Monthly Guide to Active Adult Community Living

April 2007

• 55+ Home Page
• Newsletter Signup
• Back Issues
• Contact Us

Welcome Message

Welcome to another great issue of the Monthly Guide to Active Adult Community Living! Spring is in the air and warmer days mean more buyer activity. So if you are looking to buy a home and you find one you like, don't wait too long to make an offer. As the saying goes...if you snooze you can lose (the house you wanted).

This month's issue features what luxury living is like in an active adult condominium community called Nobility Crest in Ocean Township, NJ. You may also be interested in our second article about community by-laws and how they affect the homeowners.

Don't forget to visit our 55Plus-Housing.com website regularly as new communities and listings are updated daily. Also, be sure to signup for our email newsletter (if you haven't already) so you never miss an issue.

Please feel free to contact us to see how we can help you with your real estate needs. Not local to NJ? No worries...the Mary Holder Agency is a member of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World referral network. We can assist you in finding a local real estate professional to help you buy or sell your home.

We hope you enjoy this issue and welcome all comments to help improve it. 

Featured Community

Nobility Crest - Ocean, NJ

Nobility Crest is a luxury active adult condominium community in Ocean Twp., NJ (Monmouth County). This community is conveniently located near shopping malls, beaches and easy access to the Garden State Parkway. 

Nobility Crest at Ocean features 120 luxury condo style homes in 3 impressive buildings. This community was established in 2005 and has both new homes & re-sales available. Nobility Crest sits on a 10 acre site and overlooks its Cedar Village adult community neighbors.

Community Map:

Home Choices:
Nobility Crest features 9 different model homes in three mid-rise buildings. Five models include a 2nd level loft which are all located on the 3rd floor penthouse level. Model homes range between 1,521 to 2,087 sq. ft. (including loft area) of living space. Nobility Crest exemplifies true maintenance free living with included amenities like beautiful landscaping, exterior window cleaning, snow removal, trash chutes & interior mailboxes in the lobbies! Model homes feature 9 foot high ceilings, oak hardwood flooring & carpeting, separate soaking tub and shower in master bath, granite countertops in kitchen & bath, laundry room and much more. Click Here to find available homes for sale.

Community Amenities:
Nobility Crest at Ocean features many upscale amenities including a spectacular 4,300 sq. ft. clubhouse & spacious courtyard. The clubhouse features a billiard room, card room, fitness room, library / business center, craft room & multi-purpose room. Outside amenities include bocce, putting green and "zero entry" outdoor heated swimming pool.

About the Builder:
Nobility Crest at Ocean is just one of many fine developments built by the Jerald Development Group, Inc. This award winning builder was established in 1992 and its founders have over 25 years of building experience. The Jerald Development Group brings style and sophistication to all their communities throughout Central NJ.

Municipal Information:
Ocean Township is located in the heart of Monmouth County. This township covers approximately 11 sq. miles with a population close to 27,000 (according to 2000 U.S. Census Data). Ocean Township is close to many shopping centers & malls, hospitals, beaches, golf courses and major transportation routes. [top]

Adult Community By-Laws...Rules to Live By

The by-laws of a homeowner's association are essential for keeping continuity and integrity of any community. This is especially true for adult communities since many of the residents are retired and at home more often.

Every builder who develops a planned or age-restricted community in NJ must file what is known as a Public Offering Statement (POS) to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The POS is comprised of many documents describing the development like surveys & subdivision maps, deed restrictions, homeowner association documents and other information. Also included in the POS are the community by-laws which helps govern the community.  

Included in the by-laws are defined restrictions of what a resident can or cannot do within the community. Every community is different and the rules can vary greatly from the number & size of pets to exterior changes of the home and landscaping to adult swim times. So even though a resident may own a single family home within a 55+ community, they agree to these restrictions when they moved into the community. A copy of the POS and by-laws are given to the homeowner at the time of closing.

 The purpose of the by-laws and restrictions is to provide all homeowners within the community a clean, safe and enjoyable living environment. Of course, individuals may have a difference of opinion on how this is achieved and some may try to bend or break the rules. This can create angst among neighbors and could lead to complaints to the community's board of trustees and/or the property management company.

This is not to say that all the rules and restrictions are set in stone. Initially, the builder creates and controls the homeowners association and thus the by-laws. Over time as the community evolves, the homeowners may want to change certain rules. The board of trustees has the power to change these rules. Residents need to be proactive to let the board members aware of certain situations and to monitor what changes are being proposed.

Residents must keep in mind that too many restrictions can detract from the community and in affect make it less desirable to live there. A community that does not enforce the rules will also have a negative effect too. Both of these situations can affect property values of the entire community. Homeowners must use common sense and respect each other's rights to maintain a high quality of life that they want and deserve in an active adult community.  [top]