Branch Creek
FAQ
Homeowners' Association
1. Will there be an HOA?
Branch Creek will have an HOA that will maintain the common areas and character of the neighborhood, remove snow, water and maintain the lawns, and help foster a sense of community. The HOA covenants and restrictions are available here. A professional management company has been hired to help the HOA carry out its responsibilities and monitor the covenants and restrictions.
2. What is the HOA fee?
The HOA fee will be $125 a month. You can pay this fee on the schedule that works best for you--yearly, monthly or quarterly. If Branch Creek HOA costs increase or decrease, the HOA board has the ability to change the HOA fee in the future.
3. What is the HOA buy-in fee?
There is an initial HOA buy-in fee of $1000 to be paid by the buyer at closing. This fee is used to create a spending reserve for the HOA to handle future unexpected expenses and reduce the need for future HOA special assessments or fee increases. Home buyers that meet specific criteria will have this buy-in fee paid by Branch Creek, LLC. Branch Creek HOA is requiring that all current and future purchasers of homes in Branch Creek pay this buy-in fee.
4. Can I serve on the HOA board?
Absolutely! More information about the HOA board will be available soon, including board responsibilities, terms of office, and who to contact if you are interested in serving as a board member.
5. Are pets allowed?
Yes! Pets are allowed in Branch Creek. You may have up to two dogs, two cats, OR one dog and one cat, as well as other small household pets such as hamsters and guinea pigs. You must follow all relevant City of Brookings ordinances regarding pets. Outdoor kennels are not allowed in Branch Creek.
The Homes
1. Are there handicap accessible units?
Branch Creek homes that offer one floor living—bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and living room all on the first floor—in Phase 1 are the Birch, the Cedar, the Dogwood, the Juniper unit 1, and both units of the Knotty Pine. Phase 2 homes offering one floor living are the Aspen, the Cedar, the Dogwood, and both units of the Knotty Pine. Later phases will also include one floor living options. There are a few Branch Creek homes that can be adapted to meet the standards for Fair Housing Accessibility and/or be adapted into a full ADA compliant unit.
2. Which units allow for the selection of exterior paint colors?
We have carefully selected exterior home colors to ensure a cohesive look for the neighborhood, including both base colors and accent colors. Buyers of all single family homes can select their exterior paint colors from this set list. For twinhomes, the buyer of the first unit selects the color for the entire twinhome. The exterior colors of the townhomes, because there are multiple homes that must be the same color, will be selected by the Branch Creek development team from the set list of exterior colors.
3. Can we customize the interior of our home?
During the purchase process for pre-sold homes, you will get to make a series of selections for your new home. You will pick the materials, such as cabinet finish and flooring, the fixtures, such as faucets and bath accessories, and the hardware, such as cabinet hardware from six different styles. As upgrade options, you can also choose between two types of interior doors and from a set list of kitchen counter options. For more information about the interior selection process, click here. After you move in, of course you get to make the interior your own!
4. Can we purchase a home and rent it out?
No. All homes in Branch Creek are required to be owner-occupied. In addition, you cannot list your home on AirBnB, VRBO, or similar short term rental sites.
5. Are there income requirements to purchase a home in Branch Creek?
No. There is not an income requirement. Your lender will have their own requirements to be approved for a mortgage, but Branch Creek does not have any income requirements.
6. Are appliances included in the homes?
Yes! All kitchen appliances, the washer and the dryer are included (a hookup is provided for a water softener, but the water softener itself is not included). All homes will also include roller shades, bathroom mirrors, towel bars, toilet paper holders, and closet organization systems. There are no gas hook ups for stoves; all stoves are electric.
7. Will the heating be gas or electric?
The heating will be gas.
8. Are there shared driveways?
Most homes will not have shared driveways in the traditional sense, but townhomes and some twinhomes will have adjoining driveways. Many homes have a rear garage entry from a shared alley.
9. Will my home have outside space?
Each home has its own outdoor space. Patio sizes and shapes vary from home to home to suit a variety of lifestyles and preferences. Be sure to refer to the individual plans to find out what type of patio experience each home provides. All homes have front yards. In addition, the Branch Creek neighborhood has community green spaces, with a walking path, community garden, and pond.
10. Can I put up a fence around my patio?
Yes. Branch Creek allows fences around the patio of each unit; the fence must be the approved neighborhood design. Branch Creek does not allow underground fences.
11. Can I plant a garden?
You can have potted plants on your patio and front porch, and you can have in-ground plants within three feet of your house. Branch Creek also offers a community garden space for residents who want more room to garden.
12. Who is building the homes?
Clark Drew Construction is building Branch Creek’s homes. They are a local Brookings company known for quality home construction. For more information about Clark Drew Construction, visit their website.
13. Who designed the homes?
The talented and creative team at ID8 Architecture designed the Branch Creek homes. ID8 is a design studio based in Brookings, SD.
14. Who staged the model home?
Brookings’s Slumberland Furniture staged the model home. More information about Slumberland is available here.
15. Can we install a storm door on our home?
Yes! Branch Creek allows owners to add storm doors to their homes. There is an approved neighborhood design that comes in a range of colors.
Amenities
1. How does the community garden work?
More information and specifics about the community garden will be available soon, but we are excited to offer this amenity for Branch Creek residents!
2. Where can my guests park?
Branch Creek offers off street parking spots in select locations around the neighborhood. Please see the site map for these locations. Guests cannot park in the alleys, but they can park on the public streets.
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