Like most of Florida, sinkholes open up in The Villages due to the permeable karst underlayment that runs throughout the state. Unusually heavy rains can trigger them and four appeared after a particularly rainy week in May of this year. Two homes had to be evaucated as a result. 

    When the TV news reports several sinkholes at once in The Villages, people not familiar with the area assume that an epidemic of house-swallowing craters is occuring. Part of that perception is because anyone who has never been here visualizes the place as a typical retirement community with a cluster of several hundred homes around a golf course and rec center. But The Villages actually spans three counties, covers 69 square miles, has over 125,000 residents, 89 golf courses, 52 pools, dozens of recreation centers, and it takes over a half-hour to drive from one end to the other. It’s a big place. Also, although some sinkholes have caused houses to be condemned, others cause damage that is repairable, and many do not even affect nearby houses.

    This area has a lower incidence of sinkholes than the cluster of four Florida counties nearby that are known as “sinkhole alley.” See our blog post Where are sinkholes most likely to occur in Florida? to learn more.

    If worrying about a sinkhole under your home is keeping you up at night, we recommend purchasing a sinkhole rider to your homeowner’s insurance policy. Although most homeowner’s policies pay if a sinkhole makes your home uninhabitable, they do not cover lesser damage. The additional coverage will pay for any necessary repairs due to a sinkhole that damages, but does not destroy, your house—after a deductible, of course.

    Also, for insight on what senior-friendly construction details are important for a retirement community home, read our post What are the "Aging In Place" features to look for when buying a retirement home?.

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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about SINKHOLES:

• Why do so many more sinkholes open up after a hurricane?

• What is a chimney sinkhole? 

• What are the warning signs of a sinkhole? 

• What causes sinkholes? 

• How can homebuyers protect themselves against buying a house over a sinkhole?  

• What is my chance of buying a Florida home over a sinkhole? 

• How does a repaired sink hole under a house affect its market value?

• Are sinkholes happening more often? 

• What are the basic facts about sinkholes? 
  
• Does homeowners insurance in Florida include coverage for sinkhole damage? 

• Should I be concerned about an old sinkhole on a property?

• Should I be concerned about my house if a sinkhole opens in my neighbor's yard? 

• What are the Florida law regarding sinkhole insurance?

• Can a home inspector determine if there are any sinkholes on a property?

• Is it safe to buy a house with sinkhole foundation repair?

• How can I tell whether my house foundation problems are caused by a sinkhole or expansive clay soil? 

   Visit our SINKHOLES page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.