Developments where houses are built on or next to a golf course have become quite common, and if you want to buy a house in one of these neighborhoods, you need to be sure the area offers what you need. But what a lot of people forget to ask about is course maintenance. They get so busy looking at the house itself that they forget about that vast green expanse. The way the golf course is maintained says a lot about the HOA board (these developments usually have HOAs), and it also has a massive effect on your quality of life.

Water Drainage

Even if you're not next to a water feature on the course, the way the water drains on the green sections can affect your home. Water that doesn't drain quickly during a rainstorm, for example, can create stagnant conditions that invite bugs. A good course management and HOA board will take care of poorly draining areas quickly. See if you can visit the course shortly after it's been watered. Look at whether the water seems to have drained away well or if there are small puddles hidden in the grass.

The View, and the out of View

Try to visit areas of the course that are away from the immediate view of the homes. Are those areas in very good condition? If you find that the areas that are out of view from the homes are not in great shape, that is an indication that you may want to find another home and another golf course. A good HOA and course management will treat all sections of the course the same.

Wildlife Incursions

If you live near a golf course, especially one that's on the outskirts of town, you're likely to see some wildlife. This can be a lot of fun, as long as you keep a safe distance (skunks and coyotes can be cute, but they can be problematic for pet owners). But if the course isn't kept up well -- if you see shrubs that look like they haven't been trimmed properly, for example -- that means the course could harbor even more wildlife, and that wildlife could end up traipsing through your yard more than you'd like. Good course management has both routine pest control and routine trimming to limit the hiding places for pests.

When you take a look at a house in one of these areas, take a good look at the nearby sections of the course. You need to be sure that you're buying in a reputable development. Your real estate agent can help you find excellent golf course homes for sale.