Living in a gated community.

[kingpin]

Anybody doing this?
What are the things yo like and don't like aboot it?

Am I correct in saying that you buy the house you are living in but don't own the land?

There are some 2 bed 2 bath houses close to me right on the lake going for $100k.

[Joecooool]

Anybody doing this?
What are the things yo like and don't like aboot it?

Am I correct in saying that you buy the house you are living in but don't own the land?

There are some 2 bed 2 bath houses close to me right on the lake going for $100k.How can you own the house and not the land? Are you looking at a trailer park?

[G8rDMD]

Did it--liked the secure feeling (until my neighbors got robbed). Hated the HOAs and master associations including their fees and Gestapo-esque rules/regulations and enforcements.

If you purchase a house, you own the land. A townhouse/condo, not so much :seasix:

[VITE1]

I just did. I bought a second home in FL. Stand alone house. HOA handles the maintenance.

And they have a reputation of being very tough on violators of the rules. I read the rules and while the spend limit issue and some of the rules on outside displays and landscaping were things I was not fond of their rules on renting and maintenance were fine.

After seeing the trash that moved into the NON HOA neighborhoods around there it was an easy decision.

[oyealiz]

Gated/guarded has nothing to do with owning the land or not.

If you buy a home, generally you own the lot, too. As stated above, that's not usually the case if you own a condo or a townhouse.

I've lived (in Louisiana) in a 24 hr guarded community (not gated). Loved it. They wrote down every vehicle coming in and out of the neighborhood, and recorded which home they said they were going to. If the visitors were not on your "approved" list, they called your house to see if you wanted them let in.

In Florida, we had a guard for visitors and a remote controlled gate for residents. Liked that, too.

There are lots of different rules in different areas about communities being able to be gated (or not).

[GRN ENVY]

The gated part is nice, keeps alot of traffic out. Downside for me was I always got stuck behind someone trying to buzz in and they wouldn't allow me to get up to activate my sensor. So they would just sit there, so alot of times i got out of my truck and walked up with the card when they were pushing random buttons trying to get someone to let them in. That is my only down side.

[kingpin]

How can you own the house and not the land? Are you looking at a trailer park?

I don't know.
No not a trailer park.

The description on the listing says it's a gated community on a small golf course.
But there are monthly maintenance fees for grass cutting and such.
Made me think you don't own the land.
Not a lot of gated communities around here so I don't know much aboot them.

[lspencer534]

I don't know.
No not a trailer park.

The description on the listing says it's a gated community on a small golf course.
But there are monthly maintenance fees for grass cutting and such.
Made me think you don't own the land.
Not a lot of gated communities around here so I don't know much aboot them.

I've never heard of a gated community where you don't own the land...unless you're buying a condo. It is possible to not own the land if you're "buying" a leasehold interest; typically you get a 100-year lease on the land.

To answer your question: I would never buy a house based soley on the fact that it's a gated community--buy based on the house and the neighborhood. Downsides to gateds are the time it takes to leave and enter your neighborhood, malfunctions with the gates, getting stuck behind visitors at the gates, and slower response times for police and fire trucks.

[NEED-A-VETTE]

We live in Porter Ranch, which is a neighborhood in Los Angeles that is almost exclusively made up of gated communities. Very low crime rate, but I'm not sure if it's because of the proximity (very NW corner of the San Fernando Valley) or because the neighborhoods are gated. Probably a combination of both, I guess.

We are guarded and gated. Each entrance has two lanes entering. One lane is for visitors and pulls up next to the guard shack. The other lane is for residents. This is a good setup for residents, as they're not stuck behind a long line of guests.

The resident's lane has a "reader" mounted next to the gate arm. Each resident is given an RFID transponder that is placed in the upper passenger-side of our vehicle's windshield. It's just a small chip embedded in a "sticker" that's about the size of a bandaid, maybe smaller. We pull up, the gate arm lifts.

Visitors go to the visitor's lane. All visitors are checked, residents are called to verify, license and plate info is noted and the visitors are given a dashboard pass for their stay, as well as a map of the neighborhood, etc. Cameras capture the visitor's lane traffic, as well. There can be a long line for visitors during holidays, but our folks are pretty good about asking residents for a list of expected visitors, so the process can be expedited during that time.

If our visitors leave and come back during a visit, they still pull to the guard shack and show their pass. The dates are quickly verified (to make sure the pass is still good) and the pass is just verified against the plate number (to make sure the pass wasn't given to someone else to allow unregistered entry).

Other security measures... Sidewalks into the community are accessed via a key given to residents. The security company has SUVs that guards use to patrol the neighborhood. Granted, if someone was really bent on getting in, there's always a way. But it will deter most criminals, as they're typically looking for easier targets.

