FAQs: All Your Questions Answered

We understand that downsizing to community living is a significant decision. That's why transparency and trust are at the core of everything we do. We believe in providing you with all the information you need to feel confident and secure in your choice. Our commitment to openness ensures you know exactly what to expect, with no hidden surprises. This section is dedicated to answering all your questions, helping you understand our unique approach to community living, and showcasing why Lifestyle Communities® is the perfect place to unlock the life you’ve always dreamed of. Over 5,500 homeowners have celebrated this move across 24 of our communities in Victoria.

Index

About Us

Q: Who is Lifestyle Communities®?

A: Lifestyle Communities® revolutionises community living for Victorians over 50 by creating spaces where age is just a number. We enrich the lives of downsizers by curating extraordinary lifestyle experiences, nurturing lifelong connections, and building magnificent homes filled with an undeniable sense of belonging. Our mission is to ignite the spark in those searching for a bigger life and introduce them to life unlimited.

Q: Why do people choose Lifestyle Communities®?

A: With over 20 years experience operating exclusively in Victoria, 5,500+ homeowners and half of our sales originating from homeowner referrals, we are the leading provider in the state. Offering a unique blend of financial freedom, community engagement, and resort-style living; with luxurious homes and state-of-the-art amenities, we ensure that each day is filled with joy, relaxation, and endless opportunities for connection. Our commitment to long-term growth, sustainability, and the well-being of our homeowners sets us apart. The sense of belonging, security, and the freedom to live life unlimited, without financial burdens, make us the perfect choice for those seeking to seize every moment and unlock unlimited possibilities.

Q: How did Lifestyle Communities® begin?

A: For over 20 years, Lifestyle Communities® has lived and breathed the wants and needs of the downsizer homeowner. Our journey began in 2003, fuelled by a passion to create something extraordinary for people over 50 looking to downsize in an affordable home with resort style facilities. Our Co-founder and Managing Director, James Kelly, together with his business partners, imagined a world where community living transcended the ordinary and what they have created is quite unique in Australia. Today, over 5,500 Victorians have already made the move and are now living their best lives.

Q: Who owns Lifestyle Communities®?

A: Lifestyle Communities is an ASX-listed entity backed by Australian institutions such as Australian Super and many other super funds. This ensures we have a high level of transparency, accountability, and financial stability, giving our homeowners long-term confidence in their decision and investment. If Lifestyle Communities ever changed hands you would be protected by your 90 year lease.

Costs, Fees and Savings

Q: What is the Weekly Site Fee (Resort Fee)?

A: The Weekly Site (Resort Fee) covers the lease of your land, access to all shared community/resort facilities managed by Lifestyle Communities and the upkeep of the community, including day-to-operations, maintenance of front gardens, and council, water and sewerage rates.

Q: What is the Deferred Management Fee (DMF)?

A: The Deferred Management Fee (DMF) covers the cost of improving and contemporising your community over time. As a long-term operator, Lifestyle communities has a 30-year refurbishment plan in place for every community. The DMF allows us to keep the cost of purchasing a home as low as possible and ensures we have a vested interest in growing the value of your property. The DMF is only payable when you sell your home.

Q: What is the benefit of having a Deferred Management Fee (DMF)?

A: The outcomes of the DMF, proven over time, include:

It supports affordability by deferring some costs typically payable upfront, until later, when you choose to sell your home
The ability to enjoy equity free up when you purchase
Average capital growth of 9.5% pa over the last 10 years, representing a strong financial return
A mutual interest in driving capital growth of your home

Q: How is the Deferred Management Fee (DMF) calculated?

A: The Deferred Management fee is capped at 20% after five years, regardless of how long you stay, allowing you to benefit from continued capital growth. You’ll pay 4% of the home value on the sale for each full year. If you sell part-way through a year, you’ll pay a pro-rata amount of the 4% annual increase. Lifestyle Communities has averaged 9.5% capital growth per annum over the last 10 years. With our average house price growth running at 9.5%, this more than covers this meaning that nearly all our homeowners leave with a cash excess when the sell their home and pay the fee.

