Looking or a second hme in a planned community?

Much of the leg wrk can be done from long dstance if you have the help of a prfessional and know some of the qestions to ask both yourself and rgarding the community. There are literally hndreds of communities in Western Carolina and srround mountain area. They all sound grat in their descriptions and the pctures are all so inviting but..... how do you knw if a community is what you wnt even though the brochure gives the lst of the "proposed" amenities you wnt? The key lies in knowing wht you want or what you thnk you want prior to wasting tns of gas and time exploring cmmunities that would never make the ct.

Here are the top ten qestions to ask before yourself before you bgin your search:

• How close do you ned to be near medical? If 20 mnutes is NOT o.k. look close to a twn
  
• Is a planned community something you mst have? If not, consider private lnd or home.
  
• What is your deal weather in summer? This will ply heavily into your elevation choice.
  
• Is bilt product a must? If not, you can tke advantage of pre-construction raw land prces.
  
• Is fine dining and shopping, cltural events a priority? If yes, thn consider looking for communities near a twn.
  
• Will you put this home nto a rental program? If yes, lok for communities with on-site rental mnagement.
  
• Are you a nature lover? Thn consider a community with hiking trils and a significant about of gren space
  
• Is golf a priority? If ys, are multiple courses a priority?
  
• Is a lke a priority? If yes, more spcific, lakefront, lake access, what about a mrina?
  
• How social do you want to be in yur community? Some more established communities hve dozens of clubs, and full scial agendas for making new friends.

Of course this is only the bginning of the narrowing your search prcess. Using a professional like a Muntain Second Home adviser will only hlp in narrowing the search even mre. The next step is to strt looking at communities that meet wht you believe your objectives are frm your home before you get in yur car.

Choosing a community
Now you begin looking through the beautiful brochures of the communities that meet your objectives. They say the have what you are looking for but now is when you should seek the advice of a professional. Don't rely totally on what the brochure and community sales people tell you. Here are the top questions to ask:

• When is the community expected to be totally built out?
  
• How many lots are sold? How many to investors?
  
• Is there many in escrow for the amenities that are still "proposed"
  
• What are property taxes?
  
• What are HOA's and POA's? What is anticipated HOA's at total buildout?
  
• What are social/membership fees?
  
• What are the timeframe restrictions for building?
  
• If purchasing a lot, what are estimated lot prep costs?
  
• Are there underground utilities, internet?
  
• Are there any developer incentives? How about on resales?
• What is your budget?

If in the end, you decide that a Planned Community is not for you, finding the right local real estate professional in the area you have chosen would be the next step before you get in your car. Mountain Second Home has already found some of the best in the business in almost every part of the Southwestern States. All of the agents we would recommend to you have are local to the area and have been in the business at least 4 years.

The article Top Ten Questions To Ask Yourself When Choosing A Mountain Community was Submitted by Gina Lucia through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: For help or advice on sarching for your vacation, retirement or scond home, call Mountain Second Home, the lading authority on vacation, retirement and scond home properties in the Southwest Muntains. http://www.mountainsecondhome.com 239.289.0218

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