Searching for a new home can be a complicated and stressful process. An important early consideration is whether you want to live in a thoughtfully-designed master planned community. There are many advantages to these planned communities, including distinctive architecture, community amenities, potentially lower maintenance and higher home values. Even if you know that you want to live in a new home community, it’s still challenging to find the right one or even know what to look for.
We’re here to help! We spoke with HHHunt Communities’ George Moore, Senior Vice President, and Jonathan Ridout, Director of Development, and asked them what buyers should look for when searching for the ideal new home community. They shared these five questions that every buyer needs to ask:
Where is the community located?
Location is the top feature for most buyers, according to Moore. When considering location, it’s critical to account for a number of factors, including proximity to job centers, shopping, dining, and schools. Understanding your school district is important as well. If you do your research early, the home search process will be smoother. Moore also notes that easy access to highways can make a community more desirable because it provides residents with convenient commutes.
What type of homes are available?
Once you’ve determined where you want to live, the next step in finding the right new home community is choosing what type of home you prefer. Ridout outlined the variety of home options available to today’s buyers, including single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, attached homes, and 55+ homes. Various new home communities will offer a wide array of home types and styles. Finding the home that suits your needs is critical. Ridout added that the two most popular home types that he’s seeing are single-family homes and townhomes. Luckily, we’ve got more tips to help you determine if a single-family home or townhome is best for you.
What amenities are in the community?
A key differentiator between master planned communities and traditional neighborhoods is the level of amenities available in a new home master planned community. Ridout said that amenities are a big driver for many buyers because they want to walk to pools, sports fields, clubhouses, and more. Incorporating these amenities into a community also encourages stronger bonds with neighbors and more socializing. It’s all about the lifestyle you want and amenities help dictate that lifestyle.
What type of community lifestyle do I want?
Speaking of lifestyle, Moore noted that a top question for buyers should be the type of lifestyle they want from a community. For example, do you want to be active or relax? Perhaps it’s both! Your answer will play a big role in finding the community for you. If you’re looking for an active lifestyle, consider communities with walking trails, open spaces, sports courts, and pools. Also, Ridout emphasized the importance of asking about community events. Are there planned community activities? For example, the HHHunt Communities team includes a Lifestyle Director who works with our master planned communities to create fun community-specific events throughout the year.
Is there a strong Homeowners’ Association?
Many buyers overlook the role of a homeowners’ association (HOA) or think that HOAs are just about setting rules. Moore stated that buyers should ask about their potential HOA. How is the HOA organized? Is it well capitalized? What role does the HOA play in the community? These are key questions because HOAs are responsible for the maintenance and long-term viability of a master planned community.
We believe it’s how you live that matters and we want to help find the right community for you! Visit our website to discover our new home communities in Richmond, VA, Williamsburg, VA, and Raleigh, NC. Schedule a tour today to find the community that you’ll be proud to call home!