Green rolling hills, a gentle breeze, puffy clouds in the sky. No, I’m not talking about the highlands of Scotland, but rather, living on a golf course!
Northern Nevada, despite being in the high desert, has an abundance of golf courses to choose from, which are accessible year-round with the exception of a few months in the heart of winter. For some, having access to a course isn’t enough. Living in golf course communities brings its own rewards, from being part of close-knit communities to walking out your front door to tee off.
According to John Pieretti, broker-salesperson for Dickson Realty, there are several tips and tricks for living in a golf course community. First and foremost, it’s the old saying: location, location, location. “The location on the course is key because you don’t want to be in the target zone of a slice or draw,” Pieretti said. “You don’t want golfers too close to your backyard if you spend much time there.” In addition, monitor the location of bodies of water within the course. Although they are beautiful to look at and evoke a sense of peace, they could also increase the number of mosquitos.
Golf communities may also be managed or set up in varying ways that Pieretti said are worth researching before committing to moving to one. “The HOA dues, CC&Rs, and other rules can vary greatly depending on the course or area,” Pieretti said. “Places like Montreux and Arrowcreek are much stricter than places like Wolf Run or Red Hawk. Some allow split rail wood fencing, and others may only allow wrought iron. But most of the time it must be some type of view fencing.”
For golf aficionados, living in a golf course community offers the most obvious — and potentially best — opportunity of all: the ability to play a round of golf any time you wish. “Typically, if you live on a course, you can access it anytime you like,” Pieretti said. “However, you must still adhere to golf etiquette and stay out of the way of other golfers. “
Something important to consider when living near a golf course is seeking out insurance that could cover accidents from the course, such as an errant ball hitting a window. “Depending on where it's located, you may want to add some additional coverage for broken roof tiles, windows, holes in walls, etc.,” Pieretti said. “Some homeowners will install a net system if it's allowed.”
In looking at a golf course community home through the lens of resale, Pieretti said the outlook is positive. “Resale value is typically pretty good,” he said. “There is a fairly large demographic that prefers to be on a golf course. Plus, it's usually fairly open with no rear neighbors with nice views.”
Let’s look at some golf communities located right here in the Reno-Sparks area:
Hidden Valley
Located in southeastern Reno, Hidden Valley is a quiet, peaceful community situated around the renowned Hidden Valley Golf Course and Country Club. The community also offers tennis courts, a large swimming pool, and fitness center. The neighborhood offers a diverse range of homes, including some that offer a Mediterranean style. Single-level homes typically offer three or more bedrooms. Those who enjoy travel or recreation will find large parking options, often including RV and boat parking. The average home costs around $750,000.
Lakeridge
The Lakeridge community is located in Southwest Reno near Lake Stanley and the Lakeridge Golf Course. The neighborhood is unique in that is made up of homes built 30 years ago mixed with state-of-the-art modern homes. Their signature hole, number 15, is a world-famous par 3 and includes an island green! The course holds the title for “Best of Reno”. Prices range from $700,000 to $2.3 million, but average around $1.2 million.
Arrowcreek
Arrowcreek is a master-planned golfing community located in Southwest Reno spanning across 3,200 acres. Taking center stage is the dual private and exclusive golf courses, the Legend and Challenge, each 18-hole courses. Then there’s The Club at Arrow Creek: the private country club. Club amenities include private courses, a pool, resort-style cabanas, a golf shop, fitness center, and more. Prices range from $1.3 million to $5.5 million, but average around $2.3 million.
Somersett
Located in Northwest Reno, Somersett is a master-planned golf community spanning 2,400 acres including two courses, two clubhouses, and nearly 30 miles of hiking and biking trails. Residents enjoy exclusive tee-times, access to the pools (and waterslides!), pickle ball courts, and much more available at each club house. The median sales price for Somersett is just over $700,000.
Wingfield Springs
Located within the Spanish Springs Valley northeast of Sparks, Wingfield Springs is a master-planned community surrounding Red Hawk Golf and Resort. Red Hawk offers two champion golf courses, a swim and fitness center, special events venue, and fine dining restaurant. Housing options range from condos and single-family homes to luxury estates. The median sales price for Wingfield Springs is around $570,000.
Montreux
Located up Mount Rose Highway between Reno and Lake Tahoe, Montreux is an exclusive gated golf community. The community, which includes 24/7 security, offers an 18-hole, Jack Nicklaus Signature Champion Course (Par 72) golf course, alongside a club house boasting tennis courts, a pool, fitness center, and more. The community spans 726 acres. The median home sales price for Montreux is around $2.8 million but can range from $220,000 to $8.5 million.
