Amenity Fees

[milling73]

Is there a cap on the annual amenity fees increase? Our new bill shows an increase of $14.13 for June, or 9.5%.

Last year the increase was about 2.5% increase.

[Number 10 GI]

Is there a cap on the annual amenity fees increase? Our new bill shows an increase of $14.13 for June, or 9.5%.

Last year the increase was about 2.5% increase.

I can't answer your question on a cap but the inflation rate right now is 8.5% with no end in sight.

[biker1]

The amenity fee increases are tied to the CPI (not sure exactly which flavor of CPI, there are several) on the anniversary of the sale of your home. The exact language is in your deed restriction, which can be viewed on districtgov.org.

Is there a cap on the annual amenity fees increase? Our new bill shows an increase of $14.13 for June, or 9.5%.

Last year the increase was about 2.5% increase.

[Garywt]

The amenity fee increases are tied to the CPI (not sure exactly which flavor of CPI, there are several) on the anniversary of the sale of your home. The exact language is in your deed restriction, which can be viewed on districtgov.org.

$14 a month seems high. Mine went up a couple dollars back in March which is our anniversary date. Ours is about $177 a month.

[biker1]

Ours increased by $12.05 to $173.12 in March 2022. That is 7.48% and matches the CPI-U for January 2022. The CPI-U for March and April 2022 are 8.5% and 8.3%, respectively. For March 2021, it was 2.6%.

$14 a month seems high. Mine went up a couple dollars back in March which is our anniversary date. Ours is about $177 a month.

[Toymeister]

MThe amenity fee increases are tied to the CPI (not sure exactly which flavor of CPI, there are several) on the anniversary of the sale of your home. The exact language is in your deed restriction, which can be viewed on districtgov.org.

It is the CPI-U. U for urban workers, this is the most commonly reported CPI. The CPI-U varies depending on the start and end month, it does even out over the years.

This CPI is not reflective of how seniors spend their income. I only mention that because YOUR CPI rate is probably quite different than CPI-U.

CPI-U is weighted on housing costs. If you own your home most of this does not impact you (housing costs include utilities) it's fairly light on medical.

[biker1]

Yes, my increase seems to match up with CPI-U. I thought it may have been CPI-W but checking the numbers indicates it is CPI-U.

It is the CPI-U. U for urban workers, this is the most commonly reported CPI.

This CPI is not reflective of how seniors spend their income. I only mention that because YOUR CPI rate is probably quite different than CPI-U.

CPI-U is weighted on housing costs. If you own your home most of this does not impact you (housing costs include utilities) it's fairly light on medical.

[tophcfa]

M

This CPI is not reflective of how seniors spend their income. I only mention that because YOUR CPI rate is probably quite different than CPI-U.


You got that right. A better CPI would be based on food, medical costs, gas, utilities, property and casualty insurance, and of course beer and green fees.

[Luggage]

Better for who?

[Luggage]

No cpi figures in the Medicare of raises either .!

[Bay Kid]

They are making it all funny money, but they lowered Dad's SS.

[MandoMan]

Is there a cap on the annual amenity fees increase? Our new bill shows an increase of $14.13 for June, or 9.5%.

Last year the increase was about 2.5% increase.

While the slight increase may be based on the Consumer Price Index, the fact remains that the cost of providing the amenities we enjoy is going up. Salaries have gone up. The cost of supplies has gone up. The cost of fuel has gone up. We have to split that cost between us. If we don’t like the cost going up, we can cut out some amenities. What amenities are you willing to give up in order to save yourself $14 a month? The Neighborhood Watch? Flowers along the roadways? Lawn mowing along the roadways? Picking up litter all over the place? Nightly entertainment at the town squares?

[Mushkie]

Is there a cap on the annual amenity fees increase? Our new bill shows an increase of $14.13 for June, or 9.5%.

Last year the increase was about 2.5% increase.

As a lover of all that The Villages has to offer and as a common sense sort of person that knows how the real world works- capping amenities fee would be disastrous- we wouldn’t want LESS beauty or LESS activities or LESS MAINTENANCE just like we wouldn’t want LESS cost of living increase in our salary or pension or social security.

[Stu from NYC]

While the slight increase may be based on the Consumer Price Index, the fact remains that the cost of providing the amenities we enjoy is going up. Salaries have gone up. The cost of supplies has gone up. The cost of fuel has gone up. We have to split that cost between us. If we don’t like the cost going up, we can cut out some amenities. What amenities are you willing to give up in order to save yourself $14 a month? The Neighborhood Watch? Flowers along the roadways? Lawn mowing along the roadways? Picking up litter all over the place? Nightly entertainment at the town squares?

