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Check your mail for information about Southernwalk HOA.

Discussion in 'Southern Walk Announcements' started by Chsalas, May 31, 2017.

  1. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    Southern Walk Residents: Check your mail for information about changes to your Southern Walk assessment, progress being made to expand telecommunications options for the community, and answers to your Frequently Asked Questions.
     
  2. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    There is a mistake in the letter---I invite you to read the 1st paragraph of the cover letter as well as last paragraph on the 1st page of the FAQ.

    These two do not jibe together....there's a disconnect right there.
     
  3. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    It might be helpful for discussion purposes to include the specifics you are referencing. Just want to make sure we are all on the same page.

    thanks...
     
  4. PDILLM

    PDILLM Well-Known Member

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    The first paragraph of the letter says we are going from $45 a month to $100 a month where the FAQ says we are going to $45 a month. From what it looks like, the FAQ was written prior to the increase to $45 and was not updated when it was increased to $100.

    Just my $0.02, I just want the SouthernWalk HOA to go away. I'm afraid if it doesn't it will just continue to take $$$ forever. The last step of homeowner choice is the dissolution of the SW HOA.
     
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  5. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    I agree with you that SouthernWalk HOA should just go away....because I am tired of throwing away $$$ just for a "middleman" HOA to deal with cable/TV/Phone. If they do NOT go away after the short term contract with the next cable company, We may just simply sell the house to move to a neighborhood in Ashburn that doesn't have a second HOA. This is the first home we've had that has TWO HOAs. Ridiculous throwing away so much money- I have several friends that are realtors and they REFUSE to take their clients to Broadlands South because of the Second HOA. They knew very well about the lawsuits.....and they heard about what was going on with SouthernWalk and didn't want to risk damaging their professional reputations by selling them homes in Southern Walk area where lawsuits are ongoing within the HOA/Community/OpenBand. Can't say I blame them for that....
     
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  6. Jeddie Busch

    Jeddie Busch Member

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    Southern Walk or Broadlands South is actually a very desirable community in spite of any HOA issues. I just sold a gorgeous single family home in Park Glen in less than a week at over 98% of list price and there was zero mention of HOA issues. ZERO. Home buyers want to be in a great community that funnels into Briar Woods High School. No one I work with refuses to show homes in Southern Walk and I sell 30 homes a year.

    If you have issues with the HOA please consider asking them how you can help. Just my .02.
     
  7. GenericEric

    GenericEric Member

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    It's quite possible we're just picky (I'm not being sarcastic) but the sub-HOA was a factor when we purchased three years ago in Broadlands. If we had found our dream home in Broadlands South we would have gotten past it, but there was nothing about the situation that was desirable, and homes were available north of Waxpool (which is where we ultimately ended up). It does look like steps are being made to un-do a bad situation, but then one does have to ask, when that is finalized and any legal ramifications are resolved, if any point to the SW HOA remains.
     
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  8. JAGMAN

    JAGMAN Member

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    "It does look like steps are being made to un-do a bad situation, but then one does have to ask, when that is finalized and any legal ramifications are resolved, if any point to the SW HOA remains.[/QUOTE]"

    Spot on!
     
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  9. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    Look... as most of you know or can see, I am relatively active on these forums, and have lived here in SWOA since 2005. If you just rely upon this forum or the occasional letter/faq from the HOA then you really are only getting about 30% of the details. I know it can be hard to attend an HOA meeting... but you really should try. If you show up, you will get answers and details to every one of these questions and concerns. Believe me, I have had the same concerns and questions.

    It is hard to post all the information here...and I believe the Board when they say (on multiple occasions) that they have no desire to "stay in business" any more than they have to. This is not a fun job but the community needs an HOA for the next couple of years. And as a reasonably active/interested resident, I will be watching every step they take closely. I expressed my concerns directly when it comes to entering into another "bulk billing" arrangement. But honestly, when you see the data/costs and understand what will likely happen with other providers coming to Southern Walk once we have the easement purchased... it really does make sense to try and work out a limited deal for the community. We are negotiating from a position of strength.

    After we get the community wired and up and running for a few years....then the HOA we will be at a point where we can talk exit strategy. Homeowners will be left on their own and if more than one provider has connected some cable...maybe they will have another choice. But if we let Comcast come at their own speed and with RG6 cable....don't expect anything quickly and don't expect internet speeds as fast as you get now. If we enter into an agreement there will be performance and delivery benchmarks.

