April 24th, 2009
Buying A Golf Course Home
For reasons such as a love for golf, great views, a fun lifestyle, and a smart investment, many people are buying real estate near golf courses. Living on a golf course may seem to some as a minor point when buying a home or a condominium, however when someone is shown real estate on or near a golf course people readily change their minds. Golf courses are in almost all cases, beautiful places with large areas of fresh green grass and strategically placed trees and ponds. When you own real estate right next to a golf course, you usually live in beautiful surroundings.
Golf course homes (single family, condos, townhomes) on or near a golf course will tend to be priced higher than similar homes in the same city or county. Just like with real estate located right next to the ocean, you pay for the view and the proximity to recreation as well as for the home itself. For many people, especially golf enthusiasts, the extra price is worth it. Not only will the real estate be near grounds that are constantly maintained for maximum beauty, it will also appreciate in price at an optimum rate. Unlike a high priced luxury vehicle, an investment in a home located next to or near a golf course can bring a handsome profit if or when you ever want to put it on the market.
When you are looking for a home located near a golf course many are located in “golf communities”. These are neighborhoods built around golf courses and often the golf course and surrounding homes and are built at the same time and have wonderful amenities. Richmond has a variety of golf communities throughout the area including Wyndham in Henrico County, Mountain Run and Country Club Hills in Hanover County, Founders Bridge, Salisbury, Stonehenge and Brandermill in Chesterfield and the area’s newest golf course community in New Kent County; New Kent Vineyards.
When you buy a home in a Richmond area golf community, you may also have access to one or more community swimming pools, gyms, a clubhouse, on-site restaurant or lounge, and last but not least, a golf course! Obviously when you buy a home in one of these golf communities you are going to pay more for real estate and there are additional membership fees, but for many people the amenities and luxury that come with it are well worth it.
Keep in mind when you are buying a home in a golf community, you will have to follow certain community rules and guidelines. Most all Richmond golf communities have a homeowners associations which set rules to ensure the homes in their community will keep up with a certain set of standards which helps insure optimum property values. If you own a home in a golf community you would probably not be allowed to paint the outside of your home burgundy and golf if you are a Redskins fan or put your ’69 Mustang up on jacks in your driveway every Saturday to work on it. Before you consider buying real estate in a golf community or any other type of planned community, you should find out what the rules are for homeowners and decide whether or not you can abide by them and still be happy living there.
When considering a home in a golf community, you will be required to pay fees directly to the homeowners association to help with upkeep of the surrounding grounds and any other included amenities. The fees should always be disclosed by the real estate agent so you can decide if your real estate budget can handle them. You should also ask about additional fees to join the country club as they are rarely included in your homeowner fees. Most people who are interested in living near a golf course or in a golf community anticipate paying these fees, and are more than happy to do so when they consider all of the benefits they will receive.
Want to know more about golf course real estate and Richmond area country club living? Contact Skye Bruce Properties, the Official REALTOR and Buyer’s Agents of RichmondHomeShopper.com. They have a golf expert on staff and can walk you through the benefits of owning a home on or near a golf course or country club.
Subscribe today to RichmondHomeShopper.com and stay tuned for more articles about Golf Course and Country Club real estate and area developments!
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