[jk928]

My husband and I want to visit the Street of Dreams and look at the houses on our own. I see you can schedule a visit by using the trolley. Are we able to drive ourselves in our golf cart and walk around or must we use the trolley to drive us there first?

[ltcdfancher]

Hi,

I’m guessing that the number of parking lots near the Street of Dreams is to encourage on-your-own visits. Do keep in mind that all the models are locked. If you want to get a sense of the space, then you will have to engage with one of the agents. In my experience, they are all more than happy to take you through a few homes.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by ltcdfancher

Hi,

I’m guessing that the number of parking lots near the Street of Dreams is to encourage on-your-own visits. Do keep in mind that all the models are locked. If you want to get a sense of the space, then you will have to engage with one of the agents. In my experience, they are all more than happy to take you through a few homes.

I agree with you.

A few months ago, my niece and her husband came to TV to look at assisted living places. They didn't like what they saw, so we took them to Sawgrass (which we detest) and took a nice ride on the trolley tour. They showed us the Street of Dreams, so after the tour was over we drove there and looked at the homes.

The realtor was very nice and mentioned he knew of some resales, so he showed them to our guests. A resale in Pine Ridge was very nice and the price was reasonable, so they chose to buy it. They will move here in June, and we are very happy because we like them very much.

[jk928]

It says to go at your own pace, so I thought they would be unlocked…

Model Home Center: Explore Designer & Premier Homes

[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by jk928

It says to go at your own pace, so I thought they would be unlocked…

Model Home Center: Explore Designer & Premier Homes

LOL, that means they let you off the trolly and you walk up and down the street viewing the homes at your own pace without a realtor by your side. There is a VLS agent inside each model home to ask questions as you go at your own pace. Yes, you can get there by golf cart and there is parking but I do not know if you have to take the trolly. We went by golf cart but we had an invitation from a VLS agent to go sans trolly. You might call to inquire about their preferences.

[Jolson]

Originally Posted by jk928

My husband and I want to visit the Street of Dreams and look at the houses on our own. I see you can schedule a visit by using the trolley. Are we able to drive ourselves in our golf cart and walk around or must we use the trolley to drive us there first?

Look at the trolley schedule to see what days you wouldy be able to use the trolley. But then just drive your golf cart there. Anyone can walk around those days. There are 22 models open on trolley days. Note that they block off streets where houses are occupied so be aware. We live here so this is how I know.

[CybrSage]

About 3 years ago when I went and looked at the street of dreams and it's old location, the first model had an agent in it and all the others were unlocked.
I have no idea what they're doing with these new ones.
If you're willing to risk it, just go over there on a golf cart and see if it's the same with this location. If I'm willing to risk it, call a realtor and ask to have them opened for you.

[AKKlein]

I was told by our agent that some homes are unlocked Monday-Friday, but all are locked and require check in and agent to tag- a-long on Saturday-Sunday.

[Lisanp@aol.com]

I would go on a scheduled tour just to be certain that the homes are open the day that you go. The Villages has asked you to take the trolley so the local residents who live there aren't inundated by lookers, so I would respect that request to minimize the disruption to the local Villagers who live adjacent to Street of Dreams. The trolley runs continuous and leaves once full so you don't need to worry if you are a few minutes early/late, and you board the next one back whenever you are done. It was a quick and enjoyable narrated ride to and from.

[Fltpkr]

Unless it has changed, the Trolley only goes to the newer areas and is not a full Villages tour. My suggestion is take the trolley and also plan to check the Villages out independently in your car and with a cart. Remember, the gates are not security gates, and only look like it. Pull up to the gate and push the button to raise the gate. Take your time and explore so you can see how large and varied the Villages is, what is offered and how far you will need to travel for the what you want. Be adventuresome and don't be afraid of getting lost - we found that Waze Navigation is a good app for the Villages.

[TalkTalk]

I went two different days last fall to the old Street of Dreams, the first being a weekday, the second I can't recall. Homes were locked. The first time I went, I waited for an agent to come walking up showing someone else one of the houses so I could inquire about protocol.

They told me I wasn't allowed to just go walking around looking. I had to have an agent. They said to go to the sales office on the street (in one of the Street of Dreams homes) and someone there would be happy to show me around.

I was greeted when I walked into the sales office home, and they also told me that I could not go walking around without a realtor, but they didn't have any agents available to show me around. They offered to give me agent information to make an appointment. (There were about 5 sets of different realtors with clients in that showroom, discussing homes and pricing and whatnot. It was very busy.)

It was a big turn-off to not be able to just walk through the homes and see a bunch of them without bogging down a sales agent and wasting their time and mine. I wanted to be able to walk in and walk right back out if it didn't fit, maybe linger a little longer if something looked good and I was serious about that model, etc.

I didn't want to chitchat at that point. Just wanted to quickly see the homes. I figured I could contact a sales agent later if I wanted more info or tours of other homes of models I liked.

So disappointing to not be able to see them after I'd heard all about this amazing Street of Dreams.

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by TalkTalk

I went two different days last fall to the old Street of Dreams, the first being a weekday, the second I can't recall. Homes were locked. The first time I went, I waited for an agent to come walking up showing someone else one of the houses so I could inquire about protocol.

They told me I wasn't allowed to just go walking around looking. I had to have an agent. They said to go to the sales office on the street (in one of the Street of Dreams homes) and someone there would be happy to show me around.

I was greeted when I walked into the sales office home, and they also told me that I could not go walking around without a realtor, but they didn't have any agents available to show me around. They offered to give me agent information to make an appointment. (There were about 5 sets of different realtors with clients in that showroom, discussing homes and pricing and whatnot. It was very busy.)

It was a big turn-off to not be able to just walk through the homes and see a bunch of them without bogging down a sales agent and wasting their time and mine. I wanted to be able to walk in and walk right back out if it didn't fit, maybe linger a little longer if something looked good and I was serious about that model, etc.

I didn't want to chitchat at that point. Just wanted to quickly see the homes. I figured I could contact a sales agent later if I wanted more info or tours of other homes of models I liked.

So disappointing to not be able to see them after I'd heard all about this amazing Street of Dreams.

One doesn’t have to engage with any VLS agent. You can walk into any house listed on the map.

Have done this several times

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by TalkTalk

They told me I wasn't allowed to just go walking around looking.

We would have told them that we were going to walk around and look at the model homes from the outside. If they didn't like it, they could call the police.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by VApeople

We would have told them that we were going to walk around and look at the model homes from the outside. If they didn't like it, they could call the police.

They don't want unescorted folks going into the house, and there are valid reasons for that.
They don't mind folks looking at the outside. We did that a few days ago and then went to Sawgrass Grove (which we love).

[betsyboo]

Originally Posted by jk928

My husband and I want to visit the Street of Dreams and look at the houses on our own. I see you can schedule a visit by using the trolley. Are we able to drive ourselves in our golf cart and walk around or must we use the trolley to drive us there first?

No, they do not offer that. Thursday is the last day to do the trolley tours and it's over at 12:30pm. However, I would be happy to show you some homes there.

Betsy Moquin
Phone 825-9290