I've Inadvertently Became an Expert on the Relationship Between the HOA and the Golf Course
I used the word 'inadvertently' because I'd become a sounding board for concerned residents in golf course communities when their backyard golf courses are failing. Of course, they're concerned about the negative effect on the value of their property values when the golf course grows in. In the past ten years I've been contacted by phone, email, Facebook and Linkedin from everywhere in the USA and Canada.
"Worry about property values when the backyard golf course fails is a legitimate concern." Mike Kahn
Believe me. I've seen evidence of property values dropping $20.00 a foot overnight (the demise of the Ravines Golf Course in Middleburg, Florida). Some residential home values with dead golf courses over their back fences lost as much as 40% of their property value when the golf course closed its doors.
EVEN THE RUMOR THAT THE GOLF COURSE IS IN TROUBLE HURTS PROPERTY VALUES
Consider the problems selling a home in a golf course neighborhood - no matter whether backing on the golf course or not. When the real estate salesperson is compelled to inform the next buyer-prospect that the the future of the golf course is uncertain how's that rumor affect a potential buyer?
A 2,200 UNIT GOLF AND RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD MAY HAVE LOST UP TO $130 MILLION, COMBINED, WHEN THE 27-HOLE WALDEN LAKE GOLF COURSE IN PLANT CITY, FLORIDA CLOSED
In the Walden Lake disaster, homes on or off the golf course suffered. Not only did the the Walden Lake residents suffer, but the city lost a ton of tax money after having to reassess properties downward.
Walden Lake did not have to fail. It failed because the homeowners who did not play golf refused to participate in any plan designed to prop up the golf course.
"I don't chase a little white ball around a field so, I don't give a damn about the golf course!"
AS CONSULTANT FOR THE OWNER OF THE THREE GOLF COURSES I'M ACTUALLY MORE OF AN ARBITRATOR
First, I know how to manage golf courses. In fact, I argue that I'm the most experienced golf course manager anywhere. However, my job in this instance is to save a 500-home residential community from a calamity - up to $75-million combined loss in residential property values.
MY JOB IS TO IDENTIFY COMMON GROUND
The first thing the homeowners need to do is agree on a common issue. When a major loss in the value of property is the issue it's fairly easy to reach agreement on that concern. Now we have a base to work together on.
BUT THEY'RE ALL DIFFERENT
There are no two golf course residential neighborhoods alike and that's where I come in. I mean, the solution for your neighborhood may not work like it did in another because the variables are endless. My expertise in golf course operations along with my experience with the relationship between the golf course and the residents can usually result in recommending a plan that both sides can adopt.
My goal is to preserve the integrity of the golf course residential neighborhood virtually forever.
Think of it. Imagine life in your golf course community never having to worry about the golf course - ever again! I can demonstrate communities that never worry about the golf course - even though fewer than 15% of people living in the community play golf.
IF YOUR GOLF COURSE COMMUNITY IS IN LIMBO CALL ME
I will not try to sell you on me or my services. Our first conversation may be useful enough to you that you might never need me. I'm OK with that. However, if you or your HOA bring me aboard to try to help you need to know that I am not a patronizer. I can only stick to what I feel, in my experience, is the right course of action. And yes, I'm fully aware that some golf course neighborhoods are doomed to fail - mostly because they were doomed on the drawing board - long before the first D-8 rolled off the flatbed.
CALL ME: 941-730-3990. I PROMISE I WON'T BITE!
Michael A Kahn, in Golf for Over 60-years. Golfmak.com. mike@golfmak.com.