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 $845.00 per quarter which is $3,380.00 for 2008.

A SPECIAL ASSESSMEN for security gates and security cameras was past by the board on March 23, 2007 with a 73% approval from the residents.   The first installment payment of $150.18 is due April 15, 2007 and the second installment will be due May 15, 2007.

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.

2008 - 2009 Cascades at Estero Board of Directors

Name	Office	Term	Email Address
Jack Stacy	President	1 year	jnstacy@comcast.net
Bob McDowell	Vice President	2 year	det390@yahoo.com
Gail Barry	Secretary	2 year	gailwbarry@comcast.net
Dan Rowe	Treasurer	1 year	dan@prefmtg.net
Tony Clese	Director	2 year	tonyclese@aol.com
Gary Haupt	Director	2 year	garyhaupt@comcast.net
Frank Rice	Director	1 year	maandpahen@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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PDF (Acrobat) files of our all homeowners documents have been created and are used on this web site to make it easier for Cascades residents to read or print either a whole document or a specific page as needed. Also provided on this page are two Florida State documents that pertain specifically to Homeowner's Associations, which are the 2006 Sunshine Manual and the 720 Florida Statues. Board minutes and monthly financial reports will also be included on this page as PDF files.

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat (PDF reader) on your computer, click here to download a free version.

Any article listed below is available by sending a email directly to the webmaster

Cascades at Estero Bylaws
Declaration of Restrictions - Articles I - VII
Declaration of Restrictions - Articles VIII - XIV
Declaration of Restrictions & Covenants
Declaration of Restrictions - Amendment dated 04/27/2006
Declaration of Restrictions - Third Amendment
2006 Florida Sunshine Manual
720 Florida Statutes on Homeowner's Associations

Rules on the New Real Estate (FOR SALE) signage

A special notice to residents that have been unable to find the following items:

Past Calendars
Past Gazette issues
Past Board meeting agendas (If we ever had one!)
Past Board minutes
Past Financial Statements

All you have to do is send me an email at info@cascadesatesterohoa.com
And I will send it back attached to your email within a couple of days.

FINANCIAL REPORTS (Three Months)

Financial Report - December 2007

Proposed Budget - Year 2008

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.

HOAs 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.