Don't buy into a retirement village without looking into the facts about them. A client came to me last week and explained how some friends of hers had purchased a home in a retirement village and the costs were very high. 

Some of the fees are as follows site fee for having your own home on their property. A 30 year lease was offered and the end of that period the lease would need to be renegotiated. The homes offered were portable style homes similar to cabins you would find in a caravan park. Site management fees that increased yearly and common areas that were all to be maintained at another cost. 

Basically not a very good deal at all and no equity in the cabin what so ever. The cabin would be more of a liability than an asset. At Berstan Homes we offer a home and land package combination without any fees other than rates and energy use. All properties are their own title and are located near shopping centres and public transport. The properties are designed with easy maintenance in mind. Enjoyable easy care gardens, timber decked areas, stainless steel appliances including dishwasher, gas ducted heating and quality floor covering. 

These great properties are available in Mernda, Wollert and Craigieburn. Cost of these great value packages are all around $310k.