Is a Golf Course Community Right for You?

Philadelphia and its suburbs are well-known as a bastion of top-tier golf.  Merion Golf Club in Delaware County recently hosted the U.S. Open, Aronomik in Chester County is regarded as one of the nation’s best, and Saucon Valley has earned a stellar reputation after years as the private club of Bethlehem Steel execs.  When you combine public, private and community courses there are more than 150 options in and around the city of Philadelphia.  So is living on the course your idea of a real estate hole-in-one? There are pros and cons to this type of situation.

Why golf communities are so attractive?

First and foremost, money.  Studies have proven that homes in a golf community often sell at a 40% premium to similar homes in more traditional communities.  If you are purchasing in a new community you may see a return on investment greater than other opportunities.  Of course ROI is always speculative and you should do additional research before making your move.  Additionally, golf course communities often offer walking-distance amenities such as clubhouse and swimming pool.  Be prepared, however, these services are often not included in traditional community fees and may require you to join a separate entity.  Finally, and perhaps most obvious, golf course communities provide an easy outlet for golf enthusiasts to get onto the course frequently.  Depending on the club and your relationship, you may be able to play the hole outside your back door whenever you want!

What things should one consider regarding golf communities?

As mentioned before, many golf course communities don’t offer residents anything more than a traditional residential community would.  You may not have golf privileges, the clubhouse may be for members only and the waiting lists at some clubs may last longer than you desire.  Additionally the dues and fees may end up making the ROI on any real estate investment less-than-desirable.

Additionally, you must consider that in most golf course communities the price you pay for having the fairway out the back door is that you have others using your backyard throughout the day.  If the course opens to members at 6:00, and your bedroom sits outside the second tee be prepared for a 6:15 wake-up call from a less-than-perfect golfer verbally encouraging his or her golf ball to go straight.  

Finally, there is property damage that can come from living in an area where golf balls are flying through the air.  There are many differences of opinion on who is responsible for damage done by errant golf shots (if you are in Pennsylvania or New Jersey we advise you to speak with an attorney to get a detailed answer) but whomever is eventually responsible financially, you are still the one with a broken window that needs to be repaired.  While most clubs and housing are built to minimize this possibility, golfers continue to amaze each other with their ability to hit the ball in places you never expected.

A Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers

Most buyers know that home inspections are an important part of the buying process. But how do you know for sure that you have checked the home thoroughly? The main purpose of home inspection is to check for any defects that the home might contain. Even if you hire a home inspector, you should be aware of the essentials that are covered during the inspection.

To ensure that you cover each aspect of the home, divide the home into segments and examine each part carefully. Here are some pointers to guide you.

Structure and construction


· Does the structure strong seem strong? How does the foundation look?


· Is there any cracking, curling, decay or loosening of the siding.


· Are there vines on the surface walls?


· Is the paint peeling or flaking?


· Check the roof for any loose shingles, cracking or missing coping.


· How well do the gutters drain rainwater away from the house?



Garden and trees


· If there are trees close to the foundation, look for roots.


· Check if the lawn is cut and mowed properly.


· What kind of precautions has the owner taken for rodent and insect infestation?



Kitchen


· What kind of cooking appliances are used within the kitchen?


· Has the kitchen been updated recently?


· Are there GFCI outlets?


· Are ventilation systems clean?


· Signs of a leakage anywhere?



Bathroom


· Look for loose or broken tiles.


· Check around the bathtub for caulking issues.


· Is the tub moldy, cracked or damaged?


· Try all the faucets in the bathroom(s). How is the water pressure?



Balconies and decks


· Is the balcony child-friendly?


· Are the supporting beams in good condition?


· Are there indications of rot?



Make a list of the all things that you want to check in and outside the house. As a buyer, you should always attend your home inspection, so bring your list along and your inspector can address your concerns on site. You can even add a notes section to each section of the building, so you can write anything that comes to your mind.

Bring a copy of your sellers disclosure to the home inspection if possible. Some sellers will be very forthright with their systems maintenance, but if regular maintenance is not apparent, your agent can find out. Proper inspection ensures longevity of the home and assures the health of its occupants.

Once the home inspection is done to your satisfaction, you may want to hire your own contractors to get the repairs done. Get an estimate of the cost and you can work it out with the seller. In some cases, the seller will pay for the repairs. Caution: some repairs will need to be made before settlement, others can be handled through a seller credit and completed after the sale.

For more information, the American Society of Home Inspectors has a neat little "virtual home inspection" to educate buyers here.