Obviously, prices will vary dramatically from location to location. Beach front with all of the "bells and whistles" would be the most expensive. The further from the beach and fewer community amenities, the less expensive a home becomes. It is best to talk with an experienced and knowledgeable Realtor in the area to discuss your life style and budget. The chart below will give you a general idea of prices.

Condominiums Beach Front Near Beach w/ golf Inland with golf Inland with no golf	Start at $350,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000	Biggest and Best $3,000,000 $500,000 $250,000 $200,000
Villas and Townhouses Beach Front Near Beach w/ golf Inland with golf Inland with no golf	Start at $500,000 $250,000 $150,000 $70,000	Biggest and Best $4,000,000 $700,000 $350,000 $200,000
Executive Homes Beach Front Near Beach w/ golf Inland with golf Inland with no golf	Start at $1,000,000 $350,000 $175,000 $60,000	Biggest and Best $6,000,000 $1,000,000 $450,000 $250,000
Estate Homes Beach Front Near Beach w/ golf Inland with golf Inland with no golf	Start at $1,000,000 $450,000 $350,000 $70,000	Biggest and Best $10,000,000 $5,000,000 $2,500,000 $1,500,000

What is a "gated" community?
Many communities have a gate at the entrance to the community to limit access to only those that have a right or need to enter.

What is a "deed restricted" community?
Many communities impose protective covenants and restrictions that are recorded with the deed at county or state levels. These restrictions prevent undesirable activity or require desirable activity by the home owners. Most restrictions are necessary to preserve the beauty of the community and the value of homes. Some of the more common deed restrictions are:

· Home size, design and color restrictions.        · Architectural changes review and approval.        · No commercial vehicles parked overnight.        · No recreational vehicles parked on property.

· Care and maintenance of homes        · Care and maintenance of lawns        · Yard signage restrictions.        · Animal restrictions

What should I know about golf in SW Florida communities and how expensive is it?

There are several types of golf memberships. They are:

	Public Golf Course - No membership required.
	Pros: No membership fees. No obligations to golf course expenses. Pay as you play Never assessed for expenses	Cons: No rights to tee times Lesser maintained courses Rounds take too much time to play. Hard to get a tee time No voting rights
	Greens fees generally start at $25.00 in summer time and go up to as much as $65.00 in the winter
	Deeded Equity Membership - Membership is included with home purchase.
	Pros: No initial cash layout Lower annual dues Equal rights to tee times Voting rights	Cons: Mandatory membership Mandatory dues Usually too many members Restricted number of plays per week Obligated to pay assessments
	Since equity costs are built into the purchase price of your home, there is no upfront cost to join the golf club. Annual dues average between $1,600.00 and $3,500. Expect dues to rise significantly as developers turn control of the course over to members. Members are unable to terminate their membership until they sell their home.
	Cash Equity Membership - Large cash investment/deposit required.
	Pros: Lower membership density Easier access to tee times Usually private and exclusive Voting rights	Cons: Very expensive
	Members at these courses are willing to pay for the privileges of exclusivity. The courses are usually manicured to perfection and boast of the biggest and best of clubhouse facilities. Cash investments or deposits run from $25,000 to well over $100,000 and dues average between $3,500 to over $7,500 per year. 80% to 90% of the cash equity may be refunded when the member wishes to relinquish their membership.
	Initiation Fee - Small to moderate start up cash payment.
	Pros: Lower fees Small initial cash layout	Cons: Usually no voting rights No exclusivity
	These courses usually charge a $2,000 to $5,000 non-refundable initiation fee for the privilege of being a member. Annual fees start at $2,500 and go as high as $4,500. They are usually semi-private courses meaning that they invite the public to make tee times after the members have had an opportunity reserve their tee times.

Other significant golf information

· Some golf courses allow golf cars to owned and used on the course as an alternative to paying a daily rental fee. · Most golf courses are overcrowded with golfers in February and March regardless of the membership type excepting the very exclusive private clubs. · Most golf courses including the semi-private are open to the public from May through October. · Most golf courses offer reciprocals to other golf course members from May through October.