We do get a lot for our amenity fee so no complaints here.

[Lindaws]

No cap. We had one but was cancelled. It had been capped at $155. No more!

[BBBnWitty]

While the slight increase may be based on the Consumer Price Index, the fact remains that the cost of providing the amenities we enjoy is going up. Salaries have gone up. The cost of supplies has gone up. The cost of fuel has gone up. We have to split that cost between us. If we don’t like the cost going up, we can cut out some amenities. What amenities are you willing to give up in order to save yourself $14 a month? The Neighborhood Watch? Flowers along the roadways? Lawn mowing along the roadways? Picking up litter all over the place? Nightly entertainment at the town squares?
The Villages hires folks to pick up litter? Just curious. Thanks.

[MartinSE]

The Villages hires folks to pick up litter? Just curious. Thanks.

Not "The Villages" which normally means the dev's. But the CCD for each area do, and a lot more. I saw a road vacuum going down our road the other night after midnight. They don't do that out of the kindness of their hearts, they are paid.

[rustyp]

While the slight increase may be based on the Consumer Price Index, the fact remains that the cost of providing the amenities we enjoy is going up. Salaries have gone up. The cost of supplies has gone up. The cost of fuel has gone up. We have to split that cost between us. If we don’t like the cost going up, we can cut out some amenities. What amenities are you willing to give up in order to save yourself $14 a month? The Neighborhood Watch? Flowers along the roadways? Lawn mowing along the roadways? Picking up litter all over the place? Nightly entertainment at the town squares?


The faux water tower and windmill in Brownwood.

[Speedie]

Cut back on community watch. I can check my own garage door
Main benifit goes to protecting the homes under construction from theft

[Speedie]

Tie the increase to the annual SS increase %

[biker1]

SS increases are tied to the CPI-W increase for the 3rd quarter compared to the previous 3rd quarter. Amenity increases appear to be tied to CPI-U increase for the month around when you signed the sales contract. CPI-W and CPI-U weigh the various expenditure categories differently but are generally pretty close to each other.

Tie the increase to the annual SS increase %

[Villages Kahuna]

For all you golfers coming down for the “free” golf, the total of Amenity Fees plus Trail Fees is a real chunk of change—well over $150 a month!

[davem4616]

the fees are only going to go up

as long at TV continues to have an attractive 'park like' atmosphere...I guess I'm okay with the increases

[noslices1]

For all you golfers coming down for the “free” golf, the total of Amenity Fees plus Trail Fees is a real chunk of change—well over $150 a month!

Not just golf, but pools and rec centers and gate guards and Community Watch, beautification and many other items that you don’t think of. All this stuff costs $$$ and prices are going up.

[frose]

cut down on all of the above.

[JoMar]

Cut back on community watch. I can check my own garage door
Main benifit goes to protecting the homes under construction from theft

No clue

[Stu from NYC]

cut down on all of the above.

Happy to live in a place we can be proud of

[HIgolfers]

We do get a lot for our amenity fee so no complaints here.

While the slight increase may be based on the Consumer Price Index, the fact remains that the cost of providing the amenities we enjoy is going up. Salaries have gone up. The cost of supplies has gone up. The cost of fuel has gone up. We have to split that cost between us. If we don’t like the cost going up, we can cut out some amenities. What amenities are you willing to give up in order to save yourself $14 a month? The Neighborhood Watch? Flowers along the roadways? Lawn mowing along the roadways? Picking up litter all over the place? Nightly entertainment at the town squares?

I don’t think flowers need to be replaced 3-4 times a year. I don’t understand why they don’t just plant perennials. Could still look nice.

[Stu from NYC]

I don’t think flowers need to be replaced 3-4 times a year. I don’t understand why they don’t just plant perennials. Could still look nice.

Would guess we see flowers longer the way they do it than via perennials

[biker1]

I believe the flowers that you see at the entrances to the different Villages, roundabouts, etc. come out of the Maintenance Fee, a line item on your property taxes.

I don’t think flowers need to be replaced 3-4 times a year. I don’t understand why they don’t just plant perennials. Could still look nice.

[Bay Kid]

Cheap to keep everything so beautiful.

