Bella Vista

Right on schedule I see in my online banking this morning. A payment of $125 has been made for the 2nd quarter of this year. It's nice not having to worry 'bout writing a check and addressing an envelope and putting a stamp on it to mail it. Lots of things used to go wrong with that old method of doing business. The mail delivery would get lost, I never knew how much postage to use as it could have changed or I couldn't find an envelope anywhere in the house.

I recommend everyone sign up for this. It's easy. Just call West Coast Management & Realty and ask to sign up for ACH dues payments or auto payment for each quarter. ACH is Automatic Clearing House in case you couldn't remember or didn't know.

West Coast Realty & Management 813-908-0766.

Did I mention this already? Sign up for the ACH auto dues payment method if you haven't. Most haven't. Last time I checked there were only six residents doing this. I added myself to the list. The bank won't fail you on this.

Did you know that the bylaws state that the association can charge interest on late dues? They haven't been doing this but I'm going to suggest they get on the stick with this. The management company has been sending out letters within 30 days after the dues are late now. They're not waiting around like in the past and letting people slide year after year. Once it reaches so many days late the attorney will send a letter. After that a lien will be slapped on your property. After that it's foreclosure time. Did you know that the board had foreclosed on a homeowner once in the recent past? $125 every quarter is a small price to pay to live in a nice community, folks. Don't screw up is all I'm saying.

Okay, here it is in black and white.  http://bit.ly/jk6D0B

That link will take you to the Bella Vista Convenants which spells out the rules of the community.

Article V - Convenant for Maintenance and Operations Assessments

Section 8. - Effect of nonpayment Assessment; Remedies of Association

If the assessments are not paid within 30 days after the date when due, then such assessment shall become delinquent and shall, together with such interest thereon and the costs of collection thereof, including attorneys' fees, as hereinafter provided, thereon become a continuing lein on the property so assessed, which shall bind such property in the hands of the Owner, his heirs, devises, personal representatives, successors and assigns.

If the assessment is not paid within 30 days after the date when due, the assessment shall bear interest from the date when due at the rate of 18% per annum, provided, however, in no event shall this interest rate exceed the maxiumu allowable by law, and the assocation may bring an action at law against the Owner personally obligated to pay the same or or may record a claim of lien against the lot or may foreclose the lien against the Lot, or pursue one or more or such remedies at the same time or successively, and there shall be added to the amount of such assessment, and recoverable by the Association, the costs of collection of same, including but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees and the cost of preparing and filing the claim of lien and the complaint in any such action. Additionally, in the event a judgement is obtained, such judgement shall include interest on the assessment as provided hereinabove and costs of collection and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred in any appeal of such action, to be fixed by the court, together with the costs of the action.

There you have it. I just love reading over these bylaws and covenants from time to time. It keeps me straight in playing by the rules. I hope I've helped you understand this one, what I consider an important part of our covenants.