I was just talking to an elderly couple yesterday who are living in a self managed (body corporate) strata title complex.

One particular owner (very wealthy) on the body corporate is trying to bulldoze through some changes that are very expensive and would have to be paid up front by each resident, most of whom are only on an age pension and can't afford it.  A group of owners are in a legal tussle with this owner and his wife at the moment over his proposed upgrade of the facilities etc.  The complex does not have any resort type facilities (eg: pool, workshop, community rooms etc) but the complex has it's own roads and fenced etc.  They all pay for their own maintenance and gardens upkeep.

Prior to buying a strata titled unit there, the elderly couple had bought into a managed/resort type complex which seemed nice but proved to be very expensive and they had no control over the fees which the management just kept putting up all the time.  They had to pay exit fees when they left which included re-carpeting and re-painting the inside, even though the home was spotless and didn't need this doing.

They only got what they paid for the home less the exit fees etc, although the places had increased in value since the bought any difference to the selling price to what they paid for it went to the owners of the complex.

Not all complexes are the same and you were wise having a solicitor look at the fine print for you.   If I were a wealthy person (which I am not) and felt I could handle rising fees which I had no control over, was not worried about resale or exit fees, then I think these could be nice places to live in and would have their advantages.

We live in a strata complex of four villa's, our type of strata title also covers the land around the villa unlike some that it is common property.  So whatever is inside our fence line is ours.   We have a "dormant" body corporate which means under the terms of the Strata Titles act for units under a certain number, the owners can agree not to have annual meetings but has the option to hold "extra ordinary" meetings if we need to.  We have no maintenance fees or body corporate funds, the only thing we have that is shared is our joint building insurance done via a broker, we each pay our share each year for the total.

In regards to maintenance, we made a resolution that we all pay for our own, including outside painting, with a few riders on what colours etc had to be used.   It is actually cheaper to either do your own maintenance or pay to have it done with the money you save by not paying strata fees and you are way in front.  

We have been looking at RV Homebase in Maryborough in QLD.  It is a relatively new development with several homes built already and residents settled in.  I like the idea of the oversize carports/garages for your RV parking.  They have a website www.rvhomebase.com.au if you want to find out more.

I don't know the details but check out Fraser Shores in Hervey Bay.

My ex lives very near to it and when I visit the kids I pass the place and there are at least 50 or so motorhomes and caravans parked up in the place. They are also about to double the size of the development so it's a popular place so must have something going for it..

Have a look at The Grange Waitara I have friends that are moving in shortly, it is Strata title and the whole complex is owned by the residents http://www.grangevillage.com.au/

Cheers

David

pambaz wrote:

Just another question to put on the list

 Couldn't bear the thought of a townhouse or villa at this stage but stairs are not an option for Barry .

Pam

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 The villa we are in is a single level street facing one with no common walls and the driveway faces the street.  We have a verge the size of a postage stamp that our lawnmower bloke cuts when needed during his rounds for $10 (that includes the edges and carting the cut grass away).

As we are one of four on a corner block (two facing one street and two facing another) they are more like duplexes and have small paved easy care yards back and front.   These days they are building some villa's and duplexes on green titles so no body corporate is involved.  An alternative would be a small house with little yard back and front.   We have great neigbours who keep an eye on our place/mail etc when we go away. 

There was a house behind our fence on the old quarter acre block, that has been pulled down and three green title houses built down the length of the block, all with their own driveway and double garages, 3 Brm, bir's, kitchen, dining room, two bathroom/wc's, laundry, TV room, patio etc, etc.   They will be going on the market for around $800,000 plus the agent told me.  Just to give you an idea, when they are advertised for sale I will try to post a link to them.

I think that being independent of body corporates or whatever has a lot going for it.