Sanctuary Cove (sales, HOA fees, new home)

[Pattig]

Can anyone tell me the average lot size in this subdivsion??? Are we looking at .15-.20 lot sizes or are there any larger than that?? Are you allowed to put fencing up in your yard or do the covenants restrict that? What are the HOA fees there? Thanks to all...
Patty

[mehm]

My husband have spoken with the realtor out there several times. I do not know about the lot sizes, but she said you can put up a fence, and the HOA fees are about $550 a year ( I don't remember the exact amount, but it is within $25 of that).

[kev4heels]

We are having a home built there...let me tell you what I know.

* mehm is right on about the HOA.
* You can put up a fence, but there are some unusual circumstances:
The front fence cannot be taller than 4'.
Neither can the back fence abutting the sides
* Lot sizes I would estimate at .20 to .25 - but not exactly sure. Fortunately, many
of the lots have considerable county space available if you don't desire to put up a fence. At least you won't be bunched in by the woods.
* I found that these particular homes provide some free features others don't, like the private cable/phone wiring box in the MB closet. It's pretty handy when you are hooking up cable/internet and stuff like that. Another perk is the stop and drop's, which is basically a nook with cabinet to put your keys/mail and stuff like that on.
* The floorplans are pretty diverse and generally contain a pretty large amount of space.
* I wouldn't say the customer service from the corporate office has been all that good though. The homesite agent has been fine, but when dealing with the corporate office - UGH!

[pokrplr]

The $550 HOA should be correct. $400 of that will go to Cane Bay, the other $150 will go to Sanctuary Cove.

That's how ours is across the street, Old Rice Retreat

[kev4heels]

pokrplr - what does that cover? Is that for trash pickup and typical landscaping of the community?

[SCDweller]

With the fear of sounding like a broken record...Make sure you get an independent agent to represent you when you are buying new home construction and don't work simply with the onsite agent.
You don't pay anything more to have an agent represent you, but you get the benefit of their expertise, negotiating skills, knowledge of other sales and what is feasible to ask for when writing the contract.


Yes, I'm in the business, but I'm also trying to look out for those of you on this forum.

[pokrplr]

Originally Posted by kev4heels

pokrplr - what does that cover? Is that for trash pickup and typical landscaping of the community?

Kev, it covers CAM (Common Area Maintainance) like landscaping, water costs, basically the upkeep of the area. If you drive out there, those guys are doing something everyday! Its a huge upkeep for a subdivision that large.

Trash removal is NOT covered, I think we pay $27 every 3 months and that's thru Waste Industries.

[madmal0204]

Please do not buy a First Coast home if you appreciate things like timely maintenance and returned phone calls. I've been waiting on a repair since Dec. 22. I know there are others in my neighborhood with similar problems.

[Jim3310]

I'm sorry to hear that about First Coast Homes.

To be honest, I have heard of some trouble with management at certain developments, but not others at all.

Where are you?
jim

[kev4heels]

Originally Posted by madmal0204

Please do not buy a First Coast home if you appreciate things like timely maintenance and returned phone calls. I've been waiting on a repair since Dec. 22. I know there are others in my neighborhood with similar problems.

You are not the only one with problems at First Coast. I waited almost 4 full months to get permits completed just to have the house built. We got so many excuses but come to find out, the paperwork to get the permits issued by the county was not sent out until 8 weeks after the contract was signed.

Our problem has not been from the on-site agent, but with the next layer above. We really feel like we are a number there....

Oh, and the still haven't started building. It's been almost 3 weeks since the permits arrived....ahem