2010 Maintenance Fee Thread

[jerseygirl]

I'm in six different Starwood associations and I NEVER recall seeing a true BOD election sheet. I stopped returning my proxies years ago as they contain no information that allows me to make a valid decision.

With all my other timeshares, I receive:

• First, a solicitation -- everyone is welcome to run
• A BIO sheet with room for a position statement -- you return this if you want to run
• Then, with the annual meeting notice, we see all the BIO sheets and position statements and are able to make REAL choices

There's a lot of things I don't like about Starwood's management and administration. But, I think this is one of the most important, if not the most important, item that needs changed.

 

[DeniseM]

jerseygirl - do you think there could be a "non-advertised" way to get on the ballot? Like write-in candidates, or a petition system? It's unbelievable to me that it is legal for Starwood to hand pick the BOD.

 

[jerseygirl]

i wish I knew Denise. That can be my first assignment as "reader of the documents!" I'm tied up tomorrow, but will see if I can find language relating to the BOD on Monday.

 

[Tiggerman369]

My Bill Summary, BOD Changes

I have two weeks, each with a bill of:

160.36 - 2010 Master Assoc Assessment
410.93 - 2010 Apartment Ownership Assessment
$1,661.54 - 2010 Vacation Ownership Assessment
$ 113.53 - 2010 SVN Membership Fee
5.00 - 2010 ARDA-ROC-PAC Contribution (Optional)
--------------
$2351.36 - Total Due for the above

From my perspective, we can eliminate the Apartment Ownership Assessment, and the SVN Membership fee without effecting my usage. Then, with some reasonable managing, I'm guessing 200-300 in cost reduction on the 1661 are feasible, so lets' say we could save $700-$800 if we take back control.

Note when Starwood markets new units, they are only telling (based on my experience, and notes from others) customers of the $1,661 fee, and not of the other required fees. Deceptive? Of course. Fraudulent? Perhaps - I think so.

Of course they hand pick the Board members, but there is an area for "write-in" Candidates, and voting at the annual meeting is also an option. All votes must have a valid proxy, and have the representative at the meeting in person. A quorum is based on people and proxies in attendance at the meeting. This is what gives them complete control.

Now I haven't received a voting packet this year either, perhaps they are allowed to drop folks who don't vote off the mailings (?). They wrote and amend the by-laws, so anything is possible. Still, there is nothing they can do if we arrange for enough proxies, and attend the annual meeting to elect the Board of Directors we want. But, keep in mind, not every Director is up for election every year, this will require a sustained effort over 2-4 years.

Cheers.

 

[DeniseM]

There is some good info. about the process in this thread:

http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?p=624419

Here's another thread with the name of a Starwood Contact who trains and runs the BOD meetings, so might be a good contact re: the election process:

http://69.16.236.4/~tugbbsc/forums/showthread.php?t=85692

His email address would be Shawn.O'Brien@starwoodvo.com or maybe Shawn.OBrien@starwoodvo.com

 

[jerseygirl]

Good info Denise -- thanks!

 

[DeniseM]

I emailed Shawn O'Brien and he responded from his Blackberry that a candidate can be nominated at the BOD meeting. Hopefully, he will send me more info. when he is back in the office - he's out for the next 10 days.

 

[jerseygirl]

DavidnRobin for President at WSJ !!!
DeniseM for President at WKORV !!!

 

[gregb]

WKORV-N 2010 Maintenance Fees

WKORV-N 2010 Maintenance Fees

$ 165.83 - Master Association Assessment
$ 581.77 - Apartment Ownership Assessment
$1732.00 - Vacation Ownership Assessment
$ 113.53 - SVN Membership Fee
$ 5.00 - ARDA-ROC PAC Contribution
============================
$2598.13 - Total
$2479.60 - Total less SVN Membership and ARDA-ROC PAC contribution

Increase of $614.98 or 33% over 2009.
Much of the increase is due to increased property taxes and uncollected Maintenance Fees.

Per the glossy sheets included with the bill the following major items contributed to the increase.

$ 307.63 increase due to 2010 property tax increase
$ 215.77 increase due to uncollected MF in 2009 and increased reserve for uncollected MF in 2010
$ 119.35 increase due to short fall in 2009 budget, not clear if this includes the 2009 tax increase?
$ 44.76 increase due to reduced developer voluntary contributions.

