What to look for in a 55+ Community

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Posted: July 17, 2017 - Homebuyer's Blog

When downsizing and/or retiring, finding the right community to move to can be daunting. More and more people in this situation are opting for an active adult community. If you, too, are considering a 55+ community, here are inside tips from Hartz Homes that can help.

Hartz Homes has helped hundreds of people find their dream home in its 55+ community, Lago Vista in Lockport, Illinois. The sales counselors at this community have seen the following common considerations that many prospective buyers share.

Size of Community

One of the first considerations in choosing a 55+ community is the size of the development. Across the country, there are tons of communities that range in size from small and intimate settings to massive, sprawling developments. The number of homes typically indicates the size of the community — a 50-home community will have a different vibe than a 10,000+ home community — so it really depends on what makes you feel comfortable.

The more homes in a community, the more residents there will be. One example is The Villages in Central Florida, which will have more than 50,000 homes at completion. Not only does it have a lot of homes, it also spans across three counties, zip codes, and more than 20,000 acres. If a large development seems intimidating, then you might want to check out a smaller-sized community that will make you feel more at ease.

Lago Vista will have xx homes when complete. It’s big enough to support great amenities and a vibrant social scene, but small enough to keep it a close-knit community.

Location

Is the community near family?  You may want to keep your grandkids within an easy drive. Also, check out how far the development is from medical facilities, stores, restaurants, highways, airports, and entertainment. You’ll probably want to spend more time relaxing and having fun, and less time in the car.

Lago Vista from Hartz Homes is in the heart of it all. It’s near vibrant downtown Lockport and not far from Highway 355. Shopping is just a hop, skip and a jump away.

Amenities

Amenities are another important factor to consider when searching for a 55+ community. Depending on your hobbies and interests, you should check to see if the community has the amenities that will support your active adult lifestyle in retirement. If you want to spend your days working out, then a state-of-the-art fitness center will suit you best. If you prefer to explore your creative side, then choose a community with an arts and crafts studio. Generally speaking, large and mid-size communities will offer the most resort-style amenities while smaller ones will offer the basics like a clubhouse, multi-purpose room, or gathering area.

Lago Vista has a long list of amenities. The 21,000 square foot clubhouse is home to an indoor pool, outdoor pool, sports lounge, hair salon, fitness room, community gathering space, and arts and crafts rooms. The amenities will ensure you feel safe, comfortable and completely at home.

Lifestyle

In addition to a wide selection of amenities, active adult communities are known for providing residents with an active and social lifestyle. These environments offer an assortment of activities, clubs, events, and classes that can appeal to all kinds of interests. Some of the larger developments have an on-site lifestyle director who helps plan and organize events like day trips, golf outings, mix-and-mingle functions, or neighborhood welcoming committees. These communities also offer everything from yoga classes and cooking demonstrations to line dancing and poker nights. Residents who prefer a less active social calendar can opt for a more tranquil atmosphere in a community that allows them to plan their own events and activities where they can share similar interests with other adults.

Living in Lago Vista gives residents more than enough activities and opportunities to stay busy. For those active adults looking to learn new skills and keep busy, this community is the answer. There is a vast array of clubs to join and organizations to become a part of. Because Lago Vista is made up of people just like yourself, you’ll never be bored.

Floorplans

You’ll want to select a community that offers floorplans that reflect your new lifestyle. Hartz builds homes in Lago Vista with you in mind. This means that every single square foot of the home was designed and developed to make active adults like yourself comfortable. From the square footage and number of bedrooms to outdoor patios and open floor plans, you’ll instantly feel at home. Check out the well-designed floorplans for the single family homes as well as the townhomes.

HOA

When moving into a 55-plus community, it’s also important to know about the homeowners’ association (HOA). An HOA is a legal entity that oversees a residential community that has a shared space. It can range from streets to parks to clubhouses. The HOA typically takes care of the overall maintenance of the community, making sure the streets and sidewalks are clean, the lawns are cut, and the clubhouse is taken care of. It also supports the social and recreational amenities found in the community, ensuring that the best amenities are in working condition and being well maintained.

The HOA also protects the property values within the community and does so by enforcing covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs), which are rules of the neighborhood. Homeowners must follow these rules and regulations that may include grass length, exterior home colors, and extensive interior remodeling. If the community lacks an HOA, the community might not look appealing to new homebuyers, leading to a decline in property value. Active adult homeowners want to make sure that the HOA takes care of the community and property values in order to maximize potential investment and resale opportunities. Also, living under an HOA promotes civic involvement and residents have a more direct influence on the appearance of a community than living in a non-HOA controlled development.

The Lago Vista HOA is run by its residents, with the help of a respected management company that they hired.  Residents can feel at ease knowing that the needs and desires of the community are being met in a highly professional manner.

Please check out these new home communities from Hartz Homes:

Armitage Pointe of Addison, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Bella Vista Townhomes of Bolingbrook, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Heather Glen of New Lenox, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Hibernia of New Lenox, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Lago Vista of Lockport, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Leigh Creek of New Lenox, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Manchester Cove of Mokena, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Marquis Pointe of Montgomery, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Marywood Meadows of Montgomery, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Nantucket Lakes of New Lenox, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Oliviabrook of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Park West of Manteno, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Playa Vista of Plainfield, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Sky Harbor of New Lenox, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Whisper Creek of Mokena, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

 

Hartz Homes has new home communities in:

Addison, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Aurora, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Bolingbrook, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Lockport, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

New Lenox (Chicago area new home construction)

Manteno, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Mokena, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Montgomery, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Plainfield, Illinois (Chicago area new home construction)

Oakbrook Terrace (Chicago area new home construction)