    If anyone wants to call me I can share/explain more - from a concerned homeowner perspective. Just PM me. Just trying to get us on the same page...
     
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  10. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    Why must it be Comcast? What about Verizon FIOS? Or did Verizon pass us up?
     
  11. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    Both Comcast and Verizon have a franchise license to provide telecommunications services... Comcast typically being the default option. We would be able to receive services from both once the easement is open. I mention them because my understanding is that they would be the likely vendor to serve our portion of the community once homeowners make requests. And as it stands now, Verizon is offering a much better package deal for the Community... but that was as of a month or two ago.
     
  12. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    I prefer Verizon over Comcast more because I hear customer service with Comcast S.U.C.K.S. -- I've had Verizon FIOS and really liked their services better--- too many of my friends have been complaining about Comcast and how they treat their customers.
     
  13. I Hate SWHOA

    I Hate SWHOA Member

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    If you read the document that we all signed when we moved in it clearly states the role of SWHOA:

    "The sole purpose of this association is to enforce the “HOA” contract with Open Band, and the mandatory monthly assessment from Southern Walk homeowners as well as approving price increases at their sole discretion."

    Since we NO LONGER have a "mandatory monthly assessment" for Open Band, I see no reason for the SWHOA to exist, and I definitely do not feel they are qualified to negotiate a new telecom deal in Southern walk nor do I support them in doing so. I do not plan to pay one more dime to them until they can explain what value add they provide to me. I also wonder what they have spent all our past money on since we can not see the financials of what they have spent in the past "in our best interest"
     
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  14. T. H.

    T. H. New Member

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    I agree with I Hate SWHOA about not paying any more. What would happen if we stop? would they cancel my OB service? I'm not sure why we are all still paying them, I agreed to pay them to manage the contract with OB and SW residents, that contract does not exist anymore and I'm damn sure I did not sign anything about paying them to make sure more service providers come into the neighborhood. So SWHOA I have one question for you ... WHAT am I GETTING for my money?
     
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  15. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    You need to read the by-laws... that is what governs the operation of the HOA. And I hope you make yourself attend a meeting or contact the HOA... complaining here is not going to get you anywhere. And if you ask, you can get copies of the financial documents too. I am all for constructive criticism... but for now, your single post is just venting. And if you stop paying, you will go into collections. And if you continue to not pay, you can end up with a mortgage lien that hangs over your house too that had to be paid at the settlement table....damage to your credit.

    And right now, the vast majority of your payment is going to a collection to pay for the exclusivity easement that we are going to purchase from Openband for 1 million... then our payments go back to something minimal after the first of the year.
     
  16. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    If the argument is you need a bulk deal to get a provider to take the plunge and build in the community... how does this bring any competition to the community? Or help with an exit strategy that includes more than one vendor? You have the same situation all over.

    You just have one vendor who again is looking to recoup 'special' costs within a captive audience .
     
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  17. shim

    shim shim

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    Refund checks?
     
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  18. Zeratul

    Zeratul Well-Known Member

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    No, we don't need a bulk contract deal in order to get a provider. Comcast will have to connect to our community at some point. How fast they do it and with what technology is another question. As they have indicated so far... we would likely get RG6 cable (the standard). Internet speeds for that are somewhat limited (possibly 25mb). There is no guarantee that Verizon would even come...and it they did, it would not be quick. IF we go with a limited deal (I think 3-5 years) then we get guaranteed service, set prices that are deeply discounted, deals on equipment and service benchmarks that are part of the contract. Yes the HOA would have to manage the contract and guarantee payment. But the technology and service will guarantee that homeowners have a reasonable option in the near future that is predictable and far better than what they are getting now. After the deal is done... then the community is either on its own or they get the HOA to enter into a new agreement. The HOA does not have the authority to enter into a long term contract.

    But NO we do not NEED a contract to get service at some point in the future after easement purchase. I think it is a better alternative... just my opinion.
     
  19. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    Zeratul - you seem to be much more versed in this than most. Maybe you can answer.
    How can the SWHOA, which was setup to SOLELY to manage the Openband contract have by-laws to exist outside of said contract? Have these by-laws always been part of the contract or could they have been added unilaterally by a previous SWHOA board?
     
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  20. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    Agree with you, T8erman....but the Financial documents are NOT going to tell anyone WHAT the legal fees were for and WHY the funds were spend. In other words, the funds that were spent could be for reasons we all would NEVER know only but to the Board members. This isn't exactly transparency as far as some may see....Just my .02 here.
     
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