QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What Is a Community Association?
It is a mandatory, non-stock, non-profit, corporation. The purpose of your Association is the preservation of economic value within your neighborhood through architectural controls and deed restrictions. In addition, your Association provides quality of life services that may include recreational activities, social programming, and maintenance of the common area. A Board of Directors, elected by the Voting Members, operating under the legal documents, which established the association, governs your Association. In order to meet its required duties, your Association is empowered to enforce the community documents, as well as collect necessary fees and assessments to sustain services.

What Are 'Deed Restrictions' And Why Do We Have Them?
Deed restrictions are important rules governing your responsibilities as a member of your Association. They are also set up to protect your rights as a homeowner. The Architectural Controls are not established to stifle creativity, but rather to assure that integrity of the original community design is preserved. Most homeowner's move into a community because they approve of the architectural style and general appearance of a community - Deed restrictions help insure your community will always remain as nice as the day you moved. You should have been furnished with a copy of the Declaration (which contains all restrictions) by the title company upon the closing of your home, or by Capital Consultants Management Corporation. If you have not received a copy and would like to, please contact your CCMC property manager to request a copy.

May I Make Improvements To My Property?
Yes, in general you may do whatever you desire to the interior of your home. For exterior changes to your home (depending on the nature of change or addition) the Association usually has one or more committees charged with approval responsibility. This will usually involve submitting a modification request to the approving association entity (Modification Committee, New Construction Committee, Architectural Review Board or Board of Directors). This approval assures not only the beauty of your home, but also a consistency within the community. All modification and new construction forms are available from your manager.

What Can The Association Do to Correct A Violation Of The Deed Restrictions?
Enforcement remedies are granted to the association by the governing legal documents and each Board of Directors adopts an enforcement policy containing specific courses of action. Generally, violation letters are sited during routinely scheduled inspection of the community. Based upon policy established by your Board of Directors, violation notices are sent to residents of the violation dwelling and asking their cooperation in correcting the problem. If the violation is not corrected within the time frame specified, the association may hire someone to correct the violation and charge the property owner with the costs to cure or, the association may hire an attorney and file suit against the owner. The Board of Directors has the responsibility and the duty to enforce deed restrictions, this is not optional.

How Much Is the Assessment And What Is It Spent For?
The assessment for your community is set on an annual basis. Your Board of Directors approves a budget for the Association based on operating history, an evaluation of the needs of the community and adequate reserves. Depending upon specific needs of your community, assessments are used for various services that may include security, trash pick?up, landscape contracting, audit, and insurance maintaining recreational facilities as well as the accounting and administration of the Association.

Can The Assessment Be Increased?
Yes, however, in the case of the general assessment the Board of Directors controls by the declaration, as well as increases. Assessments are usually projected to incorporate sufficient reserves and operating expenses for the day-to-day operation of the community, and future capital improvements, without the need for special assessments.

What Happens If Someone Doesn't Pay The Assessment?
Assessments are the lifeblood of your Association and as such, are secured by a lien on each lot and/or home. If not paid, they are subject to interest, collection costs and ultimately may be foreclosed by the Association. If the Association must spend its time and money to collect your assessment, it will harm the Association and eventually all other owners.

What If I Have A Question Regarding My Charges?
Unless there is an emergency, it is best to address your concerns in writing to Capital Consultants Management Corporation, attention accounts receivable. If you have supporting documentation, cancelled checks, etc., include front and back copies of these with your correspondence. If time is of the essence, we will attempt to research your request over the phone. We attempt to be 100 percent accurate in our invoicing, however if you have an error, we want to research and correct as soon as possible.

Does My Mortgage Company Pay My Assessments?
Most mortgage companies no longer escrow for annual assessments. Do not assume that they do. Before sending your statement to them, call and verify that they do escrow for your homeowner's assessment. It is your responsibility to make sure assessments are timely.

What Can I Do To Help My Association?
Our goal is to use the Association to build a Community. Community building requires active participation and involvement. Become involved? serve on the Board. head up a committee, lend your talent where it will be most useful.

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