The Villages spreads into areas of 3 counties. When first developing, The Villages was only in a small corner of Lake County and Lake County was able to provide the infrastructure including sewer and water for the properties built in The Villages. When the developement grew into Sumter and Marion Counties is when the bonds started. The Villages was expanding into undeveloped area of these counties and neither county could support the expense for the infrastructure, sewer & water. Bonds were sold to support the expense of these costs and then a percentage of the total was assigned to each "unit", village, of homes as they were constructed. Each of these amounts is referred to as the bond for that property. A new buyer has the option to pay off the bond in total at closing or can pay the bond off on a 20 year amortization with yearly payments paid with the home tax bill. The interest rate charged to finance a bond varies as to when the bond was sold and what interest rate the bond was sold at. The bond balances can be paid off any time during the 20 year period on the anniversary date the yearly scheduled amortized amount is due. The Maintenance fee is an additional fee collected with the real estate taxes and is calculated every year as follows: The Villages properties, other than those built in Lake County, are divided into Community Developement Districts. Currently there are 7 CDD, but this number grows as the area developed grows. Each CDD establishes a budget to run its district. When first established the 5 member CDD committee are employees of The Villages. Each year for the next 5 years a resident of the CDD is elected to replace one of the employees. This procedure was established to help the residents learn how to run the district and to establish a budget. The amount due to each property owner is established by dividing the total land square footage into the total budget to establish a per square foot amount. Then, each property maintenance fee is establish by taking the total square footage of the lot (not the house) and multipling that amount by the per square foot amount of the CDD. If I can futher explain this to anyone please contact me at 352-205-3473. And, if you are a new or potential Village resident you might like to attend an introduction to The Villages at the Community Developement Center on 466. This 90 minute presentation is held weekly on Thursday mornings and in my opionion is a MUST for all villagers.

Are you still looking in the Villages?
I can help you and answer any questions you have.

http://talkofthevillages.com/smf/index.php?action=forum
Go to this link....you will be able to get answers for any questions about The Villages...it is free to join the site too......good way to learn about The Villages...people are very friendly and helpful.

As explained bonds can be paid.New house bonds are extremely high,better to buy pre-owned.If the house is in Lake County,no Maintenance fee,but there is in Marion or Sumter counties.

The bonds were issued to pay for certain amenities, sewer, roads and so on. many had lower amounts and many have paid them off. Those are more attractive purchases.