You give $480 quarterly maintenance fees to our Homeowners Association, Garden Patio Villas. Where does it go? What does the Board of Directors do with it?!? This article will help you see where your money is spent!
We are going to address the fields of expenses by percentage. It’s not exact but a very close estimate so all owners know how we are spending our Association’s money. That is you! YOU are the Association. The Board of Directors makes these decisions trying to please as many Owners as possible. This is an average percent (without emergencies) where YOUR money goes and what gets done in our HOA. Over half of our budget (67%) goes towards water and lawn service!!
Take a look at our budget below:
We’ve used a maintenance company in past years but the financial cost was high and much less effective! Garden Patio Villas is trying to continue to self manage our property and community. Would you like to join the Board of Directors? It is a LOT of work and effort trying to keep everyone happy! Sign up to fill a position when they become available! We hope this article helps you to understand how much the Board of Directors is doing for each one of our community members at Garden Patio Villas.
Garden Patio Villas is a 55+ community with a Self-Managed Homeowners Association, meaning that all Owners are part of our Association. The Board of Directors is made up of homeowners with expertise tailored to our retirement community and have concern for the safety, value and wellbeing of our neighborhood.
Benefits of a Self Managed Homeowners Association
Example of Standard Fees for outside Management Companies
Cost of a Self- Managed Homeowners Association
There is a lot of savings to the HOA! Those monies will be better used to upgrade the community and amenities to enhance the value of our homes. An outside company has no personal interest but getting their fees every month.
A Board of Directors is required even with an outside managing company. If you do not have any Owners willing and able to do the job, the state will appoint a temporary HOA Manager that is salaried to the tune of around $58,670 per year until a Board of Directors is formed.
Presently, the new Board of Garden Patio Villas consists of 3 Directors: President, Secretary and Treasurer, We are Owners that live in our retirement community. We are committed to and are working hard for improvements and the enhancement of our beautiful association even though it will take time.
Our goal is protecting the interests of fellow homeowners to assure the safety of our neighbors within our association, increase the value of our properties and building a peaceful, enjoyable environment for all of our homeowners at Garden Patio Villas!
Homeowners’ Associations are beneficial for a community in that they keep the neighborhood or building maintained to preserve property value. A Homeowners Association is an organization that makes and enforces rules for multiple-unit buildings. When you buy a property within a HOA, you purchase a restricted property deed and automatically become a member of that community! There are fees to maintain the property as well as covenants and restrictions created in an attempt to maintain property value and curb appeal!
Homeowners Associations have common elements for which the association is responsible for maintaining. These elements include swimming pools, streets, clubhouse, landscaping and other common areas that are available to all owners. Typically, their are standards all members must follow.
Homeowners Associations can be associated with condominiums, townhouse complexes, or single-family houses that are part of planned communities. Here at Garden Patio Villas, we are a small community of 83 attached villas.
When you purchase a villa at Garden Patio Villas Association, you agree to abide by the rules and regulations and to pay dues, known as maintenance fees. An HOA has By-Laws which includes rules everyone must follow. By-Laws include: Articles of Incorporation, Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions, and Rules and Regulations. Garden Patio Villas has these governing documents, as mentioned above.
Communities provide a variety of differing amenities which will greatly reflect in the HOA maintenance fees. Here at Garden Patio Villas, we provide a community pool that is heated along with a community center. Other communities might have gyms or tennis courts. Some communities focus on retirees or are built around a golf course. Here at Garden Patio Villas, we are a 55+ community in Margate, Florida.
HOA’s provide needed maintenance for association property. Garden Patio Villas cover all the lawn maintenance in addition to the water bill. HOAs can still be demanding about the do’s and don’ts of living in the community. The HOA can regulate everything from what type of trees you can plant to when you can put your garbage out.
Homeowners Associations have a group of members from the community that are voted into office by all community members. These people volunteer represent the HOA! The great thing about a HOA is that the Board of Directors are always voted into their position. If the Board is doing a good job, members are happy. If they are not doing a good job, members can apply for a position on the Board. Members can make a difference and try and improve their community if they get involved.
What are the pros and cons to living in an HOA?
For starters, HOA’s might frustrate members with the rules and regulations that are required to follow. Common elements (like your roof or your windows) need approval from the Board. After time, members might want to live in a house without those specific standard rules. HOA maintenance fees can be really range in price from $100/month to $1000/month depending on the type of housing, location and amenities given to members. Living in a Homeowner’s Association does not give you the freedom that regular houses can give an individual. For that reason, many people do not want to live in this type of community.
On the contrary, HOA’s take care of a lot of the maintenance of your home or villa. It’s easy to pay the maintenance fee, take a vacation, and not need to worry! When you return, everything is still running and looks good! A good HOA is a pleasure to work with and can easily increase your property value! Many well run Associations have a waiting list to move into!
Homeowners Associations and single family homes have a lot of differences. Make sure to look at the Governing Documents of any Association and research how the HOA is run before making a decision where you want to live!
GARDEN PATIO VILLAS
7708 Margate Blvd, Margate, FL 33063
Board of Directors Meeting, July 1, 2020
1:30 PM – Location: Clubhouse
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: President, Melodie Savoca, Treasurer, Marshall Hyman, Secretary, Barbara Reul
RESIDENTS PRESENT: Joseph Reul, Maintenance
Melodie opened the meeting with a review of items that needed attention previously and were accomplished since our last meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
By-Laws:
Our By-Laws have been reviewed and are now being updated by our attorney. The Board discussed 2 items that are currently in our by-laws and will remain in the updated by-laws.
NEW BUSINESS:
Meeting Adjourned 3:30 pm
GARDEN PATIO VILLAS
7708 Margate Blvd, Margate, FL 33063
Board of Directors Special Meeting, June 17, 2020
1:30 PM Location: President’s Residence
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: President, Melodie Savoca, Treasurer, Marshall Hyman, Secretary, Barbara Reul
Purpose for Special Meeting
This special meeting was request by Melodie to finish reviewing our updated governing documents, discuss the broken sprinkler pump and resdients’ concerns about hurricane issues.
1. Broken Pump for Sprinkler System:
When our irrigation service company attempted to turn on our sprinkler pump after the extended drought we experienced, it was found that the pump was clogged with mud due to the fact that the canal went to such a low level. In addition, the pump kept blowing the breakers and would not turn on. After a thorough benching and evaluation of the pump by two companies, it was confirmed that the pump needs to be replaced due to a blown motor and faulty wiring. The Board voted which company to use to replace the pump and will be doing so within the next few weeks. The price of the new motor, safeties and canal screens including installation is $5,850.00.
Unfortunately with this large and unexpected cost, the plan to make some improvements to the association property will need to be postponed until 2021. Finances will not allow it at this time.
2. Hurricane Concerns:
There has been some concern for the coconuts hanging on a few of the trees around our community. Several residents were also concerned about large tree branches leaning over their rooftops of two villas. We have received a quote from our lawn company to remove both items . We have voted to go forward with this work, and all Board Members agreed.
3. Governing Documents:
We discussed all the Board’s and residents’ suggestions for corrections, changes and additions to our by laws and governing documents. We have completed everything needed and we emailed them to our Attorney for review. There will be a meeting scheduled for all members of Garden Patio Villas to vote on the finalization of these changes (Date to be determined. One vote from owner, per villa.)
Meeting Adjourned at 3:30 PM
GARDEN PATIO VILLAS
7708 Margate Blvd, Margate, FL 33063
Board of Directors Meeting, June 3, 2020
1:30 PM Location: President’s residence
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: President, Melodie Savoca, Treasurer, Marshall Hyman, Secretary, Barbara Reul
Secretary, Barbara opened the meeting and read minutes from last meeting on April 29th
Barbara then proceeded to read and the accomplishments for the last month:
Old Business:
New Business:
5. The Board will meet to continue working on new Governing Documents from preserved documents dated 2004. This meeting will be held on June 17, 2020 at 1:30pm.
6. The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for July 1, 2020 at 1:30pm.
MEETING ADJOURNED 4:00PM
Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus, our Homeowners Association (HOA) meeting scheduled for May 26th is cancelled due to Broward County restrictions.
We would like to summarize what has taken place in our community since our February HOA meeting. Hopefully, by the time we are ready to meet again in the next quarter, we will be able to meet as a community.
Our Board of Directors (Board) team, led by our President Melodie Savoca, have worked very hard this quarter putting forth many accomplishments that we are proud to announce to you as well as some news that affects the community.
Our dear neighbor, Billie Schaeffer (C3U2) has gone to be with the Lord on May 11th after battling cancer. Billie has been an anchor of our community with her ability to always smile, show kindness and help many of our residents as well as being a member of our Board for many years. She will be missed!
Mary Jane Grunes resigned from being a Board member and did Maintenance for many years. She is now a snowbird and is missed by our association! David Horvath was voted in to replace Mary Jane. He resigned from his position due to family obligations. Currently, Joe Reul (C3U3) has filled the position as Maintenance and will continue working as an independent contractor. We want to thank Ralph Brandenburg, who has volunteered to help with Maintenance through all the changes and continues to help our association when he can.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
We have contracted a new lawn service which started May 1st. They have promised we will see an improvement in our lawns. Now that the canal is filling up again, we will turn on the sprinklers very soon. (They had to be turned off when the canal dried up during our dry season.) After we check out all sprinklers and make sure they are working properly, we will turn them back on to be run regularly.
Garden Patio Villas (GPV) now has a website for anyone to see. You can find beautiful photos, Board of Directors information, GPV news, Board Meeting Minutes, and our calendar of events. All Realtor and New Buyer Documents have been brought up to date and available on the website. If you do not have online access and need a printed copy of any of the documents, please call our office and we will get any form you need. Take a look at our new website at: http://www.gardenpatiovillas.com
At our mailboxes, we have posted an updated Mailbox Residents list for our Post Office woman, in addition, a “take one information box” that includes monthly City of Margate Newsletters. New bulletin boards have been installed over mailboxes. The left side contains HOA Information and the right side contains information that residents may add for others to see. Tacks are included for your convenience.
The Board created a database of Resident Contact Information. This will make it easier for us to contact you either by email or phone for concerns or problems you may have. We are still trying to update it! Many residents have not given us their contact information. If we do not have this information, we will be knocking at your door as soon as it is safe for us to get your information. We also want to make sure all residents have the association’s business card with our association’s main phone number, email address and website address for you to keep for your convenience.
Melodie is currently sending out sporadic emails with updates to communicate with all of our residents. For those who do not have a computer, we are printing out important updates and posting them on the bulletin board above the mailboxes.
The Board has decided to find a new attorney to handle our legal matters. Our present firm is extremely expensive for what they have done for us. We have found a new attorney that specializes in HOA’s; they are located in Coral Springs and seem very competent at a much better price so we can save money. We had our first conference call with them on May 19th
Our By-Laws (Our governing documents of the association) are over a decade old. Several items in these documents are not applicable to us today. We plan to update the By-Laws and Rules and Regulations in the next few months. These documents will be made available on our website. Everyone will receive a physical copy when completed. We will also email out a digital copy. We will translate the Rules and Regulations document into Spanish for our Hispanic residents.
As the Board of Directors, we have been trying to listen and attend to everyone’s concerns. Please understand that we are not always able to correct everything promptly; we do the best we can to answer your questions and take care of each matter in a priority manner. In many cases, problems have to be taken care of by an outside vendor, depending on the need. That can take time. In addition, funds available are a variable in all decisions.
AVAILABLE POSITIONS
There are two positions we need to fill. One is available right now. This position is NOT a Board Member position. This position will be considered an independent worker. If you are interested in filling it, please contact us. This position is the following:
Clubhouse Cleaning – Weekly partial cleaning and one time per month full cleaning. A list of Cleaning Responsibilities will be available to you if you have any interest. Compensation for that position is $50.00 per month.
Our second position is for a Board Member that needs to be filled by officially voting during our annual HOA meeting in February 2021. The position is the following:
Treasurer and Board Member. Marshall Hyman, our present Treasurer will be retiring in February. Marshall has done an outstanding job taking care of many facets of the Board members’ responsibilities including invoices, accounting and legal concerns of the association. His position will be available for voting at our annual meeting in February. Compensation for this position is deducted from the quarterly maintenance fees. Marshall is willing to start training a person now for his position. If you are interested and have some financial experience, please contact us!
COMMUNITY POOL AND COVID-19
As you may be aware our Governor has opened up Phase 1 in Broward County on May 18. We re-opened our pool with county restrictions. It is imperative that anyone choosing to use the pool follow these guidelines. To help everyone with these temporary restrictions, we have 3 helpful volunteers that will be available at the pool to assist doing this; this is the only way we can open during this phase. See pool signs by the Clubhouse area for specific restrictions. The clubhouse will not be open for activities during this phase with the exception of use of bathrooms during pool time. We will update everyone when the Governor shifts to Phase Two.
LOOKING AHEAD
We look forward to future months when we can use the clubhouse again! We still plan to have future quarterly HOA meetings in addition to social activities as soon as county restrictions are lifted.
This next quarter, we hope to continue implementing new plans and work as a team serving our residents in our beautiful community! Our next HOA meeting will be held on August 25, 2020.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask and contact us!
Thank you,
Garden Patio Villa Board Members
President – Melodie Savoca
Treasurer – Marshall Hyman
Secretary – Barbara Reul
Our long-time resident, Billie Schaeffer passed away this morning. She was a joy to this community always with a smile on her face, a cheery voice, a twinkle in her eyes. Her family is asking to refrain from sending your condolences at this time.
We part our ways with her from this earth and know she is in heaven with her Savior, Jesus Christ. She will be missed greatly by many here in this Community! She was a dear resident with much faith and courage!
Her two daughters plan to have a memorial service in future months after the COVID problem has passed. They have asked to refrain from sending cards or flowers or phone calls at this time.
Thank you for your consideration to the family’s request.
Garden Patio Villas Board Members
UPDATES: As of February 1, 2022, this is outdated. See new article with Republic Services.
A reminder to all Members;
Wednesdays are our garage and bulk pick up day. Any cardboard boxes need to be broken down. If you can, put the broken down cardboard into the recycle bin for Saturday. You can put bulk pick up items out a day or two early. Several of our residents put cardboard boxes out without breaking them down. Let’s follow the correct procedure, please!
For proper bulk pickup and yard waste items, read the rules on our city’s web page at: https://www.margatefl.com/313/Bulk-Yard-Waste
Saturdays are our garbage and recycle day. (BLUE) Recycle bins are put out on Saturdays along with the garbage bin. You should NEVER put any garbage in the recycle bin! One contaminated garbage item contaminates the entire recycle bin. If you are uncertain, it’s better to put the item in the (GREEN) garbage bin then to contaminate the recycle bin.
If you are uncertain whether an item belongs inside the garbage bin or the recycle bin, use this handy waste wizard and it will tell you. Go to: https://www.margatefl.com/622/Waste-Wizard
For proper recycle rules, go to our city’s web page and read what is allowed along with the video at: https://www.margatefl.com/294/Recycling
Thank you for your help in this matter! Let’s keep Garden Patio Villas Association beautiful! Our HOA matters!
