby-boomer retirement area?
Yes it is.
I am planning to move to The Villages in early 2025 in Eastport (Veranda Home/ Eaton or Monroe). It seems to me as of today that the new construction homes are selling for less than 2-5 year old homes. What have you noticed from your observations? I only have the MLS and VLS to draw my conclusion.
My observation is new homes cost more than 2-5 years ago in the Villages and bonds on the homes are higher. But they are much lower than what a home goes for in NJ, NY, or New England. :)
@@GaryAbbott you can add PA to that list. Especially Bucks and Montgomery counties. The prices here are ridiculous. I blame the realtors. How high do they think people can go with purchases? It’s become unrealistic.
I just bought a new home in Dabney 2 months ago. Yes it was cheaper than resale but if you don’t know you will be doing some expensive upgrades. Painting is 3k, closet organizers 3k, landscaping 3k, etc.
@@Livefreeordi I'm looking at homes in Dabney tomorrow, I love the Charlotte model, but the ones left for sale hwy 470 is right behind the wall, so I'm looking there first to check out the noise factor, then Monday looking a homes in Moultrie Creek and Shady Brook.
Keep in mind 470 will be widen to 4 lanes in the next couple of years.
A lot of people not active or friendly in their old age!
I couldnt afford the HOA fees
Aren’t they all just like 170 bucks a month?
There are no HOA fees, there is a monthly amenity fee most pay $189/month and an annual special maintenance fee baked into your property taxes.
BUT FREE GOLF
Cremation and life insurance companies
Paying for a parent's or spouses assisted living could be another reason. Total care for an Alzheimer patient is 8k and up, with many places demanding a 250k deposit before they will even talk about accepting someone.
One couple in The Villages strikes me as being extremely close and I worry should something happen to one of them. They are still comparatively young so it’s not likely any time soon. I worry more so about him. She’s very sweet, but very strong.
The SINK HOLES!!
I know the Villages has over 100,000 homes and I haven’t seen one in three years have a problem since 2021. You bet I will make a video if I see one. Now I’m not counting roadways where it’s a combination of drainage and infrastructure that they seem to be able to repair. I do know it has happen in the past but not enough of a concern to stop sales.
So how many homes ARE on the market in the villages? What is your source of #'s? How does current inventory # compare to 1 yr ago? 5 yrs ago? What does the term "so many" mean? What are you comparing to?
All valid real estate market questions. YOU are assuming we know these answers from the beginning? Please backup your assumption at the outset before answering a question. Is there actually so many homes for sale in the villages? We want some facts please. Not just opinions. Thank you.
Take a look at RUclipsr “David is in Florida” channel who quotes weekly on the real estate MLS numbers. You can then go back to his older videos for comparison. I watch his channel for the numbers and it doesn’t take long riding around in a golf cart to see the large amount of homes on the market compared three years ago. Thanks for watching.
I’ve been to a few of those wild parties in the villages, call them fish bowl parties are they call them candy bowl parties. They party out there they there’s no doubt the neighborhood I live in now the house is paid for the car is paid for motorcycles, and paid for, I have no interest in paying all those high fees that neighborhood wants. I don’t particularly care to finance somebody else’s lifestyle. Golf cart madness out there. I’ll tell you that they will run you over if you get in their way. Then you have a loofah crowd All different colors loofahs. The last fun party out there got home and I looked up all these loofah colors. All I can say is OMG.
Not going to make anywhere close to what they think they are going to make on the "flip"
Florida relied on retires entirely to much then went to war against education, Disney, cruise lines and so on the chickens have come to roost imo. Its a downward trend from now one Im kind of hoping it crashes because I will retire in 5 years but I do not think it will crash enough for me. Perhaps if Florida stats erosion mitigation (they wont) improves there education (they wont) Helps their farmers (they wont) Stop building now (they wont)
Lefty alert. Lol.
@@GUITARTIME2024 I would think im a righty putting stuff down all the time no???
NOT ENOGUH ROOM TO BUILD MORE, INSURANCE, IS VERY HIGH, SOME NEED FLOOD INSURANCE, HOUSE TAXES ARE HIHG, BUT YOU GET A DOUBLE EXEMPTION IF YOU 65 OR OLDER, CONDOWS NOW GOING FOR HALF PRICE, TONS FOR SALE RIGHT NOW
What’s your point here? Homes are selling on average every 90 days and at 400k. And it’s not slowing
You got it. I recently did a video on the Villages Market Report for the 3rd quarter and that is what it is showing. So about the same number of homes sold each year but 10 times more homes on the market. Buyers are getting a lot of choices but prices are staying up with the average home price above $400k.
