Grand Reserve, Algonquin — True Cost of Ownership

McHenry County | 128 homes | Newer single-family | Homes $280K–$440K | Still building

Grand Reserve sits in Algonquin, which straddles the McHenry/Kane county line — the community itself is on the McHenry side, which carries a ~2.2% effective property tax rate, roughly 0.2 percentage points below Kane County across the border. On a $360K home that difference is $720/year, or $7,200 over 10 years. It is not a dramatic gap, but it consistently favors McHenry for buyers who otherwise find McHenry and Kane comparable on other factors.

At 128 homes in an active build, Grand Reserve is a smaller community still establishing itself. The $200/mo HOA and the newer construction quality are the primary value propositions here — single-family detached homes on the McHenry side of a well-served suburban location at a price point below what you would pay for equivalent square footage in Naperville or Hoffman Estates.

128 homes and still building — social infrastructure caveat: A smaller newer community has the same challenge as any active build: the social programming that makes 55+ community living valuable takes time to develop. At 128 homes, you will have neighbors and a clubhouse — but the critical mass for a robust activity calendar takes longer to reach than at Sun City Huntley or even a 400-home community. Factor this into your timeline if moving into a socially active community is a priority.

Monthly Cost Breakdown

Cost Item	Est. Monthly (Low)	Est. Monthly (High)	Notes
HOA fee	$190	$215	Clubhouse, pool, common area maintenance
Property tax	$513	$807	McHenry ~2.2%; on $280K–$440K homes
Lawn care	$65	$115	Owner responsibility; newer lots standard size
Homeowners insurance	$115	$180	Newer construction; warranty period reduces early risk
Utilities	$175	$265	Not in HOA
Total monthly (excl. mortgage)	~$1,058	~$1,582

McHenry County Tax by Home Value

Purchase Price	Annual Tax Est.	Monthly	vs. Kane County (2.4%)
$280,000	$6,160	$513	Save $560/yr
$340,000	$7,480	$623	Save $680/yr
$390,000	$8,580	$715	Save $780/yr
$440,000	$9,680	$807	Save $880/yr

10-Year Projection — $340K Home

Cost Item	10-Year Estimate
HOA fees (3% annual increase from $200/mo)	~$27,700
Property tax (~$7,480/yr)	~$77,700
Lawn care (~$85/mo)	~$10,200
Insurance (~$145/mo)	~$17,400
Utilities (~$215/mo)	~$25,800
Total non-mortgage cost (10 yr)	~$158,800

Questions on Grand Reserve Algonquin?

Connect with a McHenry County buyer agent for current available lots and a comparison against Kane County alternatives in the same price range.

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