dick betts realtor: Open House and Price Improvement!
- 04/22/25 06:14 AM
210 Palermo Place, The Villages, FL
Your Perfect Florida Retreat Location, Location, Location! This beautifully updated home is perfectly situated in The Villages, offering easy access to all the local attractions and a blank canvas for you to add your personal touch. Boasting a thoughtfully designed open floor plan, this three-bedroom, three-bathroom residence is loaded with high-end finishes and modern amenities. Inside, you’ll find polished porcelain floors, custom LED lighting, and a whole-house sound system that creates an inviting ambiance throughout. The recently renovated kitchen is a chef’s dream, featuring new stainless-steel appliances, sleek granite countertops, and a waterfall island—the perfect spot … (3 comments)
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dick betts realtor: Patio (we call them lanais) Number Two
- 04/18/25 01:40 PM
I was reading an article by The National Association of Home Builders and found enough information for ten articles. My task is to refine it a little for living in The Villages, Florida. Patios were number two on the list of essential and desirable which here in Florida they are called lanais. Can you imagine somebody saying hey I’m on my back porch here in The Villages, we would know they were a newbie! Because we have a screened in under roof lanai I do use the word patio when describing our paver patio.
When showing homes, I am surprised the number … (5 comments)
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dick betts realtor: The Villages Apple User Group
- 04/18/25 10:57 AM
Here is a much-needed club in The Villages, Florida! Our generation, yes mine, doesn’t have the technology skills of those much younger than us. There are exceptions which I count myself as one of them that uses and understands technology but many locals don’t. Thanks to The Villages Apple User Group there is hope for those that might need some help. I got this from their website www.tvaug.com
The Villages Apple User Group, based in The Villages, FL, was founded in 1999. Membership at one point reached nearly 1,000 but has recently hovered between 550-600. Members’ experience and expertise with Apple computers … (3 comments)
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dick betts realtor: The Number One in New Home, Laundry Room
- 04/17/25 10:16 AM
I mentioned I was reading an article by The National Association of Home Builders and found enough information for ten articles. My task is to refine it a little for living in The Villages, Florida. On their list of most essential or desirable was the laundry room number one, which remember this is a national survey including families which here in The Villages most of us have two people that needs laundry done. I personally would put a laundry room way down my list of being important. Side note have you noticed how quick the laundry hamper fills up in cold … (5 comments)
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dick betts realtor: Decorating in The Villages Facebook Group
- 04/17/25 04:30 AM
I’m always looking for groups and organizations that are in or close to The Villages, Florida and I found this group. Decorating in The Villages which is a Facebook Group I recently joined. They have rules which I am happy to abide by and enjoyed surfing their timeline. Most groups and pages have an about paragraph here is theirs: “Welcome! Decorating can be fun but sometimes we need inspiration, advice or want to share our beautiful spaces. We welcome any topics about decorating, remodeling, furniture, wall decor, paint selection - anything that makes a house feel like home.” I reached out to … (2 comments)
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dick betts realtor: Ceiling Fans a Top Five Request
- 04/16/25 02:13 PM
I mentioned I was reading an article by The National Association of Home Builders and found enough information for ten articles. My task is to refine it a little for living in The Villages, Florida. I shared exterior lighting which was in the top 5 of essential and desirable and ceiling fans are also in the top 5.
This one surprised me but again this is Florida and most homes have at least one ceiling fan but how many of us use it correctly? Did you know in the winter, a ceiling fan should operate at a low speed in the clockwise … (10 comments)
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dick betts realtor: Happy Easter 2025 From The Betts Team
- 04/16/25 10:35 AM
Like most holidays I reminisce my childhood days and Easter is one of them. Finding the Easter basket, maybe hidden plastic eggs outside, attending Sunrise Church Services and our Easter dinner always being ham! Some of you might be lucky enough to have family here for Spring Break and have grandchildren around and you are making memories for them! For us about 12 of us are dining at Mezzaluna Italian Restaurant for the second year in a row, no ham!
In the local paper this week were plenty of choices for church services and Easter Buffets to choose from and hope you … (6 comments)
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dick betts realtor: What is Important in Your New Home?
- 04/16/25 08:31 AM
I was reading an article by The National Association of Home Builders and found enough information for ten articles. My task is to refine it a little for living in The Villages, Florida. Many of the points discussed were for multilevel homes of which there aren't many in The Villages. Let’s start with exterior lighting which was in the top 5 of essential and desirable.
When you ride by a home after dark and it has tasteful exterior lighting it attracts my attention. Many homes in The villages have contractor grade exterior lighting, why not upgrade. When we were thinking about upgrading … (4 comments)
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dick betts realtor: Whatever happened to Tub/Shower Combos
- 04/16/25 05:36 AM
A few weeks ago, we had a client that wanted a bathtub in their new home, hmmm need to look at pictures on the MLS. The more I looked the more I realized most homes today only have showers. When did this happen? I asked AI: The decline in favor for tub showers and a rise in preference for walk-in showers began in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly with the introduction of whirlpool tubs. While tubs were still considered a necessity in homes, the preference for oversized, deluxe showers, especially those with multiple controls and rainfall heads, grew significantly. This shift is partly … (15 comments)
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dick betts realtor: Using Technology May Lower Risk of Dementia
- 04/15/25 09:37 AM
I read an interesting article the other day “Technology use may be associated with a lower risk for dementia, study finds” and thought I sure hope so! In the aging process we hear “use it or lose it” when it comes to our mental and physical well-being. The Villages is a great place for physical well-being with golf, pools, pickleball, walking trails and so much more but what about mental.
The article starts out with “With the first generation of people exposed widely to technology now approaching old age, how has its use affected their risk of cognitive decline?” There were 57 … (6 comments)
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dick betts realtor: How Hot is Your Attic?
