Our Neighborhoods Loch Ness

Community By David Snelling, Reporter Wednesday, August 19, 2020

History

You won’t find a certain mythical monster in the lake that is surrounded by homes in the Loch Ness community of Miami Lakes. But when the neighborhood was built in 1972, original homeowners spotted a creature in the water that turned out to be an alligator.

The family that founded The Graham Companies is of Scottish heritage and many communities in town are named after places from that country, including this  one.

The Loch Ness community of single-family homes is west of Northwest 67th Avenue at Loch Ness Drive, which is the only way in and out of the neighborhood.

It is south of the Palmetto Expressway where it curves and near the Miami-Dade County Library branch, Windmill Gate Shopping Center and Optimist Park. The Miami Lakes town council in 2013 co-designated Loch Ness Drive as Sergio Campos Way to honor the late, longtime president of the Loch Ness Homeowners Association.

Amenities

There are 148 homes, many with water views, said Manny Ribadeo, president of the HOA. Some homeowners can also see the Senator Course at Shula’s Golf Club from their properties.

A pocket park and playground maintained by the town of Miami Lakes is another attractive feature.

“We are a tight-knit community,” Ribadeo said. “We welcome new homeowners and assist everyone with their needs.”

What does it cost?

Ribadeo said each lakefront home pays $175 a year in fees to maintain the lake and insurance for any liability issues.

Residences without direct access to the lake are charged $25 each year, he said.

Ribadeo said rentals are few, and that two homes were sold this year and two sales are pending.

He said $500,000 is the average sale price for each of those four homes. Ribadeo, who has lived in Loch Ness since 2011, said about five homes are offered for sale each year.

“The HOA’s job is to keep the community clean and property values soaring,” Ribadeo said.