YOUR HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

The Cascades at Estero Homeowners’ Association is made up of the owners of 614 lots. Each home is entitled to one (1) vote at any General Meeting of the Association. Being a member of the Association is not an option and is a condition of sale with-in the Cascades at Estero community. The seller of a Cascades home is required to disclose any and all Association documents, guidelines and fees to the potential buyer. This is done by obtaining a Resale Package from our management agent.

The Homeowners’ annual assessment is paid quarterly, which is presently $905.00 per quarter or $3,620.00 for 2010.

As a resident of the Cascades at Estero, you are provided by the Homeowners Association with the following amenities: A 28,000 square foot grand community clubhouse which includes a covered veranda, six lighted Har-Tru tennis courts with an on site tennis pro and pro shop. A resort style heated indoor / outdoor swimming pool, two bocce courts, fitness center with separate aerobics and exercise rooms featuring state of the art equipment, spa area with saunas and showers, staffed gatehouse with electronic gate arms, automatic water and sprinkler system for all properties including common areas, and Florida Power & Light streetlights throughout the community. Each home is equipped with a state of the art alarm system with contacts installed on all windows and doors.

These and many more amenities are provided to the residents of the Cascades.

2009 - 2010 Cascades at Estero Board of Directors

Name	Office	Term	Email Address
Pete Schofield (255)	President	2 year
Jackie Bull	Vice President	1 year	thunter692@aol.com
Kerin Dickinson (171)	Secretary	2 year
Vince Girard (314)	Treasurer	2 year
Rick Fried (300)	Director	2 year
Lee Lanfare	Director	1 year	leelanfare@embarqmail.com
Frank Rice	Director	1 year	mandate@naples.net

The Cascades board members are elected for a staggered two year term. New members are elected and the budget is approved at the annual community meeting each year. The Board of Directors meets on the Third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the ballroom. Residents are encouraged to attend board meetings and to get involved in their community by serving on a committee.

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We have moved Ruth Marie's Bird Articles to the
Cascades website's EVENT Page.

You can quickly reach that page by clicking here

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Article: Know Your Homeowner's Association
(This article is reprinted with permission from The Naples Daily News)

Developments usually have a homeowner’s association, with rules for living in that particular community that will make it a more attractive, quiet place.

HOA's assure neighbors will mow their lawns, won’t paint the house plaid, or put a car on blocks in the driveway.

An estimated 50 million people have made the choice to live in these privately governed neighborhoods. Nationally, homeowner’s associations’ number 249,000 and up to 8,000 new ones are created every year. However, as with anything in which you have a large investment, you should do your homework.

After all, when you buy a home with a homeowner’s association, you are agreeing to abide by the covenants, conditions and restrictions.

Restrictions may include the choice as to the color of repainting the house, pet sizes, placement of satellite dishes, what vehicles can be parked in the driveway and much more. If you plan to buy as an investment, and rent the place out, be aware that some associations have restrictions that allow you to rent only for a certain number of months. Ignoring the rules may result in fines.

Before purchasing the home, read the covenants, codes and restrictions to find out if you can live by them. If the documents are confusing, have an attorney go over them with you.

Find out as much as possible about the association. Talk to residents, board members, the property manager, and any others. Find out how the associated is managed, if most homeowners are satisfied with the board’s actions, and satisfied with the board’s actions, and how the rules are enforced. You should know if there is a property manager or management company and if most homeowners are satisfied – or not – with the management service.

As a homeowner, you have the right to review association records. Florida statutes require the association maintain records of bylaws, amendments, minutes of all meetings, insurance polices, contracts, membership list and other transactions. Upon written request, the associations must make the records available within 10 days of the request, or be fined.

You should know how much the dues are, if an increase is expected, the history of assessments and if any are expected in the future and service covered. You should also find out who is responsible for managing the association’s finances, and if there is sufficient money in the reserve accounts to cover contingent and anticipated expenses, maintenance and repairs.

A financial report must be provided to, or made available to, all homeowners, and you should review them.

It is important that you participate in association meetings and take an active role in the community. If your board tends to be out of line, it is up to the homeowners to rein it in and hold it accountable for its actions.

If you are unable to resolve a conflict through or with the association, you may seek relief through the courts, as officers and directors have a fiduciary duty to the homeowners, and must also enforce the rules.

A homeowner’s association can enhance your property values and promote harmony in the community. It is up to the homeowners to ensure the board stays on track.

Pictures on this page have been supplied by Joe Geoffroy, a Cascades resident, and have been Copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission.