Dick Betts on LinkedIn: There are over 100 miles of golf cart paths in The Villages, Florida. It… (2024)

Fall and Winter, its Time for Parties and FestivalsCongratulations, you just made it through the toughest part of being a fulltime Floridian!The month of September you feel the change and looking at the 15-day forecast we are talking highs in the mid to upper 80’s and evening in the mid to upper 70’s.Humidity is dropping and it’s time for parties and festivals.My goal is to keep you informed on fun events in and around The Villages Florida and I have 5 events planned for you.Michelle and I host 3 parties and our social club host 2 that I am going to invite you to attend, this kicks off in October.First our Rio-One Social Club which is very active has two events open to all.On Monday, October 14th from 4:00 until 7:00 we have our annual Oktoberfest which is always well attended. For $12 you get Brats, Rolls, Sauerkraut, German Potato Salad and all the Condiments with Cake for dessert, Keg of beer, Red and White Wine is included.Plenty of music and entertainment and the “Oktoberfest March” around the cul-de-sac on Catalina Court.Feel free to dress for the occasion as many do and bring your chairs.If interested in attending let me know and we will figure out how to get the money to me, invite your friends.Next on the Calendar is our annual Halloween Party on October 30th, details tomorrow! Dick Betts, REALTOR®The Betts TeamTouchstone Real EstateThe Villages, Florida717-860-3107 cellDick@DickBetts.com#realestate #realtor #thevillagesflorida #homesincentralfl #thebettsteam #dickbettsrealtor #dickbetts #thevillages

Avoid Buyer’s Remorse, PLEASEIt’s Labor Day and for many of you it has been 45+ years of working hard for your money and like many Labor Days it was the final long summer weekend (does not apply to Florida)!During those 45+ years you saved, bought a few homes along the way sold a few and now considering The Villages, Florida.As a Realtor my biggest fear is selling a home that the buyers end up with Buyer’s Remorse.I want the buyers to be absolutely 100% sure of their decision if not let’s walk away! Buyer's remorse is a common feeling for new homeowners, especially first-time buyers.It can be caused by several factors, including: Cost:Buyers may feel regret about spending too much money on the home, including closing costs, inspections, and future repairs. Maintenance:Buyers may be surprised by the cost and time required to maintain the property. Neighborhood:Buyers may regret buying in the wrong neighborhood or question their decision to move there. Interest rates:Buyers may regret accepting a high interest rate. Fixer-uppers:Buyers may regret buying a fixer-upper and the cost of repairs. This Labor Day if you are where you want to be, great, if you are thinking about buying home don’t let anybody pressure you or use the line “we expect an offer later today” which some are taught to use!Dick Betts, REALTOR®The Betts TeamTouchstone Real EstateThe Villages, Florida717-860-3107 cellDick@DickBetts.com#realestate #realtor #thevillagesflorida #homesincentralfl #thebettsteam #dickbettsrealtor #dickbetts #thevillages

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Football Season in The Villages, FloridaThe Villages, Florida has it’s share of loyal football fans both college and professional and plenty of clubs supporting them!On Friday if you were at Spanish Springs you saw how much support for college football as thousands turned out in team colors to support their teams.With folks moving here from around the country we have alumni and fans from about college.When it comes to pro football oh my I think all 32 teams have at least one fan!During football season as you drive around The Villages you see plenty of flags, banners, and decals on golf carts.Some college and pro teams have their own bars for games where fans meet to support their teams!My neighbor a big Buffalo Bills fan insisted I go to McCall’s Tavern at Spanish Springs for game day, those Bills fans are crazy.I need everybody’s help, I know there has been a few changes since last year with new sports bars opening, a few closings and need to make a list of which team fans meet where?I will do my best to compile a list as on social media you see new residents looking where to watch their beloved team.If you belong to a club or know a bunch of fans meet somewhere please comment below or message me!Dick Betts, REALTOR®The Betts TeamTouchstone Real EstateThe Villages, Florida717-860-3107 cellDick@DickBetts.com#realestate #realtor #thevillagesflorida #homesincentralfl #thebettsteam #dickbettsrealtor #dickbetts #thevillages