Q: How much more affordable are homes?

A: Our communities offer a variety of downsizing options, with homes typically priced at 75-80% of median house prices in the local area. This means that you can free up even more equity when you downsize.

Q: Are there any hidden costs?

There are no additional expenses like stamp duty, council rates, sewerage, or water rates, allowing for confident budgeting. Most of our homeowners find that the resort fee with all its benefits is similar to the cost of living in their existing home.

Land Lease

Q: What is Land Lease?

A: Leasehold ownership at Lifestyle Communities® means you purchase your home and enter into a 90-year secure lease on the land. The lease gives you exclusive rights to occupy the land and use the community facilities. This lease gives you all the benefits of freehold while ensuring you have confidence of what happens around you as well as who lives next door. What our homeowners love about leasehold is that you have certainty that:

The home facades will be maintained and kept looking their best
The front gardens will always be landscaped
Our community policy ensures that your neighbours are owners and like minded
You have long term certainty that your street won’t change with unwanted development
The roads and streets are maintained as well as the resort facilities.

Q: Do I own my own home?

A: You have full ownership of your home and enjoy complete independence. Moreover, our adherence to the Residential Tenancies Act and our community policy ensures your rights are safeguarded for added peace of mind.

Q: How does Land Lease help me free up equity?

A: Our leasehold homes have a significantly lower entry cost compared to freehold alternatives. Priced typically at 75-80% of the local median house price, our homes empower you to unlock the equity tied up in your current home. With this newfound financial freedom, you can supplement your income, establish a nest egg for the future, or spend it on things that you always wanted to do.

Buying & Selling

Q: How easy is to buy a home at Lifestyle Communities®?

A: We have an amazing team of Lifestyle consultants who are there to help you decide whether this move is right for you. We say that we don’t sell homes but change peoples lives. Our Lifestyle consultants are non commissioned and therefore you are never pressured to buy. A maximum deposit of only $5000 will secure your home and you pay the balance only when you move in. Super transparent and easy to read agreements make Lifestyle the choice for peace of mind.

Q: How easy is it to sell and move out of a Lifestyle Community?

A: Selling and moving is simple. You can sell with our dedicated resale team or through an external agent. The choice is yours.

Q: What support is available for selling my Lifestyle Communities® home?

A: You have the flexibility to sell your home through our dedicated sales team or a real estate agent, with support and guidance throughout the process. Upon sale, your lease agreement ends and the new homeowner receives a new 90-year secure lease.

Q: Are there any selling costs?

A: If we sell your home, there is a commission fee of 2.5% of the selling price payable to Lifestyle Communities® as well as a 0.5% handling fee to cover off paper work and administration. If you use an external real estate agent, you will negotiate a separate selling commission and only the handling fee of 0.5% of the selling price is payable to Lifestyle Communities.

Q: What is the average return?

A: Over the last decade, our homes have seen an annual capital growth rate of 9.5%. In 2024 , homeowners who sold their homes made an average profit of $86,000 after paying the DMF making it a really smart move.

Q: How long will it take to sell my home?

A: Our homes sell comparably to those in surrounding areas, with an average market time of 63 days in 2024. We provide robust support through our dedicated Resales Team to ensure consistent demand.

Q: Can I bequeath my home?

A: Yes. In the event of your passing, your home becomes part of your estate. Beneficiaries have the option to sell the home or, if they are over 50, to reside in it under the terms of a new 90-year lease. The DMF is still payable if a home is bequeathed.

Our Communities

Q: How many Lifestyle Communities® are there?

A: We have 24 operating communities across Victoria, and 9 more under development making us one of the largest providers of affordable housing and communities for over 50’s in Victoria. We have been operating for 21 years and have pioneered this wonderful model of living over this time.

Q: What makes Lifestyle Communities® different?

A: Lifestyle Communities® proudly stands as an exclusive offering in Victoria, showcasing a dynamic portfolio that continues to expand. What truly distinguishes us is our unwavering commitment to a long-term vision. Unlike property developers driven solely by short term profit, we're here for the long haul, prioritising sustained community growth over short-lived gains.

