HOA in Single Family Home Development Tamarac (University, Vero Beach: bank owned, apartments)

[joyceandjay]

I live in Tamarac, in a HOA, that many years ago was 55 an older community.
We have bylaws and a board of directors who in my opinion are too old to keep up with violations, non paying homeowners and such.

My problem is; we have a club house, pool,spa and club house parking. We have a faded sign that says no parking, and a sign at the pool that says closed at dusk. Now for all the 5 years I have lived here, the major problem I see is teenagers hanging at the pool at all hours of the night, loitering, and being loud.

What can we do to stop this?

And how can we fine people who do not obey the rules?

[HIF]

Check your governing documents. They will detail how to impose fines. Some do not allow it. If that is the case, the members can vote in favor of fines, then that provision can be added as an amendment to the docs.

You may want to go to the board and see if they will establish a community watch. And since your pool hours are posted, the police can be called out to dispell the teens. The board can also request patrols at random times in the evening.

Are you familiar with your association's budget? How much are your aging receivables? Many associations are strapped for cash as homeowners are unable to pay their assessments. Cosmetic issues are going unaddressed in an effort to prevent the need for special assessments.

Think about running for the board. Or get involved in the finance committee so that you have a hand in next year's budget. Review and rebid all contracts- pool, pest, lawn care, property management.... We cut our lake maintenance in half and PM fee by 25%. Another property I know cut their weed & fertilization company expense in half by going with a new company.

Make sure that all contracts contain a 30 day out clause. If not possible, make sure there is not an automatic renewal.

[runswithscissors]

DITTO HIF's excellent post.

It's not just your HOA it's all HOAs they have alot of challenges now especially with defaults. If you get involved/active with the VOLUNTEER HOA people you can help them.

The budget is the first place to start and see what kind of shape it's in. And if you have reserves.

Alot of bank owned properties are in deferred maintenance and the HOAs are having to do the repairs and go after the bank for example. Such as broken water heaters on the second floors flooding downstairs people and causing mold issues.

My HOA just negotiated an excellent program for water heater replacements for the residents. It became necessary with some people not living here all year and a few bank owned disasters. Luckily we have excellent reserves and the few didn't impact us all. I chose to buy here because of the excellent HOA docs, balance sheets and maintenence/priorities in fact. We just repainted every building, resurfaced two pools and surrounding areas and other improvements such as hog trapping and hog fences and new sod....and our reserves are still over a million. Several of our projects are done by residents such as repairing our "butterfly park" when hogs demolished it and the 50 acre Nature Trail maintenance.

This is Grove Isle, Vero Beach, Indian River County not FLL highly recommended btw. 55+ with a balance of people from age 55 through their 80's. Professionally managed office and active resident board members. On the Intracoastal, gated/guarded 24/7. Reasonable prices from 50,000 - 125,000 for condo apartments up to 179,000 for single houses.

[runswithscissors]

BTW the problem is it went all ages...there are SEVERAL problems like that in Tamarac specifically Mainlands up by University that I used to love and when looking all throughout 2008 I chose to move up here because of how it became a mess there IMO.

IE 8 people living in a house built for 2. Teenagers galore and fake pit bull fights in the streets. I've ranted about that here alot.

I loved those little neighborhhoods around University and now they are all WRECKED within 3 short years from 2005 - 2008 from the housing bubble burst. Renting to any old people with a pulse.

With 55+ you have older people who dont want to spend money but it's NOTHING compared to the mess you see in all ages.