Not so fast, Sis. True, the half-million-dollar home you had your sights set on may be out of reach, but there are incredible bargains for retirees now. Consider this home in Village Green that I saw last Sunday. It’s got a great location – in the middle of everything and right on the golf course – and the size is perfect for grandparents (two bedrooms, two baths, two-car garage, plus a big den, and a lanai) and best of all, it’s got a great sunny feeling. The asking price? $185,000.

Village Green is located just east of Southgate, and is built around the Village Green Golf Course (open to the public and very well maintained.) To me the distinguishing characteristic of the place is how upscale it looks compared to the surrounding neighborhoods. The houses, mostly concrete ranches from the 1970s, have custom touches and nice architectural details that suggest French provincial or Bermuda. True, there is a very calm, sedate, conservative feeling to the place, but for many people – particularly those coming from prison – that can be a big plus. (Village Green is not age restricted.) The house could use some cosmetic updating but the golf course view and the price make it a real find.

A Village Green home's living room and golf course view.

Call Michael Cochrane at 941-539-4520.