$ 90.70 Decrease in utilities
$ 62.97 Decrease in operating expenses (housekeeping, front office, admin, security, etc)

Greg

 

[Bucky]

SBP - 1Br Dlx

2010 Operating Assessment $325.56
2010 Replacement Reserve 65.59
Total 391.15 (+21% Increase)

SBP - 2Br LO

2010 Operating Assessment $918.20
2010 Replacement Reserve 184.98
Total $1103.18

 

[rickandcindy23]

SBP - 1Br Dlx

2010 Operating Assessment $325.56
2010 Replacement Reserve 65.59
Total 391.15 (+21% Increase)

SBP - 2Br LO

2010 Operating Assessment $918.20
2010 Replacement Reserve 184.98
Total $1103.18

That is a huge increase on the lockout! I have been wondering when we would find out about SBP.

 

[Bucky]

Just got these in the mail yesterday and needless to say I was a little flabbergasted.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Just got these in the mail yesterday and needless to say I was a little flabbergasted.

$200 higher for the lockout for 2010! That's such a surprise to me. I hope the 2 bedroom standard doesn't have that kind of increase.

 

[DeniseM]

SBP - 1Br Dlx

2010 Operating Assessment $325.56
2010 Replacement Reserve 65.59
Total 391.15 (+21% Increase)

This must be an EOY deed?

 

[grgs]

$200 higher for the lockout for 2010! That's such a surprise to me. I hope the 2 bedroom standard doesn't have that kind of increase.

I imagine it would have the same percentage increase. I don't think they would have a higher percent increase on one unit type over another.

Glorian

 

[Bucky]

This must be an EOY deed?

Nope. Every year. Owned it for about six years now. Used to only be about $260 per year.

 

[DeniseM]

Nope. Every year. Owned it for about six years now. Used to only be about $260 per year.

Ok - nice low MF!

 

[Bucky]

Duh. Never thought about turning the bill over. Here's the whole low down on SBP:

$391.15 Dlx 1Br
$500.48 One Br
$712.03 Premium 1Br
$881.62 Two Bedroom
$1103.18 Lockoff

Sorry I didn't catch that earlier.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Duh. Never thought about turning the bill over. Here's the whole low down on SBP:

$391.15 Dlx 1Br
$500.48 One Br
$712.03 Premium 1Br
$881.62 Two Bedroom
$1103.18 Lockoff

Sorry I didn't catch that earlier.

2009 FEE COMPARISON:

1Bdrm Deluxe: 322.00
1 Bedroom: 412.01
1Bdrm Premium: 586.17
2Bdrm: 725.77
2Bdrm L/O: 908.17

BUMMER!

 

[Courts]

Vistana Resort Cascades L/O;

Operating Assessment $ 814.78
Replacement Reserve .. $ 82.71

Tax - If Applicable ..... $ 167.62

Total = .................. $ 1065.11


EDIT:
2009 Tax - If Applicable $ 117.18

 

[jerseygirl]

Ok - nice low MF!

Best kept Starwood secret! Shhhhhhhhhhhhh ... don't tell anyone!

 

[RLG]

Duh. Never thought about turning the bill over. Here's the whole low down on SBP:

$391.15 Dlx 1Br
$500.48 One Br
$712.03 Premium 1Br
$881.62 Two Bedroom
$1103.18 Lockoff

Sorry I didn't catch that earlier.

Is your unit at Plantation (the original section) or Palmetto (the new one)?

I'm confused because I own at Plantation and don't have a bill in Mystarcentral for any of my units. Denise's figures are for the old section. I'm certainly hoping your bill is for the new section since it would otherwise represent a 21% increase for me.

 

[DanCali]

SBP - 1Br Dlx

2010 Operating Assessment $325.56
2010 Replacement Reserve 65.59
Total 391.15 (+21% Increase)

Nope. Every year. Owned it for about six years now. Used to only be about $260 per year.

Ok - nice low MF!

Certainly a nice low number but it's all relative... it sounds like you couldn't escape the minimum 50% increase over 5-6 years no matter where you hid in the Starwood system. I guess a 50% increase is better than a 90% increase

 

[durrod]

Is your unit at Plantation (the original section) or Palmetto (the new one)?

I'm confused because I own at Plantation and don't have a bill in Mystarcentral for any of my units. Denise's figures are for the old section. I'm certainly hoping your bill is for the new section since it would otherwise represent a 21% increase for me.

Those numbers are for the old section. Those big increases are due to high delincuency in paying MF. In other words we the still paying owners have to pay for all those who did not pay. Average increase is a 21.5%

 

[gmarine]

SBP 2010 maintenance fees up over 20%

Just got my bill for SBP two bedroom lock off. Maintenance fees went from $908 to $1103. $184.98 they are listing as replacement reserve. They can call it whatever they want. Either way owners are getting screwed. Again.