GATED COMMUNITIES ARE AT THE TOP OF BUYERS’ WISH LISTS. HERE’S WHY

 

Gated communities scream “exclusive”. A visitor drives up to a gate where a uniformed security professional asks where they are going and for identification. It harkens back to the days of palace guards. Yet, their only allure is not giving an impression of exclusivity and affluence. Gated communities are at the top of buyers’ wish lists because they offer so much more. 

Gated communities, which may be accessed by entering a key, using a code, or speaking with a security guard, are home to ten million Americans. Most residents will site the feeling of security when asked why they chose to live in a gated community. In fact, since the 1980s the number of residents living in such a community has exploded, especially in Florida. The sense of safety is backed up by the 2013 study “Gated Communities and Crime in the U.S.” which reported that individuals who lived in a gated community experienced thirty-three percent fewer burglaries than non-gated communities. 

For many, especially those who are easily recognized by the public, privacy is a major factor when deciding where to live. In gated communities, potential guests are often screened at the gate by a computer system or security personnel. There’s a sense that residents can go about their lives behind the gates without having to fear any unwanted interruptions or prying eyes. This means that any of the community’s facilities are also restricted to only the residents, including golf courses, swimming pools, and lounge areas. 

Since the number of visitors is limited to only those welcomed by residents, commuter traffic is non-existent in a gated community. Drivers looking to cut through traffic at increased speeds must detour around these areas, making gated communities more walkable and safer for children and pets. 

Encircling a group of houses behind a gate can naturally foster a sense of community for its inhabitants. Sports and social activities are often facilitated by residents which nurtures this community feel. 

The sheer desirability of homes in gated communities keeps property values high. Gated communities are also often managed by a homeowner’s association which ensures that a certain standard of living is maintained, which includes the homes and grounds. Continuous upkeep and a commitment to high standards keep the value of homes in these communities elevated. 

Whether a buyer is looking for a home that offers a taste of the city or a secluded oasis, Miami has no shortage of gated communities. Close to the hustle and bustle of Downtown Miami, Bay Point (Bay Point Estates) offers easy access to Miami Beach and the world’s best shopping in the Design District. Most homes also feature direct water access. Not too far from Bay Point, is the 100-acre bayfront community of Morningside, which boasts tree-lined streets and parks perfect for casual strolling. 

For buyers with “secluded” at the top of their wish list, the Upper East Side gated community of Belle Meade offers it up in spades. Residents of this community are just a short drive away from popular restaurants and downtown entertainment hubs. 

Buyers looking for lush foliage and an old Florida vibe have their choice of gated communities in Coconut Grove including The Moorings, Four Way Lodge Estates, and Camp Biscayne. These communities are also alluring to families, art patrons, and sports enthusiasts of all types. Whether a buyer is a cyclist, musician, or sailor they’ll feel right at home in one of these exclusive communities. 

Not to be outdone, the gated communities of Pinecrest offer a small-town feel and access to some of the best schools in South Florida. With the exception of Pinecrest by the Sea, most of these gated communities are made up of ten homes or fewer. They include the communities of The Sanctuary at Pinecrest, The Palms Estates, and Criterion Estates. 

The best of both worlds culminates in the gated communities of Coral Gables. Buyers looking for the old world in the heart of Miami find their home sweet home amongst the Spanish architecture and canopied boulevards. Coral Gables is also home to some of South Florida’s most prestigious schools. Dry lot homes, as well as those with canal and inlet access, make up the much sought-after communities of Cocoplum, Gables Estates, and Gables By The Sea.

Miami Signature Homes President and luxury real estate advisor, Mauricio J. Barba is respected throughout his native Miami by clients and colleagues alike; he has logged top honors for elite performance in his field. 

Mauricio is connected worldwide but specializes in Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Key Biscayne, Brickell, Village of Pinecrest, South Miami, Palmetto Bay/Falls area, and the Beaches. This intimate knowledge of the local luxury real estate market is essential to helping buyers find their perfect home, especially those looking to live behind the gilded gates of a gated community. 

The Miami Signature Homes team is relatively small compared to its sales volume. That has been important in keeping relationships with clients at a very direct level. Mauricio, Tania, and Vicky, each maintain strong personal connections and professional relationships with all of their clients, many of which have been with the team for decades.

This personal level of service allows each team member to devote individual attention and care to every home sale or search. Assistants are great, but Miami Signature Homes makes sure their principals are the people solely responsible for returning essential calls or emails 24/7, 365 days a year.

If you insist on expertise and dedication throughout one of the most important decisions of your life, call us at (305) 439-8311.