Delaware Off-Topic (gym, manufactured, trailer)

[Charley]

Originally Posted by RWH

Welcome Laura,

I'm another "soon to be". I think I will be sooner than Charlie but not soon enough..sigh .. but we will get there...someday.

Ron

Oh I definitely know how you feel!

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

Oh I definitely know how you feel!

well if this helps........I was there 3 years ago myself. Now i'm here little over a year. Boy.......time sure does fly.

[Charley]

I actually think about it every day! It occurs in different contexts ... while I'm doing home repairs in preparation for sale, while I'm responding to messages here or the Yahoo Group, while I'm doing my research on the various things I need to know to be ready, etc. If I told you that I knew it could be as many as 1,937 days, would it surprise you?

[sanddollar]

Hi Laura,

I'm a Delawarean wanna-be as well. 2/3 of my family live there now, and as soon as our Michigan house sells, we will be there too.

Welcome to the forum!

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by sanddollar

Hi Laura,

I'm a Delawarean wanna-be as well. 2/3 of my family live there now, and as soon as our Michigan house sells, we will be there too.

Welcome to the forum!

Hey Jonalyn,
They just brought in 2 more homes today. You will not recognize the place.
It is also my understanding there are about 5 new families moving in very soon.

[Suelou]

Elizamary...... How far away is the grocery shopping from SM? I don't drive and if or when DH is away I need to fend for myself. Is there public transporation?

I just received my brochure from SM today. So, so far I have Brochures from Bon Ayre, Barclay and SM to compare. Now I need to compare all expenses for living in each community, such as utilities, cable, internet, taxes, rent fees, etc. There is soooooo much to think about.

[Charley]

Originally Posted by Suelou

Elizamary...... How far away is the grocery shopping from SM? I don't drive and if or when DH is away I need to fend for myself. Is there public transporation?

I just received my brochure from SM today. So, so far I have Brochures from Bon Ayre, Barclay and SM to compare. Now I need to compare all expenses for living in each community, such as utilities, cable, internet, taxes, rent fees, etc. There is soooooo much to think about.

Hi Suelou.

Yes, there is an amazing amount of information to collect when making your decision. You've come to one of the right places to get a good deal of it. The folks on this forum are wonderful. Ask everything ... and what we know, we'll happily share.

Welcome aboard.

Charley

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by Suelou

Elizamary...... How far away is the grocery shopping from SM? I don't drive and if or when DH is away I need to fend for myself. Is there public transporation?

I just received my brochure from SM today. So, so far I have Brochures from Bon Ayre, Barclay and SM to compare. Now I need to compare all expenses for living in each community, such as utilities, cable, internet, taxes, rent fees, etc. There is soooooo much to think about.

Hi suelou..........Stores are not within walking distance and I don't know of any public transportation where we are..
There may be a bus that runs along Irish Hill Road but if so, it is not often. I never see it.
I suggest you learn to drive or stock up when hubby is able to drive you. I'm sure if you need to get out to the store, the neighbors would be glad to help you out. They are very nice in this community.
That is the one thing about living here. Public transportation is not the best.
I drive so for me it is no problem.
There is paratransit but not sure what the requirements are.
Barclay is also far out from the main streets. Bon Ayre is off of route 13 and may be better getting around on public transportation. There is an Acme shopping center not far. Still a good walk though.

Utilities may vary between communities. Cable, internet and phone with long distance and caller ID run us $99 a month. Not bad with all three.
remember when you buy into land lease, you only pay taxes on the home and not the land. Community fees are definately something to compare. I think Bon Ayre and SM run about neck and neck but Bon Ayre has no pool.
There is a lot to think about and weight out.
When we were looking we visited all 3 and laid it all out as far as taxes, lot rent and amnenties.
Depends on what you want, what is important to you and what you can afford.
We were on our way to put a down payment on bon Ayre when I turned off route 1 and told my husband I had to see SM one more time. The rest is history.
Good luck and anything we can help you with, just hollar.
PS: What did you think of the brochures?

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by Suelou

Elizamary...... How far away is the grocery shopping from SM? I don't drive and if or when DH is away I need to fend for myself. Is there public transporation?

