The Refuge at Lake Havasu: a buyer's guide

Where it is

The Refuge is about four miles north of the center of Lake Havasu City. It has two entrances on Arnold Palmer Drive. The north entrance is for residents. The south entrance is shared with the golf club.

Being north of town puts it close to The Shops at Lake Havasu and the city airport, and a longer drive from the London Bridge and the Island.

Homes and lots

The community has 360 homesites. Homes are custom and semi-custom, many built from the early 2000s onward, in Santa Fe and desert contemporary styles.

Lots vary. Some sit along the fairways. Some are terraced for mountain and lake views. A few are flag lots set back from the street. A golf-course lot gives you an open view. It also means golfers behind the house and the occasional ball in the yard.

Garages and storage

Garages here range from standard two-car to large multi-bay garages. Some homes have very deep drive-through bays. Because the homes are custom, there is no typical size. Measure each one.

This is a community with rules and design guidelines. If you need to keep a boat, trailer or RV outside a garage at any point, read the parking rules first. See what to check on a boat garage.

Golf and amenities

Iron Wolf Golf and Country Club is the center of the community: an 18-hole course, a driving range and a clubhouse with dining.

The golf club and the homeowners association are two separate things. HOA dues do not automatically include golf. Ask the club about membership options, costs, and whether owners get any priority.

HOA and rules

The Refuge Community Association is run by a five-member board under recorded covenants, bylaws, design guidelines and a set of rules that apply to owners and renters alike.

Dues are $538 a quarter per lot, according to the association. They fund the streets, gates, lighting, drainage and common landscaping. Vacant lots have their own upkeep rules.

Read the rules for rentals, parking and exterior changes before you write an offer. The guide to HOA and PUD questions lists what to look for.

What buyers compare it with

• Viewpoint Estates, also gated on the north side, with a clubhouse and pool but no golf, and lower dues.
• North Pointe, for a gated north-side home with a bigger garage and fewer amenities.
• Golf-view homes elsewhere in the city, for a course view without a gate.

Questions to investigate

• What are the current dues, and is any assessment planned?
• What does golf membership cost, and is any level required for owners?
• Does the home come with any lake or beach access? From whom, and at what cost?
• What are the rules for boats, trailers and RVs?
• Are rentals allowed, and for what minimum stay?
• For a course lot: where do tee shots tend to land?
• What are the garage's door height and clear depth?
• How long is the tow to the ramp you would use?

Questions buyers ask

What are the HOA dues at The Refuge?

The Refuge Community Association lists dues of $538 per quarter per lot. They pay for common areas: streets, gates, lighting, drainage and landscaping. Confirm the current amount during escrow.

Is the golf course at The Refuge still open?

Yes. The course is now branded Iron Wolf Golf and Country Club. It was formerly The Refuge Golf and Country Club. Ask the club directly about membership types, fees and public play.

Does The Refuge have lake access?

The community is near the lake, but do not assume a home comes with lake or beach access. Ask the association and the club what, if anything, is included, and get the answer in writing.