55+ communities real estate guide

TL;DR: Palm Beach County has many age-restricted 55+ communities, from large condo villages to gated single-family communities. Rules, fees and approval steps differ by community, so read the documents before you buy.

Home types

• Condo villages with shared clubhouses and pools
• Gated single-family and villa communities with HOA
• Golf communities, some with equity or mandatory memberships (see the equity vs non-equity guide)
• Well-known examples: the GL Homes Valencia communities in Boynton Beach, Kings Point in Delray Beach and Century Village in West Palm Beach

Places and getting around

• Found across the county, in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Lake Worth, West Palm Beach and Boca Raton. Many are west of I-95, and some are east of Military Trail
• Clubhouse amenities and fees vary widely
• Rental rules differ. Ask before you buy if you may want to lease it out
• Pet, lease and vehicle rules differ by community

Prices and HOA fees

Prices and HOA or condo fees vary a lot from one community to the next, and they change often. For current prices, see what is listed now. For your own home, get a free home value and I will send you real numbers.

What to know before you buy or sell

• Federal law sets the rules for housing for older persons. Each community publishes its own age and occupancy policy. Get it in writing.
• Ask for the HOA or condo approval timeline, any capital contribution at closing, and recent special assessments.
• Selling in a 55+ community? Read selling a home in a 55+ community.

Schools

Look up school zones and ratings for a specific address with the School District of Palm Beach County. Zones can change, so check the address, not the city.

What is for sale now

See every active listing on my Keller Williams home search.

Thinking of selling in 55+ communities?

Start with your number. I will pull recent sales near you and walk you through a seller net sheet, so you see what you could walk away with before you list. No pressure.

Get my home value Seller net sheet

My local tip

Ask the association for the rules, the budget, recent special assessments and the approval timeline before you sign. A great clubhouse means little if the approval takes eight weeks and your closing date is in four.

[BRIAN: optional, add one first-hand note about this area]

What would you want to know about 55+ communities before you move? Call or text me and ask.