Peppertree Atlantic Beach I bankruptcy

[SOU11]

just trying to be sure I understand:

you are frustrated that the maintenance fees are the same for each owner, no matter when your week is?

People who bought summer prime time weeks paid more than those who did not. People who bought shoulder season paid less, and people who bought off season paid WAYYY less. People who bought weeks on the resale market paid less than people who bought from Festiva. That's just how it works but there's nothing sinister about it, it's just supply and demand.

Isn't the amount of your maint fee something you knew before you purchased? Not trying to be mean, it just seems like this point has nothing to do with the problem of getting the decks and stairways finished.

I am frustrated that the HOA at my Festvia resort has determined that the cold-weather weeks that Festiva owns does not have to pay maintenance fees including property taxes so that share is picked up by red-week payments. (I think it has something to do with Patton Hospitality Management filling the HOA officer positions, as well as retaining Patton to manage the resort.)

 

[allsmiles277]

I am frustrated that the HOA at my Festvia resort has determined that the cold-weather weeks that Festiva owns does not have to pay maintenance fees including property taxes so that share is picked up by red-week payments. (I think it has something to do with Patton Hospitality Management filling the HOA officer positions, as well as retaining Patton to manage the resort.)

I know you don't want to hear this but most management companies do not go after people who own a week or two because of what it costs to go after them especially Winter weeks, late Fall and very early Spring weeks. If you own a prime time week in mid to late June, all of July and early to mid August they gain more of a value for resale so they probably go after you. This is reality. I understand both sides of this issue. I have learned to concentrate on shoulder weeks but Prime Time weeks are the only good investments right now at Peppertree AB. I think Festiva should step up to the plate since they are probably listed on deeds as "owners" for people who gave their weeks to the points system pot and pay what they owe in special assessments like otther owners. They are not paying their fair share and that is also why the special assessments are double what they should be. The Board and Festiva could also be known as CROOKS !!!!

 

[NC Air]

They are not paying their fair share and that is also why the special assessments are double what they should be.

i'm not happy we have to pay an assessment but I do think the amount is pretty reasonable given it's a million dollars and we're paying it back over three years. 565 dollars divided into 3 payments and this drama is over? Sure I'd love it to be less but I just want this to end and be able to get back to using my condo.


Not sure where you have that they're not paying their fair share, but they can't even write owners a letter in a timely way to tell them what's going on, they sure as hell aren't going to explain the math on who is paying and who's not paying the assessment. I think they should, but look who we're dealing with.

 

[NC Air]

anyone been to Peppertree in he past five days to report here which buildings have repair work underway? Last report here from someone who went on the property was May 4th or earlier. Curious which ones are open now if any, and how many will be open by Memorial Day.

Has anyone been called with an upcoming reservation and told to come?

 

[allsmiles277]

i'm not happy we have to pay an assessment but I do think the amount is pretty reasonable given it's a million dollars and we're paying it back over three years. 565 dollars divided into 3 payments and this drama is over? Sure I'd love it to be less but I just want this to end and be able to get back to using my condo.


Not sure where you have that they're not paying their fair share, but they can't even write owners a letter in a timely way to tell them what's going on, they sure as hell aren't going to explain the math on who is paying and who's not paying the assessment. I think they should, but look who we're dealing with.

If their name is on a deed for the points pool they deceived people in giving up to them the deeded owners aka Festiva or whatever entity is used on the points pool timeshares should have to pay the 3 year special assessment as other deeded owners like us have to pay. Do you UNDERSTAND now ? The specail assessment should have been around 80-90 dollars per year for the 3 year period. I know you have to take into consideration the people who stopped paying maintenance fees but this shouldn't be the reason for doubling the special assessment. I think the special assessment is excessive and another way for Festiva to line their deceitful pockets. Festiva and the Board should be fired for their actions aka poor communication and poor management.

 

[allsmiles277]

Just heard from a friend at AB this week

A friend of mine went through Peppertree AB and Buildings 17,18,19,24,25 are being worked on now so 15 and 16 must be finished. That is very good news.

 

[Egret1986]

Thank you for the the update on the work at Peppertree

A friend of mine went through Peppertree AB and Buildings 17,18,19,24,25 are being worked on now so 15 and 16 must be finished. That is very good news.

Helpful info on what's going on with the work being done.

 

[NC Air]

A friend of mine went through Peppertree AB and Buildings 17,18,19,24,25 are being worked on now so 15 and 16 must be finished. That is very good news.

VERY helpful update, thx

 

[allsmiles277]

I would still want to call the Inspection's Office at AB for confirmation. I still don't trust The Board or Festiva.