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Colored Pencil Painters Guild of The Villages, FLWith somewhere over 3,100 resident run social clubs in The Villages, Florida I enjoy looking around at different clubs and sharing them.The Colored Pencil Painters Guild is one I just visited their website and found their group very impressive.I look at some of their newsletters from the past where they featured artwork done by members and wow!This from their website www.PencilPainters.com:Our goal is to promote the use of Colored Pencil as a fine art medium.With that objective in mind, the Colored Pencil Painters Guild was established in August of 2011.Membership is open to residents of The Villages, FL, who are interested in Colored Pencil artwork.Our Guild is comprised of members from beginner to advanced artists.Our activities revolve around the advancement in education for all our members and we encourage member participation in our events.Activities include Open Workshops, Monthly Programs and Judged Shows.Teachers are available to provide guidance at our Open Workshops.Monthly Meetings feature programs geared toward furthering our skills as artists.These programs include presentations by both our member artists and teachers and by others in the greater art community who have Colored Pencil knowledge and experience.Interested, more information available on the website!Dick Betts, REALTOR®The Betts TeamTouchstone Real EstateThe Villages, Florida717-860-3107 cellDick@DickBetts.com#realestate #realtor #thevillagesflorida #homesincentralfl #thebettsteam #dickbettsrealtor #dickbetts#thevillages

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Best Beaches in the U.S. and Florida has Eight of ThemAccording to U.S. News & World Report Best Vacation Ranking of 27 beaches in The United States, Florida has 8 of them!For years the #1 beach has been Maui, no more Siesta Key, Florida is now #1.Have I mentioned living in The Villages you have great access to beaches?Here is the list of Florida Beaches ranked in the top 27:#1 Siesta Key#6 Clearwater Beach#7 Destin#13 Key West#17 Amelia Island#21 Miami Beach#23 St Petersburg#27 St AugustineWord of warning, few years ago we wanted a few days away and went to Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast, mistake.Not that it isn’t a fabulous beach it was our timing thanks to Red Tide.Red tide isa common term for harmful algal blooms (HABs), which occur when microscopic algae grow out of control and discolor the water.These blooms can produce toxic chemicals that can harm people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds.I just check the Florida Fish and Wildlife map on their website, they are not showing any Red Tide currently.We found ourselves coughing when outdoors so why go to the beach and sit inside!Dick Betts, REALTOR®The Betts TeamTouchstone Real EstateThe Villages, Florida717-860-3107 cellDick@DickBetts.com#realestate #realtor #thevillagesflorida #homesincentralfl #thebettsteam #dickbettsrealtor #dickbetts #thevillages

College Colors Day in The Villages, FloridaNot busy Friday the 30th from say 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm?Have you ever attended College Colors Day at Spanish Springs Square?Do you have a college football team you support?Doesn’t matter you need to be at Spanish Springs Friday to witness this event!College Colors Day in The Villages, Florida isa community-wide fundraiser that celebrates the start of college football season.The event is organized by The Villages Media Group and sponsored by Publix.It takes place annually at Spanish Springs Town Square and includes a tailgate party, group photo, and announcements about which schools raised the most money for local food banks during the summer.For me I will wondering around with my navy-blue shirt on yelling “We Are” and waiting to see who answers me!Stick around until 7:00 pm for the annual drone picture of thousands dressed for the occasion.Dick Betts, REALTOR®The Betts TeamTouchstone Real EstateThe Villages, Florida717-860-3107 cellDick@DickBetts.com#realestate #realtor #thevillagesflorida #homesincentralfl #thebettsteam #dickbettsrealtor #dickbetts #thevillages

The Villages, Florida, and State TaxesFlorida is known for tax breaks, and I want to explain three ways Florida saves taxpayers money.First no state income tax in Florida as far as other states it’s complicated.I checked out list of state income tax rates and some are on a scale, whether filing joint or individual and how much you make.One client told me their state was a flat 5.5% which they paid for 30 years, that was a lot of money!Florida doesn’t tax Social Security, nine states do.Again, it is complicated with all kinds of exemptions and rates per scales.None is easier to figure than Florida income times 0%.No Inheritance or Estate Tax in Florida, done! In Florida you can build generational wealth for your kids and grandkids.In Florida, there is no state-level inheritance tax, meaning your beneficiaries are not taxed on the property or money they inherit once you pass on.Additionally, Florida does not have an estate tax, often referred to as a “death tax,” which further eases the financial implications of inheriting property in the state.Nearly half the states have a “death tax!”Dick Betts, REALTOR®The Betts TeamTouchstone Real EstateThe Villages, Florida717-860-3107 cellDick@DickBetts.com#realestate #realtor #thevillagesflorida #homesincentralfl #thebettsteam #dickbettsrealtor #dickbetts #thevillages

