[GPGuar]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Gracie's concerns are very legitimate. I have been on boards of two different public unit developments that pahsed from the developer to the residents. The single biggest problem is in fact dealing with folks who want this, that or the other thing purchased, built, added, bought or done away with. They have no regard for funding what so ever and like the government they don't care or are concerned.

I was the budget watchdog. I got so many personal contacts, calls, threats, offers at home at all hours of the day or night from both for and against the same projects/wants. Eventually I was over ruled by the board on a couple of major additions to amenities that required new construction. The budget would not support it....then there were future monthly amenity fee increases assumed to make the numbers come out. Lobbying by special interests within the community.....

I can assure you regardless the resident talent within a given community, the politics and problems far outweigh the sanity of reality. One of the boards I eventually wound up resigning from as they were driven by a philosophy of it did not matter if proposals wer without funding, they proceded anyway. Eventually there was an uprising in the resident membership when too many assesments were being levied for too many projects that were not for the good of the resident owned and operated developement.

Keeping the developer involved should not be a negative. The Villages run by residents may sound good, but it will be frought with issues and problems the developer does not have as they for the most part while protecting the interests of the developer are tuned to provide for the most part for the good of the majority.

Beware what you wish for!

btk