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A Golfer's Homebuying Guide

If you're an avid golfer, living in a golf community is an important feature to take into account when selecting a home. According to the National Golf Foundation, approximately 3.7 million golfers are permanent residents of a golf course community. Here are a few tips to follow when looking for golf course real estate and getting value within your community.

Choosing the Right Course

If one of your main objectives for buying a home in a golf community is to golf, then it’s important that you like the course you will be playing on. Ask who designed the course and about the developer. Some courses offer multiple golf holes while others only offer a few. Certain communities have multiple golf courses as well To decided what is more important to you, talk to your realtor and ask about how crowded the course can get in a typical day.

Another big factor includes the cost breakdown. Ask what the difference is between joining a golf community that has 18 holes or 36. Also ask about the difference of joining a golf community with multiple courses.

Be Mindful of Extra Fees

Golfing can be an expensive sport, especially if you want to live within a community that has on-site golf courses. When you’re in the home buying process, pay special attention to fees the community may charge. Many golf communities will charge a club initiation fee and annual golf dues. In Orlando, where golf communities are prominent, these fees can easily amount to over $50,000.

When you're talking with realtors and researching communities, look for those that include these fees in your home ownership, reducing upfront costs. This can help you save money in the long-term. Often golf communities that include golfing in HOA fees are referred to as bundled golf or equity golf homes.

Amenities

If you’re looking for more in a community than just golf, research what other amenities are available for residents too. Traditionally, tennis and swimming have been other popular amenities offered to residents. These days, you can find equestrian centers, fishing, marinas and spa facilities being featured in some communities as well. Even if you’re not interested in the extra amenities, other residents of your home and guests can enjoy these.

To further discuss golf communities in Orlando visit LennarOrlandoFL.com.