Valencia Lakes HOA fees?? (Villas: homes, landscaping, to buy)

[pevco]

I was also planning on stopping in this winter while in Florida. I didn't know that this was an 80/20 community. For that reason alone, I would not consider living there. I wish these places would advertise accordingly, this is the first hint I have seen regarding this not being a true 55+ community.

Nick

[mwong9]

I believe it is $276, but once the builder is all finished building and moves out, it will be $304 a month. It covers all lawn care, cutting, fertilizing, etc. It covers the clubhouse, which includes: fitness club, card rooms, ballroom, pools. It has a baseball field and doggy park. It also has a guard at the gate. I see you are from Freeport, L. I. I am from Merrick, just next door.

[mwong9]

Unfortunately, they no longer are allowed to discreminate by not having at least 20% under the age of 55. I agree with you, wanted a true 55+ community, but there are no children under the age of 19 years old, so it's not so bad. I do believe most people that are younger than 50 would not want to be where the majority is over 55 anyway.

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by pevco

I was also planning on stopping in this winter while in Florida. I didn't know that this was an 80/20 community. For that reason alone, I would not consider living there. I wish these places would advertise accordingly, this is the first hint I have seen regarding this not being a true 55+ community.

Nick

there's a FLA law about 80/20 - so I'm not sure you'll find a "true" one.

[roadtrip75]

Originally Posted by mwong9

Unfortunately, they no longer are allowed to discreminate by not having at least 20% under the age of 55.

This sentence is incredibly difficult to read.

[Wardendresden]

Originally Posted by mwong9

Thanks BucFan for that info. How can people keep getting these increases when you know there are no increases of from SS or raises if you still work? I would assume that when the builder is out of there, and the residents take over the HOA fees that just possibly the fees could stay the same or decrease. (although nothing decreases).

I know I'm responding to an old post, but the biggest problem facing all HOA's is that when the developer is still basically running the HOA (appointing directors and on the Board himself), is that he wants to keep the fees low to attract more buyers.

Once the developer is gone and homeowners take over, THEN they usually have a reserve study done to determine how much money is going to be needed in the future to make major repairs (to roads, clubhouses, pools, maybe even roofs of units if they are owned in common). Almost always, the finding is that not enough money was being raised from the first day of operations. Then you are faced with significant increases or potentially devastating assessments, if you don't raise rates, to pay for those major maintenace items.

I spent three years on the Board of an HOA in Colorado, all but four months as President. And I also worked for two years after I retired from insurance as the administrative assistant to the CEO of a small Homeowners Association Management Company. Florida laws are probably different from some of Colorado's, but inadequate reserving by developers is a nationwide problem.

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by Wardendresden

I know I'm responding to an old post, but the biggest problem facing all HOA's is that when the developer is still basically running the HOA (appointing directors and on the Board himself), is that he wants to keep the fees low to attract more buyers.

Once the developer is gone and homeowners take over, THEN they usually have a reserve study done to determine how much money is going to be needed in the future to make major repairs (to roads, clubhouses, pools, maybe even roofs of units if they are owned in common). Almost always, the finding is that not enough money was being raised from the first day of operations. Then you are faced with significant increases or potentially devastating assessments, if you don't raise rates, to pay for those major maintenace items.

I spent three years on the Board of an HOA in Colorado, all but four months as President. And I also worked for two years after I retired from insurance as the administrative assistant to the CEO of a small Homeowners Association Management Company. Florida laws are probably different from some of Colorado's, but inadequate reserving by developers is a nationwide problem.

Very interesting read. Thanks for posting.

[hercules101]

Nick I am one of those disturbing 20%ers and I often get hassled by others regarding my age. So please do feel free to look into living here as you will have plenty of bigoted companions to socialize with.

Sincerely

Youth Gone Wild

[Dr. J.]

For your edification, Nick (that word means ENLIGHTENMENT, by the way), there is no such thing as a 55+ community such as what you're looking for. Moreover, the only way a community can legally declare itself as 55+ is by agreeing to the 80/20 rule. The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination by race, color, religion, sex, or handicap. Many states have their own version of the Fair Housing Act as well. In FL, for example, Ch. 760 of the FL Statutes is dedicated to discrimination issues that expand the protection to age and marital status. So while you're looking for a 55+ community, KEEP ON LOOKING. And don't come here to Valencia Lakes. 'Cause not only are there many under 55, but also there are blacks and Jews and lesbians living in this community (oh my). Lucky thing for you there's no Federal or FL Statute against ignorance though, because that would apply in your case to block you out. Shame on you, Nick, and all others who so blatantly espouse disdain for others by imposing absence of judgment and intellect.

Sincerely,

Disenchanted With The 80%

[tinytrump]

Originally Posted by mwong9

Unfortunately, they no longer are allowed to discreminate by not having at least 20% under the age of 55. I agree with you, wanted a true 55+ community, but there are no children under the age of 19 years old, so it's not so bad. I do believe most people that are younger than 50 would not want to be where the majority is over 55 anyway.

Im turning 60 and I don't want to be in a 55+ community! - I also think with the economy, It is becoming a burden for families to have straight 55+. ONLY--If the parents dies, the kids get stuck with property they can't rent or sell or move in- Older people can't have care takers, like an older grandchild, nephew, niece, to help them out... or when the marriage goes BUST the single parent can't come home with mom, until they can get back on their feet... it defenitely is a family "separator".. I lived in 2 and never again... my grands don't feel welcomed, neither do I.