[villages07]

Scooter,

My understanding, although not sure I ever saw it in blood/writing, is that once your fee is established, it cannot increase more than 3% a year. That doesn't mean that new owners (of either new houses or resales) won't have a much higher starting rate than someone who bought a year ago, but, once you establish your base, increase is limited to 3% a year.

So, in answer to how high it can go, do the math at 3% a year on top of what you're paying now and you can presumably project out a worst case fee.

I, too, am surprised that a new owner would have a $160/month amenity. That seems like too much of a jump in the past year. Dicky, Stiles, gfMucci, other recent buyers....what amenity fee are you paying?

[another Linda]

We bought about the same time -- late spring 2007 -- and we are paying $132 as I mentioned. With water, sewer, trash, and all it comes to around $160, but not for just amenities.

[DickY]

The amenity fee is set in the Declaration of Covenants, Condition and Restrictions for the Villages in the county of the real property and recorded in the official plat book.

Some excerpts from mine are: Article III "Each Owner hereby agrees to pay a monthly fee or charge (the "Contractual Amenities Fee") against each Homesite for the benefit and use of the recreation and other amenities in the amount per month set forth in such Owner's deed." "The monthly Contractual Amenities Fee as set forth in this section is based on the cost of living for the month of sale as reflected in the Consumer Price Index, U.S. Average of Items and Food, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor (the Index). "There shall be an annual adjustment in the monthly Contractual Amenities Fee. The adjustment shall be proportional to the percentage increase or decrease in the Index. Each adjustment shal be in effect for the intervening one year period." There is more legalese language in that article but that is part of the what is recorded in the documents that you get when you are ready to buy in The Villages.

My fee is currently $130.

[mrskkb]

Thanks for all of your input.

She called and they apologized for their mistake.

It is being taken care of.

[Sidney Lanier]

We closed on our house in late November and our amenity fee has been an even $130; we're south of 466.

[golfnut]

Best $132/month I've ever spent!