Honest side-by-side — scale, HOA, lawn care, closing costs, and who The Haven is actually right for
| Category | The Haven | Sun City HH | Latitude Margaritaville | FS Carolina Oaks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOA / Month | ~$254 | $224–$295 | $329–$375 | ~$265 |
| Individual Lawn Care Included | ✓ Yes | Varies by section | Varies by type | Common areas only |
| All-In HOA (HOA + avg lawn svc) | ~$254/mo | ~$349/mo | ~$454/mo+ | ~$390/mo |
| Homes | ~500 | 8,000+ | 3,000 planned | ~400 |
| Price Range | $400K–$650K | $330K–$800K+ | $300K–$600K+ | $400K–$700K |
| Builder | Del Webb | Del Webb | Minto | K. Hovnanian |
| Gated | Yes | Yes | Partial | Yes |
| Golf On-Site | No | 54 holes | No | No |
| Closing Add-Ons ($500K resale) | ~$7,917 | ~$5,450 | ~$3,000 est. | $1,400 |
| Community Scale | Intimate — 500 homes | City-scale | Resort-scale | Boutique — 400 homes |
| Downtown Bluffton Distance | ~10 min | ~15 min | ~25 min | ~10 min |
All-in HOA estimate assumes $125/mo average professional lawn service for communities where it is not included.
The Haven's resale closing add-ons — 1/3% new member fee plus 1.25% community enhancement assessment — are the highest of any community in this market. On a $500,000 resale, that is approximately $7,917 before standard closing costs. Buyers who compare Haven listing prices to Four Seasons Carolina Oaks (which charges only $1,400 in closing add-ons) are effectively comparing different total acquisition costs.
The Haven: $1,667 + $6,250 = $7,917. Sun City Hilton Head: $1,650 + $300 + $3,500 = $5,450. Four Seasons Carolina Oaks: $1,400. Latitude Margaritaville: ~$3,000 estimated. The Haven buyer pays $2,467 more at closing than a Sun City buyer and $6,517 more than a Four Seasons Carolina Oaks buyer on the same purchase price. Build this into your all-in budget before falling in love with a specific home.
Despite the higher closing add-ons, The Haven beats the alternatives on total cost of ownership for a specific type of buyer: one who hires lawn service, wants Del Webb quality, prefers boutique community scale, and values Bluffton proximity. When you stack lawn care savings against Sun City's lower resale fees, the numbers converge within two years of ownership — and The Haven's lower ongoing HOA burden (once closing costs are amortized) makes it competitive over a 5–10 year horizon.
It is also the right choice for buyers who visited Sun City and found 8,000 homes overwhelming — or who want the neighborhood intimacy of 500 homes without sacrificing Del Webb's construction standards.
Tell us your priorities and we will run the real all-in cost numbers for your situation.
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