Oregon is known for lush, beautiful greenery, so it only makes sense to want to live somewhere in the thick of it. That is why so many people are interested in buying a home on a golf course. There are so many benefits, but living on a golf course isn’t for everyone.
Let’s weigh the pros and cons of golf course living.
Pros
Living on a golf course can be a dream, even for people who don’t play golf. The air is fresh from the manicured lawn and the calm of the morning is unbeatable.
Neighbors
- Your neighbors will likely live farther away from you, meaning more privacy and less disturbances.
- People who live on golf courses generally are more mature in age, so they are looking to relax and enjoy their time, not have big loud parties.
- The community is a great asset, people see each other often, and there is usually a clubhouse where people gather to hangout. This is a great way to meet your neighbors and have that close-knit feel.
Amenities
- Golf course communities and neighborhoods usually have a bunch of added amenities in addition to the homes themselves.
- Pools, tennis courts and pickleball courts are the most common to be included in a golf course community.
- The clubhouse is a great place to hang out, typically equipped with a fitness center and a restaurant or cafe, this is a great place to meet friends and have a get-together.
Aesthetic
- A golf course has to be maintained and manicured all the time, no one wants to golf at a run-down and overgrown green.
- The homes are well-maintained as well, there is usually a code or HOA that requires homes surrounding to be taken care of.
- There is lush greenery everywhere you look, and people who are dressed in their best gear.
Golf in Your Backyard
- If you are an avid golfer, or even just a sometimes golfer, you can go whenever you’d like.
- You’ll likely meet people who golf frequently, and make friends with the regulars and your neighbors who love the sport too.
- You have the freedom to golf when you please, and if the weather turns bad its a quick walk home.
Cons
While living on a golf course has its perks, it isn’t for everyone. There are some things that can make it a challenge, and are worth talking about.
Damage
- Homes located on golf courses are much more likely to be damaged. Out of control golf balls can break windows, dent cars & break car windows, damage roofs and more.
- It is also hard to be compensated for damage, especially if the golfer doesn’t leave a note.
- The club is often not responsible for damage, because living on a golf course has its known liabilities.
Privacy
- While you will be farther away from your neighbors and have a bigger yard, you also have golfers in your backyard everyday.
- This means that people can look at and into your home whenever they please, and it is hard to keep that from happening.
- Putting up a fence can solve this issue of curious eyes, however it also means sacrificing some of the view you have from your back porch.
HOA
- A lot of golf course homes and neighborhoods will have an HOA. This is a good thing because it means that all of the homes are taken care of and look nice.
- However, this also means that home renovations might be restricted.
- Homeowners Associations also typically are an extra fee, so it is important to make sure you speak to your agent and find out everything you’ll be paying for.
Landscaping
- Golf courses are beautifully manicured, but that landscaping work is almost always done first thing in the morning.
- Lawn mowers will be up early to get the grass finished before golfers start to trickle in, so the mornings could be noisy.
- Golf greens also have pesticides and fertilizers on them to keep grass looking full and green. This could potentially be a problem if you have pets or small children.
Overall, a golf course home is a great investment because the property values tend to stay higher.
However, the real investment is in your happiness and love of golf, while getting to spend time in the beautiful outdoors of Portland.
Golf course living isn’t for everyone, so make sure to think about what it important to you when searching for the perfect home.
