FAQ
What is an HOA?
The primary reason for creating a homeowner association is to uphold and enrich property values. This is accomplished by enforcing the community’s covenants and maintaining the common areas. Both of these keep the overall community looking nice and keep the home somewhat cohesive. Once a family buys a home in the development, they become a member of the homeowners association. Every HOA is subject to its state’s property laws, but they each have their own governing documents. These documents include rules and regulations, bylaws, ARC’s, and other restrictive covenants. All of these guidelines are intended to define the principles of the community for the sole purpose of shielding property values. The biggest advantage of a HOA is the shared common areas within the community. Most associations have amenities that one could not afford on their own. Luckily, anyone living in the community can take advantage of these comforts, which are funded by the members’ dues. If the dues are not paid on time, the HOA and its management company are required to enforce rules and late fees to keep the budget of a community on track. A HOA is created to do the job everyone in the community wants done. Ultimately, residents in a neighborhood like to see a well put-together area where they live and call home. An HOA makes sure this is maintained and enforced to keep all of its members happy and desiring to stay in the community.
Berkley Pointe : Full History
Berkley Pointe has an interesting and lengthy history that can be fully found in the link below
I thought the HOA was gone?
Modern HOAs are built on shared amenities, streets, lighting, signs, or other items that require maintenance and care from yearly dues. This means these HOAs never go away, but can become inactive. Your HOA has two retention ponds and a few other items. These are community items, as retention ponds are shared by the association, and all bills are shared by the community. At one point, your HOA decided to self manage. Then never collected dues for almost 15+ years. Because of the lack of dues, there was a lack of maintenance. But that debt to the retention pond is still shared by the community. This left you close to a receivership.
What is the HOA doing?
Project number one is retention ponds and associated fines accrued over the years. Retention maintenance needs to be paid through the HOA dues of the community, making collections a large priority. Instead of collecting on nearly a decade of late dues from the membership, the Board wants to just move forward, collecting for this 2022 year, and continuing regular assessments for the future. These funds will go to repairing fences, maintaining the ponds, and other helpful parts of the community.
What options are there?
Right now, there aren't many options for getting out of paying yearly dues. Whether you've been here 20 or 2 years, you're part of the community. The properties are automatically tied to the HOA. Let's look at other options:
Pay HOA Dues: Congrats! We're able to fix the retention pond and take care of routine maintenance. Thank you for being part of the community.
Delay Dues: Delays the retention process and community as a whole. Places a greater burden on the neighborhood and goes into collections.
Not Pay Dues: see item "What happens if I miss a payment or refuse to pay?" below. Delays again.
Not pay dues & stop HOA: Retention pond won't be repaired, and suddenly you find yourself in receivership with $1,500+ dues.
Who runs the HOA?
The HOA is run by an elected Board of Directors. Board members are unpaid volunteers from the community, helping make the neighborhood a better place. In order to meet Florida legal requirements, the board must be composed of at least a President, Secretary, and Treasurer. A licensed Community Association Manager (CAM) should also be on staff or hired by the HOA Board. Linked below are the current Directors and CAM.
What are the rules?
Every homeowner should receive a copy of the governing documents at their closing from their Realtor. These consist of: Bylaws, Amendments, and Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. These are the documents that outline the rules and guidelines of the HOA. If you did not receive a copy of the governing documents, please contact the Savaris Group, LLC or click the link below.
How much are dues?
Annual Dues for 2023 are $650.00 in total.
Please address checks to "Berkley Pointe HOA" and mail to 2504 Ave G. NW, Winter Haven, FL 33880.
Further payment information can be found on the "Payment Options" page.
Please See home page for latest amounts.
What happens if I miss a payment or refuse to pay?
If you do not pay by the due date, the collections process can start. Unpaid HOA dues can result in lengthy legal fees and costs.
What are the facilities offered?
The retention ponds, fence, sign, and drainage systems fall underneath HOA common grounds and are maintained by the HOA.
Who is the Savaris Group?
The Savaris Group, LLC is a licensed Community Association Management (CAM) Firm, located in Winter Haven, FL. We've been managing several HOAs in the Polk County region since 2013.
What is a CAM?
CAM is an acronym for Community Association Manager. (It can also be viewed as LCAM, which is just adding the word "licensed.") A CAM is someone who has been licensed by the state of Florida and has the knowledge necessary to handle the enforcement and administration of a Homeowners Association. Homeowners Associations are required to do complex compliance and having a CAM on staff lessens the strain on the volunteer board.
In common terms, a CAM is there to ensure the HOA stays financially safe and to help keep things running in the neighborhood. A CAM ensures the retention pond gets mowed, the budget is correct, and enforces the rules (like no toilets in the front lawn). This is ultimately to better the values of the homes and the community.
How can I be on the HOA board?
Please contact the CAM for further information.
Want to Join HOA Board?
Covid-19
As the US continues to reopen, we will continue to follow safe practices to protect homeowners, the neighborhood, and our workers. Click the link below for information on the HOA's response to Covid-19.
More Questions?
Contact the Savaris Group, LLC
Email: savaris.group@hotmail.com
Phone: 863-236-9121
Address:
2504 Avenue G NW
Winter Haven, FL 33880