Injustice?

I agree there is a need for more education about making a home purchase in Sun City, or any retirement community where the owner is not just a home buyer but a member /owner in the community. When I purchased my home 7 years ago all of the digital papers were signed with a click of a mouse. Click here for initials and click here for signature. I know it is my responsibility to read everything I sign and this is not my first home purchase by a long shot. However, it was my first home purchase in a community with Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation. Add all of that text to a purchase agreement from a lender and you have digital paperwork a mile long. It reminds me of a software EULA, which is also a legal binding contract, that goes completely unread by many and is also violated, in some fashion, by almost everyone that clicks the radio button that states “I have read and agree”.

I have been to many open houses in Sun City, before and after the purchase of my home. Three of them in the last week. When looking at the information papers that are available to take, almost all list things like square foot, bedrooms, bathrooms, county taxes, school taxes and REC CENTER FEES. Still, to this day, on the information packet from relators, it states REC CENTER FEES, not assessment fees. I asked three different relators from three different open houses why they list it as a REC CENTER FEE. One said she knows it is an assessment fee but the software does not have a drop-down option for assessment fee and since it is closely attached to the use of the rec center that is what her company uses. The next one stated/asked “it’s not a rec center fee”? The third realtor was really confused and stated that he knows about the assessment fee but that is different from the rec center fee. He said the rec center fee was voluntary and the assessment fee was mandatory. I took my time and explained, as much as I could, to all three realtors, where they fell short. While at one of the open houses a relator was telling another couple that unlike Sun City West two people could use the rec center for the same price. This was after they told the relator they were not married. Her response, “that’s ok as long as the one purchasing the house is over 55". I corrected that one right away and the relator told me to mind my own business.

Yes, it is the buyer’s responsibility to know everything involved with the purchase of a home in Sun City but we have bylaws that are garbled and in contradiction to the Article of Incorporation. We have realtors not understanding much if anything about buying a home in Sun City. This is the first purchase for most people into a self-governed retirement community. Add the digital paperwork into that mix and it becomes a nightmare.

Sun City is in desperate need of educating potential home buyers of ALL the ins and outs and ups and downs of purchasing and living here. What it is they are actually purchasing and all of the cost associated after the purchase and what it means to be a member and owner in a self-governed retirement community. This should be done BEFORE THEY PURCHASE.

To your last point about the picture. I have been trying to add mine since I joined and have not been able to. Maybe someone here has the answer.

 

Bill has mentioned the average number of sales is about 200 per month. Do the rec centers have the manpower and enough people with expertise to handle every buyer pre-sale and answer their every question? That could also potentially mean 200 realtors per month. You can only lead a horse to water...

 

Realtor educational seminars would not be time consuming. RCSC staff could have a monthly educational meeting and working through the realtor's association, possibly even make it a credit requirement due to our unique self-governance situation. That way, we would be assured that all realtors working in Sun City would attend. And, maybe the realtors' association should change their software to appropriately represent fees vs assessment.

Creating a video for prospective buyers would be incredibly valuable. Realtors would have it, and it would be available on the RCSC website. Will everyone watch it? No. But make it obvious that it's important to understand that we're different than what most people are used to. When I try to explain how "things work" to my Midwestern friends, they're like, "so how does THAT work with no local government?" It's complicated. it requires education, communication.
We can and must do better.

 

There is a video. I've seen it. There was a realtor in my session also. They told us it's on the website somewhere.

 

I may be wrong because I haven't watched the current video for some time, but I don't think it gets in to the kind of detail we are talking about. I am thinking it needs to be focused on specific details of assessments, how those funds are used; PIF funds, how they are used. How and why each can be changed. Difference between owner and renter privileges for facilities, clubs, etc. Difference between RCSC and SCHOA, and why belonging to SCHOA is important.

 

I don't see realtors cooperating. My condo association docs say the buyer must meet with the board, mostly me, BEFORE closing! Some realtors tell them they don't have to. They think they may lose a sale. Not one has ever walked away from the sale after meeting with me. They are usually happy they came since I think I put on a good presentation. I do cover rec cards and being on the deed. One had to go to her mortgage banker right after the meeting because the realtor neglected to tell her that things like PIF, rec center, 2 months condo fees, have to be paid at closing. Some realtors refuse to mention we are owner occupied in the listing. They only want the sale and don't care what problems the buyer has after purchase. So, I have no faith in many realtors cooperating.

 

My point Old and Tired. How do we know realtors have not been invited to be involved but there's no interest. Although the realtor in my session asked very good questions and took notes. I also believe there is a video explaining the rec center process in depth and the SC not for profits. More research needs to be done on what's available. If someone says they don't know something it isn't always because someone else didn't tell them or the information isn't or hasn't been made known to be available.

 

Excellent realtor video
What You Need To Know Before Buying in Sun City AZ
Produced by Carla Young a realtor and resident of Sun City.
She explains things to be aware of in Sun City before buying a property here. Includes information about rules to live here, HOAs, Recreation center fees, and property preservation fees.
Needs PIF and annual assessment fees updated and not use Recreation Center fee term! Otherwise, well done. Tap description for all the other info provided and links to resources.

 

Thanks for sharing this one. I forgot about Carla's. I had seen her's in the past. My post was referring to RCSC but thanks for the reminder that this exists. She did a very nice job and went the extra mile.

 

Compare Carla’s 5:19 to
RCSC’s Sun City In Focus production,
2023 Discover Sun City, 31:51, here.
Carla has TV news producer/editor experience!

 

Maybe she could be an advisor to In Focus. I applaud them for their efforts, but RCSC needs a more professional marketing presence.

 

I thought the same thing!

 

I've seen Carla's videos. They are good. I wonder how many of the 4700 views were buyers or were most of them people like me that already lived here.

The realtor is usually the first and sometimes the only person a buyer sees before purchase. That is where changes have to be made.

 

• Carla’s marketing video also provides community resource links in the description content section.
• Comments are from prospective buyers!
• I think Carla made a great video about Sun City that educates anyone who views it.
• Isn’t it interesting that current residents of Sun City search the internet for information about Sun City and find Carla’s video so helpful?

Hello, RCSC and SCHOA, where are you?

 

Most people move to SC because of family or friends and I guess also weather golf and pickelball? Spending money to educate is a must. Professional marketing is not a good investment here in my opinion.

 

i watched Carla’s video yesterday. Her remark about purchasers getting two rec cards was incomplete. Failed to emphasize it requires the two to both be on the deed. Otherwise good video.

 

The wave of “soon to retirees” exploring relocation are internet driven. Sun City must develop exceptional targeted marketing introducing them to our wonderful community. Our website and social media presence desperately need facelifts, too.
Time to freshen our bait!

 

Yes, needs a few tweaks, very enterprising of her to identify a need and create it on her own. Impressive volunteer effort!

 

It's my understanding that the RCSC is, in fact, looking at ways to improve the website which will be a very welcomed change!