Oh, Concierge . . . At one time, nearly half of us couldn’t pronounce it; most of us couldn’t spell it; and some didn’t even know what it was. But today, “concierge” is increasingly on the minds and lips of homebuyers, and developers of private communities recognize the value of this luxury service.
Baby Boomers rule! They get what they want — and they want service. While no one blinks when discussing the wisdom of concierge and hotel-style services associated with vacation ownership, when it comes to the homestead, we think in terms of “do it yourself.” But that thinking is obsolete. Concierge services are on a fast track as THE private community amenity, second home or not. A well-designed and implemented concierge program serves to make the purchasing of a home and residing in a community as seamless and appealing as possible.
The concierge function not only provides a sense of connectivity to the community, it is a demand-driver for lifestyle; everything from introductions to other residents and local professional services, to acting as a link between the builder and the sales staff. Are you buying out of state? Concierge to the rescue — everything from providing information on obtaining a driver’s license to attendance at a decorator/option appointment can be handled at your command. Once moved in you’ll more than likely need dining reservations, theater tickets, directions to a point of interest, event planning, or perhaps even a canine concierge to take Mr. Puppy out for a walk in your absence. All can be within the domain of the concierge program. While some services may be complimentary, at some communities the program is a revenue center; i.e., fee-driven. Homeowners can choose from an extensive menu of services that can range from $500 to $5,000 or more per year. Packages may include airport transportation, pre-arrival shopping, house “exercising” when owners are not in residence, and a host of maintenance-related services. 
Communities that boast concierge services include Frenchman’s Creek Beach & Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club in Ocala, Florida. In addition, each of these communities has a portfolio of high-quality amenities including state-of-the art fitness facilities and full service Spas.
One might think that a concierge service program would be inherent only within the most expensive private communities, but that is not necessarily the case. More and more developers realize the intrinsic value of satisfying Baby Boomer demands efficiently and timely. In order to keep staffing costs down, virtual concierge services are becoming increasingly popular as more and more Boomers have become computer savvy.
