Seems like a good time for an update on FFH, as I assess the situation.
The annual uniform assessment has been announced by the POA and for the first time the amount exceeds $1000. About $850 of that is due on 5/1/2015, and the remainder is basically a contingency that the POA believes it is free to bill should certain expenses be experienced. This assessment has more than doubled in the past 6 years, with large amounts of the increases going to architects for plans that were and never will be used, for attorneys to pursue the dreams of a few, with no results other than making the attorneys more wealthy, for attorney fees to tighten the desired death grip of the POA on its members, and to a bloated staff, who have yet to get anything productive accomplished.
The POA has foreclosed on 100 undeveloped lots and 2 houses, as I have been informed. All, to my knowledge, are for failure to pay annual assessments.
Real estate values continue to decline. Those interested can take a look at
Zillow: Real Estate, Apartments, Mortgage & Home Values in the US and enter zip code 28560. Then enter the address 902 Coral Reef Dr., this is the POA office in the center of the community. Next keep clicking on the "+" on the displayed map until it transforms into an aerial photo. Now just select a property of interest to see details on the right hand side of the screen. Many including myself do not have a lot of confidence in the absolute numbers, but after selecting a property, if you scroll down on the right hand side you will see a historical graph of value over time. Again, absolute numbers are less important than the trend illustrated by the graph. BTW, this service is widely available for other areas that may interest you.
The general appearance of the community continues to slowly decline. Lets all hope that as Spring sets in property owners will spruce up their property, for a highly needed improvement in curb appeal.
The residents and their negative attitude towards each other holds steady, with behavior most often attributed to young girls in a school yard. Almost all property owners have someone else they blame for the decline of our mutual asset. These attitudes are the single largest problem for the community, in my opinion.
Adding to the negatives among residents is the ever increasing number of property owners trapped in their homes as their financial investment evaporates before their eyes, and selling at these prices is a non starter.
I will try to factually answer any questions from the group. I need to emphasize that in this posting I have offered many opinions, so be sure to distinguish between the facts and opinions.
Hope everyone survived winter and is enjoying the thaw.
Pete Drez
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