Villa Marbella Homeowners Association

November 2000 Issue

Nov 25, 2000

Villa Marbella Condos Quarterly NEWSLETTER
3140 and 3142 Midway Drive, November 2000
San Diego, California 92110


HOA Monthly Fees to Go Up. -- At the October HOA Board meeting, items on the 2001 Budget were discussed for 2 hours. An increase was approved in monthly assessments to $155 effective January 1st. The 8% increase from $143, permitted by a state law which allows an increase modestly above the CC&R limit of 5%, was not unanimous, but the entire Board agreed that a 5% increase would have been insufficient to match the increased expenses cited in the 2001 budget.

Low-Flow and Other Water Conservation. -- Water and sewer will cost the HOA about $36,000 in 2001, about 25% of the operating budget. Water & sewer costs were singled out as the easiest expense to reduce. So, conservation methods were strongly recommended by the HOA Board in its October meeting. Be sure toilets & showers are low-flow. Fix all leaks in your condo, and report leaks you hear or see in other places to Manager.

Join Budget & Finance Committee! -- Owners interested in the HOA budget are urged to join the Budget & Finance Committee. A couple hours a year reviewing and evaluating the budget & expenses could lead to big savings. To join, call the Manager or come to a meeting.

Annual Meeting in April. - Want to be on Board? Tell Mgr.

Fire Hazards Acute During Holidays. - Along with the delight and joy they bring, Christmas trees bring problems in Villa Marbella. Of primary concern is fire. If you buy a tree, get as small a tree as you can, and keep water in its mounting basin. Avoid candles and flames, especially near the tree. When the needles get crisp, the fire danger is much worse. Think SAFETY!

Also, Test Your Smoke Detectors!

Dispose of the tree promptly and properly. Disposal of trees in the dumpsters is not authorized, unless you break the tree up and put the pieces in sealed bags.

Farewell To Schickers. - We will miss George and Minnie Schicker, who recently sold their A-Bldg condo and moved to Florida. They were active in HOA matters, serving as "Impartial Ballot Counters" at many annual meetings. (Their experience is needed in FL???) Minnie originally moved here in 1980, buying her condo under a plan in which rent was used for down payment. She lived at Villa Marbella longer than anyone else.

Congratulations to Dowells!! - Mike & Shelly Dowell recently became one of the precious few who have ever bought a condo here after renting. Mike was a handyman here for some time. They lived here for several years, and bought an A-Bldg unit near where their rental was.

Condo Sales Prices Pass $100K!! - Rental Prices Continue Up. Sales and rentals of Villa Marbella condos have clearly moved into new price territory, the first major increase since highs were hit in the early 1990s. Sales prices of at least 2 condos have rocketed past the $100,000 hurdle; one reportedly sold for 120K! About half of the recent rentals have similarly crossed a major round-numbered threshold: $1000 a month! Regarding rentals, an unusually wide spread in recent rental prices (from $950 per month to $1100 per month) may be due to continued record low vacancy rates in San Diego. Villa Marbella's sale and rent prices have only gone up an average 2.2% per year over the past twenty years (including periods when they went down). Since the end of the last downturn in February 1997, prices have gone up an average of 12% per year.

Tell the Manager - Little & Sons (619-298-9973) - about noise & rule violations, common area maintenance problems, names of new residents, building keys, directory listings, and similar items. Contact your condo's owner for problems inside your condo.

Keep Doors Closed! - Building entry doors are supposed to be locked to keep unauthorized people out. Unlocking or propping them open is a violation of HOA rules. Recent incidents of doors propped open is resulting in letters of violation to some owners.

Elevator Problems: - Call Manager as soon as possible after a problem is noticed, leaving your name & number, or the problem can't be properly described to repairmen.

Carpeting Strongly Recommended. - Too much noise has been heard in some condos below those which replaced carpeting with tile or wood floors. So, the HOA Board has "strongly recommended that 2nd and 3rd floor condos have carpeting for floor covering in main floor areas, as opposed to hard surfaced flooring."

Pool Pump Room Modified. - A small enclosure around a gas vent now opens directly to the outside air. The work was done by HOA handyman Ron Stachewicz.

15 Years Ago - November 1985: Door closures for several fire doors were installed. Bids were obtained for carport lights. Wood siding on the buildings and fences was painted. Monthly dues were $91. Bank balance: $28.8K. 2 BR condo prices: $70K-$75K.

10 Years Ago - November 1990: Osborne Crews was HOA president. Management was by JDR Accounting Service (Mona and Dale Leibiwitz). A representative from J.W. Jones Company, the developer who was trying to sell his remaining condos, strongly asked the Board to approve fidelity bond insurance. The fidelity insurance was subsequently purchased. Monthly dues: $105. Bank balance: $151K. 2BR condo prices: $70K to $80K.

5 Years Ago - November 1995: The Board imposed a flat $50/month fee on any condo with a cat or dog exceeding the pet limit in the CC&Rs. Dues: $120 per month. Bank balance was $98K. 2BR condo prices: $68K to $78K.

1 Year Ago - November 1999: Albert Leggs was HOA President and Little & Sons were property managers. Terminex was selected to fumigate the buildings on July 17-19, 2000. Residents were asked to limit their speed to 3 mph in the driveways. Dues: $137. Bank balance: $130K. 2BR condo prices: $85K-$95K, typically.

November 1, 2000: - Bank balance: $110K 2 BR condo prices roared upwards, with recent sales about $110K. Rental prices continue moving upwards, with vacancies now being rented for about $1000 per month.

SUBMIT ITEMS FOR NEWSLETTER TO HOA SECRETARY, 224-3095.

MANAGEMENT: LITTLE & SONS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, (HELEN & DAN LITTLE), (619) 298-9973. Little & Sons office is at 411 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 201, San Diego CA 92108; e-mail is "dglittle@littleandsons.com"

HOA Website: http://www.neighborhoodlink.com