For those looking to buy a home this year, gated and golf communities offer perks that can lead you to live the lifestyle you have always wanted. Check out these five tips below to help you get on your way to moving to the community of your dreams.
1. Determine Your Budget
A crucial step to starting your homeowner journey is determining your budget. Before you start to look into properties, you should take a look at your current lifestyle and spending habits. Decide what you are willing to invest more into or what you can do without. To get a concrete idea of your house-hunting budget, it is important to first look into financing options, such as a mortgage preapproval, to understand how much you can afford before getting too far into the buying process.
2. Consider The Location
Taking location into consideration is key before moving to a gated community. There are two components of the location to look out for: the location of the community itself and the location of your home within the community. If you like an outdoor lifestyle, you will likely want to move to a community that has hiking and biking trails close by. Also, if you enjoy recreational sports such as golfing and swimming, you’ll want to purchase or build your home as close to the clubhouses and golf courses as possible.
3. Decide To Build Or Buy
Moving to a gated community can provide you with a boundless opportunity. You can either have the convenience of moving into a turnkey home, or the opportunity to design and build the home of your dreams. Both options have perks, but deciding whether to build or buy can be tough. To determine which route is better for you, think about your timeline. If you feel that you would much rather have a move-in-ready home, then a real estate agent can help guide you to purchase the property that meets your needs. On the other hand, if you have the time and flexibility, you can consult a team of design experts to help you build the custom home you have always envisioned.
4. Look Into Amenities
One of the top reasons that individuals and families prefer gated communities is the wide array of amenities. Gated communities provide a secure, social, and active lifestyle that you can’t get anywhere else. That said, when looking into communities, take a close look at what they offer. If you like dining, golfing, swimming, and participating in a variety of activities with your neighbors, then it is essential to consider the offerings of your future community to see if the amenities will suit your needs.
5. Check Out The Membership Options
Gated communities often offer multiple membership levels. Depending on what you like to do, some memberships will be better suited than others. See what each offers for the price and which works best for your budget and what you are looking to do.
No matter what stage you are at in your life, moving to a lifestyle community is a wonderful option. However, make sure that you do your research so that you end up with the community and home that best suits you and your family. To find out more about River Landing’s available homesites and real estate listings contact Broker-in-charge, Brandon Hendrickson at 301-302-9941.
