North Creek Village

It was very encouraging to get Curry's informational packet in today's mail and to see landscape crews at work weeding, trimming and adding mulch to the common area, as well as a professional pool company at work starting repair to the pool.  Things are looking better already!

I especially appreciated Alesia Crawford's (the new property manager from Curry) upbeat, friendly, optimistic letter in which she outlines specific things that are going to be addressed, as well as names and numbers of Curry's contact people and datelines for completion of work.

Hopefully, with new management and definite plans for improving the community, residents who haven't paid their dues will step up to the plate and begin paying them.  We have all had a sour taste in our mouths over increasing dues and decreasing amenities over the years. 

I think we can now put negative things in the past and move forward with renewed optimism and trust that our community will be returned to its original concept of a clean, decent, friendly place to live with the benefit of amenities usually found in more expensive neighborhoods. 

Maybe I should change my nickname from Worried Homeowner to Optimistic Homeowner.  How does everyone else feel about this? 

Well since you asked for my opinion, I'll go ahead and throw it out there.

For me, It's hard to overlook the $1700+ a year we will be paying in dues. How much of that is going to Curry Management directly as administrative fees? What's this talk about having to pay back dues? They already stated to expect them to go up in 2011. That's sickening.

Is it really worth it to you to have a controlling presence in the neighborhood that has to approve each and everything you do to your house? Are you really not capable of securing your own lawn care or Heaven Forbid you actually mow your own lawn. Is it really important to you to have a clubhouse?

Worried Homeowner, do you mind picking up my tab for the HOA dues each month? By the sounds of things, you don't mind the out of pocket cost. Maybe I should change my nickname from Almost Broke KC to Completely Broke KC.

I am agreeing with Almost Broke KC on the lawn care issue. It seems that having each individual lawn "cared" for is going to be alot of the budget. I would personally prefer to mow and treat my own lawn, especially since every lawn crew has ruined my front yard by mowing when the ground is still wet..leaving huge marks from the ride on mowers. Now that Curry is involved whoever does not keep there lawn up to standards will be notified and fees will apply, as well as getting the city involved. Hopefully the lawn charges will be broken down so we can see whaevery yard costs and homeowners will have a choice on whether or not they would like to mow their own yard.

Well, I'll try to respond to both of you.  It amazes me that you bought into this community knowing there would be HOA dues and now are outraged that HOA dues exist. 

I think you have a valid point, however, about mowing and caring for our own lawns.  Maybe some arrangement could be made where dues are reduced if you take care of your own lawn.  That would be great.  On the other hand, what about people who would say they never use the fitness center or the pool...would their dues also be reduced accordingly? 

Yes, it is worth it to me to have a well cared for, attractive community.  Who would care for the common grounds otherwise?  Up to now, they have been overgrown in unsightly weeds and untrimmed bushes, with the overall appearance starting to look really rundown and seedy as you enter the area.  Is that what you would prefer?  Do you ever use the pool?  Wouldn't you like it to be clean, safe and free of debris and trespassers who would trash it and tear it up?  Would you rather the sidewalk and street on N. Pomona Ave as you drive into the area collapse due to washout?  Does any of that matter to you?  Well, guess what...it costs money.

Maybe you would be happier living somewhere without any amenities, where no cares what it looks like, with no attention to consistent upkeep.  If that's how you feel, you need to live in an area where there is nothing provided for residents and everybody is on their on to keep the neighborhood up and looking nice.  That's your choice.  As long as we are dealing with the reality of HOA dues and the amenities provided, I'm all for having a professional property management company ensuring that we have a clean, safe, attractive pool, clubhouse, fitness center, free from vandals and trespassers and streets that won't cave in.  As far as lawn maintenance, hopefully this time around we'll have a crew that doesn't ruin lawns, mow down plants, rip holes in the siding and to a halfass job of mowing and weed trimming.  This has been a real problem in the past, and a bad taste in your mouth is hard to remove.

Given the fact that we are bound by restrictions, covenants, HOA dues, etc. when we bought into this community, all I want is my money's worth and we haven't had that for a number of years now. 

Why don't both of you try to look on the positive side of the changes that are being made?