[Mallory Square]

Originally Posted by Cheryl Barrios

I am looking for a home in TV. I am downsizing and would like a smaller home so I have mostly looked at villas. I was told by an agent the other day that villas are very frequently bought to lease/rent and as a result those who live in those communities year-round struggle with the frequent new faces and the issues that come with renters - even though it was clarified at the renters are over 55 and are not typical families. I was also told that no more than 25% in the smaller villas can be leased out. It was recommended that I look at a cottage instead. Do any of you live in villas? Is it "difficult" in any way to live there because people in the villas near you are transient? I will be living by myself, but I suspect that my family will want to visit me more there because it's TV in Florida instead of Kansas City. Any home-buying suggestions are welcome also.

I own and I am selling a Colony Villa. Please respond if you are interested.

[CALiz]

My husband and I downsized in 2020 moving to TheVillages Monarch Grove courtyard villa. Our Glenda Villas neighborhood is all new with everyone moving in this past year (we moved in Sept 2020). So maybe some seasonal, but most are to be year round residents. Being a new neighborhood everyone is new, and wanting to connect with each other. With a pandemic things have been "stand back" but overall finding everyone is friendly, respectful and supportive of each other. Our 3 bedroom villa is very comfortable. The lanai is small, but we are OK with that. When looking at houses, just beware of turnpike road noise and yellow street lights that may shine into your windows and yard at night. Hope this answers some of your questions.

[sharonl7340]

We love our patio villa. But a few things to consider is buying on an end lot where overflow parking is located; situation of the house (east, West, North, South facing); is the lanai just a screened in front porch or is it a room off to the side. Be discerning about its location.

Also we are full-time and most of the ones around us are owned by snowbirds or are leased. That means that most of the year we are the only ones here on our street but it also means we have plenty to choose from to rent for our kids when they visit.

[Lauranne]

I moved to a courtyard villa (from KC MO) in August. I love my neighbors. We're close knit like family, socializing often. There was only one rental house on my street but it is now sold. I don't agree with your agent. I downsized to a smaller home and it's wonderful. It's a 3 bedroom courtyard villa with lanai in back so there's plenty of room for kids to visit.

[JodyBraga]

I’ve had a ranch home, a designer home, a patio villa (rental) and I now live in a CY villa. My favorite home here by far. It’s an older established neighborhood and not many rentals or snowbirds at all.

[llaran]

are you only looking at New homes, you have to look with a Realtor to see others. do you know about the Bond , look at. sq ft. laundry in house or garage The new areas have their own problems, turnpike, prison noise, quarry blasting, flood plain,

[msilagy]

I would say that realtor is strictly giving you his opinion. I own 2 villas, rent one and live in one. I would say he is giving you a generalization, not a real fact. If you like villas, look at resales, and even take it a step further by speaking with neighbors to get their opinions in that area. Good luck!

[ronfaye33]

We live in a patio villa and like it. I believe we may have five or six rentals in our neighborhood but, it has not been a problem. It’s a good home for us.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by GRACEALLEMAN

We have been looking and saw the villas and walked around in them but they're pretty cheaply made, and if you want to smell smoke of your neighbor if they smoke cigarettes you can't change that, and if you want to hear dogs barking, yapping dogs, barking then live in the villas, because you're that close, and there's nothing that you can do about it. You're basically within several feet of your next door neighbor and whatever they decide to do, smoke cigarettes, talk on the phone loudly, whatever you have you are stuck and it's in prison kind of....

they are NOT cheaply made. when the home was looked over by jeff asbach, his exact words were 'superior construction.' we lived here when no one else did. we watched them build & in no way are they cheap. we have full time neighbors & i even though most of us smoke, i cannot smell theirs. if this is a 'prison', it's the best, lol

[jbrown132]

Originally Posted by Cheryl Barrios

I am looking for a home in TV. I am downsizing and would like a smaller home so I have mostly looked at villas. I was told by an agent the other day that villas are very frequently bought to lease/rent and as a result those who live in those communities year-round struggle with the frequent new faces and the issues that come with renters - even though it was clarified at the renters are over 55 and are not typical families. I was also told that no more than 25% in the smaller villas can be leased out. It was recommended that I look at a cottage instead. Do any of you live in villas? Is it "difficult" in any way to live there because people in the villas near you are transient? I will be living by myself, but I suspect that my family will want to visit me more there because it's TV in Florida instead of Kansas City. Any home-buying suggestions are welcome also.

Lived in a CYV for the first 5 years we lived in TV. Never had a problem, a few of the people were snow birds and a great majority were year round residents. Bought a designer home and there are times I wish we were back in our CYV. Less maintenance, less cost and easier to keep up. I would not be afraid to buy one. If you have an idea as to which villa’s your looking at, take a drive through and talk to some of the neighbors. There are usually a few out doing something.

[kimgarwel12@gmail.com]

We also bought a patio villa. It afforded us the room we needed (3/2) plus a 2-car garage and a golf cart garage (both a must for my husband). We have both snowbird and full-time neighbors around us and couldn't be happier!! Yes, we're close to the neighbors, but as in all things, that dog barking, neighbors talking, etc., becomes "white noise" after a time and doesn't bother us. Most of the snowbird renters rent the same property every year, so when they do come back, they already know the neighbors and have friends. The only recommendation I would have with the patio villa is to make sure you get one with a screened patio/lanai to begin with as there are easement issues that prevent you from screening after the purchase. This wasn't disclosed to us when we bought our home and upon getting estimates to screen the patio now, we've found we can't because of the easement. Not a big deal necessarily and will save us a boatload of money in the long run, but it would have been nice to get it screened. We see many PVs with screened patios that were built that way to begin with, so I'm not sure how they skirted the easement issue. Maybe if TVs is doing it, it's okay. Whatever, we LOVE our home and our neighborhood, the low maintenance and the new friends we've made!! Good luck in your search!!

[dlebuis]

We live in a CV and love it. We do have some renters but we include them in our gatherings and it’s nice to get to know new people. I would not let that be a reason for not buying one.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by banjobob

I think your agent was looking to upgrade his sales commission moving you into a more expensive home. Rentals are all over The Villages.My granddaughter rented a huge designer model with huge pool and birdcage for a week.

Moving to a cottage is by no means moving to a more expensive home. Courtyard Villas have a much higher end price than the cottage homes as do some of the patio villas.

[gwenhwalker@yahoo.com]

Originally Posted by Cheryl Barrios

I am looking for a home in TV. I am downsizing and would like a smaller home so I have mostly looked at villas. I was told by an agent the other day that villas are very frequently bought to lease/rent and as a result those who live in those communities year-round struggle with the frequent new faces and the issues that come with renters - even though it was clarified at the renters are over 55 and are not typical families. I was also told that no more than 25% in the smaller villas can be leased out. It was recommended that I look at a cottage instead. Do any of you live in villas? Is it "difficult" in any way to live there because people in the villas near you are transient? I will be living by myself, but I suspect that my family will want to visit me more there because it's TV in Florida instead of Kansas City. Any home-buying suggestions are welcome also.

I live in a patio villa in St James. Downsized from designer home in village of Hillsborough. I live alone and maybe we have 2 or 3 rentals. Majority are single female and we look out for each other. Best move for me. Didn't use all the space before and have plenty now. Each villa neighborhood is different. We have one for sale (not Villages salesperson) now due to a death. Fairhope Villas.

[dtennent]

Please take stock of your storage needs. Since there are no basements and any attic storage is very hot, you will find having a little extra space for storage is very helpful. Good Luck and welcome to The Villages!