Q: What is the significance of the 30-year community plan?

A: Each community follows a meticulously crafted 30-year plan, ensuring continual revitalisation and refurbishment. Lifestyle Brookfield, our pioneering community in Melton, is a testament to our dedication. This plan and our commitment to deliver it is what drives our annualised resale price growth of 9.5%

Our Homeowners

Q: Who lives in a Lifestyle Community?

A: Our homeowners are young at heart, with a zest for life, and eager to embrace new experiences and opportunities. They value an active lifestyle and delight in forming lasting friendships with like-minded neighbours, relishing a sense of belonging. They have a forward-thinking mindset, recognising the advantages of a financially smart move, benefitting from lower entry costs and no hidden expenses. Our homeowners are dynamic, socially active, and seize every moment, cherishing the unlimited possibilities that come with living in a Lifestyle Community.

Q: How many homeowners are there?

A: Within our communities, our homeowners are more than just neighbours – they are treasured members of our extensive Lifestyle family. With over 5,500 homeowners embraced into our fold and over half of our sales originating from glowing referrals, it's evident that our approach resonates deeply.

Q: What’s the average age of homeowners?

A: Our homeowners are aged 50 and above, with an average age of 67 currently moving into our new communities.

Q: Do you have to be retired?

A: No, you don’t have to be retired to live at Lifestyle Communities®. We are NOT a retirement village. Increasingly more homeowners are still working and enjoy the perfect work/life balance of a low maintenance home and access to sports and relaxation facilities.

Life Unlimited

Q: What is life like at Lifestyle Communities®?

A: Enjoy resort-style amenities, organised social activities, and a supportive community, creating a holiday-like atmosphere every day. Experience the ultimate in relaxation and recreation thanks to the Clubhouse, pool, cinema, gym, sports courts, and other luxurious state-of-the-art facilities.

Q: How do Lifestyle Managers contribute to the community experience?

A: Our dedicated Lifestyle Managers are deeply integrated into the community fabric. They forge close connections with homeowners while ensuring seamless operations and a sense of belonging for all. We are one of the few operators who offer live in managers to help live a life that you have only dreamt about.

Q: Can I have visitors stay with me in my home?

A: Visitors are absolutely welcomed to stay and use the facilities with you. There is a time limit to ensure that they don’t stay forever and you can continue to enjoy your life.

Q: Are pets allowed?

A: Pets are part of your family and are very welcome. Each clubhouse has ‘doggy parking’ so you can unwind knowing your furry friend is nearby. Pamper your four-legged friend with our convenient free dog wash, ensuring they stay happy, healthy, and well-groomed.

Q: How do we support the needs of frequent travellers?

A: Jet off on your adventures, knowing that your home is safeguarded in a secure community where entry gates are closed each evening. With attentive Lifestyle Managers and caring neighbours nearby, your home remains safe and secure while you’re away

Our Homes

Q: Who builds a Lifestyle Communities® home?

A: Since 2008, we have collaborated closely with Todd Devine Homes. Each dwelling is a testament to our shared commitment to impeccable quality. We have unwavering trust in our handpicked builder, who has built over 4,000 homes for us, ensuring quality and consistency.

Q: Can I customise my home?

A: Yes, you are welcome to make any interior changes you desire once you move in. We do have some protections on the front and side facades to ensure that the community will continue to look amazing into the longer term.

Q: Is my home protected by a structural warranty?

A: Yes. Our new homes come with a 10-year structural warranty, a post-move-in maintenance period, and a two-year non-structural warranty, ensuring peace of mind for homeowners.

Q: Is my home secure?

A: One of the biggest appeals of a Lifestyle Community is that we have gates that close at dusk and open at dawn giving you the best nights sleep ever. Our gates also have number plate recognition allowing family and friends to drop over at any time that works for you.

Q: How does Lifestyle Communities® support environmental sustainability?

A: We incorporate sustainable practices in design, construction, and maintenance to promote environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability. In our newer communities we also have an integrated micro grid with solar and batteries which reduces the cost of electricity by up to 50%.