Choosing a village
Blue Hills Rise is a place where you can feel safe and secure. A place where friendships can be formed and you can make your own lifestyle choices, whether it be a session at the gym, a game of bowls, a swim in our pool or a game of tennis. Our resort-style living also allows you to enjoy many other activities and amenities. Relax with family and friends in the privacy of your own backyard. This page contains information and responses to several questions that are often asked. While this information has been prepared to be informative and helpful, it’s subject to change and is not intended to replace the legal documents.
Tips on downsizing
Do your research
Start by reading advice from senior lifestyle and finance experts to better prepare yourself for the future.
Think ahead
Consider a single-level or downstairs property in case climbing stairs becomes a problem in the future.
One room at a time
There’s no need to tackle the whole house at once. Take a room-by-room approach to make the process easier and less daunting.
Crunch the numbers
Take the time to calculate what you might need to enjoy a new lifestyle, and if it’s reasonable.
Save the memories
When you’re looking at your possessions and furniture, think in terms of the future while preserving the past.
What are the costs?
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Weekly Service Fee
The service fee is charged monthly, please see our Lease Loan Documentation for more information
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Council Rates
Rates are assessed independently by the City of Casey based on the market value of your unit.
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Solicitor Fees
For your protection, it’s our suggestion that you seek your own solicitor’s advice. You’ll incur solicitors fees when entering into the loan/lease agreement.
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Carrier/Removal Fees
You’ll likely incur some of the normal costs associated with moving.
FAQs
Either yourself, your spouse/partner must be at least 55 years young or retired from full-time employment. You can continue to work as long as you’re over 55 and don’t use your unit or the community facilities as a place of business.
To reserve a unit at Blue Hills Rise, we allow a seven (7) day hold on your chosen unit. If you wish to proceed from there, we require a $1000.00 deposit (Cash or Cheque) and the SOLD sign will go up on your chosen unit. Upon receipt of a unit deposit, we will write out two receipts. One is given to the purchasers and the other is forwarded to our Solicitor after the compulsory three-day cooling-off period expires. When purchasing a new unit, we allow a six month period in which to sell your existing home.
Existing pets are most welcome to take up residence at Blue Hills Rise. Large pets are most likely not suitable for the smaller style living options of the Stephanie Apartments.
All apartments and independent living units have been designed as adaptable housing which allows wheelchair access and living. The front entrance door is a pivot design and is 1 metre in width, the main bedroom and ensuite have been fitted with extra-wide doorways to allow easy access for emergency services, wheelchairs and walker trolleys.
The bathrooms have been constructed with extra anchor points to walls so handrails may be added at a later period if the need arises. Each unit has a designated disabled toilet, giving you even suitability when going from a sitting to standing position.
Just have a wonderful time! Many of our residents travel for extended periods of time, especially the caravan owners. Blue Hills Rise will collect your mail for you and either forward it to you or keep it safe until your return. We will monitor your intrusion alarm, mow your lawns, everything will be taken care of for you. Please note that service fees will continue to be payable in your absence.
Blue Hills Rise is set approximately 3km’s from Cranbourne Main Street. The Blue Hills Bus is available 5 days a week (Mon to Fri) at 9.45 am for two hours of shopping at the Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre or Shopping on Clyde. A regular public bus service operates every 20 minutes just outside the village.
Of course, Blue Hills Rise is your home. Your family and friends are welcome to visit anytime and they are also welcome to use the facilities, as long as you accompany them. If your visitors are staying for any length of time we ask you to let the manager know for security reasons.
Of course you have a say in what goes on in and around Blue Hills Rise! You could join the MAC – Resident Committee, the Social Committee, the Bowls Committee or any other committee that interests you. All committees meet regularly and reports from each committee are given at the residents’ quarterly meetings.
If you wish to sell your unit for any reason we can help you. We’ll market your unit for you via our waiting lists, websites and advertising campaigns. Together we will set the sale price. If you chose to sell through Blue Hills, we’ll charge you an agent’s fee of 2.5% of the sale price. You can, of course, elect to sell your unit through an outside real estate agent, the choice is yours.
The deferred fee is the return to the owner for the investment that the company has made in establishing Blue Hills, providing the infrastructure such as roads, the club, the pool and other recreational and social facilities. It is essentially a delay in payment of the true market price by the resident until they leave the village.
Delaying the fee until leaving allows the resident access to more of their funds earlier, so they can enjoy their lifestyle. On the resale of your unit, Blue Hills deducts the deferred fee. This is calculated on the purchase price of your unit and it is 3% per year capped at 10 years. You’ll also receive on the sale of your unit 50% of any capital gain.