Private club communities are attractive to buyers now more than ever. As a result of the pandemic, country club communities are being sought out for having all the bells and whistles buyers seek at this time. Here are just a few of the reasons why the appeal of country club living has grown significantly in the post Covid-19 era.
Wellness
According to the Private Communities Registry, Inc. (PCR) 2020 Survey, wellness amenities top the list of what home searchers are looking for. Fitness related amenities remain the top requested benefit by homebuyers. Swimming pools (73%), with fitness centers (71%), and walking/ biking trails (70%) following close behind. There is also an enthusiasm for tennis/pickle ball, green features, spas, and other means for maintaining one’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
Clubs like Boca West Country Club do not take wellness lightly with a recent investment of $45 million for the construction of an expanded 96,000-square-foot Aquatics Center, Fitness Center and Sports Center Complex. In addition to its full-service spa and fitness center, Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club offers resident members on-site wellness services like physical therapy and nutritional counseling to help meet health goals. Harbour Ridge’s facilities provide the perfect active sporting lifestyle with two golf courses, 9 tennis courts, a dog park, extensive fitness programming, a state-of-the-art gym, and miles of hiking trails alongside the St. Lucie River.
Peace of Mind
Because many families are migrating from densely-populated and high taxed urban areas, they are seeking a place they can relax and feel a sense of security. The private club community model offers gated security as one of its many amenities, with community designed to maximize views and privacy at the same time. Even caring for your home becomes easier for the members of The Club at Quail Ridge, as the on-site Property Owners Association connects members to qualified maintenance services, housekeeping, and handymen. This way, members know that the important things are being taken care of by trusted experts. While things inside and outside of the home are being easily maintained, residents can enjoy daily lifestyle activities and socialization without any worry.
Additionally, many club leadership teams have devised well-thought-out and intense protocols post Covid-19 to ensure the members’ safety. At clubs like BallenIsles, CDC recommended guidelines are followed and stringent sanitation procedures are in place. Health screening kiosks are located at designated public areas, hand sanitizing stations are readily available, members and employees are required to wear masks in public indoor spaces, and temperature checks are taken before public space entry is permitted. Testing and quarantine protocols for returning seasonal residents are taken seriously by community staff to ensure that the member experience continues to be safe and enjoyable for everyone during these unprecedented times.
Connection to Nature
While COVID-19 has changed the way, we spend time and share space, clubs offer a wide array of outdoor activities to stay healthy. Warm climates and amenity rich communities provide a haven for those seeking refuge. When it comes to natural surroundings, country clubs offer peaceful sanctuaries with plenty of ways to connect with the unique natural areas within these communities.
Recently, club residents have found a greater appreciation for their natural neighbors. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Indian River on Florida’s Treasure Coast, more than 1,000 wildlife species call Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club home. The private beaches are thriving with turtles, otters are being spotted at the lakes on the golf course while large groups of birds like White Pelicans, Ospreys and Rosette Spoonbills are gathering on the river’s surface. Few communities in the world can say they have an Eagle Preserve on their property and Harbour Ridge is one of them. One of only eight Audubon certified golf courses on the Treasure Coast, the community is comprised of 35 acres within the Golden Marsh course, where two Southern Bald Eagles nested for many years and their nest is still intact. Kayak launches at both Orchid Island and Harbour Ridge allow residents to gain an opportunity to interact with their environment while achieving an invigorating workout along the way.
BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens has devoted 21 acres, in two separate parks, for residents and their families to enjoy. The Fitness Park features a one-mile long fitness trail, while the second neighborhood park has a children’s playground, basketball court, volleyball court, and a picnic area. There are also seven workout stations along the trail to make exercising outside unique and fun while enjoying the scenic views.
Service Oriented
As a result of changing times, many Club leadership teams became very creative in supporting the day-to-day lifestyle of their Members. Laurie Andrews, principal and chief marketing officer of Cotton & Company says, “At the height of the quarantine we saw our South Florida club community clients shift to continuously accommodate resident member needs so that they did not even have to leave their homes for necessities.” Meal services with delivery and unique drive through pickup options were launched. Boca West Country Club even provided a “Pantry” for grocery shopping, and Harbour Ridge opened an outdoor fresh market. The Club at Quail Ridge created an innovative “Chef’s Stockroom” where members could purchase all their necessities. Virtual Happy Hours, educational wine tastings on YouTube, drive up themed dinner events with live entertainment and/or fitness classes on Facebook Live, just to name a few, were offered at all the clubs allowing members social activity from the comfort of their own homes.
An Appreciation for Contemporary Design
Clubs are finding new ways to entice younger generations and highlight the value of living in a country club community. With limited inventory of homes in the Boca Raton, Florida area, Boca West launched a renovator program to deliver instant gratification to those homebuyers seeking a fresh alternative. Stephann Cotton, founder and President of Cotton & Company explains, “It’s an opportunity that is almost too good to be true. The program brings together a prime Boca location, with the world’s #1 residential country club with golf and water views complete with a brand new contemporary interior, windows, appliances, kitchens, bathrooms all at a remarkable price point,” says Cotton.
Cotton & Company’s experienced digital marketing professionals are assisting many country clubs to spread awareness about the unique attributes of each Club lifestyle. With membership and real estate sales working hand-in-hand, the Cotton Solution provides cost-effective methodology to create new interest in these highly desirable lifestyle communities.