 

[allsmiles277]

Phone number to Inspection's Office

Planning, Zoning & Inspections
PO Box 10
Atlantic Beach, NC 28512
Phone: 252 726-4456
Fax: 252 727-7043

 

[PepABNC]

Just left Peppertree. Had to PAY to rent a unit in the new building since ours wasn't ready and I'd already scheduled vacation for work. So they got my money three times this year (annual dues, assessment and renting The same week in another unit).
20-23 are done and were partially occupied. 24&25 were actively being worked on (so normal beach access gate was closed and you had to go through a parking lot gate a bit down from the normal walkway). 10-14 were gone (I think, at least 10-11 were gone) and I think work looked to be starting on 17-19 after 24-25, since they are sort of connected).
With 20-23 being done and only partially occupied I wish they had offered to let me trade and stay there in a vacant unit. But they said no trades were possible.
A front desk person also laughed when I asked if the rest were going to be ready for Memorial Day saying, "well that's what they say but I sure doubt it".

 

[Egret1986]

What a punch to the gut!

Just left Peppertree. Had to PAY to rent a unit in the new building since ours wasn't ready and I'd already scheduled vacation for work. So they got my money three times this year (annual dues, assessment and renting The same week in another unit).
20-23 are done and were partially occupied. 24&25 were actively being worked on (so normal beach access gate was closed and you had to go through a parking lot gate a bit down from the normal walkway). 10-14 were gone (I think, at least 10-11 were gone) and I think work looked to be starting on 17-19 after 24-25, since they are sort of connected).
With 20-23 being done and only partially occupied I wish they had offered to let me trade and stay there in a vacant unit. But they said no trades were possible.
A front desk person also laughed when I asked if the rest were going to be ready for Memorial Day saying, "well that's what they say but I sure doubt it".

Thank you for the report on the construction process.

 

[Shelleykc]

Update on NCDOJ complaint

Yesterday I received a copy of the letter sent from the NCDOJ Consumer Protection Division to Peppertree Club Assoc Inc (dated 18 May) giving the Association 15 business days to respond to my complaint (see previous post). I am so pleased that Ms Ahlman has acted so quickly as I mailed my complaint to her on the 10th.

This is a wonderful group to share information, experiences and yes, vent. However, until we all formally act against these people, nothing will change. So, PLEASE file a complaint with the NCDOJ. (If you reside outside the state of NC, you can still file with the NCDOJ). Visit NCDOJ.gov, there you can print out the form or file the complaint online. If you would prefer, call toll free in NC 877-566-7226 or outside NC 919-716-6000 (toll call) and they will mail you the form. The complaint can be as short or as lengthy as you need it to be to address your issues. The more complaints filed, the more attention will be brought to the practices of these businesses.

 

[SOU11]

Yesterday I received a copy of the letter sent from the NCDOJ Consumer Protection Division to Peppertree Club Assoc Inc (dated 18 May) giving the Association 15 business days to respond to my complaint (see previous post). I am so pleased that Ms Ahlman has acted so quickly as I mailed my complaint to her on the 10th.

This is a wonderful group to share information, experiences and yes, vent. However, until we all formally act against these people, nothing will change. So, PLEASE file a complaint with the NCDOJ. (If you reside outside the state of NC, you can still file with the NCDOJ). Visit NCDOJ.gov, there you can print out the form or file the complaint online. If you would prefer, call toll free in NC 877-566-7226 or outside NC 919-716-6000 (toll call) and they will mail you the form. The complaint can be as short or as lengthy as you need it to be to address your issues. The more complaints filed, the more attention will be brought to the practices of these businesses.

I'm an owner of a Festiva-controlled timeshare in another state. I'm not an attorney but I'm beginning to sense a racketeering enterprise. It is definitely not a PAB issue isolated to North Carolina. It is difficult for the little owner of a single unit week to sort through all the interlocking Festiva and Zealandia corporations. They have one arm that specializes in debt collections, Zealandia Capital of Asheville. In the web portal called "Glass Door" one former employee writes as follows about work at Zealandia Capital:

Pros
This company is a struggling collections company attempting to collect past due balances from folks who have been duped into buying a timeshare.
Cons
They take an unethical almost immoral approach to collections that boarders on the illegal.

Thus one is inclined to think about interstate conspiracy and a US DOJ RICO investigation.

 

[Kozman]

Yesterday I received a copy of the letter sent from the NCDOJ Consumer Protection Division to Peppertree Club Assoc Inc (dated 18 May) giving the Association 15 business days to respond to my complaint (see previous post). I am so pleased that Ms Ahlman has acted so quickly as I mailed my complaint to her on the 10th.

This is a wonderful group to share information, experiences and yes, vent. However, until we all formally act against these people, nothing will change. So, PLEASE file a complaint with the NCDOJ. (If you reside outside the state of NC, you can still file with the NCDOJ). Visit NCDOJ.gov, there you can print out the form or file the complaint online. If you would prefer, call toll free in NC 877-566-7226 or outside NC 919-716-6000 (toll call) and they will mail you the form. The complaint can be as short or as lengthy as you need it to be to address your issues. The more complaints filed, the more attention will be brought to the practices of these businesses.

Thanks for sharing this information with us. I'll make sure to file my complaint. I'm sure each of us may have different complaints depending on our situation. I hope these Festiva entities are thoroughly investigated and audited. I can't believe so much money has been paid in with the resort closed for almost a year and they still need more. Good luck to all.

