Finding Your First Home

Posted on: 27 April 2021

A master-planned community — sometimes called a pre-planned community or simply a planned community — is a large housing development that includes single-family residential homes and a wide variety of nearby amenities, including shopping, restaurants, walking trails, parks, and schools. Many master-planned communities allow for multi-generational development as well. This can be accomplished by including homes at different price points and for different stages of life, from townhomes to housing reserved for adults 55 and over.

What types of amenities do master-planned communities have?

Master-planned communities cater to a wide variety of people by offering many amenities. Features can include anything from tennis and pickleball courts to equestrian trails and splash pads. The developers try to create a community that offers everything you need so that you do not have to go far away from home to be entertained. Some communities even have community centers with exercise space, pools, movie theaters, and celebrity-designed golf courses. 

Are pre-planned communities a good investment?

Pre-planned communities are always a solid investment, especially with mortgage interest rates at record lows. If you are interested in buying a home in a pre-planned community, there has never been a better time to invest in one such pre-planned neighborhood.

Are pre-planned neighborhoods new?

No, pre-planned communities are not new. The idea of well-organized streets and beautiful open areas has appealed to Americans for quite some time. In fact, the first known master-planned community was developed in 1869 near Chicago. 

Are pre-planned communities popular?

While there will always be people that prefer to live in both urban centers as well as rural areas, the idea of a master-planned community full of amenities has always been popular. In fact, Del Webb's very first active adult community, Sun City, had a historic 100,000 people attend the opening weekend with thousands of cars lining the streets throughout the 72-hour event. 

Do pre-planned communities have an HOA?

Pre-planned communities typically have an HOA, or homeowner's association, to protect the property values. HOAs enforce architectural controls, maintain common areas, and enforce rules regarding upkeep, which all help to maintain a solid resale value for everyone. 

Whether you are looking for the sense of community that a planned neighborhood can provide or want to have access to top-notch amenities, a master-planned community may be just what you are looking for. Look for something like Arbors Homes for sale or a different community in an area you like.