[Villages Kahuna]

Add in the Trail Fees of about $144 a year ($4 per round) and the free golf ain’t so free. If you play two rounds every weekend the “free golf “costs you almost $24 per round on the Executive courses.

[dewilson58]

Add in the Trail Fees .[/B]

Always funny.

:1rotfl:

[Villages Kahuna]

Add in the Trail Fees of about $144 a year ($4 per round) and the free golf ain’t so free. If you play two rounds every weekend the free golf costs you almost $24 per round on the Executive courses.

[dewilson58]

Add in the Trail Fees [/B]

Jus as funny the second time.

[Bilyclub]

Add in the Trail Fees of about $144 a year ($4 per round) and the free golf ain’t so free. If you play two rounds every weekend the free golf costs you almost $24 per round on the Executive courses.


Walk X 2 = FREE


.:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Bogie Shooter]

Jus as funny the second time.

There is an echo on this thread.:MOJE_whot::duck:

[pauld315]

Add in the Trail Fees of about $144 a year ($4 per round) and the free golf ain’t so free. If you play two rounds every weekend the “free golf “costs you almost $24 per round on the Executive courses.

That must be new math. The way I learned was that is you play 104 rounds a year (2 rounds every weekend) and it costs $144 then it equals around $1.39 per round. also, the 144 covers the entire household so you could have 2 - 4 people getting trail fees for a year for 144

[askcarl]

Give until it hurts and then One Pint more...

[Stu from NYC]

That must be new math. The way I learned was that is you play 104 rounds a year (2 rounds every weekend) and it costs $144 then it equals around $1.39 per round. also, the 144 covers the entire household so you could have 2 - 4 people getting trail fees for a year for 144

So you can save money on golf by having a dozen people living in your house.

[bragones]

M

It is the CPI-U. U for urban workers, this is the most commonly reported CPI. The CPI-U varies depending on the start and end month, it does even out over the years.

This CPI is not reflective of how seniors spend their income. I only mention that because YOUR CPI rate is probably quite different than CPI-U.

CPI-U is weighted on housing costs. If you own your home most of this does not impact you (housing costs include utilities) it's fairly light on medical.

So if the CPI-U varies and is 9% in May but drops to 4% in June,, do those who come up for renewal in June pay less of increase than those who renew in May? Doesn’t seem right.

[Two Bills]

What I find interesting, is that I can walk to my local pub in 6 minutes, yet it takes me 55 minutes to get home!

(Just though I would add that to the current nonsense, and frivolity.)

[Laker14]

I bought in TV because I felt that all of the amenities provided, and the attractiveness of the common areas was well worth the amenity fees charged. I don't use each and every amenity, but I use enough of them, as I expected I would, to make it a good value for me.
I also had this sneaking suspicion that the cost of maintaining the amenities, and the common areas, to the standards I'd always seen when I came and visited, or rented, would likely increase.
As magical as this place might seem to some, I couldn't envision a scenario where everything outside of the bubble would be subject to the effects of inflation, yet, somehow, as we bragged about how much our homes increase in value, the cost of maintaining stuff inside the bubble would be saved from the inflationary spiral.

The shock and surprise of some over the increase in amenity fees makes me think some people imagined a world where we inside the bubble would be spared from inflation.

[golfing eagles]

Add in the Trail Fees of about $144 a year ($4 per round) and the free golf ain’t so free. If you play two rounds every weekend the free golf costs you almost $24 per round on the Executive courses.

Since this nonsense was resurrected from the previous amenity fee thread (twice), I'll resurrect the true response:

Now for some remedial math:

Cost of maintaining a golf course, according to the CSGA, varies from $80,000 to close to $ 2 million/year depending on location and the course. The average is $500,000/year for a full 18 hole championship course in very good condition, or $250,000 for a 9 hole course. Our 9 hole exec courses are less than 1/2 of the length of nine holes on those courses, but the most expensive parts of a course to maintain are bunkers and greens, so let's go high and say it costs $200,000/ year to maintain each of our execs. So, 44 execs x $200,000/year = $8.8 million/year.

On the income side-----approx. 65,000 homes in TV paying about $170/MONTH amenity fees: 65,000 x 170 x 12 = $ 132.6 million/year. 8.8/132.6 = 6.6% of the amenity fee going to golf (far from 100%). We can debate these numbers a little, but they are certainly well in the ballpark, so I doubt more than 10% of the amenity fee goes for exec golf.

