Havasu Riviera: a buyer's guide

Where it is

Havasu Riviera sits on the south side of Lake Havasu City, on the lake side of State Route 95. SARA Park and the Standard Wash off-road area are a short drive away.

The master plan covers more than 550 acres, with about 250 acres for homes and mixed use. The developer plans for roughly 600 homes when it is finished. It is still being built, so expect construction in parts of the community.

Homes and lots

The plan lists eight neighborhoods: Solitude, Sixty-Seven, Marina View, Flat Irons, The Ridge, Wren Cove, Black Rock and The Pinnacle. They differ in lot size, elevation and view.

Homes are recent construction in a modern desert style. Many lots look toward the lake or the mountains. Because the land steps up from the shore, the lot's position matters more than the neighborhood name when it comes to views.

Garages and storage

This is the part to slow down on. Havasu Riviera has design guidelines, and the community lists standard setbacks of 20 feet in front, 15 at the rear and 5 on the sides, with exceptions by lot.

Many homes here have deep garages. Not every lot allows a tall RV bay, and rules about boats or trailers parked outside the garage can differ by neighborhood. If you have a motorhome or a tall tower boat, get the door height and clear depth measured, and read the parking rules before you fall for the view.

See how to judge a boat garage or an RV garage.

The marina and other amenities

• Havasu Riviera Marina. A six-lane launch ramp, slips in several sizes, a marina store and a fuel dock. The marina has announced plans for a restaurant and dry boat storage.
• Day-use beach areas near the marina.
• Trails. The community plans a 6.7-mile trail loop with trailheads inside the gates.
• An amenity center with pools and courts.

Planned features are not finished features. Ask what is open today and what is still on the drawing board.

HOA and rules

A master association, the Havasu Riviera Community Association, covers the whole community. Individual neighborhoods can have their own added rules. The community currently lists dues of about $140 to $180 a month, depending on the neighborhood.

Dues and rules change. You will receive the association's documents during escrow, but it is better to read the parts you care about before you offer. The guide to HOA and PUD questions lists what to look for.

What buyers compare it with

• Viewpoint Estates on the north side, for another gated community with newer homes and shared amenities.
• Havasu Foothills Estates, for larger lots and bigger garages farther from the water.
• A newer home on a no-HOA lot, for the same age of house with fewer rules and no gate.

Questions to investigate

• Which neighborhood is this lot in, and what rules apply on top of the master association's?
• What are the dues today, and is any increase or assessment planned?
• What can be parked outside the garage, and for how long?
• What is the garage's door height and clear depth?
• What will be built on the lots between this one and the lake?
• What does marina access cost, and is there a wait for slips?
• Are short-term rentals allowed, and with what limits?
• Which amenities are open now?

Questions buyers ask

Is Havasu Riviera gated?

Yes. The community describes itself as guard-gated with security at the entrance.

Do Havasu Riviera owners get a boat slip?

Do not assume so. The marina is a separate operation with its own slip leases, launch fees and passes. Ask the marina about current availability and cost, and ask the HOA whether owners receive any access benefits.

Can I build an RV garage in Havasu Riviera?

It depends on the neighborhood and the lot. The community has design guidelines and standard setbacks, and individual neighborhoods can add their own rules. Get the current guidelines for the specific lot before you plan a garage.