UPDATED: 2/21/2008

Frequently Asked Questions:

1)   How can the new tax law benefit me with the Save our Homes (SOH)?   The state of Florida has passed a new law allowing you to move your tax savings that you have accumulated from your homestead to your new house. This will allow you to save more money on your property tax.

2)      How many homes are in the sub-division?  The sub-division was originally developed with 61 lots.  Currently there are 35 homes completed and occupied.  There are two homes that have recently been completed and are available for immediate occupancy.

3)      Are there many rentals in the neighborhood?  No.  So far all of the homes that have been purchased are occupied by the owners or the children of the owners.

4)      Who are the residents?  For the most part, the residents are local professionals or graduate students attending the University.  There are a few families that live there as well with their children.

5)      How far is the sub-division from the University?  The neighborhood is located 4.5 miles from the University of Florida and 5.15 miles from Sante Fe Community College.

6)      Is there a heath club nearby?  The Gainesville Health and Fitness complex is less than a ten minute walk from there neighborhood.  It is one of the largest privately owned health clubs in the country with extensive facilities including a swimming pool, basketball court and hundreds of workout machines and free weights.

7)      Is there any parks or recreational facilities in or near the neighborhood?  Although Hillcrest does not have any recreational facilities as a part of the sub-division, there is a 35 acre nature park next door to the neighborhood which includes a tennis court.  There are also swimming pools at the Gainesville Health and Fitness Center and a swimming club within a few miles from the neighborhood.  There is also a roller skating complex including numerous other activities and a new bowling alley being constructed within a few miles of the neighborhood.

8)      Are there any golf courses close by?  There are three country clubs which are a few miles away and another four public golf courses within a few miles of the neighborhood.  If you are an avid golfer or a weekend player, there are numerous places to play.

9)      Is there a mall nearby?  The Oaks Mall with over 100 stores and restaurants is a bit more than one mile from the neighborhood.  You can walk there in fifteen minutes or ride a bike in less than ten minutes from the neighborhood.

10)   Are there many restaurants and other commercial developments near the neighborhood?  There are numerous restaurants near the neighborhood from fast food to moderate priced to fine dining within a mile of the neighborhood.  Many of the establishments are within walking distance or a very short bike ride.

11)  How close is the nearest hospital?  Gainesville is a regional hospital community serving much of North Central Florida.  North Florida Regional Hospital is a bit more than one mile from the neighborhood just across from the Oaks Mall.  It is 150 bed hospital and has numerous medical offices surrounding it with every medical specialty adjacent to the facility and affiliated with the hospital.  There are also numerous outpatient facilities which are walking distance from the neighborhood including Cardiology, Orthopedic and private specialty practices very close by.  With the University of Florida, the Shands Teaching Hospital is the regional medical center for the State with advanced cancer research, a brain institute, and transplant facilities.  There are thousands of patients coming to Shands from around the State and the region each year for the best in medical care.  There is also a regional Veterans Hospital a few miles from the neighborhood which is adjacent to the main Shands hospital complex.

12)  Is there owner financing available?  With the recent turmoil in the mortgage credit markets, especially for foreign purchasers.  The developer has arranged owner financing with a 25% down payment for selected qualified buyers.

13)  Is there an advantage to closing after the end of the year?  Yes.  The property taxes in Florida give an advantage to those that purchase new homes after January first so that their taxes in the year of purchase are based on the lot only during the first calendar year of ownership rather than the lot and home.  The savings can be substantial depending upon the price of the home.  But the taxes rise in the next calendar year to their normal level.  If the home is owner occupied, the State offers a homestead exemption which currently saves approximately $700 per year in real estate taxes.

14)  What are the Homeowners Association dues and what does it cover?  Currently the HOA dues are $40.00 per month and are billed on a quarterly basis.  The dues include lawn maintenance for the fronts of all homes and the common areas, the watering of all common areas.  There are a number of wet retention ponds that have fountains which are maintained with funds from the HOA dues.  It also covers liability insurance for the common areas.

15)  Who built the homes?  The majority of the homes were built by Dan Whitcraft who was also the original developer of the sub-division.  He still owns the majority of the vacant lots and builds approximately five homes per year.  Dan also is a resident of the neighborhood and has lived there since the beginning of the development.

16)  Are there any foreign owned purchasers of homes for use by their children while attending the University?  As of yet we none of the homes have been purchased by foreigners, but with current economic conditions concerning the value of the dollar compared to other currencies, there has been considerable interest in the homes for parents who want a safe neighborhood for their children to live in while they attend the University.

17) Is Hillcrest affected by the re-zoning of the public schools?     NO, Hillcrest is not affected by the re-zoning. Any children living in the subdivision will be zoned for Terwilliger Elementary School, Fort Clarke Middle School, Buchholz High School.