Admit it. Ever since you saw your first episode of Dallas, Desperate Housewives or other TV drama featuring picture perfect houses with picture perfect yards, you’ve wondered what it was like to live in a planned, gated or otherwise restricted community. We can’t blame you. The perks from controlled access or uniform, clean, landscaped yards can be appealing. From security to extra amenities to picturesque settings for family gatherings, planned and gated communities have much to offer homeowners. But, as with most attractive packages, the reality isn’t always as perfect as you’d think.
Nice Yard…Now About That Gnome Statue
One of the most obvious benefits of planned community living, at least to the casual observer, is the uniform attractive appearance of the yards in the neighborhood. Home Owners Associations, or HOA’s, will generally call for a regular schedule of lawn maintenance or may even provide the service themselves depending on your community. This picturesque exterior planning can be a dream to enjoy on quiet evenings outdoors and creates instant curb appeal for resale value down the road.
In exchange for not worrying about your quirky neighbor putting a car up on cinderblocks in their front yard, however, there are a few drawbacks to that perfectly manicured front, or even back, yard. First, many HOA’s will place limitations on types of plants you may grow and require strict maintenance so that nothing appears unruly or untidy. Go a few weeks without pruning those peonies and you may have a letter waiting in your mailbox or a visit from the neighborhood proctor on your hands. And if you’re a fan of those quirky statues, flags or other decorations that tend to be found in catalogs strategically placed in the back pouch of airline seats, you may be out of luck. Garden gnomes, flags or other “fun” decorations tend to be universally frowned upon in planned communities.
Fifty Shades of Beige
Speaking of adding personal touches to the exterior of your home, if you’ve been thinking about painting your front door bright red or adding a splash of neon green to your shutters, if you live in a planned community you may want to think again. Your HOA, community plan or other neighborhood guidelines will most likely limit the color and material options for the exterior of your home. And they will most likely be neutral, unexciting shades to choose from. On the plus side, these limitations can create a uniform appearance to the neighborhood and can help avoid glaring eyesores, like that time our neighbor in elementary school decided bright orange was a happening color for siding.
Welcome to the Neighborhood…Now Where’s Your Pocketbook
If you’re on board so far with obliging HOA guidelines for items like yard maintenance and front door colors, know that with these perks often comes a price. In exchange for providing governance, your community or neighborhood group or Home Owner’s Association will typically charge monthly or yearly dues in order to defray expenses.
The bigger the perks, the bigger the fees. Gated communities often have dedicated security officers who need a monthly paycheck. Common amenities such as a clubhouse, tennis court or community pool also require staff and maintenance. The bigger the perk and the smaller the community the higher the fees will be. Some small HOA’s may require a few hundred dollars a year. Others may rack up bills of thousands a month.
Whether you choose a traditional neighborhood or a planned community, before you buy be sure to inquire about any restrictions your home may face. HOA or other fees should be disclosed before you enter into any purchase contract. Limitations on building, painting or other customization are also typically required to be included up front. As with any home, these communities will have their pros and cons and it’s up to homebuyers to decide what meets the needs of their individual families.
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