5 Questions to Ask Your Realtor About Luxury Gated Communities

Location. Location. Location. You’ve made the wise decision to live in a luxury gated community. Congratulations! Now the fun begins … working with a real estate expert to find just the perfect place to call home.

Luxury gated communities in Georgia, attractive to buyers from all over the country, have so much to offer: privacy, security, splendid amenities, and a vibrant social life.  Finding a community that fits your lifestyle is key to enjoying the camaraderie of a close-knit community, stable property values, and well-maintained grounds of a gated neighborhood.

So, let’s get ready to house shop. Here are the five top questions to ask a real estate expert when looking at luxury homes in a gated community.

1. What are the available amenities?

One of the main benefits of living in a gated community is the resort-style amenities. These can include

• golf courses,
• swimming pools,
• marinas,
• court sports/fields,
• country clubs,
• fitness centers,
• wellness programs,
• fine dining,
• parks and trails and;
• special events/festivals.

The more amenities available, the more likely you are to find something you love to do.

Sounds like utopia, right? Pretty close. You don’t have to go far to picnic, exercise the dog, run or walk, bike, boat or meet friends. Many communities also offer that neighborly spirit through social groups where you can meet new people who share your passions and interests. Whether it be a lunch bunch or a biking group, community clubs are a great way to get involved. And The Landings offers well over 100 groups for just about every interest under the sun.

2. What kind of security is offered in this community?

Security is a big draw for many homeowners, and overall, a private community can be more secure.

Make sure to review the community’s security plan. Determine whether there are modern cameras, security patrols and know what the gate protocol is for visitors and workers.

Ask to see a written security protocol, if possible. Also inquire about crime statistics for the community specifically and the surrounding area. Security requirements differ among states, regions and communities. Look for what you believe to be appropriate.

3. Are there HOA dues and fees?

Most luxury gated communities in Georgia have additional monthly fees that you wouldn’t have in a typical neighborhood. But the HOA fees are worth it.

These fees support luxury living, including high-end amenities, rising property values, enhanced privacy and an overall sense of community.

Ask to review a breakdown of the fees. Other questions to consider:

• Can you pay monthly, or must it be yearly?
• How convenient is it to make payments (bank transfer, online, etc.)?
• How often are fees raised?

All these factors give insight into how the community is run.

4. What are the guidelines specific to this community?

Guidelines help keep the community orderly, safe, and in better repair.

These heightened levels of standards include the maintenance and management of common areas, amenity facilities, landscaping, roads, and walkways. They ensure that a gated community’s entire grounds are maintained. This positively impacts the property, value, safety, and beauty of the community.

Make sure to review the covenants and guidelines, which spell out community rules and what you can and can’t do. Some common rules might influence selecting exterior house color, design changes such as porches or fences, parking of RVs or boats, rental options, holiday decorations, yard sales and speed and noise limits to name a few.

5. How are the property values holding here?

In most markets, private communities hold their value because the homes and neighborhoods are well-maintained. When buying a property, location is always key. That being said, buying a home in a well-maintained and desirable community is almost always an excellent financial choice.

For example, property values at The Landings are still rising even in the face of a recent cooling in the overall housing market. Home values at The Landings increased by 27.7% in 2022 and another 1.4% in the first two months of 2023.

Luxury gated communities truly offer a lifestyle that centers around a neighborly feel, stable property values, heightened security and a huge number of amenities.

Now that some of your questions are answered and you’re ready to take the next step toward buying within a luxury gated community, connect with the real estate experts at The Landings Company or check out our homes for sale. We also encourage you to plan a Discovery Visit to The Landings, explore the community and discover how living at The Landings can meet your lifestyle dreams.