Sonterra HOA dues (Highlands, Weir: cul-de-sac, HOA fees, homes)

[motown mary]

Why are HOA dues in Sonterra almost $1500 per year? The pool in the Hills (where we are looking) looks pretty standard, playground is subpar. From what I can see, the dues appear to cover the high-tech security. Would love to hear what you're paying for....

[datacity]

Originally Posted by motown mary

Why are HOA dues in Sonterra almost $1500 per year? The pool in the Hills (where we are looking) looks pretty standard, playground is subpar. From what I can see, the dues appear to cover the high-tech security. Would love to hear what you're paying for....

It also pays for your trash collection every week.

I think it is high because residents have two or three different HOAs: Stone Oak for the major infrastructure upkeep, a 'blank" of Sonterra subdivision upkeep, and in the case you mentioned, the pool/playground area. HOAs can be all over the map depending on what they cover. You can consider it just another tax, albeit a private one when considering an area.

[banker]

It is also gated. Most people don't realize when you put a gate up - the neighborhood owns the roads and is required to maintain them. We looked at some very nice homes in the Hills - but ultimately passed because of the outrageous HOA dues. You know they will only go up from there - and the lots are small.

[kevcrawford]

The main problem with Sonterra is that you're often paying up to three HOAs. You've got the Stone Oak HOA, The Sonterra HOA and many times each different section in there has their own HOA.

[motown mary]

Right, I get that it's gated & there's a pool, play area & trash collection, but in most neighborhoods we've looked at, there are all those things & the HOA fees are much less. I guess it's just the three HOAs that take the cost up. What a sham!

[pobre]

Stone Oak is about 18 per month...that covers trash and common area (stone Oak medians, etc.)

Sonterra is 82 per month. That is Sonterra entries and common areas, as well as security and gates.

Each Sonterra neighborhood may charge an additional fee. For instance, the Highlands does not have a pool, etc. The Oaks does, and it is 192 per year.

Gated communities must maintain their own streets. Truly, I would rather be in a non-gated community. That being said, however, we have very little traffic, and that is a huge plus with kids.

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by pobre

Stone Oak is about 18 per month...that covers trash and common area (stone Oak medians, etc.)

Sonterra is 82 per month. That is Sonterra entries and common areas, as well as security and gates.

Each Sonterra neighborhood may charge an additional fee. For instance, the Highlands does not have a pool, etc. The Oaks does, and it is 192 per year.

Gated communities must maintain their own streets. Truly, I would rather be in a non-gated community. That being said, however, we have very little traffic, and that is a huge plus with kids.

Non gated community, on a cul-de-sac is the best.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by firstclassflyer

Non gated community, on a cul-de-sac is the best.

I'd agree.
Weirdly, we live on a street which dead ends, but a few blocks down. It's a small (narrow by new standards) street, yet people fly down it. I don't know where they're all going, since it dead ends...

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by Chaka

I'd agree.
Weirdly, we live on a street which dead ends, but a few blocks down. It's a small (narrow by new standards) street, yet people fly down it. I don't know where they're all going, since it dead ends...

I don't think THEY know where they're going either.