What is a Master-Planned Community? Things to Know Before Joining One

After weeks and weeks of searching for the perfect home in Seattle, WA, you’ve found yourself looking up at the Holy Grail of houses. It checks all the boxes – plenty of storage, a backyard, walking distance to shops – but your Redfin Real Estate agent tells you that it’s located in a master-planned community. 

Naturally, you nod along, pretending to know exactly what a master-planned community is, before researching online once you get back to the comfort of your apartment in Renton, WA. This Redfin Real Estate article is here to help you explore this nuanced topic and decide if a master planned community is right for you.

In this article:
What is a master planned community?
What are the amenities in a master planned community?
How much does a master planned community cost?
What’s the difference between a master planned community and a neighborhood?
The bottom line: Is a master planned community worth it?

What is a master planned community?

To cut right to the chase, a master-planned community (MPC) is a large, planned residential neighborhood that integrates community amenities, services, shops, and housing. The goal is to create a space for residents to live, work, and play.  

What are the amenities in a master planned community?

In summary: MPCs offer amenities ranging from golf courses to gyms to restaurants.

Master planned communities are typically on large plots of land, allowing the developers to offer an array of amenities to their community members. These can include golf courses, restaurants, shops, miles of hiking trails, parks, community events, and more. 

One of the major draws of a master planned community is having everything you need within the community. Gyms, parks, and more are available for use by residents and are kept up-to-date by funds collected by the homeowners association (HOA). You can walk from your home to the gym, grab a drink at the clubhouse, and play at the park with your kids, all within the comfort of your MPC.

How much does a master planned community cost?

In a nutshell: MPCs typically cost more and require homeowners to pay HOA fees.

In order to keep the amenities functioning and to afford the costs of community events, homeowners in an MPC are required to pay HOA fees on top of their mortgage. For homeowners trying to stretch their budget to include a home in an MPC, this could put them over what they can afford. HOA fees can range from $100 to $700, depending on where you live and the amenities offered. Sometimes, HOA fees can even exceed $1000. Prepare to pay a little extra if you’re looking for a home in an MPC.

What’s the difference between a master planned community and a neighborhood?

Key takeaways: MPCs prioritize community events and seek to create an all-in-one experience.

You may be thinking that a master planned community sounds a lot like a neighborhood, but there are some slight differences. MPCs often have paid employees whose job it is to create and host community events. Though you may experience a strong sense of community in your neighborhood, it can be a gamble depending on where you live if your neighbors are open to attending a backyard barbecue or prefer to keep to themselves.

MPCs prioritize community and seek to offer an all-in-one solution for residents to live, work, and play. Some MPCs even feature grocery stores and more within their bounds, so residents can walk to pick up any ingredients they may need.

The bottom line: Is a master planned community worth it?

So, is a master planned community worth it? The answer is really up to you. If convenience is a priority and you enjoy a structured approach to community living, living in an MPC may prove to be in alignment with your lifestyle. Before making a decision, consider the added costs of purchasing a home in an MPC to make sure you can afford it and talk to the residents currently living there to determine if you see yourself living and thriving in this community.

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