55+ Communities (Dover, Middletown, Felton: hoa, insurance, travel)

[JoycieM]

Eliza, I just got my packet in the mail from Southern Meadows. I was suprised to see the amount of the community fee. I glanced back through the posts because I thought you wrote that the monthy rent was about $360 per month. In the brochure it states that the monthy rent is $415. That includes the septic/sewage. While we are still interested in Southern Meadows, if the rate increases that much in such a short time, it give me cause for concern. Is there some kind of guarantee about the increases in the lot rent?

Thanks,
Joyce

[Charley]

Thanks Peewee. I appreciate the kind words.

By the way, you're right about hiring seniors. One of the hidden benefits to the employer (particular those self-insured) is that if the senior is over 65, Medicare is the primary insurance and so any healthcare costs that the employer must pay are greatly minimized.

Seniors "generally" have strong work ethics, rarely have absenteeism or lateness problems and are very dependable.

Charley,
who hired his share of older workers and was never sorry.

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

It looks like Rachelle's posts have been removed. I wondered whether our moderators would allow them to remain as they did seem a bit like solicitation. I do hope that Rachelle will remain with this forum as she might have good insight for us, for example:

Many of us are looking at Delaware from other states. I know about the closing or settlement costs in New York, but are not familiar with those in Delaware. Certainly for planning purposes, knowledge of the various items required in settlement and how to estimate the costs would be helpful to those of us planning a move. There is a transfer tax of 3% where traditionally the buyer and seller each pay half. We don't have that in New York, so I'm wondering what the settlement items are and how we can estimate them.

Rachelle? Are you still with us?

Charley

As far as I am concerned, you do NOT need a realtor when buying a brand new home. They want the commission and to me it is not necessary.
A resale yes but not a new home.
Some communities do not like a realtor getting involved. I dont' see why they should.

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by peeweeaz

Joyce,
If you want a sneak preview, Southern Meadows has a web site that will give you the five models, prices and floor plans. If you want a manufactured home, this place deserves a serious look.

Peeweez, when are you going to join us?

If anyone wants to check out the website go to I-realty.com and then click on southern Meadows.

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by peeweeaz

Charley,

Since you don't work for Nobles Pond, I don't think the moderators would consider your posting the web site as a "solicitation" for business. >>>

I don't work for Southern Meadows either Bob. so I guess that is why I'm still around. heheh.


Joyce,

I agree age discrimination is alive and well and much easier to practice or disguise before you're hired. My wife and I live in Arizona where there are many Native American casinos. I worked for one for three years and was hired when I was 60. I mention this because I've been to the casino at Dover Downs many times and have observed old timers working there. If interested, they have a web site where you can get job info. Also Home Depot likes to hire "seniors". The biggest draw back to employers' hiring seniors are the medical costs. Actuarially, seniors will require more health care than younger folks. However, if you can carry some health insurance with you and just tell the employer you're looking to make a few extra bucks and will waive the health coverage, you will have a better shot at getting hired.

Good suggestion Bob............
I knew when I was 45 there was discrimination against age. I was looking for another job because my present job was getting on my nerves. No one wanted me so I stayed. Glad I did cuz it is all over now

I will remember about Lowes when I'm ready.

I'm taking some courses in home improvements this fall so maybe Lowes would want my expertise


I know eventually I will want to do something but right now is not the time.
Had such a great time at the pool today.'
We will be away till Tues.

Have a great holiday weekend

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by JoycieM

Thanks so much to everyone on the site. Your information and suggestions surely have been so helpful. I am soo glad to have found this forum and am anxious to visit the communities. I have checked out the websites, too. Everything looks so nice but you are right to advise us to take our time. I once booked a hotel from a website ( the hotel and pool looked wonderful ) and found out that they must have airbrushed those photos!!! Even now, at my age, I am still learning some lessons.

Thanks for the information about the casinos, Peeweeaz, the medical benefits are so expensive but we have to look into finding an individual plan that is affordable for Ron. I have one through my job ( for now ) but he isn't covered. Currently he is working and does have benefits so it is an important factor in our decisions.

Right now we are trying to figure out when we can make the trip again. It seems like every weekend we can go something is up with the family. We may have to sneak down early on a Saturday morning and stay till Sunday afternoon. Will have to check out hotel rates. We were wanting to come the weekend of the 21st but realized that was Nascar Weekend! So, that's out!

Take care all and thank you again!

Joyce

If you are looking for a hotel with reasonable rates, we stayed at the howard Johnson on Rt13 in dover.
Another time we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Harrington.

Both were reasonable and fairly nice.
Plus
both were near most of the communities.

[peeweeaz]

Mary,
The Dover Post, which is avail on-line, is a good starting point to get a feel for rentals and prices. Good luck!

[ellie123]

Hi, my name is Eileen. My husband & I are from n.y. We have been looking in Middletown Delaware for a nice 55+ community. Is anyone out there from Springmill or Spring Arbor? Are there any other retirement communities in that area ? Is there a problem with Springmill as I noticed a lot of re sales there? How about property taxes ? I read on a previous site that after all fees are added it could reach around 4,000. Is that possible? Thanks for any info.

[JoycieM]

Thanks for the hotel info....we may be coming down this Saturday and staying the night. Our weekends after that are kinda filled for awhile after that. We aren't sure yet but I will let you know.

Thanks,
Joycie

[Charley]

Welcome to the forum, Eileen. I'm Charley - also from New York.

I posted a number of messages about the various 55+ communities in Delaware, including some cost information. If you go back and look at prior messages in this particular thread, you'll see the information.

For Springmill specifically, the real estate taxes are between $1800 and $2200 a year (before considering discounts to those over 60) and the monthly homeowner association fees are $160 a month. (That's the clubhouse, the pool, the lawn maintenance, garbage removal, snow clearing, etc). So you're looking at an annual cost of $2730 to $4120.

I don't know where you are in New York, but where I am, I'm paying about $8000 in taxes (just got school tax bill this morning) and that does not include fitness club membership or lawn maintenance, which I pay for separately. So $4120 for me would be a gift!

My issue with the Middletown area is that the growth has been extremely significant in the past few years, and that's without Spring Arbor being open yet. There are also a number of non-55+ communities opening in the area. The roads are crowded and do not support the traffic very well. You should probably see it for yourself before making any decisions.

The homes themselves are gorgeous! As far as resales, there will always be resales in all communities given the age of the population. Many times, when one passes away, the surviving spouse prefers to be closer to family and put the house on the market. Accoring to people I met at Spring Meadows in Smyrna, there are some Springmill members who sold their homes and bought at Spring Meadows due to the traffic issues I mentioned early.

Take a look at all the messages from the many members of this forum, see as many communities as you can, and ask LOTS of questions when you do a site visit. Collectively, we have some good knowledge in this group, so ask us too!

Again ... welcome.

Charley
Fellow New Yorker planning to escape to Delaware