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Movement on Interest RatesYay interest rates are coming down, whoa, slow down not so fast.I have shared in the past about a sweet spot in homebuying catching that right time.We are in a buyer’s market now, so home prices are steady or down a little.When interest rates drop it turns into a seller’s market and home prices tend to go up.Picture two curves rates dropping the other home prices going up, you want to buy when the curves meet on the low end of both curves.Just found out yesterday how you the homebuyer who has been waiting can catch the bottom of both curves.My “A” lender Guy Ronda, she’s not a guy called all excited about a program released yesterday.One of the major lenders is offering a 2/1 buy down, let me explain.First with good credit the best interest rate Ronda could give me last night on 80/20 loan was 5.625%, remember the Feds are expected to cut rates September 18th.Lenders try to get in front of the competition, so rates start dropping quickly even before the formal announcement.With the 2/1 buy down the lender offers a 2% reduction in interest for the first 12 months of the loan.We are talking 3.625% if you act fast and close by end of September your first payment is due in November, so you have November until November at 3.625%.The following year it will be 4.625% for 12 more months which depending on what is going on two years from now maybe refi.Wait there’s more, you can float your loan which means you don’t lock your rate in until after the 18th of September which if the Feds drop ¼ or ½ point you are in great shape and that is when you lock in the rate.Confused?Call me!Dick Betts, REALTOR®The Betts TeamTouchstone Real EstateThe Villages, Florida717-860-3107 cellDick@DickBetts.com#realestate #realtor #thevillagesflorida #homesincentralfl #thebettsteam #dickbettsrealtor #dickbetts#thevillages

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The Villages, Florida has Cruise ManiaThe Villages and most of the Central and Southern parts of Florida are a great place to live if you like to go on cruises.Some of my past clients list why they want to live in The Villages was being close to ports for cruise lines.Port Canaveral less than 2 hours, Port Tampa 90 minutes, the other two Ports Lauderdale and Miami I got a story.Groome Transportation offers overs 20 shuttles a day to Orlando International Airport and the Brightline Train Station from stops in The Villages.Two of the train stops are Fort Lauderdale and Miami, getting easier by the minute!I am not a cruiser but many of my friends are, and some have shared the $49 a day cruise last minute options.The cruise ships aren’t full so at the last minute they offer deals both price cuts and added amenities to fill the ship!Other friends like last weekend took a 3-night cruise to the Bahamas for $326.I’m a Realtor not a tour guide or a cruise agent so if you have questions you are best to Google it!Dick Betts, REALTOR®The Betts TeamTouchstone Real EstateThe Villages, Florida717-860-3107 cellDick@DickBetts.com#realestate #realtor #thevillagesflorida #homesincentralfl #thebettsteam #dickbettsrealtor #dickbetts #thevillages

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Dick, I Never Want to See Snow Again!My phone rang it was a caller from the Northeast, the first words the gentleman said to me was “Dick, I never want to see snow again!”My response I can make that happen!He then introduced himself and explained he follows me on social media and him and his wife decided they had spent there last winter up north.My question was when do you see the first snowfall in your area?Mid November normally, well we better get busy!We have 10 weeks to find a place, make an offer and get it closed in time to avoid that dreaded “S” word SNOW!I had the same experience November of 2008, I was walking out of Hershey Medical Center in the heart of Pennsylvania it was 38º misting rain, the clouds were at treetops and that was my moment I decided Florida would be my new home.Two weeks later my car was packed and headed south on I-95!Dick Betts, REALTOR®The Betts TeamTouchstone Real EstateThe Villages, Florida717-860-3107 cellDick@DickBetts.com#realestate #realtor #thevillagesflorida #homesincentralfl #thebettsteam #dickbettsrealtor #dickbetts #thevillages

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