I just received my brochure from SM today. So, so far I have Brochures from Bon Ayre, Barclay and SM to compare. Now I need to compare all expenses for living in each community, such as utilities, cable, internet, taxes, rent fees, etc. There is soooooo much to think about.

Hi suelou.........I came across this link for public transportation.
You can check it out......Might help

DART First State - Home Page

[rdlr]

Rent-the-lot, own the house....is a very popular concept here, more so for those coming from elsewhere, and wanting to retire in the state. You can buy a house/manufactured home cheaper, if you rent the land. However, each scenario is different, do your research, and read the fine print. In these rent-land communities, you don't pay taxes on the land. But that is such as small amount you'd pay. In Southern Meadows/Southwood, the yearly tax bill on the 28 acres is $411 a year, which the developer pays. I have a vacant lot, 3 1/2 acres, and that tax bill is $60 per year. On the other hand, down in the beach areas you could pay $200-$400/month lot rent, which is a rip-off. Another big draw with communities like that is the availability of clubhouses, walking trails, activities and other. So there are lots of things to think about. Delaware is fast becoming a state for retirees, because of low real estate taxes, and all the rented land communities. The builders with the rented land have a cash cow going on here, and expect many more of these communities to pop up.

Some of these communities offer manufactured housing (HUD seal on corners of unit, built to Hud specifications, and difficult to refinance) and some offer modular or stick built housing. The manufactured houses have steel frames and a hitch, are brought to the site with a motor vehicle title attached, and set on permanent foundations. After the home is on site, the house must pass county specifications, and the title is retired. At that point, the property is taxed as real estate. But remember, the manufactured home does not magically become a stick built home upon retirement of the title. Once a manufactured home, always a manufactured home. I say they are difficult to refinance, if you need to, because most lenders I know, want nothing to do with them. Greentree is one of the primary lenders of manufactured housing, and there are just a few other lenders offering financing on them. Usually, a new manufactured home community sets up financing for the buyer. When that's all done, and you're in, you're on your own. If you never figure on refinancing, you're just fine. If you ever sell, your buyer must go through the difficult task of obtaining financing. The track record for foreclosures on manufactured housing is very high across the nation. So if you are buying a manufactured home, be aware of pitfalls, and make sure they have permanent foundations and are tied down to withstand high winds. Know what you're buying. One of my jobs is inspecting for those requirements. Modulars are not considered manufactured homes, although they are built in a factory and brought to the site. Modulars are considered to be the same quality of construction as the average stick built home in the area, and do not have steel frames. With a modular being built in the factory, the lumber and other building components are protected from the elements, and joists, frames, etc. are not subject to warping or mold. With a stick built home, you know, the materials are delivered to the site and can sit through snow, rain, etc. for awhile.

There are some absolutely beautiful new townhouses for sale in Kent County under $200,000, own the land, with clubhouses, activities, etc. They have stone fronts, nice garages with Georgian type garage doors, high grade interiors, sun rooms overlooking woods, and more. Some are located in the City of Dover, with Dart Bus transportation. And, the builders are throwing in lots of upgrades for free, and paying the buyers' closing costs, in many cases. Two of those subdivisions are Clearview Meadows and Lexington Glen, by different builders, and there are more.

Barclay Farms, a manufactured home community with rented land, has a bus I've seen traveling around, and that community is located in the Town of Camden. In addition, Dart Buses have a route through Camden, as well as Dover. Other communities run their own small buses, also, for the convenience of those living there. The Modern Maturity in Dover, and Harvest Years Center in Camden offer transportation if you are within a reasonable distance from their sites.

And then, there are plenty of traditional type properties for sale and at low prices. I was in Olde Dover (historic area) the other day and saw a beautiful 70 yr. old home, all new vinyl siding, new windows, lovely hardwood floors, all new systems, on a gorgeous lot. It sold for $200,000, and is walking distance to Silver Lake, Wesley College and their football stadium, and about 7 blocks from the downtown area. So, there are tons of choices in this area. By the way, I don't sell real estate.