Villa Marbella Homeowners Association

August 2000 Newsletter

Sep 09, 2000

Villa Marbella Condos
3140 and 3142 Midway Drive,
San Diego, California 92110

Quarterly NEWSLETTER
August 2000


Fumigation Completed! By most accounts, it was Villa Marbella's most difficult job ever. Terminex fumigated the A & B Buildings for termites Monday July 17 through Wednesday July 19. Everybody and all cars were out for over 48 hours. No serious problems were encountered, and hopefully the termites are all gone. Report any damage (or termite sightings) to the Manager immediately. Terminex had to bag some items in some condos before the fumigation, and separate billings on that work may be sent to the applicable owners.

Albert Leggs Resigns From HOA Board; Gabe Schmera Appointed. Albert Leggs, who was HOA President for nine years, from when he was first elected to the Board in April 1991, until May 2000, resigned as of June 22nd in a letter to the HOA. Mr. Leggs said it was his pleasure to have served on the Board during years of projects such as remodeling and reroofing. In the letter, he cited his shift work and overtime schedule conflict with the monthly meetings.
Gabe Schmera, an owner in the A-Building, who works as a software programmer, was appointed to fill the vacancy in the Board's July meeting. Mr. Schmera was also appointed to the position of 2nd Vice President.

Be Careful Driving Out !! A recent serious accident on the sidewalk where the driveway meets Midway Drive, not only is very unfortunate, but it puts the view-obstructing wall and bushes in jeopardy. Avoid accidents!! STOP before you drive out onto the sidewalk. Then, creep (i.e., barely move) until your car blocks the sidewalk, looking to the RIGHT to stop for people on the sidewalk. Then, drive into the street.

Condo Sales Prices Reach New Highs. Sales of Villa Marbella condos have been brisk and moving up to ever higher prices. One condo sold in March for $97.5K, breaking the previous high of $95.5K that was reached in October 1991. During July and August of this year, two condos have gone into escrow (and are still in escrow at press time) after being listed for over $100K (one was $105K). Even at those prices, they were overbid.

Electricity Bills Skyrocket. Along with the rest of San Diego, the HOA's electric bill doubled in July, making electricity the HOA's most expensive bill.

Parking Lot Repairs And Seal Being Planned. The HOA is now getting bids to repair & seal the parking lot asphalt. It's been 3 years since the previous asphalt work.

Carpeting May Be Required. Responding to growing complaints about noise heard in some condos below those which replaced carpeting with tile or wood floors, the HOA Board has been contemplating a revision in the rule about noise. The new Rule wording being discussed would require carpeting in 2nd and 3rd floor condos.

Inspection of Garden Windows and Termite Damage. The HOA Board recently approved an inspection of garden windows and termite damage. Much or most of the inspection will probably be done from the outside. But, people who would like an interior inspection should request it from the Manager immediately. Interior inspection or other notification to the Manager is recommended for people who are concerned about windows that leak during rains.

Landlords: Beware of New Phone Service! Some new renters who want to be connected to Pacific Bell have gotten big shocks lately. Pacific Bell charges about $120 to reconnect! What is happening is Cox Cable is luring people to switch to Cox by offering low rates and low connection fees, but when service is terminated, they will not reconnect Pacific Bell. Further compounding the problem is that new renters have no idea how or where connections are made, and have been telling HOA people that "the building wiring is bad". Recommendation: Include a clause in rental leases about phone service.

Car Washing Is Prohibited in the parking lot per the Rules. Why? Because soap & water damage the asphalt, soap/water get on nearby cars, & washing may be noisy.

Pool Pump Room Gas To Be Vented. The HOA Board approved modification of the pool pump room to enclose the gas vent in that room, and open the enclosure to the outside air. The pool service has noticed the smell of natural gas in the room.

20 Years Ago: August 1980. The HOA CC&Rs and Bylaws were filed with the County Clerk. Villa Marbella Apartments, which had been renting since January, closed later in the year for some renovations.

15 Years Ago - August 1985. Jim Hamilton was President. Peter Haas of Strom Management was the property manager. Water from an irrigation system next to the Scandia Plaza was causing water leakage into the Plaza stores. The irrigation system was shut down and landscaping was eventually removed. In September, the 1st walk-through with reps of an attorney was done, eventually leading to a lawsuit against the developer. Monthly dues were $91. Bank balance: $22.4K. 2 BR condo prices: $70K-$75K.

10 Years Ago - August 1990: Hallway painting was completed, and maroon-colored carpeting was just installed. Water cutoff valves, one for each building, were to be installed. Later it was discovered (remembered) that there are cutoff valves for each water heater. Monthly dues: $105. Bank balance: $169K. 2BR condo prices: $70K to $80K.

5 Years Ago - August 1995:. Albert Leggs was HOA President and Little & Sons were property managers. Doors in the elevator halls were painted to match the color of the new vinyl wallcoverings that were put up in late 1994. Dues: $120 per month. Bank balance was $122K. 2BR condo prices: $62K to $75K.

1 Year Ago - August 1999: Fumigation dates were tentatively set, and final meetings with contractors were held. New carpet, a dark teal color called "Slumbering Pine", was installed in July. Linoleum was installed near the trash chutes. Dues: $137. Bank balance: $134K. 2BR condo prices: $85K-$90K, typically.

August 1, 2000: Bank balance: $130K 2 BR condo prices continue moving upwards, with two condos in escrow between $100K-$110K. Rental prices continue moving upwards, with rents around $900-$950 per month, and one reportedly rented over $1000.

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

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