FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for your interest in Simple Life's small cottage home communities. Click a question to expand and explore the answer.
The Village at Flat Rock, NC, which includes The Grove, Creekside, South Orchard, The Highlands, and Highlands Reserve neighborhoods, is located at 24 Empire Lane Flat Rock, NC 28731.
The Hamlet at Flat Rock, NC, is located across the street from The Village. A unique address for this community will be available in Summer 2020 on Stay Awhile Lane in Flat Rock, NC.
Lakeshore at Oxford, FL, near The Villages, is in the early stages of development and will be located north of County Road 466 about a half-mile west of US 301.
Location information for Simple Life’s Southwest Florida community is projected to become available in 2020. Sign-up to receive updates.
Simple Life offers 1 and 2-bedroom small cottage homes from 399sf to 850sf. We currently have 12 different plans to choose from that can be customized to suit your needs, or you can select from one of our quick move-in homes already built.
Many include options for an additional loft, large screened-in porch, covered parking, and detached shed for storage or as an additional craft/artist studio.
Simple Life performs extensive research on cottage manufacturers in the areas surrounding our communities. We select preferred builders that stand behind the quality of their homes. Because we can work closely with these builders on the process, quality, and delivery we are able to build our development, utility and initial landscaping set-up fees into the purchase price.
Simple Life small cottage homes range from $95,000 to the low $140s.
Our small cottage homes come complete with all major appliances*, heat and AC, electric, plumbing, and sewer.
*Some homes do not include a dishwasher or washer and dryer or both; residents instead opt for extra storage space.
Your Simple Life move-in experience will be completely turnkey. Your personal homesite will have a two-car driveway and landscaping. Your home itself will include painted cement board skirting, gutters, stairs, and landing and will be connected to tested and working municipal sewer, running water, electricity, basic cable, heating, and air conditioning.
A land lease means you don’t have the burden of land ownership, maintenance, or the expense of real estate taxes. Unlike restrictive land leases, Simple Life offers fully flexible land leases so you can stay for a year, or for decades. Your land lease ends when you sell your home – on your own terms.
Simple Life's flexible land leases provide all the benefits of a carefully and professionally-managed HOA without the risk of costly assessments. The maintenance of all land, common property, landscaping, infrastructure, gates, roads, amenities, and replacement costs for buildings and equipment are all covered.
Our land lease models also allows us to provide:
- One-lane, one-way roads
- A walkable community promotes a healthy lifestyle, facilitates interaction with neighbors and nature, and maintains a quaint cottage community feel - Community water, sewer, and basic cable
- No more surprise bills. Enjoy peace of mind with one monthly bill for almost all utilities - Community managed maintenance and infrastructure
- Upgrades and upkeep are handled internally, fixes happen quickly - Downlighting
- Allows views of the beautiful night sky and firefly shows, and saves on energy - No real estate taxes
- Simple Life pays real estate taxes, you do not - Private and gated entrance
- Added security and peace of mind
A monthly lifestyle fee means you don’t have the responsibility of maintenance or ownership yet still enjoy access to a variety of active lifestyle amenities.
Simple Life maintains and professionally manages active lifestyle amenities for the exclusive use of all our residents. Examples of these include a classic swimming pool with pool deck, pavilion with grill, clubhouse, fitness room, yoga room, bocce ball court, dog park, big screen TV for special events, common green spaces, fishing ponds, community garden, and firepit.
Simple Life helps to simplify our residents' lives by combining most monthly expenses into one monthly Lifestyle Fee plus Land Lease, which includes all the things you need to live in your own home, plus access to Simple Life’s community amenities and activities. Fees will vary slightly between North Carolina and Florida communities.
Click to see costs below.
Absolutely! Simple Life communities are pet-friendly! We welcome your furry friends. Our dog park is always open for your convenience. In addition, all our streets are one way, making it easy to enjoy a walk on the way to the park.
Residents are responsible for disposing of pet waste; we have several pet waste stations.
Some homesites allow a fence around a portion of your yard for your dog to enjoy. Keep in mind, if you fence your yard, the fencing must be approved by the architectural review board before implementation to maintain the quality and look of the community for everyone.
Yes! Each Simple Life homesite comes with Simple Life’s base landscaping included in the price. We offer a few options for upgraded landscaping including gas fire pits, large decks, screened and covered porches, fencing, pergolas, and sheds.
Beyond that, we welcome you to landscape your homesite as you’d like. We do provide a list of invasive species that are prohibited.
Please note that any major additions to homes or grounds must be approved by Simple Life’s architectural review board before implementation, to maintain the quality and look of the community for everyone. This includes deck additions, carports, dog fences, and the planting of bushes and trees.
Most homesites accommodate a private detached shed for storage or as an additional craft/artist studio. Simple Life also offers 90 days of free off-site storage with the purchase of a new cottage home! We encourage you to utilize the 90 days of free off-site storage to:
- Allow yourself more time to downsize your belongings
- Try storage outside the home for equipment, recreational toys, etc.
- Move in now and anticipate the delivery of your storage shed in a few weeks
Yes, Simple Life can help secure financing for our small cottage homes through third-party lenders.
Buyers will meet with our finance manager to assess which lender is best for specific needs. Buyers may also seek their own financing.
Yes. Simple Life can help secure insurance for your cottage through a third-party insurer.
Yes. Simple Life homes come with a warranty and an extended 5-year service agreement to provide peace of mind and keep your home running like new. These protections cover cosmetic repairs within the first 30 days after move-in, the structure of your home, and the appliances included in your home at the time of closing.
Our Simple Life team will be with you every step of the way starting with assistance on your move-in punch list and guidance for registering your warranty protection and extended service agreement.
Some Simple Life homes can be customized to include access for wheelchairs including a motorized lift providing transport from the ground to the deck. We invite you to contact us to discuss your specific needs.
Yes. All Simple Life small cottage homes are built with increased insulation for comfortable living during the winter and summer months.
Didn’t find what you were looking for? We encourage you to call us (904) 404 - 5114 or email info@simple-life.com for answers to questions about your unique situation.