The common areas are maintained by the HOA and always look good. Grass cutting, pruning, tree trimming, etc. They also maintain the pools, tennis courts, playgrounds and entrance areas...all common areas. Resurfacing and repaving of roads, sidewalk repairs, etc. are all covered by the HOA.

There are some restrictive rules, but our HOA doesn't seem to be full of those self righteous folks that walk the neighborhood just looking for violators. And the rules aren't unreasonable. As long as you're not painting your entire house fuscia, they seem to let people do their thing.

Overall, the pros outweigh the cons for this community. :cheers:

[Mirroredshades]

My lake property is gated and the security, common areas, docks, pool etc are nice but the fees and regulations are kind of annoying. If I lived in Detroit or something it would be nice but out in the boonies it seems kind of overkill.

The spoiled, arrogant and over-privelaged neighborhood kids are, in alot of ways, worse than the average urban youth.

http://images.corvetteforum.com/images/smilies/lol.gif

[Burro (He/Haw)]

Living in a gated community.
I don't even BEGIN to make enough coin to live in a gated community. Prison maybe.

[Mirroredshades]

I don't even BEGIN to make enough coin to live in a gated community. Prison maybe.

Oops. That's what I thought we were talking aboot.

:leaving:

[FasterTraffic]

We live in Porter Ranch, which is a neighborhood in Los Angeles...
Overall, the pros outweigh the cons for this community. :cheers:

The real question is: What are your association dues?

The wife and I looked at a gated (but not guarded) community and the dues were $375 per month.

[DJ_Critterus]

Anybody doing this?
What are the things yo like and don't like aboot it?

Am I correct in saying that you buy the house you are living in but don't own the land?

There are some 2 bed 2 bath houses close to me right on the lake going for $100k.

Shoot first. Aim for the hoodie. Take the skittles afterwards. :thumbs:

[DJ_Critterus]

Gated/guarded has nothing to do with owning the land or not.

If you buy a home, generally you own the lot, too. As stated above, that's not usually the case if you own a condo or a townhouse.

I've lived (in Louisiana) in a 24 hr guarded community (not gated). Loved it. They wrote down every vehicle coming in and out of the neighborhood, and recorded which home they said they were going to. If the visitors were not on your "approved" list, they called your house to see if you wanted them let in.

In Florida, we had a guard for visitors and a remote controlled gate for residents. Liked that, too.

There are lots of different rules in different areas about communities being able to be gated (or not).

Am I correct in assuming you own the lot but probably not the mineral rights in case, just by some odd chance, you are sitting on top of a gold mine or something?

[Mirroredshades]

Shoot first. Aim for the hoodie. Plant the skittles afterwards. :thumbs:

fixt

:seasix:

[OddBall]

I usually get turned away at the gate :leaving:

[DJ_Critterus]

fixt

:seasix:

That's a waste of skittles.

Anyway, on topic, $100K for water front property seems a bit low? Is it a toxic waste dump or something or just a really small shanty on the lot?

[lspencer534]

That's a waste of skittles.

Anyway, on topic, $100K for water front property seems a bit low? Is it a toxic waste dump or something or just a really small shanty on the lot?

He's in Canuckistan. :slap:

[DJ_Critterus]

He's in Canuckistan. :slap:

That explains it. So that's what, $10.00 US?

[NEED-A-VETTE]

The real question is: What are your association dues?

The wife and I looked at a gated (but not guarded) community and the dues were $375 per month.

They're in with the mortgage, so I do t remember the exact amount. Around $200/month I think.

I usually get turned away at the gate :leaving:

I'll put you on the special list. :D

[DJ_Critterus]

Anybody want to by a 1/4 acre lot in a gated/guarded community with 9 golf courses and 8 lakes in Hot Springs Village, AK?

[Datawiz]

We do. I've been on the Board in the past as well. It's a well-run community and the rates aren't too astronomical. Benefits mostly outweigh the hassles.

[Blademaker]

Our cabin is in a gated community.
We own the land.
These idiots cut the grass:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B3_X1Czx6iQ/TM7aldbJ7hI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/MARz_y089_c/w656-h492-k/Picture%2B093.jpg

They also keep your Japanese maples and Hostas trimmed. :issues:

Most of the roads are gravel, some paved.

Our Hoa dues pay for manning the gates, security, 2 outdoor pools, 1 indoor geothermically heated pool, Putt-putt golf, teen center, weight room,game room, HOA office with a small library. A river runs down the middle of the property where you can tube & kayak & fish.

All for $600 a year in dues.

Canucks are welcome.

[DJ_Critterus]

Our cabin is in a gated community.
We own the land.
These idiots cut the grass:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B3_X1Czx6iQ/TM7aldbJ7hI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/MARz_y089_c/w656-h492-k/Picture%2B093.jpg

They also keep your Japanese maples and Hostas trimmed. :issues:

Most of the roads are gravel, some paved.

