Florida 55 Plus Active Adult Communities

55 Plus Active Adult Communities In Florida

Florida 55 plus active adult communities are number one in the nation. With over 1,250 golf courses and over 380 active adult communities, Florida is the most popular destination for retirees. While having that many options sound great, it may make the picking one of these magnificent communities a challenge. The retirees should choose a handful of developments for easier comparison. This way they will avoid becoming overwhelmed with so many choices,

Organize Your 55+ Active Adult Communities Home Search

There are many advantages of living in a 55+ community but choosing one may need a little research. Having a file specific to retirement communities in Florida is the first step in organizing yourself. This can be done easier through creating a folder on the computer with sub-categories organized by the following:

• Area – The 55+ communities are spread throughout Florida and organizing them by the location will be helpful when deciding to live in East-Coast, West-Coast, Central, North, or South Florida. This also could be organized by the type of area that interests you the most. Decide if coastal communities are your type of lifestyle or do you prefer to live in a golf community? Another important point in deciding on an area that is in close proximity to shopping, restaurants, places of worship, medical care, and hospitals.

• Price Range – The home prices are perhaps one of the most important deciding factors for retirees. Creating a list of the homes in 55 plus active adult communities based on your price range is a great start to finalizing your selection. The prices could be organized as $100K to $150K, $150k to $200K  and up depending on your budget.

Important Tips To Consider While Searching For A Home

• Amenities – The selection and quality of amenities have a direct effect on the price of the homes as well as the monthly HOA charges in most 55+ active adult communities. Some communities offer clubhouses from 3,000 to over 20,000 square feet while others are golf course communities. Think about which amenities are more important and will be used by you and your family members. Also, remember the Homeowner Association Fees may be affordable at the time of the purchase but there is no guarantee to stay the same in the future. This is more true with new construction 55+ homes when developers are still controlling the HOA without a Board of Directors. Managing the community may not cost the developers with professional staff already on their payroll and become more costly when the HOA is transferred to residents.

• Financial Stability of HOA – Researching the financial standing of an HOA before purchasing a 55+ home is a must. There is normally a questionnaire provided by associations to potential homebuyers’. The following is a list of items of importance and the document should shed light on the financial strength of the Association:

  • • Reserve – Each association needs to establish an account for reserve. The amount held in the reserve fund may become more important in the event of major repairs such as roof replacement, plumbing, pool, or road resurfacing. This applies more to older communities where the risk of major repairs occurrence are much higher.

    • Assessments – The assessments take place when the association does not have enough funds for repairs or replacement. The amount needed will be divided between the homeowners to be paid as an assessment.

    Are You Ok With Following The Rules?

    • Rules and Regulation and Bylaws – These documents should be presented and carefully examined by purchasers in advance. Know your rights and learn about limitations and restrictions before your purchase. Rental rules or pet restrictions are two of the most common covenants in these documents