Living On The Links

“This is the fifth golf-course community I’ve lived in,” Percival says. “My husband is in the hospitality business and we move frequently. We selected another golf community because we just love them.”

For the Percivals, and many other Central Floridians, golf-course living means a wealth of amenities, a thriving social life, a connection to nature and, of course, access to championship links.

“National trends indicate that golf-course communities are going to be very popular for the foreseeable future,” says Barbara Brady, a top-selling Realtor with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate. “This is all about baby boomers.

These communities offer the amenities they want. Plus, a large number will retire and move or seek a second home in the near future.”

And it’s not just Americans who are attracted to the golfing lifestyle. People from all over the world are buying second homes in golf-course communities, Brady says. “They often begin as vacationers who come to Central Florida and fall in love with the area,” she notes.

Developers have taken note. In 2006, golf-course communities in Florida numbered 571, up from 516 in 2002, according to the National Golf Foundation.

Outstanding courses are the crown jewels that add luster to new communities, developers say. Many feature challenging, nationally ranked courses designed by some of the most prestigious names in golf.

The Ginn Company’s Reunion Resort, located near Celebration in Osceola County, boasts three signature courses by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson. Designed to complement the natural surroundings, the courses feature a variety of terrains, including one with elevations that vary as much as 45 feet from tee to green.

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Southeast Orlando features a Tom Fazio-designed course. In March, the community hosted the 2007 Tavistock Cup, billed as the World’s Golf and Country Club Championship, during which PGA Tour pros who live in the community go head-to-head with pros who live in Isleworth, another upscale Central Florida golf-course community.

But living in a golf-course community isn’t just about golf. In fact, as many as 60 to 70 percent of golf-course community residents are non-golfers, real estate experts say. The big three lures for non-golfers are value, resale and amenities.

“Obviously, having the golf course right across the street is wonderful,” says Percival, who is a golfer. “But we also like all the amenities, the club atmosphere, the landscaping, the fact that it’s a gated community and the overall look of Keene’s Pointe.”

A golf course is a thick ribbon of green meandering through wide open spaces, connecting those who love the game with those who simply love the beauty of its setting. Consequently, developers are building communities with an eye to preserving as much of the natural setting as possible.

Drive through the gates of Lake Nona Golf & Country Club and you enter an oasis of trees and lush foliage. Pine trees, magnolias and moss-draped oaks provide a canopy of shade on the road leading to the clubhouse while manicured, landscaped green-spaces flank natural woodlands.
The community was built around three contiguous lakes, including 600-acre Lake Nona, which is consistently rated as one of the region’s most pristine bodies of water.

“It’s great for boating, and I’m told the fishing is wonderful,” says Jodi Emrick, broker and vice president of Lake Nona Realty. “The natural beauty of the area is just spectacular. Many times coming around a corner, you’ll spot a deer or a raccoon or a little red-tailed fox.”
Another plus at Lake Nona: “Most of the golf-course homes have double or triple fairways behind them, so you have unobstructed views,” says Emrick.

“There’s definitely a sense that golf-course communities are a little better protected from market downturns,” says Bill Graham, division president of Lennar Homes, the developer of Stoneybrook West in Winter Garden. “All things being equal, if two homes are for sale, the one that’s in the golf course community may be easier to sell more quickly.”

As for amenities, new residential golf-course communities offer a smorgasbord of activities, facilities, services and social activities designed to appeal to a variety of ages and life stages.
Depending upon the community, the list can include clubhouses, community pools, tennis courts, fitness centers, volleyball courts, playgrounds, walking trails, boat and RV storage and more. Lake Nona even offers an 18-room lodge for members and guests.

In addition to attracting golfers and non-golfers, the market for golf-course communities is intergenerational, including families with children of all ages, empty nesters and active retirees.
“Keene’s Pointe has been a very attractive community for young and middle-aged families,” says Bob Hennen, director of sales and marketing for Castle & Cooke, the community’s developer. Hennen notes that Keene’s Pointe boasts five parks and an array of outdoor activities in addition to golf.?

That’s part the appeal for Percival. “We’re all outdoor enthusiasts who swim, golf or play tennis,” Percival says.

“We’ve really enjoyed having so many things to do that are within walking distance or a short bike ride or golf cart ride away.”

Golf-course communities also appeal to second-home buyers. At Lake Nona, about 60 percent of residents live there year-round while about 40 percent have a primary residence elsewhere, Emrick says.

Maintenance-free living is another draw. Typically, golf-course communities maintain all common areas. A few keep up the exteriors of private residences as well.

“Whether our residents live in a condo or a single-family home, we maintain the exterior,” says Sean Barrett, vice president of sales at Reunion Resort. “It puts our members’ minds at ease that while they’re away, we’re taking care of their property.”

Still, living in a golf-course community is about lifestyle as much as anything else, with “community” being the operating word. With an array of social activities and events geared toward different interests, it’s easy to connect with neighbors and find common interests.

“You really never meet a stranger because everyone is so warm and friendly,” says Emrick, who also lives in Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. “It’s a special and unique community. There’s so much to do and there’s nothing to do. It’s your choice if you want to just sit on the porch and relax, come to the club for a casual meal or just go for a walk with a neighbor.”

So what does it cost to live in a golf-course community? That depends.
Homes styles may include single-family homes, condominiums or townhomes, depending upon the development. Prices can range from $300,000 to $450,000 at mid-priced communities all the way up to $10 million for luxurious custom estates at the region’s most exclusive enclaves.

Of course,? you’ll pay a premium for living directly on a golf course, and homeowner association fees and country-club dues are an additional cost at many golf-course communities. Costs can vary, depending on the type of membership.

For all the amenities those fees provide, homes in golf-course communities are similar to those in other comparably-priced new-home communities.

“There’s a much greater focus on architecture that has some historical precedent, with roots in classical American and European architecture,” says Hennen of Keene’s Pointe. “Another trend that continues to gain traction is the increasing level of amenities in outdoor space.”

It’s not uncommon, Hennen notes, for the cost per square foot of outdoor space to rival that of indoor space. That can mean anything from six-figure pools to elaborate summer kitchens.

It all adds up to a homestyle and lifestyle that suits Percival and many others to a tee. “Lots of people say this is a fantasy to live like this,” Percival says. “But I just feel truly blessed to live in such a beautiful place.”