tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331565572007-01-11T13:01:24.182-05:00JimBlogger61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33156557.post-41228813600717858122007-01-11T12:46:00.000-05:002007-01-11T13:01:24.217-05:00It's not just about the golf anymore. For a long time the major marketing message of many golf communities was " championship golf course designed by ..............". That doesn't seem to be enough any more.<br /><br />New communities are adding more amenities in an effort to distinguish themselves as providers of a more complete family and lifestyle oriented environment. Equestrian centers, hiking and biking trails, fishing, boating, croquet, kids camps, crafts classes, celebrity chefs, on-site naturalists, spas, and a host of other activities are being promoted to prospective buyers.<br /><br />And it's not just golfers either. Many communities draw non-golfers who want the security of a gated community and the attendant lifestyle.<br /><br />One note of caution to prospective buyers regarding all the amenity offerings in a new community. In the early stages the cost of providing the amenities is underwritten by the developer. If the long term plan is to turn the community over to a homeowners association it would be worth knowing what plans are in place to retain the amenities if the costs become the responsibility of the association and are to be passed on to the homeowners.Jimtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33156557.post-63790855028835045982007-01-08T10:48:00.000-05:002007-01-08T10:55:44.226-05:00<h2><span style="font-size:85%;">Travel + Leisure Golf’s annual list of the best places to live.</span></h2><br />"..a softer housing market makes it hard to buy land in a golf community with the idea of 'flipping' the lot, so a property buyer in 2007 should feel a stronger commitment to the development."<br /><br />"Bottom line: All one hundred of these offer the best golf-community living in the country and are fine-looking investments, but the ones claiming the top spots are winning the modern-amenities war."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/tlgolf/articles/golf-americas-top-100-golf-communities-january-2007">Read the full article</a>.Jimtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33156557.post-60791872700431798632006-12-29T20:18:00.000-05:002006-12-29T20:22:11.867-05:00According to 2006 Fractional Interests Leisure Real Estate Market Report, fractional pricing ranges from $60,750 to $649,564 per interest based on floor plan, location and size of fraction. In addition to the purchase price, there are annual maintenance fees, which in 2005 averaged $5,575.<br /><br />The Fractional Interests study also states the average length of stay at destination clubs ranges from one to nine weeks and costs include a one-time fee of $20,000 to $1.5 million, which is typically between 80 and 100 percent refundable should they choose to exit the program. Annual dues range from $1,500 to $30,000. The club may also charge a nightly fee while guests are in residence.<br /><br />Source: The American Resort Development AssociationJimtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33156557.post-1166455997059656612006-12-18T10:06:00.000-05:002006-12-18T10:33:17.110-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Golf Community Awards</span><br /><br />Links Magazine has <br /><a href="http://www.linksmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=AC4A84BDCCCD426A836D0A3647BC24F5&nm=Archive&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=1658D0EB4F954854AA1C3C912564A92B"><span style="font-weight:bold;">America's 100 Premiere Properties</a></span><br /><br /><br />Golfweek Magazine has <br /> <a href="http://www.golfweek.com/americasbest/top100residential.php"><span style="font-weight:bold;">America's Best Residential Golf Courses</a></span>Jimtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33156557.post-1164209772332004662006-11-22T10:31:00.000-05:002006-11-22T10:36:12.340-05:00A recent BusinessWeek Online article details the 18 hottest retirement destinations for golfers.<br /><br />Read the article at <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_46/b4009103.htm">http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_46/b4009103.htm</a>Jimtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33156557.post-1164129749460944112006-11-21T12:01:00.000-05:002006-11-21T16:48:57.673-05:00Private Golf Communities are not just for retirees or vacationers. Today, many families choose them for their primary residence, even in areas where golf is not played year round. <br /><br />They're not just for golfers either. Today, many people say the lifestyle amenities found in a Private Community are why they chose to live in a Private Golf Community, even if they don't play golf.<br /><br />Although climate may be a prime reason for choosing a location of a golf community, the Southeastern and Southwestern sections of the USA are not the only places to find your dream golfhome. Today, you'll find Private Communities in the Big Sky states, the Pacific Northwest, the Rockies, Baja California, the Caribbean and Europe. A wide range of activities and amenities are the lure, not just golf.<br /><br />Full ownership of a vacation golfhome is not for everyone. Today, many people are choosing to buy a fractional ownership of a Residence Club's luxury golfhome.<br /><br />Ownership of any kind might not be for everyone either. Today, Destination clubs offer memberships that include the use of luxury golfhomes in many popular vacation locations around the World.<br /><br />Today, for those who want to own or use a golfhome, the choices are many. Enjoy.Jim