- 04/14/25 05:14 AM
I love Florida and even in the dog days of summer but your attic might not! When I sell a home to somebody from the “North” I tell them to not store their Christmas candles in the attic because if you do you will have a melted candle. Temperatures in a Florida attic can be 130 to 150 degrees which means your ceiling can be hot so there goes your cooling cost up. Most homes here have roof vents but that might not be enough you might want to consider a solar powered roof fan. You will need to check but … (6 comments)
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dick betts realtor: Looking for the Fountain of Youth? It’s The Villages!
- 04/12/25 05:40 PM
Back in 1513 Ponce de Leon set out in Florida searching for the fountain of youth and he never found it, I did! Let me tell you about my day, the other morning while I am stumbling around with coffee in hand my 102-year-old neighbor who turns 103 in June waves to me while driving her Cadillac off to play cards. It was a great weather evening so we decided to go square hopping and listen to a few bands. Spanish Springs first as I watched a lady with a cane dance to Proud Mary and was joined by another lady … (8 comments)
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dick betts realtor: The Tropicana Juice Train
- 04/11/25 07:40 PM
The other evening, I was sitting on the lanai between 9:00 and 10:00 pm and heard the train, ever wonder where that train is and where it is going? If you look at the map I am thinking I am at least 5 miles from the tracks at 466 closes to Oxford. Depending on the wind direction I can hear the train, using the map you can estimate how far you are from the tracks. The train has been nicknamed the Tropicana Express which runs from Bradenton, Florida to New Jersey and Ohio. Refrigerated train cars move orange juice several times … (4 comments)
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dick betts realtor: Washer and Dryer in Garage, Yes or No?
- 04/11/25 03:00 PM
Many buyers feel strongly about the washer and dryer in the garage, others don’t matter. I know if you want to move them from the garage into the home depending on where you move them it can get pricey. If you have been following the villa remodel we moved them from the garage the length of the villa for $7,000. For us they are in the garage at least for now and I am fine with that. Before you jump on me I do the laundry, and both homes we owned in The Villages have been in the garage.
Benefits of being … (9 comments)
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dick betts realtor: Who Would Ever Live Between Ocala and Leesburg, FL
- 04/10/25 09:51 AM
If you can find somebody that was born and raised in the area now called The Villages you need to listen to their story. I do have somebody in my life Michelle, which is very close to being a local, her family moved from Chicago to Ocala in 1971. She talks about the two-lane road then went from Ocala to Leesburg and nothing in between. A small trailer park was the only thing between Belleview and Leesburg and a speed trap in Lady Lake. That trailer park was Orange Blossom Gardens which is the birthplace of The Villages. Image folks living … (3 comments)
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dick betts realtor: 1208 Santa Cruz Drive The Villages, New Listing Open House
- 04/10/25 08:21 AM
Open House Friday, April 11th 10:00 until noon
Welcome to this stunning 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom turn-key Courtyard Villa located on Santa Cruz Drive in The Villages, Florida. Close to shopping, restaurants, golf courses, numerous recreation centers, and a short golf cart drive to Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter Town Squares. This meticulously maintained home boasts a newer roof and HVAC system, ensuring years of worry-free living. Best of all, there is no bond! Perfectly designed for easy living, this villa boasts an open floor plan with spacious living areas, a well-equipped kitchen featuring numerous updates and upgrades, creating a bright and airy atmosphere … (2 comments)
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dick betts realtor: Sunsets in The Villages, Doesn’t Get Any Better!
- 04/09/25 02:16 PM
It’s that time of year, weather in the evenings is pleasant, and the sunsets are getting later! Almost every day I look at the weather app to see what the forecast is from 5:00 until about 9:00. For many people the decision to move to Florida is the weather, I know that was mine so get outside and enjoy it! Sometimes in the evening I am out driving someplace and I can see TVs on in the home, turn them off and get outside! The Villages is the perfect place for outdoor living whether completely outside, birdcage or under roof lanai, … (4 comments)
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dick betts realtor: Big Changes Coming on 466 East of The Villages
- 04/09/25 03:48 AM
Back in April of 2023 I shared it looks like we are getting a new Walmart Neighborhood Market, well it is going to happen. Located about a mile east of Morse Boulevard on County Road 466 the Lady Lake Commissioners approved the construction project. The new Walmart Neighborhood Market will be 45,603 square feet with an almost 3,000 square foot pharmacy and a 1,618 square foot canopy fuel kiosk island. The site will be on the southeast corner of Cherry Lake Road, you probably have noticed the apartments on the other corner. A lot of dirt being moved from the apartments … (2 comments)
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dick betts realtor: Dining With a View at Villages Country Clubs
- 04/08/25 04:17 AM
There are times the weather is perfect for dining outdoors and now is the time. Before it gets too hot and after it has been too chilly to do so. The Villages has eleven country clubs that offer “Dining With a View” according to www.TheVillages.com/golf/country-clubs/ the list includes Belle Glade, Bonifay, Cane Garden, Evans Prairie, Glenview Champions, Havana, Lopez Legacy, Mallory Hill, Orange Blossom Hills, Palmer Legends and Tierra Del Sol.
The Villages Country Clubs are open to the public and are a great choice for dining. On the website is a link to each country club with menus and hours of … (4 comments)
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dick betts realtor: Welcome to Alligator Mating Season!
- 04/07/25 04:51 PM
April through June is mating season for alligators, male gators are on the prowl for a female and can have a home range of over 1,000 acres during the mating season. But don’t think there are alligators out walking the streets in The Villages, Florida, many times I am asked by folks not familiar with alligators if they are a problem here. In my 17 years of living in Florida I have not seen one just walking down the street but it does happen. Playing golf around lakes is where I have seen the most of them or close by at a … (9 comments)
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