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The Villages at Maxwell Creek HOA Newsletter (4th Quarter 2007)
2008 Association Dues
The Board is proud to announce that Association dues for 2008 will be $220, a $10 decrease from the last two years.
Although some costs have gone up (primarily legal expenses associated with collections), total repairs for this year have been several thousand less than previous years, we've been able to negotiate a lower cost for the Association's insurance, and we have dropped the separate fertilization and landscape vendors for one combined contract.
For unknown reasons, 2007 has been the worst year for collections ever, with over 85% of all homeowners paying after the due date. Over 350 collection notices were mailed this year, and over $2,500 in interest has accrued. The Association has spent over $19,000 this year in legal fees trying to collect from 28 homeowners. Over the last several years, the Association has tried several different approaches to encourage payment on time, from offering payment plans, to forgiving interest and fees on accounts that arrived a day or two late, to accepting credit card payments. Unfortunately, eleven months after the fact, $16,856.87 is still owed.
As of November 12th there are still 18 homeowners (6%) who are delinquent; of those, three have signed up for payment plans with the HOA, and 11 have signed payment plans with the attorney. One homeowner has not responded to any of the 23 letters mailed or telephone calls made during the last two years, with the result that the Association foreclosed on their home in September.
While the delinquent homeowners end up paying back the legal fees, the HOA still has to float the cost in the interim. Not only is this a financial burden, it's also time and money spent that could otherwise be used to beautify the neighborhood (or, better, to not even spend or collect in the first place!)
In any other sphere of life, whether it's making payments to the mortgage, credit cards, or electric bill, such rates of delinquency would drive the corporation out of business. In our neighborhood, the Association doesn't have the ability to lock people out of community areas (such as a community park or pool) as consequence, and to not maintain the Common Areas would lower the property values of the surrounding homes (a sure-fired way to spawn lawsuits) and encourage fines from the City. And, as discussed several times previously, simply shuttering the HOA and avoiding the problem isn't an option.
An invoice will be mailed during the first week of December, along with a current copy of the HOA's budget and financial statement for the year. Prompt payment by January 1st is appreciated. As always, if you are unable to make your payments on time, please contact us! We would prefer to amicably work out a payment plan rather than begin legal proceedings.
Open-Forum Meeting
The next open-forum meeting will be held on Monday, December 3rd at the Allen Public Library from 7-9pm. The last association meeting was in April, so it's been several months since everyone has gotten together. We're hoping that the turnout at December's meeting will be high, so if you have any burning questions please plan on attending.
There is no formal agenda, but we usually cover a number of diverse topics such as commercial development in the area, problems with utility services, resale and rental properties, and of course dues collection and deed restriction violations.
Financial Update
One of the more difficult responsibilities of your Board is to enforce the Covenants and Restrictions regarding the payment of annual assessments. This chart is up-to-date as of November 12th. Liens will remain in effect until the debt has been paid.| Street | # Delinquent Homes | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Briarhollow Ct. | 3 | $3,363.36 L |
| Briarhollow Dr. | 1 | $7.22 |
| Bur Oak Dr. | 1 | $1,353.08 L |
| Elm Spring Ct. | 1 | $131.38 L |
| Fir Harbor Ct. | 2 | $3,431.48 L |
| Hackberry Branch Dr. | 0 | $0.00 |
| Mapleleaf Falls Dr. | 2 | $1,122.94 L |
| Maxwell Creek Dr. | 1 | $394.32 L |
| Oak Brook Ln. | 3 | $5,979.21 F L |
| Woodhaven Ct. | 2 | $209.51 L |
| Woodstream Ln. | 2 | $864.37 L |
| Total | 18 | $16,856.87 |
Quick News
The Allen Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will be held on Friday, November 30 at 7:00PM. The Christmas tree is a 35 feet tall with more than 20,000 lights, and there are an additional 40,000 lights in other surrounding displays.
The Allen Rotary Christmas Parade 2007 will be held on Sunday, December 2 at 2:00PM starting at the intersection of Cedar & St. Mary in downtown Allen.
Don't want to fight the holiday crowd to see Santa? Register today to come have your picture taken with Santa with little hustle and bustle! City staff will take your child's picture with Santa and give you a holiday frame to display it! Wednesday, December 12, 12:00PM-2:00PM in the meeting room at Joe Farmer Recreation Center. The cost is $5 per child. Call (214) 509-4750 to get signed up!
Come have lunch with Santa as he takes a break from his toy shop and refuels for the day. Children will be provided lunch and parents can bring their cameras to get a picture of the kids sitting with Santa. Thursday and Friday, December 13 & 14, 11:30AM-12:30PM. The cost is $8 per child. Register today by calling (214) 509-4750 because space is limited for a spot on Santa's guest list!
Kroger gives you back 5 cents for each grocery bag you bring back and reuse from previous shopping trips! You just have to remind them to take it off your bill.
Classifieds
Holding a garage sale? Cleaning out the attic? Kids growing out of clothes? Run an ad! Most advertisements are free for homeowners!
Want to Advertise?
View all of the the advertising options available on the HOA web site at http:// www.maxwellcreek.org /contact /advertising/ for more information!Committee Updates
Architecture Committee
Several homeowners have asked us for the names reputable painters and handymen for repair and repainting, as many homeowners have found that their siding and fascia boards are in need of replacement and painting. We're trying to collect names for distribution next spring, so if you've had any work done and want to spread the word (good or bad), let us know!
The chairperson of the Architecture committee is Robert Butler.
Landscape Committee
The winter annuals (a mix of annual color including Snapdragon, Pansy, Cabbage, and Viola's) were planted about two weeks ago, we hope you find them enjoyable. The soil was amended with a heavy dose of blood meal for plant health and as an "attempt" to thwart rabbit activity in the area.
We are planning to have tulip bulbs planted for the spring, and are finalizing plans for revitalizing the center median on Maxwell Creek Dr. after so many plants died in the drought last year / this spring.
The chairperson of the Landscape committee is Stephanie Butler.
Social Committee
The neighborhood garage sale was held on Saturday, October 13th, and we've heard some reports of large sales going on, with several people on Woodstream making over $200 each. If you have any information you'd like to share about your garage sale experience or useful tips to spread for use next spring, let us know!
The neighborhood Halloween kick-off party was held on Saturday, October 27th, and there were about 50 children and their families in attendance.
There aren't any events scheduled until next spring, although we are always open to ideas! Please contact us if you're interested in volunteering!
The chairperson of the Social committee is Yesika Fletcher.
HOA Contact Information
The Home Owners Association and its agents may be contacted in several ways:
- Through the HOA web site, at http://www.maxwellcreek.org/,
- By emailing the officers of the HOA, at officers@maxwellcreek.org,
- By emailing the HOA management company, at maxwellcreek@hoa-management.com or management@maxwellcreek.org,
- By calling or faxing the HOA at (972) 739-5221.
- Through U.S. postal mail at:
Villages at Maxwell Creek HOA
P.O. Box 2265
Allen, TX 75013
We welcome any questions, comments, or concerns you may have. Please include your name and street address on all correspondence in order to expedite a response. Please allow two business days for your call or message to be returned.
Is there anything that you've wished to know more about or is there something you would like to share with other association members? If you want to suggest a topic, write an article, make a suggestion or even correct a mistake, please contact us at newsletter@maxwellcreek.org!