If the neighborhood HOA by-laws require club membership, then no. But there are quite a few neighborhoods that offer active clubhouses (perhaps not country club) that do not have equity fees.

There are even a few neighborhoods in the Boca Raton and Boynton Beach areas that are Country Club communities but do not require equity membership. Of course, you will not be able to use their facilities, but you will have the manned-gated entrance and the serene ambiance that a golf course community provides.

Please email me at buyyourflhome@gmail.com with the specific requirements of your home; price, size, location, etc. and I will be happy to provide you with a list of homes that will meet your needs.

Mark Doring, PA
561-929-0428
West Real Estate, Inc.

I agree with Joan...
but to the extent that she is being PC, I would also add that if you are not paying for the club, then you can have your gate passes turned off etc... they can really make living there miserable if they try. Since the deed restrictions of the community were written creating the mandatory club, then it is fairly cut and dry legally that you have to pay up.

If a community is Club Mandatory, then the Club is Mandatory... if you're looking at Aberdeen, Quail Ridge or Indian Springs, you might want to look further West to Westchester or The Cascades where membership to Westchester CC is optional. Or Polo Trace in Delray Beach.

Or you might want to look at an active adult community where they have an active club, with no equities or additional dues...perhaps one of the Valencias would fit your bill considering you're looking in the 33437 zip code. They would have the spirit of the club without the "membership" restrictions and exorbitant costs.

I specialize in the area you're searching so feel free to contact me for more information.

David Podgursky
Boca Executive Realty
Broker-Associate
561-504-6949 c
dp@bocaexecutive.com http://www.davidpodgursky.com

Hi Barry!

If the home or condo is in a community that requires a new purchaser to also simultaneously purchase an equity membership in the country club then there is no way to avoid this. If, once belonging to the club, annual dues and possible assessments are not paid when due then interest & legal fees will probably accrue & access to the club's facilities will be denied. I believe the club might also have a right to place a lien on the property but ,nonetheless, when the property is eventually sold the club will need to be made whole on delinquent past dues in order for title to pass. However, I have heard through the real estate grapevine that (in regard to short sales) a club did reduce the owing amount.

If you are thinking of purchasing a home here in South Florida there are many clubs where the equity buy-in is quite reasonable. We also have many golf courses -- both public and privately owned -- with reasonable day fees.

--Joan

JOAN LORBERBAUM MOORE
Broker Associate, GRI
Lang Realty
9858 Clint Moore Road
Boca Raton, FL 33496
joanmoorerealtor@gmail.com http://www.langrealty.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/joanlorberbaummoore

Barry, call me at 561-988-0070 and "let's discuss." I may have a solution. MARILYN FARBER JACOBS, Realtor, ePRO - Keller Williams Realty Services. http://www.MarilynJacobs.com, http://www.FLWaterfrontConos.com. http://BocaRatonHomesforSale.blogspot.com. By the way, how's the weather in NJ today?

Dear Barry,

It all depends on the community-- which one in particular are you interested in?