So.....$170/month x 6.6% = $11.22/month or $134.64/year, then add $144 trail fee (if using cart) for $278.86/year divided by 104 rounds = $2.68/round , or only $1.29/round if walking and playing twice a week-----this is the real cost of "free" golf, far from $24/round. Play 4x/ week and those costs go to $1.34 and $0.65 respectively.

[biker1]

The "cap" on the amenities fee notwithstanding, and it was pretty clear that it would not be forever, the Deed Restrictions clearly stated that the amenities fee increases were tied to the CPI. People would only be surprised if they failed to read the Deed Restrictions - they are only a few pages along.

I bought in TV because I felt that all of the amenities provided, and the attractiveness of the common areas was well worth the amenity fees charged. I don't use each and every amenity, but I use enough of them, as I expected I would, to make it a good value for me.
I also had this sneaking suspicion that the cost of maintaining the amenities, and the common areas, to the standards I'd always seen when I came and visited, or rented, would likely increase.
As magical as this place might seem to some, I couldn't envision a scenario where everything outside of the bubble would be subject to the effects of inflation, yet, somehow, as we bragged about how much our homes increase in value, the cost of maintaining stuff inside the bubble would be saved from the inflationary spiral.

The shock and surprise of some over the increase in amenity fees makes me think some people imagined a world where we inside the bubble would be spared from inflation.

[jdulej]

Since this nonsense was resurrected from the previous amenity fee thread (twice), I'll resurrect the true response:

Now for some remedial math:

Cost of maintaining a golf course, according to the CSGA, varies from $80,000 to close to $ 2 million/year depending on location and the course. The average is $500,000/year for a full 18 hole championship course in very good condition, or $250,000 for a 9 hole course. Our 9 hole exec courses are less than 1/2 of the length of nine holes on those courses, but the most expensive parts of a course to maintain are bunkers and greens, so let's go high and say it costs $200,000/ year to maintain each of our execs. So, 44 execs x $200,000/year = $8.8 million/year.

On the income side-----approx. 65,000 homes in TV paying about $170/MONTH amenity fees: 65,000 x 170 x 12 = $ 132.6 million/year. 8.8/132.6 = 6.6% of the amenity fee going to golf (far from 100%). We can debate these numbers a little, but they are certainly well in the ballpark, so I doubt more than 10% of the amenity fee goes for exec golf.

So.....$170/month x 6.6% = $11.22/month or $134.64/year, then add $144 trail fee (if using cart) for $278.86/year divided by 104 rounds = $2.68/round , or only $1.29/round if walking and playing twice a week-----this is the real cost of "free" golf, far from $24/round. Play 4x/ week and those costs go to $1.34 and $0.65 respectively.

I wonder if some factor should be included to account for the mark-up the developer gets for each house they build and sell. They are trading on their name and the amenities they brag about (right or wrong, doesn't matter). If you take any Village's house and plop it down 1/2 mile outside TV, it will be 30% less (at a minimum)

[Papa_lecki]

I wonder if some factor should be included to account for the mark-up the developer gets for each house they build and sell. They are trading on their name and the amenities they brag about (right or wrong, doesn't matter). If you take any Village's house and plop it down 1/2 mile outside TV, it will be 30% less (at a minimum)

Is it markup or PROFIT, for risking their capital? A house in the vilages demands a premium ONLY because of the Developer.

[jdulej]

Is it markup or PROFIT, for risking their capital? A house in the vilages demands a premium ONLY because of the Developer.

I'm not begrudging them their money. If someone doesn't like the Village's pricing, go somewhere else. All I'm suggesting is that for those living here, we paid a premium and one of the major lures was "free" golf. It's like thinking you are getting "free" shipping with Amazon Prime - the cost is buried in the item's price.

[Bogie Shooter]

I wonder if some factor should be included to account for the mark-up the developer gets for each house they build and sell. They are trading on their name and the amenities they brag about (right or wrong, doesn't matter). If you take any Village's house and plop it down 1/2 mile outside TV, it will be 30% less (at a minimum)

Buyers choice!

