Ocala: Is Stone Creek the best 55+? (Country Club, Laurel: for sale, insurance, homes)

[JohnG_NYC]

I probably was unclear. I did not hear that OTOW is planning 32,000 ADDITIONAL homes but rather that their approved plans call for them to have a TOTAL of 32,000 homes.

My understanding is that StoneCreek pays a small portion of their HOA to be part of the OTOW Master Association but that it has nothing to do with any cross ownership. It rather has to do with the fact that they are surrounded by OTOW and wish to have a voice in decisions that might effect them. (At least this is how it has been explained to me).

I did hear that StoneCreek gets its water from the Bay Laurel CDD which is related to OTOW.

[rma5502]

Originally Posted by JohnG_NYC

Thanks for the response regarding the facts. Actually I had checked the bankruptcy one independently on the web before my response. I knew it was false regarding the current owner at that point.

I know the poster was close on when OTOW was started - actually 25 years ago (plans going back over 30 years).

I cannot say for sure if the post was anything more than misguided. I had read that folks with an agenda sometimes will post without stating so. That is why I asked for proof. I did not receive a response - either here or directly.

I do have a question for you. Was Stone Creek available when you made your decision on SummerGlen? Which would you chose now? Why?

Also, as someone near On Top of the World, what is your take on that community? I just read that they have plans for over 30,000 homes!

Too large, both SC and OTOW. They both belong to the master hoa. Not resident owned. 4000 homes and one golf course. what? Check out who owns the cable and water and sewer. Who will control those rates. I think the answer will surprise you. What is to keep the developer from developing the golf course.

[JohnG_NYC]

rma5502:

Thanks for the replies.

I have already heard about the 4000 homes and one golf course before. I have never been really into golf - so I am not sure if that is a big issue for me. I am more interested in my home itself and its standard features. I have been told that this is where Del Webb (SC) has it all over SG.

As far as the other issue you mention, my understanding is that SC indeed belongs to OTOW's Master Association for the reason I mentioned above. However, all of their literature states that ALL amenities for SC will be owned by the community association - in other words, the residents. The sole exclusion is the golf course.

You mentioned to check who owns the cable.The SC literature says DCM Cable. I have no idea who owns them. Is there something I should know?

The water/sewer comes from Bay Laurel CDD. I know some OTOW residents pay CDD fees for Bay Laurel. SC's literature says that some of the SC HOA goes to them as well. Are you saying that OTOW controls Bay Laurel CDD and thus controls water rates to SC?

This is of great interest to me and I welcome further detail.

I have yet to visit down there but have kind of narrowed things to SC and SG. OTOW sounds way too big to me and is clearly not resident owned. In some cases, the resident does not even own the land his house is on.

In addition to the above, I'd love to hear any other reasons why you feel SG is superior.

[chrisp160]

yes the owner of OTOW ownes dcm cable bay laurel water and sewer yes otow controls water rates to stone creek and charges them higher rates than otow residents

[stonecreeker]

We love being here in Stone Creek. In fact we want to purchase a larger home, so anyone interested in a really good deal on a 1 year old Sheridan with extra's , let me know. I would love to show you my house a welcome you to the community

[JohnG_NYC]

Stonecreeker -

Just curious - which model are you looking to move up to?

[jonor]

We looked at OTOW - Candler Hills, and Stone Creek. Candler Hills is the only part of OTOW where the land is owned, not leased, by the homeowner. We chose Stone Creek because of the floor plans and the price per sq foot was MUCH better with higher end options as standard. We liked them both, though.

[JohnG_NYC]

Jonor -

I am curious - Did you look at SummerGlen at all?

I am looking at them as well and am interested what makes someone choose Stone Creek over them.

THanks for the input.

[Charleysmom]

Summer Glen is right along Rt 75. Summer Glen has good amenities fees which include mowing your grass but the amenities are not as nice as Stone Creek. We didn't even consider it after hearing the constant highway noise. We also felt like getting on and off 484 was very difficult and dangerous.

[Vikings]

We had a brief visit to Stone Creek in November and it looked very nice. Can you give us an idea of average property taxes, say on a $250K home, homeowners insurance, any other local fees, etc. I'm hearing all postives, any negatives, beside the summer heat. We were also considering The Villages. T heard the Villages has a bond you have to pay, but SC does not?