For a long time, Master Planned Communities (MPCs) have had a negative perception among prospective homebuyers. The common characterisation has been that they are isolated and overly restrictive. However, evolutions in designers’ understanding of consumer needs have led to a notable increase in demand for planned community housing. This trend has been particularly noticeable among millennials, contrasting with many peoples’ preconceived notions about the demographics of these neighbourhoods. And once you consider the potential benefits associated with MPCs, it is not so difficult to see why. Here are the main advantages to moving to a planned community.
Access to Amenities
Because they are purposefully designed as opposed to developing organically, planned communities usually have readily available local services at the disposal of its residents. This contrasts with most traditional suburbs, which tend to miss at least one or two of these services due to a lack of funding from local governments, or a lack of financial viability. As planned communities tend to own the whole plots of land, they can dedicate large expanses of it to communal spaces and services. This goes beyond traditional amenities like shops and schools, too. Many of them offer a wide range of leisure facilities, including gyms, swimming pools and parks.
Increased Safety
A primary reason planned communities are a popular option for both retirees and young families alike is the increased security they offer. Since MPCs are usually gated, planned communities normally restrict access for only its residents and their guests. These neighbourhoods often also employ full-time security to monitor any suspicious activity. This, combined with the fact that they are often fairly removed from urban centres, means that residents in planned communities not only feel safer, but are practically more secure than in other areas. Finally, given that these neighbourhoods are designed with community harmony in mind, MPCs are often more particular in which buyers it will sell to.
The Houses’ Potential for Customisation
One of the typical criticisms of planned communities is that they only offer cookie-cutter, generic homes to purchase. And while this may have been the case with early MPC developments, modern designers have accounted for the fact that homebuyers often want to personalise lots to their specific needs and preferences. Today, some planned communities also offer empty plots of land, where buyers can decide what type of home to build. The land for sale Officer offers, for example, allows for a variety of different homes be built on it. You should make sure you properly vet your builder if you choose this option, however.
They are Worthwhile Investments
Another common perceived disadvantage of buying a home in a planned community is that they do not retain their value. The traditional wisdom is that due to their remote location, planned community homes are at risk of losing their desirability as a result of this. Changes in the market have meant that this is no longer the case, however. First, the increased popularity of planned communities among younger people means that they are likely to improve in value following the trend of increased demand. Second, the overall scarcity of housing in relation to demand means that any home has a good chance of increasing in value. Finally, because planned communities can prevent any undesirable developments on their land, homes in MPCs have greater stability in their market valuation than other properties.
