55+ Communities (Magnolia: prefab, hires, toxic)

[NH123]

Who pays for snow removal (the county, state or us)? Which builder is not constructing a clubhouse or swimming pool. All these [positive and/or negative] observations are VERY important.

Great question on the snow removal. If the roads belong to the county, Deldot is responsible. They typically sub contract out this responsiblity. If the roads belong to the community, then the HOA is responsible.

If you have community owned roads, be sure that both snow removal and repairs have a budget line in the HOA fees. Most times, developers/builders do not budget for repairs in order to keep HOA fees low, especially in the beginning stages of the community. The long-term result is that homeowners are later assessed for repairs or fees increase to fill the gap of a non budgeted line item.

[NH123]

Originally Posted by NH123

Goin'2DE, it is my understanding that your homes are built on a slab foundation. I am intrigued to why you bought a home on a slab versus a conditioned crawl space or basement, and what are the advantages? Please let me know, this is valuable information to readers of this thread. Lets talk about this.

I look forward to hearing from you.

This is an important question since many 55+ communities do build on a slab, conditioned crawl or basement.

Is anyone listening???? Foudation has a significant impact on energy efficiency, comfort and price point.

There are alot of people that review this website that do not post because they are not part of your respective communities. I am one of them. All I hear about is how great your home or community is......I am here because I want your experience to educate me.

[Goin'2DE]

Originally Posted by NH123

This is an important question since many 55+ communities do build on a slab, conditioned crawl or basement.

Is anyone listening???? Foudation has a significant impact on energy efficiency, comfort and price point.

There are alot of people that review this website that do not post because they are not part of your respective communities. I am one of them. All I hear about is how great your home or community is......I am here because I want your experience to educate me.

Our home is built on a slab. We're comfortable and energy efficient. We've lived in some homes with a crawl space and others with a slab. No problems or complaints from us.

[Gone-2-Beach]

Those following the information on 55+ Communities might also be interested in attending the 55+ Active Adult Expo being held at Dover Downs on Thursday, April 19 from 9AM to 4PM. Here is a link with more information about this annual event.

55+ Active Adult Expo

[NH123]

Originally Posted by Charley

No need to apologize. This thread was always intended to be a conduit for good information for those considering moving to the 55+ communities of Delaware. I've learned a lot from the folks who post here and I've also shared things that I've learned as well. It was always my hope that all who participate do the same - and fortunately most do. The value of the information herein is self-evident, as we're about to complete our fifth year of sharing with each other. I think that's an impressive accomplishment for one thread on any forum.

( ... and yes, Retiree2011. We are definitely counting. 77 days remain until the moving van arrives! 11 weeks from today.)

Charley, don't worry - no one is intending to invade on your parade. This is your thread and thank you for starting it. You make it well known that you are the mayor. However, there are questions that you might have missed throughout the process, like the ones that I proposed. You were silent on my questions - it seems most posters on this site just want to talk about highlights of their communities when the fact is there are issues.

Lets move the VAN forward and help those moving to Delaware. There is so much to talk about.

[Gone-2-Beach]

Originally Posted by NH123

Who pays for snow removal (the county, state or us)? Which builder is not constructing a clubhouse or swimming pool. All these [positive and/or negative] observations are VERY important.

Great question on the snow removal. If the roads belong to the county, Deldot is responsible. They typically sub contract out this responsiblity. If the roads belong to the community, then the HOA is responsible.

If you have community owned roads, be sure that both snow removal and repairs have a budget line in the HOA fees. Most times, evelopers/builders do not budget for repairs in order to keep HOA fees low, especially in the beginning stages of the community. The long-term result is that homeowners are later assessed for repairs or fees increase to fill the gap of a non budgeted line item.

At Champions Club, there is a line in the budget for snow removal. The budget is funded by HOA fees, which are lower in 2012 than they were the prior year. As the community is not completed, the builder is subsidizing those portions of the budget that is not yet funded.

The clubhouse and pool at Champions Club are already completed.

As a retired budget professional of almost thirty years, I have reviewed the budget. It appears to be well-considered and well-constructed for the short term and long term needs of the community. There are always unknowns in any budget in any discipline, in which a special assessment or fee increase will be needed to adjust for changes in conditions.

... and though I see commentary, but no specific question regarding foundations, my new home is built on a conditioned crawl space.

Originally Posted by NH123

Charley, don't worry - no one is intending to invade on your parade. This is your thread.

You are incorrect. The thread belongs to every person who participates, whether they are asking questions, answering them, or quietly reading the information without actively participating.

To maximize the effectiveness of this process, it would probably be helpful to ask direct questions without shrouding them in commentary so that others recognize them as actual questions and would therefore be more likely to respond. Therefore, I'll ask you: In which communities are you interested? What kind of timeframe do you have?

[NH123]

I am interested in the communities that we are discussing adding Longacre Village - Nobles Pond is an absolute 'NO'

You guys are the experts. I know I hammered GO'2 but that was only because I was interested. There are so many things that we do not know about until we go through the buying process. I am asking you all the tough questions.

[Goin'2DE]

Originally Posted by NH123

I am interested in the communities that we are discussing adding Longacre Village - Nobles Pond is an absolute 'NO'

You guys are the experts. I know I hammered GO'2 but that was only because I was interested. There are so many things that we do not know about until we go through the buying process. I am asking you all the tough questions.

I have not visited Longacre Village so I only know what I can see from Rt 13 as I drive by. It seems attractive enough. Haven't been to Noble's Pond either. Sorry I can't help you with info on those communities.

[benton1220]

I started reading this thread 2 weeks ago...a lot of great information.It was so interesting following all your explorations of DE and moves. We are looking to move to a 55+ community sometime in 2013.
I am still not sure about moving to DE from northern NJ due to cold and snowy winters( usually). I have sent for informaion on CC and NP, I figured those 2 were good to start with. We are also considering costal NC.
Looking forward to chatting and sharing information with you all.
Kathy

[retiree2011]

Originally Posted by NH123

I am interested in the communities that we are discussing adding Longacre Village - Nobles Pond is an absolute 'NO'

You guys are the experts. I know I hammered GO'2 but that was only because I was interested. There are so many things that we do not know about until we go through the buying process. I am asking you all the tough questions.

Hi there! Retiree2011 here: Just curious, why is Nobles Pond a NO! I am leaning toward that place, mostly because of the clubhouse and location. Longacre Village is a maybe for me right now as they do not have a clubhouse or pool yet. Also, they have different pricing - front and back. The front houses, which cost less are right on busy Route 13 and there seems to be a wetlands area there in front. The porches of the homes seemed to be screened, probably due to flying insects from the wetlands. I live near wetlands now, so know how it gets in the evening. Luckily we have swallows and bats that take care of a lot of the insects, but without a lot of trees, that might now be the case at Longacre Village. I just got a package from them this weekend and I notice that they have public water and sewer and that is a plus with the charges for those services in some other communities.

This may be one of the last big decisions you or I will make, so we have to consider everything carefully. You don't want to have a lot of regrets about where you move.

Good Luck!