How to Transfer Spanish Peaks Club Membership When You Sell

Selling in Spanish Peaks and not sure what happens to your club membership when you sell? You want a smooth closing, a happy buyer ready to enjoy the amenities, and no last‑minute surprises. This guide breaks down how membership transfers typically work at Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, the steps to take, fees to expect, and who to contact. Let’s dive in.

Spanish Peaks membership basics

Spanish Peaks Mountain Club offers membership categories with a one‑time deposit and annual dues. The current public schedule dated December 18, 2023 lists examples such as a Signature Golf deposit of $200,000 with annual dues of $24,000, and a Social deposit of $100,000 with annual dues of $17,000. You can review the club’s published numbers and the membership office contact in the club’s SPMC Dues and Fees. Always confirm current figures with the membership manager before you enter into a contract.

What transfers with a sale

At Spanish Peaks, membership benefits are often connected to ownership of certain properties, yet the buyer typically must apply and be approved by the club before closing. Your purchase agreement should state whether a membership will convey or be newly issued and what category applies. Some sellers can assign a position on a membership waitlist to a buyer, subject to club rules and approval. The club’s membership office guides the process and confirms what can transfer for your specific property.

Step‑by‑step transfer process

Follow these steps once you go under contract to keep your timeline on track.

1. Notify the club early

• Email or call the membership office as soon as you are under contract. The current contact on the club’s schedule is Rose Gallagher, Membership Manager. Her contact appears in the SPMC Dues and Fees.
• Request written instructions, required forms, and timing for buyer approval and any transfer steps.

2. Order the estoppel/resale info

• Ask the club or property manager for an account statement or estoppel showing any unpaid dues or charges that must be cleared at closing. For context on what these documents cover in Montana, see this overview of resale certificates and estoppels.
• Provide the estoppel to your title company so fees and prorations are handled correctly.

3. Get the buyer approved

• Have the buyer complete the club’s application promptly and supply any requested documentation.
• Confirm with the club when approval is expected so you can align the membership step with the closing date.

4. Clarify money in the contract

• Agree in writing who pays the deposit or initiation, any administrative or transfer fees, and how annual dues will be prorated.
• If a waitlist position is transferable, document that assignment and any related fee so escrow can record it.

5. Close and confirm

• At closing, use the club’s payoff or estoppel to clear balances. Your closing agent will prorate dues per the contract.
• Obtain written confirmation from the club that the buyer has been approved and recorded in the club’s system.

Fees and prorations to expect

• Deposits and dues: Use the club’s published schedule for current deposit and dues amounts, then verify with the membership office for final numbers at the time of sale. Refer to the SPMC Dues and Fees.
• Transfer or admin fees: Private clubs often charge administrative fees during a transfer. Spanish Peaks does not publish a universal transfer fee on the public schedule, so ask membership if your lot or unit has any applicable fees.
• Prorations: Annual dues are commonly prorated as of the closing date unless both parties agree otherwise in the contract.

Timing and approvals

Plan for the club’s application and approval to be completed before the deed records. Build this step into your contract timeline and communicate early with the membership office and your title company. If buyer approval is required, include a clear contract contingency spelling out what happens if approval is not obtained.

Documents to gather

• Account standing or estoppel letter showing balances due
• Membership category confirmation and current dues schedule
• Buyer application forms and instructions
• Club rules, bylaws, and policies for buyer review
• Written confirmation of any waitlist position and whether it can be assigned

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Assuming membership automatically transfers without buyer approval
• Waiting too long to contact the membership office and order estoppel
• Skipping written agreement on who pays deposits, transfer fees, and prorated dues
• Overlooking whether a waitlist position can be assigned and how to document it
• Sending funds outside of escrow; to avoid fraud, route payments through your title company and confirm instructions directly with the club. General tips on resale documentation are summarized in this resale certificate resource.

Who to contact at SPMC

Your first stop is the club’s membership office. The current contact on the dues and fees schedule is Rose Gallagher, Membership Manager. Find her contact information and the latest published deposit and dues in the SPMC Dues and Fees. Reach out early in escrow to request transfer instructions, the buyer application, and an account estoppel.

Seller checklist

• Confirm the property’s membership category and any waitlist position
• Contact SPMC membership for transfer instructions and forms
• Order the estoppel or account statement for escrow
• Have the buyer complete the club application promptly
• Put fees, deposits, and prorations in the contract
• Coordinate closing with title and the club; clear balances using the estoppel
• Get written confirmation of buyer approval and membership update

If you want a smooth transfer and a confident buyer experience, we can coordinate the moving pieces and keep your closing on schedule. For local guidance on selling in Spanish Peaks, reach out to Montana Life Real Estate.

FAQs

How do dues get prorated at a Spanish Peaks closing?

• Dues are typically prorated as of the closing date, with the seller paying through closing and the buyer from closing forward unless your contract states otherwise. Confirm the final numbers with the club’s estoppel and your title company.

Can I transfer my Spanish Peaks waitlist spot to the buyer?

• Some sellers can assign a waitlist position if the club permits and the buyer is approved. Ask the membership office to confirm whether your position is transferable and how to document it.

Does Spanish Peaks charge a membership transfer fee?

• Many private clubs charge administrative fees, but Spanish Peaks does not publish a universal transfer fee on its public schedule. Ask membership whether any transfer or admin charges apply to your specific property.

Is buyer approval required for membership at Spanish Peaks?

• Buyer application and club approval are commonly required before closing. Build this step into your contract timeline and include a contingency that addresses what happens if approval is not obtained.

Who do I contact to start a membership transfer at Spanish Peaks?

• Contact the membership office listed in the club’s published schedule. The current document provides the membership manager’s contact details here: SPMC Dues and Fees.