Our Hoa dues pay for manning the gates, security, 2 outdoor pools, 1 indoor geothermically heated pool, Putt-putt golf, teen center, weight room,game room, HOA office with a small library. A river runs down the middle of the property where you can tube & kayak & fish.

All for $600 a year in dues.

Canucks are welcome.
You had me sold on it until the Canucks part.

[Blademaker]

You had me sold on it until the Canucks part.

But they are under surveillance until deemed worthy and learn how to spell "about."
:D

[lspencer534]

Anybody want to by a 1/4 acre lot in a gated/guarded community with 9 golf courses and 8 lakes in Hot Springs Village, AK?

A friend of mine moved there. He said he wanted to live in a place "where old people acted old."

[kingpin]

Thanks for the info ladies and gents and Larry! :D
It's something I need to look into a little further.

A house by/on the lake for $100k sounds to good to be true to me.
There are a few of them for sale also but the houses look kinda funny.
They are detached houses but they look odd almost like trailers to me.

This is an example of one. It doesn't say gated but the other ones in that area do.
Maintenance fees are way too high for my liking either way.

Oshawa Real Estate, properties for sale, homes for sale (http://www.durhamregionhomesforsale.ca/4a_read.php?ltl=1655030)

[lspencer534]

Thanks for the info ladies and gents and Larry! :D
It's something I need to look into a little further.

A house by/on the lake for $100k sounds to good to be true to me.
There are a few of them for sale also but the houses look kinda funny.
They are detached houses but they look odd almost like trailers to me.

This is an example of one. It doesn't say gated but the other ones in that area do.
Maintenance fees are way too high for my liking either way.

Oshawa Real Estate, properties for sale, homes for sale (http://www.durhamregionhomesforsale.ca/4a_read.php?ltl=1655030)

Monthly maintenance and taxes of $870? No feckin' way I'd pay that. That'd make your monthly payment over $2,000 for a $139K house...with aluminum siding...and a 50' x 100' lot. Your heating bill would also be outrageous. Please keep looking....

[kingpin]

Monthly maintenance and taxes of $870? No feckin' way I'd pay that. That'd make your monthly payment over $2,000 for a $139K house...with aluminum siding...and a 50' x 100' lot. Your heating bill would also be outrageous. Please keep looking....

:seasix:

For sure.

I'm not looking seriously but just like the equipment I bought I am always looking for deals.
I've been living at the shop since November.
The fun has wore off. :D

[Woody]

We moved into a small ( 62 lots ) gated community of single family homes. We are at 50% sold, and the gate won't close until we're at 80% built. The city will then put the final cap on the roads, :banghead: and allow the gates to close. Can't wait for all the lookie lews to be gone!!!!!

[Allan]

How can you own the house and not the land? Are you looking at a trailer park?

I think Hawaii is/was like this. :yesnod:

[MrPeabody]

Kingpin, do you play golf? Any HOA with a golf course is basically charging you to maintain a golf course. Golf courses can be real money pits, and all too often HOA golf courses are providing recreation for a few retirees while everyone else is subsidising it. Unless you really like golf, and plan to do it often, you are pissing money away on a golf course.

Ask to see the financial statements of any HOA you are going to join so you can see where the money is going and if those are your interests.

[kingpin]

Kingpin, do you play golf? Any HOA with a golf course is basically charging you to maintain a golf course. Golf courses can be real money pits, and all too often HOA golf courses are providing recreation for a few retirees while everyone else is subsidising it. Unless you really like golf, and plan to do it often, you are pissing money away on a golf course.

Ask to see the financial statements of any HOA you are going to join so you can see where the money is going and if those are your interests.

No don't play at all.

I'd love to find a place on a 1 acre lot like my parents old house.
Not too much to take care of, lot's of room to expand and neighbours are far enough away so I can bbq in my g-string.

[MrPeabody]

No don't play at all.

I'd love to find a place on a 1 acre lot like my parents old house.
Not too much to take care of, lot's of room to expand and neighbours are far enough away so I can bbq in my g-string.

Now there's a visual we didn't need.:lol:

[Allan]

* * *
A house by/on the lake for $100k sounds to good to be true to me.
There are a few of them for sale also but the houses look kinda funny.
They are detached houses but they look odd almost like trailers to me.

* * *
Oshawa Real Estate, properties for sale, homes for sale (http://www.durhamregionhomesforsale.ca/4a_read.php?ltl=1655030)

Looks like you need a Holmes inspection!

[mrvette]

Now there's a visual we didn't need.:lol:

EH, long as he not pulling the BBQ OUTTA the G string.....:leaving::rofl: