What’s A Gated Community, Anyway? A Homebuyer’s Questions, Answered
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Summer Rylander Contributing AuthorClose
Summer Rylander Contributing AuthorSummer Rylander is a freelance writer and editor with an abundant background in real estate. A former residential real estate agent in the Columbia, SC area and sales administrator at a commercial real estate firm, she now uses this experience to help guide readers. Summer currently resides in Nuremberg, Germany, where she fulfills her passions of food and travel and avoids her dislikes of mayonnaise and being trapped in an office.
During your home search process, you’ve probably come across the term “gated community” more than once. While it may seem obvious that gated communities are, well, communities with a gate, there are nuances to owning a home in one of these neighborhoods that you may not be considering as a prospective buyer. So, what is a gated community, exactly?
Fortunately, it’s not complicated, and we’re giving you all the details on what to expect from a gated community. Here to help is top Daytona Beach, Florida, agent Alice Cooper, who has helped many buyers in her area determine whether gated communities are right for them.
Let’s dive in!
Step one: Talk to a few buyer's agents!
Tell us a little bit about your plans (where you’re looking to buy and when you want to make a purchase) and we’ll connect you with top-rated buyer’s agents in your area. It takes only a few minutes, and it’s free.
What is a gated community?
Gated communities are residential housing areas — neighborhoods, estates, and so on — with controlled access.
Whether entrance is restricted by an actual metal gate, security personnel, a combination of the two, or some other type of barrier, the gist is the same: The general public cannot drive or walk uninvited into a gated community.
Residents within a gated community may share certain resources and amenities. These can include basics like trash removal and road maintenance, along with other perks such as a swimming pool, park, clubhouse or activity center, and more. Some gated communities may even operate on a shared energy grid.
Don’t confuse a gated community for a self-sustaining city, however. You generally won’t find retail stores, schools, or restaurants within a gated community — these developments are purely for residential purposes.
Gated communities tend to draw homebuyers who seek a heightened sense of security or exclusivity. It helps, too, to have a willingness to be neighborly because community residents tend to make collective decisions and look out for each other.
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