History
HOA started
Originally, the concept of HOAs was for maintaining a set of rules for a planned development and maintaining property values. Now, modern HOAs are built on shared amenities, streets, lighting, signs, lift stations, or other items that require maintenance and care from yearly dues. Your HOA in particular is fortunate enough to have public streets, but you have two retention ponds. You also have a sign, fence, and other items that require maintenance through dues. This was the reason your developer created the Association, as well as to assist in community uniformity and potential fun community projects (i.e. block parties, sign improvements, camera installation, or other ways to help the neighborhood).
But I thought it was gone?
Many might have thought the HOA "dissolved" or "stopped existing" when this was untrue. Because you share community items that require regular maintenance (i.e. the retention ponds) you also require regular dues. Your HOA Board in the past decided to self manage and never collect dues for almost 15+ years. Many also moved out of the neighborhood, leaving notifications of county fines for the unkempt retention ponds going to unknowing mailbox. This is why HOAs never disappear for places with shared items. In cases like this, the HOA could easily go into receivership, essentially losing all autonomy and decision making to a court appointed entity. You could forget any fun projects or real decision making by community members if that happens. Thankfully, some kind homeowners stepped up to fulfill the job.
What is a Receivership? Why is it bad?
A receivership is when an HOA becomes completely inactive, has debts or maintenance required, and is forced to be managed by a court-appointed entity. You were extremely close to a receivership. Receiverships would essentially mean no community participation, projects, voting, representative Board members, or really anything above the legal requirements. It would also mean fixed yearly assessments in the thousands and a receiver who wouldn't assist in quarterly or monthly payments. Thankfully, a group of caring neighbors banded together to restart the HOA effort, as well as assist in other community projects. They also hired us, The Savaris Group, LLC to assist and provide help to the community.
New Board & Savaris Involvement
Your recent Board of Directors greatly stepped up to assist the HOA, with the thousands of dollars of fines from the county looming over the community. They were able to restart the HOA effort, as well as assisting in other community projects. They reached out to a local attorney Christopher A. Desrochers for assistance in their renewal and collections process. They then hired us, The Savaris Group, LLC, a local HOA Management company to help with the operation of your community. Project number one being collections for the maintenance of the retention pond, as well as the thousands of fines from the county. 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.
What Happens Now?
The Savaris Group, LLC will be here to assist in collection of Dues, answering questions, assisting in any Board items, and here to help to the best of our abilities. Your Board will help with community projects, maintaining the HOA, and finding ways to help the community. From now on,
FAQ on Raymond Related Claims
How can I research and ensure this is all legal? How do I do my homework and not just take people's word on this?
Read up on Florida Statute 720. If that's too long and complicated, feel free to call up the HOA attorney Christopher A. Desrochers or the licensed HOA management firm The Savaris Group, LLC. If you have questions or concerns about us compared to the statute, feel free to email either company your questions. Both groups have extensive knowledge and decades of experience on the subject in the grand overlook and not just picking and choosing verses like some community members.
Where is the money going to?
The budget can be found in the same place it has been since it has been passed. It is under "Budget2022" which is also linked above on the menu. Physical copies can also be printed at our office. We had placed notice in the community for the meeting for discussion of the budget, sent out notice of the final budget meeting 2+ weeks before passing the budget via mail to everyone, and the Board had worked on it months prior. Budget passage is the responsibility of the Board, who are also paying the same amount in dues as everyone else. The amount was based on what was safest and best for the community.
Why do we have to spend money?
Things cost money in life. As the person who bought a house in the community, you have an obligation to that home and the community it is a part of. The previous group tried to be cheap with self-management and that failed. Now there is a homeless forrest instead of a slightly overgrown grassy retention pond and the government is putting you guys under sanctions. This needs to be fixed now, not 1-5 years later.
Aren't that CAM and Attorney stealing all the money!?
As of 7/27/2022, The Savaris Group, LLC and Christopher A. Desrochers have not been paid for their services. The Savaris Group, LLC has been collecting and depositing all HOA funds directly to the Berkley Pointe HOA's bank account and have not paid ourselves yet. The attorney and the CAM both understand the dire situation of the Berkley Retention Ponds/homeless forest and have put those as the priority for the betterment of the HOA. Late interest and fees are also going to the HOA account.
Why can't we go under receivership or pay one person from the neighborhood to manage the place?
See below on receivership. The simplest example of the difference between a normal HOA and receivership is a kid with a babysitter vs a guardian. A regular HOA is like a kid not liking a babysitter that the parents can remove because they have a system of checks and balances. An HOA under receivership is like a kid having a guardian who can be terrible but isn't going to stop being their guardian. Additionally, self-management was attempted and failed 15+ years ago. Especially since anyone who would like to try self-managing is not legally allowed to be paid for their time and services. This is ultimately not an option, nor a safe option.
Who are the Board?
The Board is made up of unpaid, volunteer members of the HOA. People can be found on the about us page.
How much are they getting out of this?
They are unpaid. They pay the same dues as everyone else. They typically end up spending more money than the average homeowner on the HOA for supplies or their own time on projects.
How did they get there? Are they following the rules?
The Board started out as a concerned homeowner, gathering together other concerned homeowners, and helped restart the HOA. They talked with a local HOA attorney throughout most of these events to ensure everything was being done correctly and legally. Ultimately, this is how every government starts, the same as the founding fathers created the united states by getting together.
What authority do they have?
As a Board, they have power granted to them by the state and HOA rules. They do typical things, like hire vendors, discuss bids, review financials, and keep an eye out for the association. As a representative democracy, the representatives take care of things instead of behaving like a hippie commune with nothing being done due to the amount of money, mailers, and time that would be needed to have everyone's vote every time a fence post needs to be repaired.