Summer Home/Condo - Golf Real Estate

[TennisAndGolf]

Hi - first post here, long-time reader. Looking for thoughts and opinions on potential summer homes in a moderate climate (Midwest and mid-Atlantic + upper southeast) that have access to a club with real estate purchase , potentially townhomes or condos with the following:

1. golf
2. tennis
3. fitness center (can live without)

 

Examples of communities that caught my eye:

1. GreenBrier WV
2. RTJ Ross Bridge, AL (Birmingham)
3. Spring Creek - VA
4. The Cliffs - NC
5. Lake Oconee - GA
6. Lakewood Golf Club / Grand Hotel - Point Clear, AL

 

The following states are on my radar, in no particular order:

1. Virginia
2. North Carolina
3. Maryland
4. Delaware
5. Ohio
6. Indiana
7. Arkansas
8. Tennessee
9. michigan 
10. minnesota 
11. wisconsin

 

Long-Short: I’m not looking for an A+ club given my price range is modest → not +$1mm homes or $200k to $500k lots

• From what I’ve seen - purchasing a home grants a significantly reduced initiation fee and lower monthly to the point it is tolerable for a summer home
• My current location is awful in the summer and has weak local golf options
• Not focused on this being a rental property but don’t want to be 5 hours from an airport or somewhere that will be difficult to sell if I have to

 

As an example, here’s a few communities on my list that seem to check the box:

1. Spring Creek, Va
2. Potomac Shores, Va
3. Virginian - Bristol, Va

 

I’ve heard Nashville and Charlotte are overcrowded for golf and real estate so I’m not targeting those metros.

 

I understand I’ve started with a large list - but plan to visit a few communities this summer and happy to trade feedback with anyone interested
 

thank you! 

[Primo1868]

I don't have too much to add to this, but:

I played Spring Creek a few falls ago for the first time with a couple buddies who are members. I absolutely love the course and could play it day in and day out with no issue. 

[elsie451]

22 hours ago, TennisAndGolf said:

1. Virginia
2. North Carolina
3. Maryland
4. Delaware
5. Ohio
6. Indiana
7. Arkansas
8. Tennessee
9. michigan 
10. minnesota 
11. wisconsin

Where in the Arctic Circle are you from that Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin are considered moderate climate?!😜 Well, I guess summer would be moderate...i read the post to fast.

Edited October 2, 2023 by elsie451

[ChaosTheory]

By my standards, there is a huge difference in summer climate between the Great Lakes states and the more southern ones you mentioned.   There is a lot of hot and humid in AR, TN, NC, VA, etc.  If that matters to you.

 

Great question, though.  This is on my radar too, after the second or third blistering DFW summer in a row.

Edited October 2, 2023 by Snowman9000

[caniac6]

I would look in the NC mountains. I would try to avoid the heat .

[Curiouser]

I'm trying hard but I don't get a feel for what you are after. I live in the south and have a summer place in New England. So I'm thinking if you want a mild summer climate at a reasonable price, the upper midwest would offer a lot of options. VA in the summer is sweltering, unless you are in the mts.

[SBH9458]

3 hours ago, caniac6 said:

I would look in the NC mountains. I would try to avoid the heat .

Yes. Plenty of golf, and it is wonderful in those hills. 

[david.c.w]

Seems like MIchigan is for you.  Amazing summers.  Reasonable prices.   Based on your post Oconee and Cliffs are out due to cost.

[TennisAndGolf]

On 10/2/2023 at 6:31 PM, Curiouser said:

I'm trying hard but I don't get a feel for what you are after. I live in the south and have a summer place in New England. So I'm thinking if you want a mild summer climate at a reasonable price, the upper midwest would offer a lot of options. VA in the summer is sweltering, unless you are in the mts.

best analogy is probably found in Florida. Most communities have a mix of homes from condo / attached villas to single family homes + golf and a small clubhouse. Except they’re typically built by mega builders like Lennar / Pulte and the golf is a terrible deal as it’s muni quality or worse

 

Looking for that concept with a good country club for golf / tennis instruction and quick access to the facilities. To your point, I don’t think the northeast has this setup. 
 

thank you for the Virginia comment. It looks like spring creek or Charlottesville / Richmond may not be as moderate as I hoped. 

Edited October 6, 2023 by TennisAndGolf

[TennisAndGolf]

On 10/2/2023 at 9:11 PM, david.c.w said:

Seems like MIchigan is for you.  Amazing summers.  Reasonable prices.   Based on your post Oconee and Cliffs are out due to cost.

Any suggestions in michigan?

 

I looked at bay harbor and all the homes seemed a bit older - but definitely on the initial list

[Drwoods2017]

North Carolina's summer climate wouldn't be described as moderate by many. Its a cliché but it really is the humidity that gets you. The mountains of NC have better weather but its still going to be 90's with humidity.  The mountains of Virginia or west Virginia might have some good options. I wouldn't go much further south of Asheville if you are looking in NC.

[david.c.w]

1 hour ago, TennisAndGolf said:

Any suggestions in michigan?

 

I looked at bay harbor and all the homes seemed a bit older - but definitely on the initial list

 

Have a few friends with parents with places in the Boyne area.  

[Drock25]

If western north carolina is an option:

Highlands/Cashiers has best top tier clubs.

