Gated communities are increasingly becoming prevalent due to the benefits they offer. Unlike conventional communities, gated communities appeal to homeowners because they come with a plethora of features like security, safety, luxury, and exclusivity. They also offer a great solution to those who want to evade traffic and improve their overall quality of life.
However, developing a gated community is not an easy task. Turning your neighborhood into a gated community is a complex process that comes with its own set of challenges. Fortunately, the following steps can help your neighborhood successfully become a gated community.
Step 1: Identify Your Market Segment
Before you make any radical moves, understand your audience. Come up with a plan outlining the kind of homes that you intend to build depending on your market segment. For instance, are you planning to construct a gated community that meets the needs of middle-income or high-income families?
There are three types of gated communities: elite communities, lifestyle communities, and security zone communities. Elite communities are built specifically for the rich and famous with the main focus on image and status. Lifestyle communities are built to offer a variety of activities like horse riding and amenities like tennis courts. This enables the residents to enjoy these activities within the community.
The other type of gated community is the security zone community. In this community, the residents gate themselves in from the neighborhood, primarily if it’s located in an area where crime is high.
Step 2: Plan
Once you’ve identified a type of community that fits your market segment, strategize a development plan, and find suitable land to build the gated community.
The plan should also include information about the electrical and water infrastructures that will be built on the property. It should also outline the social and environmental impacts that these infrastructures will have.
Step 3: Location
Once you have identified the market segment for your gated community, the next step is to determine the best location for your community. The site you choose relates to several variables, such as the available amenities and the rate of crime. The security requirements will vary among neighborhoods, regions, and countries.
In most countries, gated communities develop in the urban and suburban areas where the rates of crime and violence are low. You should avoid parts of the world where there is extreme poverty and high crime statistics since this may be difficult for the residents.
Step 4: Determine the Level of Security
Another major factor to keep in mind is the level of security you want to provide for the residents. For gated communities, security is a significant concern, and you want to keep unwanted persons out.
Due to their status, residents at gated communities will go at any length to protect themselves. A quality gate and perimeter wall will create a secure barrier between residents and outsiders.
For your gated community, you can choose to install an electronic gate opener or a gate that requires users to type in a code to access the community. Other gated communities have taken security a notch higher through advanced security controls like surveillance cameras, armed guards, and motion sensors.
Nonetheless, you want to ensure that the security in place doesn’t keep the residents waiting at the gate before they reach their houses.
Step 5: Determine the Amenities
Establish what amenities you want your gated community to have. For instance, you can choose to include a swimming pool, clubhouse, spa, playground, golf courses, tennis courts, and other social facilities. The type of amenities provided depends on factors such as the type of housing, community structure, geographical location, and fees collected.
If you plan to build a gated community that is family-friendly, it would be wise to construct family-friendly amenities like a swimming pool and water parks. If the community is designed for commuters, consider building it near a major highway or the downtown area. A focal point in the community will enable prospective residents to get an idea of how the gated community will look.
Smaller communities may feature shared amenities like a park or any other common vicinity. Larger communities, on the other hand, provide a broader range of amenities which makes it possible for the residents to undertake activities within the community.
Step 6: Check with the Local Authorities
Gated communities often come with numerous rules and regulations that developers need to adhere to. Make sure that you consult local authorities and inquire whether your current neighborhood can become a gated community.
Take some time to research the rules and regulations that govern the construction of a gated community in your area. Also, familiarize yourself with the HOA laws before you do anything drastic to guide you in forming your game plan.
Step 7: Acquire the Necessary Paperwork
Acquire the necessary permits, permissions, and paperwork when setting up your gated community. Depending on the location, visit the local development authority and acquire the building permits.
With the right paperwork, it will be easy for you to construct your community without any illegality issues. Also, this will give residents of the community peace of mind knowing that you are transparent, efficient, and organized.
Step 8: Hire a Real Estate Lawyer
While you can acquire the paperwork yourself, it’s a good idea to hire the services of a real estate lawyer. A good real estate lawyer will help you get updated with the rules of a gated community and ensure that your paperwork is legal. Additionally, they can help you get quotes from vendors who supply you with the construction materials.
Step 9: Calculate the Cost
Before you move forward, it is wise to estimate the cost that each household will need to pay. Gated communities attract expensive homeowner association fees for things like private security, gate guards, and road maintenance. This may also include annual maintenance fees and upfront costs for the gate.
It is also at this stage that you will establish whether the residents in the community will pay the HOA dues monthly or yearly. Also, analyze the best method of payment; whether it is through bank transfer, online payment, or home currency.
Step 10: Consult Your Neighbors
It is essential to consult your neighbors to see if they are open to the idea of a gated community. You can call a neighborhood meeting and explain your concept and what you intend to achieve.
You can welcome the opportunity to explain the benefits of becoming a gated community and see if they are open to the idea. Their support will undoubtedly make all the difference as you begin your project.
Step 11: Construction
Construction of homes in most gated communities takes place in two ways. The first one is spec homes. For this, the property is first completed before listed on the market.
Another is custom homes where a property is built and designed as per the prospective owner’s preference. Since this type of property is built at the owner’s preference, it tends to be a lot costlier than its counterpart.
Also, you can opt to build roads, water pipes, and electrical systems in the residential areas to give an insight to prospective residents about what to expect. Once they get the picture of the community, interested persons are likely to make their purchase.
Step 12: Marketing
Last but not least, market your gated community to prospective clients. Be creative in your marketing approach and adjust your sales tactics depending on your market segment. Make sure that you emphasize the focal points of the community to convince protective buyers to consider making a purchase.
A good selling strategy is co-marketing with the facilities near your community. For instance, if the gated community is built near a golf course, be sure to approach them and see if they will be willing to co-market. You can even leave some brochures with the schools so that parents can find them and learn more about the gated community.
Also, if you are developing a family-friendly community with amenities like a playground, it would be a great idea to ask the prestigious schools in the area to co-market. Other ways to market your gated community is by placing advertisements in television spots, newspapers, and lifestyle magazines. What’s more, you can hold open houses to let others know about the community and highlight its amenities.
Conclusion
When it comes to creating a gated community, you need to pay attention to the needs and requirements of your prospective buyers. Make sure that your gated community portrays all the essential qualities like safety and security. Above all, be sure to adjust your sales tactics and come up with a comprehensive marketing strategy.