Is a gated Community worth all the extra HOA dues? (Boca Pointe: for sale, renting)

[derekjet]

Saw a beautiful house inside a gated community in Boca Point, but noticed that the HOA fees are much higher because of gate security.

I know you cant put a price on safety, but is worth 3 times the cost for having it? I also know that HOA fees arent tax deductible.

Any thoughts on this or on Boca Point itself?

[harrycrat]

Very interesting subject...
Most people would agree that the benefit of living in a GC is not monetary but psychological...
So,answering to the point,no, a GC is not "worth" the extra fees,but most people would pay them for peace of mind...

[Reedsmit]

Originally Posted by derekjet

Saw a beautiful house inside a gated community in Boca Point, but noticed that the HOA fees are much higher because of gate security.

I know you cant put a price on safety, but is worth 3 times the cost for having it? I also know that HOA fees arent tax deductible.

Any thoughts on this or on Boca Point itself?

There are many things the the Association fees pay for in addition to Security.

Any amenties such as pools, tennis courts, golf courses, playground areas all need to be maintained, as well as having a Reserve Fund for major repairs.

Tennis Courts also have things like lights, nets, brooms, rollers, water fountains. All need maintained.

Your individual front yards have plants, sod and irrigation systems. All need maintained and repaired or replaced as needed.

The common areas need to be mowed, and fertilized, they also have irrigation systems. Your lakes have fountains and need to have the water tested and have chemicals which cause alge to grow added.

You club houses need to be cleaned along with your pool areas. Your sidewalks are pressure cleaned twice a year, and the trees get trimmed annually. If a tree dies it has to be removed, stump ground and a new tree is planted.

You have street signage inside your community and monument signs at your entrances. Annual flowers are planted and holiday decorations are purchased and displayed.

You have a management office to maintain and salaries for things like Attorneys, Accountants, Annual Audits, Maintenance people, a Management Co., a Security Co. and a Property Manager.

There are golf carts, office furniture, computers and office supplies, club house and pool furniture.

There are utility bills, gas for your pool heater, water, sewage, electric, cleaning supplies for the bathrooms.

Is it worth it? How much would you spend annually to mow your lawn, maintain your sprinklers, replace the plants in your yards, add mulch and trim the trees each year. How much would you pay for your basic cable. Now add to it what would you do if your neighbor across the street did not care if he mowed his lawn, never cleaned his driveway or roof. Worked on his cars in the front yard?

What if your house was for sale and your neighbor was doing those things? And it was effecting the value of your house.

All these things are what you pay for.

[DaniellaG]

I know where I was renting in Boca it was a country club condo and home community and that was why the HOA was unreal expensive plus you have an initial 70,000 added on to the price of the place.So the things like the other poster stated add on a lot of fees. Boca Pointe I think is nice though I am not a huge fan of powerline road some though is due to the construction so when that is done it will look nicer. The community is nice and there are different styles of condos /homes in there like little subdivisions inside. How much are you looking to spend if not too personal? Though the HOA is a lot I have few other thoughts in Boca. I am not a realtor just what I saw and know from others.