55+ Communities (Selbyville, Bethany Beach: homeowners association, townhomes, neighborhoods)

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

I just picked this up in the "Retirement" forum. It's pretty good information if you're thinking about buying in a 55+ community.

Ten Questions to Ask Before You Buy in an Active Adult Community

Charley

Good Tips, Charley!

We have an over 55 community near our home, and 99% of the people are from out of state. They thought these homes were bargains, and paid about $150,000 per unit 5-6 years ago when the homes were new. The homes are doublewide manufactured homes, each on a permanent foundation and some didn't know they were buying a doublewide manufactured home. Financing is a little more difficult to obtain for those around here, so if a refi is in the future, think about it! The homeowner owns the home, only. Some got mortgages and have that payment. Then they have to pay the Lot Rent and Homeowners Assoc. Dues which total about $415/month. For these fees, their property is maintained (no grass cutting) and they get to dine together at their little club house, also offering activities and exercise programs. It's not for everyone, obviously. As old as I am (pretty old) I prefer living around all ages of people, not just older people. It keeps me young at heart seeing those little tykes!!! But, to each his/her own!

[Charley]

Originally Posted by Delly

We have an over 55 community near our home, and 99% of the people are from out of state. They thought these homes were bargains, and paid about $150,000 per unit 5-6 years ago when the homes were new. The homes are doublewide manufactured homes, each on a permanent foundation and some didn't know they were buying a doublewide manufactured home. Financing is a little more difficult to obtain for those around here, so if a refi is in the future, think about it! The homeowner owns the home, only. Some got mortgages and have that payment. Then they have to pay the Lot Rent and Homeowners Assoc. Dues which total about $415/month. For these fees, their property is maintained (no grass cutting) and they get to dine together at their little club house, also offering activities and exercise programs. It's not for everyone, obviously. As old as I am (pretty old) I prefer living around all ages of people, not just older people. It keeps me young at heart seeing those little tykes!!! But, to each his/her own!

Which 55+ is this? Most of the ones I've seen include the lawn mowing. There is one that I saw (and liked) where the monthly IS $415 and they say they do the mowing. So I'm curious to know if this is the one. If you would rather tell me privately, that's OK.

Charley

[rdlr]

Yes, Charley......lawn mowing is included in the H.O.A. fee. Keep in mind, that purchase only includes the doublewide home, not the land.

[Charley]

Yes, I know. I've been reading Chapter 70 of Title 25 of the Delaware Code, the Manufactured Homes Owners & Community Owners Act. Scintilating reading ... lol.

I believe that Wild Meadows, which might be the community you are referencing, is probably covered under that Act. I know that Southern Meadows is as well. I will be asking Noble's Pond (same owner) that question when we visit in December. That's high on my priority list for this trip ... even higher than eating at "Where Pigs Fly", though not by much.

Charley

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

Yes, I know. I've been reading Chapter 70 of Title 25 of the Delaware Code, the Manufactured Homes Owners & Community Owners Act. Scintilating reading ... lol.

I believe that Wild Meadows, which might be the community you are referencing, is probably covered under that Act. I know that Southern Meadows is as well. I will be asking Noble's Pond (same owner) that question when we visit in December. That's high on my priority list for this trip ... even higher than eating at "Where Pigs Fly", though not by much.

Charley

No, I was speaking of Barclay Farms, off Route 10 in Camden, DE. There are not too many doublewide communities where you would not own the land, at least in Kent County. Next to Wild Meadows is Persimmon Park Place, a doublewide community, and they each own their land. Noble's Pond has no ground rent, I understand. You would own the land. Seems there's a lot of talk about "Where Pigs Fly" on this Forum. We haven't been there in years! When we were in the political/party mode, WPF catered many of those events. We liked dining at WPF, as I remember, but found other places we enjoyed more. Guess we'll have to give it a whirl again some day, since we're 10 minutes away!

[Charley]

Hi Delly,

Nobles Pond is a Land Lease community. There will be a ground rent. That's why the home prices are as low as they are. It's homes only ... no land. I'm just not sure if they are considered "manufactured" homes. They are definitely not double-wides. When I find out for sure, I'll post the answer for the forum.

As far as "Where Pigs Fly", we will be there for lunch or dinner (depending on others' availability) on Friday, December 28. If you're available ...

Charley

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

Hi Delly,

Nobles Pond is a Land Lease community. There will be a ground rent. That's why the home prices are as low as they are. It's homes only ... no land. I'm just not sure if they are considered "manufactured" homes. They are definitely not double-wides. When I find out for sure, I'll post the answer for the forum.

As far as "Where Pigs Fly", we will be there for lunch or dinner (depending on others' availability) on Friday, December 28. If you're available ...

Charley

Oh, I didn't know about that land lease! Good to know! Doublewides are manufactured homes. Modulars are manufactured homes, but they do not have Hud Seals/Tags. So they are not the same animal. I'll write that on my calendar. It's a busy time, you know, but we'll see. Thank you. I rambled on another thread.....bad me. I'll get the hang of staying on topic, one of these days. Before I knew it I was talking about my John Kennedy experience!!!

[SBCentury21]

Hello all,

Rather than start a new thread about 55+ communites in De, I'd thought I pose my question here. There seems to be some knowledgeable folks participating. I was wondering if anyone knows of any 55+ community that allows for a fence to be erected on the property? I know someone who is considereing a move up from NC and that feature is very important to them. They mentioned to me Wild Meadows allows for fences. However, that contradicts the information I was previously given. Thanks in advance.

Steve

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by SBCentury21

Hello all,

Rather than start a new thread about 55+ communites in De, I'd thought I pose my question here. There seems to be some knowledgeable folks participating. I was wondering if anyone knows of any 55+ community that allows for a fence to be erected on the property? I know someone who is considereing a move up from NC and that feature is very important to them. They mentioned to me Wild Meadows allows for fences. However, that contradicts the information I was previously given. Thanks in advance.

Steve

To my knowledge, no fences are allowed in these 55+ communities. I live in one and we can not have a fence.
We have been to others and no fences are up so I am assuming, no fences allowed.
You can always call the community directly if you need an answer fast,

[Charley]

Hi Steve,

Wild Meadows and Nobles Pond do not allow fences. Most 55+ communities that I have seen do not. The reason is that these facilities provide lawn mowing services and it's easier for the person providing the service to mow the entire block at one time rather than mow each individual property between the fences (and then come back and weed-whack around fences).

Hope this helps.

Charley