@ I just put my house on the market in Sumpter. 378900.
You forgot about the politics. The villages have a stigma now.
It’s like most other places. One week we had a Trump golf cart parade and the next week we had a Harris parade. Just like the country divided. Just remember to vote who ever you support.
YES, A LOT OF MAGA PEOPLE THAN LIKE TO SCRATCH CARS WITH ANY DEMOCRATIC STICKER ON IT, WELL DOCUMENTED
WELL, PEOPLE GET OLD AND DIE, FLORIDA IS GODS WAITING ROOM, ALSO THEY WANT NEW EXPERIANCES, IN LIFE SINCE IT IS GETTING SHORTER AND SHORTER,
Mostly the same reasons people anywhere move.
People die and their kids don’t want it .
We lived there for 3 years and we left n 2020 for a few reasons. No security, no rental restrictions and just the fact that they bought a ton of land right after we closed on our house in 2017. Enough to double the size of The Villages. However, my medical condition has changed and we are now considering moving back because of that. So, we have been looking at new homes in the new area to return since we would also like to be closer to the airport at MCO and TPA for personal reasons. The prices in the new areas keep dropping which makes it easier to pay cash. Pre owned homes do not seem to be dropping as much but they also are not selling as fast as they once did. Once current Villagers looking to sell realize this is not the same market as even last year, they will have to lower their expectations of the amount of money they will get from a pre-owned home and homes will start selling quicker.
I'd be looking for an older home...one reason is I resent being forced to make a Bond pay't each month as well. So for me that'd probably be from Spanish Springs down to maybe the middle of The Villages where it's 50-50 (?) there's a Bond still due or not. The brand new sections (like in Eastport) are out, mainly due to the (for sure) Bond.
I also like the homes "up North" are on slightly larger lots and not so close together, and the streets aren't as narrow. Seems the new areas are putting everything closer together and even making streets narrower. Not good.
-- BR
@@living2day617 Hopefully, as with older homes likely to have their Bonds paid off, it's also possible the vinyl siding of older homes might have been replaced as well. Win-win. And roof shingles. Win-win-win. I hope.
If not, I'd have to live long enough to care about those things (not likely)...even though The Plan is to live forever and it's going along nicely -- "So far, so good."
Still, I have this persistent, nagging feeling I've overlooked something, miscalculated some small detail perhaps. Hmmm... ;-)
-- BR
@@billredding2000 Aren't all baby boomers going to live forever? No, I guess not.
@@johnkom2339 Well, it IS possible. For one reason, The Rapture could happen first: "Then those of us who are still alive..."
But really, who knows?
In the meantime I'm doing some very serious (but not urgent!) research looking into what colors are available for my golf-car. Presently, Peridot Green is my favorite (being my birthstone). ;-)
-- BR
@@johnkom2339 1964 is the end year for boomers. My children are in their 40’s and want no part of that lifestyle.
Don't anyone sell to Sarasota Tim Baker...he will ruin your community in the blink of an eye.
The prices of homes in Florida should be dropping like flies.
Should be but I just don’t see it so far. Also new home sales are up in the second quarter as compared to last year which may be a sign things are heading back up.
Florida is seasonal, 6 months tops.
Too far from an airport 😮
HOA'S, HOME INSURANCE, PROPERTY TAXES, 40,000 a year Florida is sinking.
Reason #6 - old geezers can't drive their golf carts around while they are drunk anymore.........without legal repercussions!!!.....just sayin'..........🥴
Overbuilt and everything looks the same
Everything looks the same! Not sure where you have been but Spanish Springs homes look a lot different than the Villages new areas. Have you seen the Premiere Homes sections?
It’s full of Trumpers.
Not to get into politics but doesn’t that all go away in November? 😉
@@GaryAbbott People infected with ideology are screwed up.
If it's Trumpers I'm all in.
Ok comrad
That's a pro for me!
Some people don't want to live in Trump World and move out.
Not to get into politics but doesn’t that all go away in November? 😉
Cool. Go live in Kamala Land.
@@GUITARTIME2024 News reports show strong support for Kamala in the Villages. 😁
@@Gemini-kl1wn dementia is rough
@@GUITARTIME2024 Sorry to hear you're not well.
What about homeowners insurance?
After this week it will be interesting how many insurance companies continue in Florida.