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I wonder if some factor should be included to account for the mark-up the developer gets for each house they build and sell. They are trading on their name and the amenities they brag about (right or wrong, doesn't matter). If you take any Village's house and plop it down 1/2 mile outside TV, it will be 30% less (at a minimum)you can say that about any home anywhere, same house in bad neighborhood worth less then same one in good neighborhood, same house at beach and same house not at beach , I could go on but I’m sure it won’t register because this is more about the family. I’ve owned 5 new and one preowned here I don’t golf , I don’t use recreation centers or pools , I live here because of the well maintained grounds and the many businesses that have flocked to this area and because my property values here are higher then a half mile away

[Laker14]

The "cap" on the amenities fee notwithstanding, and it was pretty clear that it would not be forever, the Deed Restrictions clearly stated that the amenities fee increases were tied to the CPI. People would only be surprised if they failed to read the Deed Restrictions - they are only a few pages along.

Even if they didn't read the deed restrictions, the only way anyone should be surprised at inflationary increases for amenity fees is if they somehow imagined The Villages is truly a bubble, insulated totally from the rest of civilization.

[dewilson58]

Even if they didn't read the deed restrictions, the only way anyone should be surprised at inflationary increases for amenity fees is if they somehow imagined The Villages is truly a bubble, insulated totally from the rest of civilization.

:bigbow:

[biker1]

I suspect some people might have been told that the amenities fee was capped at $155 (the "cap" that was in place to try to synch up the amenities fees across The Villages). Nobody, of course, should have assumed that it would last forever. That could be part of the surprise. I agree that it would be naive to assume that The Villages is immune to inflationary pressures.

Even if they didn't read the deed restrictions, the only way anyone should be surprised at inflationary increases for amenity fees is if they somehow imagined The Villages is truly a bubble, insulated totally from the rest of civilization.

[Papa_lecki]

I'm not begrudging them their money. If someone doesn't like the Village's pricing, go somewhere else. All I'm suggesting is that for those living here, we paid a premium and one of the major lures was "free" golf. It's like thinking you are getting "free" shipping with Amazon Prime - the cost is buried in the item's price.

I get it - so at one time there were no trail fees? So golf used ot really be FREE? When did they start charging trail fees?
I knew about the trail fee before I bought, so I never had the impression, other than a commercial I saw on TV, that golf was free. I actually talked to people, asked my realtor, etc.

[Bogie Shooter]

I get it - so at one time there were no trail fees? So golf used ot really be FREE? When did they start charging trail fees?
I knew about the trail fee before I bought, so I never had the impression, other than a commercial I saw on TV, that golf was free. I actually talked to people, asked my realtor, etc.

I been paying a trail fee since 2002. If you get it where did you get it?

[Papa_lecki]

I been paying a trail fee since 2002. If you get it where did you get it?

See the post i quoted - said they were “lured” here by the developer claiming free golf.
I knew there was always a trail fee.

[frose]

this is the villages there is no cap on anything.

[dewilson58]

this is the villages there is no cap on anything.
:ohdear::ohdear:
Welcome to the entire world.

[biker1]

There was. It may have been called the deferral rate and was set at $155. It was removed about 2 years ago, IIRC.

this is the villages there is no cap on anything.

[Goldwingnut]

Will this horse never die?
Here's my video (again) with the deferral rate explanation
https://youtu.be/EsFulbLR32w

Here's the link to the YouTube playlist with all the videos about the fees we pay:
The Villages Information/Fees Videos - YouTube (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhsy5KtCo4HAND0Dbf0JXOwQl_Py42dSX)

[Laker14]

Will this horse never die?
Here's my video (again) with the deferral rate explanation
https://youtu.be/EsFulbLR32w

Here's the link to the YouTube playlist with all the videos about the fees we pay:
The Villages Information/Fees Videos - YouTube (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhsy5KtCo4HAND0Dbf0JXOwQl_Py42dSX)

Did anyone furnish legal documents promising amenity fees to be capped at $155?

[Goldwingnut]

Did anyone furnish legal documents promising amenity fees to be capped at $155?

I think I had 2 people respond, one just wanted to complain, the other had the best try. She provided the quick claim deed that had a statement that might make one think it was a cap, but wasn't.

My intent was honest, I was looking for the smoking gun, and was looking for a way to push this through and help all the residents, if such a thing existed. I had the money to pay the $10K winning. I also read every document and dozens of deed restrictions and could find nothing to validate the claim. But who knows, maybe there was something out there, that's why I took the chance.

In the end, nobody won the $10K. As I said in the videos, it was a one-year resolution by the SLCDD and the AAC/VCCDD to equalize the amenity fees across the board, it was never a promise to cap the amenity fee forever at $155.