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Golf Lifestyle: House Hunting on the Golf Course
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So you’ve decided to relocate to a golf course community: let the adventure begin! There are many factors to consider, and here are a few to get you started.
1. Size
A great place to start is assessing how much space you need. If you’re single or coupled up and don’t plan on expanding your family, you’ll want to look for a home with less square footage. On the contrary, if you’re a young family looking for your first home and plan to have kids, you’ll want something larger.
Ultimately, the overall size comes down to the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. If you’re newlyweds planning on children, you’ll want plenty of bedrooms depending on the size of your growing family. If you’re looking to downsize but want room for visitors, add “guest bedroom” to your wish list. Some people prefer extra privacy when it comes to bathrooms, so the number of them may be another important feature. Keep in mind that the larger the home, the more upkeep it will require, so don’t go bigger than you actually need.
2. Accessibility
Whether you’re a senior with limited mobility, an adult with a disability, or have a child with a disability, accessibility is a vital item on your wish list. Are the hallways and doorways wide enough for a wheelchair? Is there an elevator? Are doors easily accessible with levers or buttons for opening and closing? Are the countertops the right height so that you can easily reach them?
If your desired home isn’t accessible already, assess whether there is room to make the modifications yourself. The Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm has an excellent resource list that can help you make sure all of your bases are covered.
3. Outdoor Space
Depending on the community, there may be large backyards against the golf course, and there may be smaller ones. What’s right for you? Consider whether or not you have (or plan to have) children or grandchildren who will need extra space to play. Perhaps instead, you and your partner simply like the idea of sitting outside in the evenings and only need a small patio space.
Consider that flying golf balls could be a bit of a hazard; you’ll need to supervise any playtime and stay vigilant when outside. If you have a garden, you may want to cover your plants with chicken wire to protect them from potential incoming balls. Manufactured Home Parts and Accessories suggests you consider a screen enclosure to fully protect your backyard.
4. Proximity to essentials
Being near the necessities is another crucial factor. Consider the locations of local food markets, doctors, parks, clothing stores, cafés, hiking trails, etc. Whatever destinations you and your family need or use on a regular basis should all be near enough to the house that you won’t dread a long car ride and begin to resent your new golf course home.
If you have children, in addition to checking out local school districts, find out just how close the schools are to each house you look at. Is it walkable? Is it in a busy area of town? These are important questions to ask and assess while you house-hunt.
5. Purchasing “as is”
Some homes will come with an option to buy “as is.” This means you’re accepting the house exactly as it already is: warts and all. This may seem appealing if you are eager to move, but there are downsides. You can’t ask the seller to make repairs or improvements before moving in, not even credits for property issues.
If you do plan to buy as-is, you’ll need the help of professionals. A home inspector should scope out the property to look for problems. You’ll also want a lawyer to help with both checking land records for potential issues, and to help with any negotiations.
Shopping for a new home on the golf course is an exciting, yet time-consuming, process. Consider these elements when on the hunt and you’ll find success.
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