We thought that we might take a minute to clear up some misconceptions. If you live in The Villages and bought a new home from The Villages Realty, you do not have to sell through that company!

Let’s see what is true regarding listing with a Realtor® MLS or with The Villages VLS.

TRUE:

• MLS listings are seen by buyers all over the world. Many buy sight unseen because of the good and accurate photos in the MLS.

• Because many brokerages are International Brokerages, the exposure for a resale is much greater on the MLS than the in-house VLS.

• MLS Realtors® have almost the same percentage of resales in The Villages as the VLS and larger in surrounding areas.

• Agents on the MLS are all Realtors®, which means that they are required to follow the Code of Ethics which mandates a high level of performance, truth, and honesty dealing with all parts of the transaction. Members of the VLS are real estate agents and held to the same standard of business.

• Realtors® are not able to sell new construction of properties built by the Developer of the Villages. Only real estate salespersons with The Villages Realty can do that but most Realtors will refer their customers to a ‘Villages real estate agent’ if that is the property that the buyer is interested in. Our job is to help you find that perfect home whether we can help you buy it or refer it out to a competent Villages’ agent.

• In the Villages, a new buyer cannot sell their house in the first year. If they want to sell their property, then it must be done through the developer and any and all profits go back to the developer.

• Realtors® are trained in all aspects of selling and buying in The Villages, including understanding the Bond, The annual maintenance, the taxes, and the monthly activity assessment fee.

• Realtors® are not on a production quota.

FALSE:

• You need to use a Villages’ salesperson to sell your home.

CONCLUSION

Use only a Professional REALTOR when you are thinking of buyer or selling in The Greater Villages area or across the globe.