Banner Elk/Blowing Rock have great courses and clubs.

Hendersonville and Waynesville are great towns.

[TennisAndGolf]

On 10/7/2023 at 8:41 AM, Drock25 said:

If western north carolina is an option:

Highlands/Cashiers has best top tier clubs.

Banner Elk/Blowing Rock have great courses and clubs.

Hendersonville and Waynesville are great towns.

Wade Hampton is out there…are the others charging insane prices because they’re near wade hampton in physical location proximity? 

Edited October 8, 2023 by TennisAndGolf

[Drock25]

Oh yes, prices are quite high.

[jkody]

On 10/2/2023 at 5:31 PM, Curiouser said:

I'm thinking if you want a mild summer climate at a reasonable price, the upper midwest would offer a lot of options. 

 

This for sure. I'd be looking at WI/MI/MN....hell, I'd make it easy and just buy a place in Duluth, MN overlooking Lake Superior and join Northland Country Club, an absolutely tremendous Ross course on a hill above the Lake (http://www.pjkoenig.com/northland-country-club). Downstroke is just $5k and monthly dues are very reasonable for a course of that quality, and summer weather there absolutely cannot be beat.

 

However, I don't think MN/WI/MI are going to have the same options for a home that is within a golf community. That is just not nearly as common in the great lakes areas.

[ChipNRun]

One of my golfing pals and his wife here in St. Louis area are considering relocating to golfdom.

 

He's primarily looking at the Carolinas. Here's what he is finding:

• Good deals are available on homes, if you look around a bit. Value can vary county to county.
• Golf component can get touchy... Read the fine print, and talk to the locals. Some potential problems:
  • Some courses charge an initiation fee and a yearly fee. Can be problematic if it is a semi-private: You may spend $20,000 initiation and $6,000 a year, and find out the walk-on golfers behind you are only paying $40 a round. And, you may find frequent np-play days due to outside events.
  • Assessments as hidden fee. If club food service loses $100K a year - not uncommon at many private clubs - count on a $2K donation at Christmas time to cover the shortfall.

Do your homework - like true due diligance - before you sign up.

[BG5]

On 10/6/2023 at 10:37 AM, TennisAndGolf said:

Any suggestions in michigan?

 

I looked at bay harbor and all the homes seemed a bit older - but definitely on the initial list

 

Id check out Boyne (Bay Harbor is apart of this) and Id suggest looking at Condos in Boyne Highlands.  They range from $300,000-$500,000 and the nice thing about the Highlands is its a ski resort so you could rent it out through boyne in winter months if you dont plan to be there if you dont mind people being in your place.  They take care of everything.  Boyne Highlands has an outstanding practice facitily.  Boyne Mountain is another option and is about 30 minutes south of Boyne highlands.

 

A membership to Bay Harbor and all of Boynes courses which is 12 in total runs about $7500 a year and I think they have a initiation fee of like $7000 but you get a year to preview it so ya dont have to pay that fee right up front.  Bay Harbor is $300 a round so its a great deal. 

 

If you dont want Bay Harbor and just want Boynes 10 other courses it runs about $4500 a year for a single

 

Treetops Golf Resort has condos for $200,000 and has access to 5 amazing courses and their condos are really nice.

 

Another place you may want to look is Birchwood Farms in Harbor Springs Michigan......very nice golf courses and homes are very well priced and they have all the things you are looking for.  True North is another private club in Harbor Springs that might be worth a look although prices at True North might be to much for houseing.

 

The housing options at Birchwood might be the nicest of all of them

[TennisAndGolf]

On 11/2/2023 at 8:03 PM, BG5 said:

 

Id check out Boyne (Bay Harbor is apart of this) and Id suggest looking at Condos in Boyne Highlands.  They range from $300,000-$500,000 and the nice thing about the Highlands is its a ski resort so you could rent it out through boyne in winter months if you dont plan to be there if you dont mind people being in your place.  They take care of everything.  Boyne Highlands has an outstanding practice facitily.  Boyne Mountain is another option and is about 30 minutes south of Boyne highlands.

 

A membership to Bay Harbor and all of Boynes courses which is 12 in total runs about $7500 a year and I think they have a initiation fee of like $7000 but you get a year to preview it so ya dont have to pay that fee right up front.  Bay Harbor is $300 a round so its a great deal. 

 

If you dont want Bay Harbor and just want Boynes 10 other courses it runs about $4500 a year for a single

 

Treetops Golf Resort has condos for $200,000 and has access to 5 amazing courses and their condos are really nice.

 

Another place you may want to look is Birchwood Farms in Harbor Springs Michigan......very nice golf courses and homes are very well priced and they have all the things you are looking for.  True North is another private club in Harbor Springs that might be worth a look although prices at True North might be to much for houseing.

 

The housing options at Birchwood might be the nicest of all of them

Thank you for the detailed reply - bay harbor is definitely on the list

 

So other members have suggestions for Wisconsin or Minnesota? Looks like this region of the Midwest is the best bet for summers

 

would prefer real estate within a golf club or country club but understand that is less common in the Midwest. 
 

Only thing I could generally find with the above criteria in Wisconsin was Geneva National - but pace of play appears to be an issue despite the high dues / monthly there (for a semi private)

Edited February 19 by TennisAndGolf