Why do people choose to live in a retirement village?

This varies from person to person.

Younger, more active retirees are often attracted by:

• The opportunity to ‘cash-up’ by trading down from a larger family home.
• The reduced amount of time and money they need to spent on home and garden maintenance.
• The freedom to lock-up and go away on holiday without having to worry about their home.
• Access to the world class facilities you often find in a retirement resort.

On the other hand older, less active people often enjoy and find comfort in:

• The sense of safety they enjoy because of the village security.
• The companionship and social interaction they can enjoy.
• The peace of mind knowing that there is an emergency call system that’s monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and other village support services.

Can my pet come to Arcadia Waters with me?

Pets are welcome at all Arcadia Waters lifestyle resorts! We must give written approval in each instance; however this is not to be unreasonably withheld.

Is there somewhere I can store my caravan or boat?

Our villages have storage areas for residents’ caravans and boats but these are subject to availability.

If I go on holiday, will my house be looked after?

All Arcadia Waters retirement villages are gated communities with excellent state-of-the-art security to enhance the safety of your home during your absences. Any resident leaving the retirement community for a holiday or any extended period is asked to notify the Village Managers as a further precaution.

Do I have any choice in the selection of finishes in my retirement housing at Arcadia Waters?

If your retirement home at an Arcadia Waters lifestyle resort is yet to be built or has not past the critical stages of construction for the ordering of such things as electrical points, kitchen cupboards, tiling, paint colours, light fittings or carpets, a range of options are available for your selection, subject to cost adjustment where applicable.

How much are the weekly fees?

Weekly Fees at Arcadia Waters are calculated with affordability in mind for those residents who may be living on a Single Aged Pension. The Weekly Fees pay for insurances of village buildings and other risks, public lighting, security costs and all other village operating costs such as management and staff, gardening and operation of the Arcadia Lifestyle Resort Club for residents.

Weekly Fees are budgeted on an annual basis by management and reviewed by residents. Resident accounts for Weekly Fees are rendered calendar monthly.

Do I need to insure my retirement home?

No. All buildings in the village are covered by a comprehensive insurance policy which is paid for from Weekly Fees. You will however need your own Contents Insurance.

Can I have guests stay with me?

Yes, you may have quests staying for up to 13 weeks each year in the retirement community. Management has the discretion to extend this in cases where it may be required

Am I responsible for any retirement housing maintenance?

You will be responsible for maintaining the inside of your retirement home and any private outdoor areas, including any pergolas or other structures that you may have had erected. The exterior of your home and front garden is maintained by village management and paid for from Weekly Fees

Why do I get a ‘Lease for Life’ rather than a Strata Title?

Because Strata Title legislation vests the ultimate control of the village property in the hands of the Council of Owners, it is much more difficult to assure village residents that the comprehensive terms of our Village Scheme can be maintained for the long term under Strata Title than it is with ‘Lease for Life’ secured by the provisions of the Retirement Villages Act (1992).

Your ‘Lease for Life’ entitlement to your home at an Arcadia Waters village encompasses much more than just an entitlement to a piece of real estate. It also entitles you to ongoing benefits of the Arcadia Waters Village Scheme. This clearly sets out our responsibility for the diligent and efficient management of the village for its residents, to the provision of a comprehensive range of senior living services and facilities, to the security of residents’ occupancy and to the financial arrangements for operations of the village.

Your investment in your home at any Arcadia Waters retirement community is protected under the Retirement Village Act (1992), which also secures your investment, along with that of the other residents, as First Charge against the Village Title.

Do I have to pay Stamp Duty on my purchase?

No. Because your purchase is on a 'Lease For Life' basis, there is no Stamp Duty payable.

Can I secure a retirement home at Arcadia Waters subject to the sale of my existing home?

Yes you can certainly secure your new retirement home on a ‘subject to sale’ of your existing home, in fact this condition applies to most of the contracts we enter into.

Can you help me sell my existing home?

It’s our wish to minimise the hassles of moving and help to make your move to an Arcadia Waters lifestyle resort as seamless as possible. We therefore suggest that intending residents discuss the marketing of their existing home with our highly qualified and experienced associates. They have successfully co-ordinated the sale and move to Arcadia Waters retirement housing for many of our present residents with excellent results for all concerned.

Is my deposit refundable if I am unable to proceed with purchase?

Yes. Money is paid in three stages in securing your village home.

The first step is for you to ‘Reserve’ a home of your liking on payment of a refundable deposit of $1,000. The Reservation is normally for two weeks during which the home is taken off the market while you and your family and advisers consider the terms of the Village Scheme including the Lease for Life contract. At the end of the two weeks the Reservation terminates with the understanding that you will:

• Return our Village Scheme documents and be refunded your $1,000 deposit, or
• Enter into contract towards securing the Lease for Life of your village home which may be conditional on the sale of your existing house. This requires you to pay an additional $9,000 making a total deposit of $10,000 to be held in Trust until settlement or refund to you if conditions of your contract are not fulfilled in due course.

Your third payment is made at settlement from the proceeds of the sale of your existing house.

Is my Centerlink pension affected if I move into an Arcadia Waters lifestyle resort?

You may have a significant surplus from the changeover from your previous house to your new village home, or you may have had to liquidate assessable assets to pay for it. In either event it is probable that your assessable assets will have changed with respect to your Centrelink pension and it is advisable to contact Centrelink to discuss your personal situation. Visit www.centrelink.gov.au for details.

What happens if I decide to sell my home at an Arcadia Waters lifestyle resort?

You give us written notice of your intention to sell, stating your proposed price and nominating the selling agent you want to appoint to market your retirement home. Following the sale of your Arcadia Waters home you are paid, at settlement, the purchase price paid by the new resident less the accumulated amounts due for payment under the terms of your Lease for Life. This is structured to ensure that you or your estate receives the benefit of any growth in the market value of your Arcadia Waters home while it was yours.