 

[Shelleykc]

I'm an owner of a Festiva-controlled timeshare in another state. I'm not an attorney but I'm beginning to sense a racketeering enterprise. It is definitely not a PAB issue isolated to North Carolina. It is difficult for the little owner of a single unit week to sort through all the interlocking Festiva and Zealandia corporations. They have one arm that specializes in debt collections, Zealandia Capital of Asheville. In the web portal called "Glass Door" one former employee writes as follows about work at Zealandia Capital:

Thus one is inclined to think about interstate conspiracy and a US DOJ RICO investigation.

Are you filing or considering filing complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, the USDOJ as well as MADOJ?

 

[Shelleykc]

Peppertree Construction Update

I visited Peppertree early this morning and was able to drive right in to the resort without a problem. It is possible that Bldg 24 & 25 are done, cannot be 100% sure. The saws and equipment were in front of Bldg 24. It did not appear to me (and I went up to the 3rd floor in Bldg 22) that 17 - 19 were being worked on yet. The whole area is still sectioned off, as it should be. So, Peppertree didn't make the original May 1st date, the Memorial Day Weekend date and with 3 buildings to go, will they be open by the 4th of July???

 

[NeedsAnswersPABII]

When you filed your complaint to NCDOJ what kind of documentation did you send? We want to make our complaint similar to yours to solidify all of our stance.

 

[NC Air]

called peppertree main number today in atlantic beach ((252) 247-5841, press 0) to check for a summer week I'm scheduled for. didn't get the guy's name, but he was very friendly and talkative, answered my detailed questions. Summary of what he told me.

Buildings 20-23 (group of 4 by themselves close to the ocean)
he said buildings 20-23 were the first to get started on work and took 2 months to finish. He said these are now open. I asked specifically if anything of the renovations and repairs is complete and open, and he said yes.

Buildings 15-16 (group of 2 by themselves)
He said they are awaiting inspection on 15-16 for occupancy. Hard to know when they'll be approved by town of Atlantic Beach and if they'll get approval next inspection or not. Anyone whose done a home renovation project knows how frustrating and helpless you feel as an owner who is waiting on others to show up and inspect and then fix what inspectors say to fix and do this process repeatedly.

Buildings 17-18-19-24-25 (group of 5 together closest to beach gate where showers are located)
He said "they are working in the area where that group of 5 buildings is now."

He volunteered that it took them longer to learn how to do the repairs at first and kind of get a system in place, but now that they've got some done it's going faster. Could not give any estimated dates of them being ready to use and to check back.

I don't know if any other higher number buildings are affected by this mess. 26-31 I think are NOT, they're phase 3, right? And 32-33, I don't know if they're Phase 2 or 3, but given the numbering, I assume they're not phase 2 and unaffected.

I will be visiting Sunday in person and can report back.

 

[Egret1986]

Thank you for the updates.

called peppertree main number today in atlantic beach ((252) 247-5841, press 0) to check for a summer week I'm scheduled for. didn't get the guy's name, but he was very friendly and talkative, answered my detailed questions. Summary of what he told me.

Buildings 20-23 (group of 4 by themselves close to the ocean)
he said buildings 20-23 were the first to get started on work and took 2 months to finish. He said these are now open. I asked specifically if anything of the renovations and repairs is complete and open, and he said yes.

Buildings 15-16 (group of 2 by themselves)
He said they are awaiting inspection on 15-16 for occupancy. Hard to know when they'll be approved by town of Atlantic Beach and if they'll get approval next inspection or not. Anyone whose done a home renovation project knows how frustrating and helpless you feel as an owner who is waiting on others to show up and inspect and then fix what inspectors say to fix and do this process repeatedly.

Buildings 17-18-19-24-25 (group of 5 together closest to beach gate where showers are located)
He said "they are working in the area where that group of 5 buildings is now."

He volunteered that it took them longer to learn how to do the repairs at first and kind of get a system in place, but now that they've got some done it's going faster. Could not give any estimated dates of them being ready to use and to check back.

I don't know if any other higher number buildings are affected by this mess. 26-31 I think are NOT, they're phase 3, right? And 32-33, I don't know if they're Phase 2 or 3, but given the numbering, I assume they're not phase 2 and unaffected.

I will be visiting Sunday in person and can report back.

The special assessment is due today with the possibility of no use this year.

 

[allsmiles277]

Paid first year special assessment the other day so I guess I am good to go this year.

 

[Shelleykc]

When you filed your complaint to NCDOJ what kind of documentation did you send? We want to make our complaint similar to yours to solidify all of our stance.

Sorry, I had not checked this site until today. I will send you a private email sometime over this weekend.

 

[allsmiles277]

Latest on building with occupancy

I spoke with the planning and inspection's office at Atlantic Beach NC a few minutes ago. As most everybody already knows only Buildings 20,21,22 and 23 have Occupancy Permits. Buildings 15 and 16 should be next depending on when Festiva got in line with the Inspections and Planning Office since they are not the only game in town. Festiva is hoping to have 17, 18, 19. 24, and 25 by the end of June but I wouldn't hold my breath. I am sure there are many people losing hope since they though they would be able to use their units in June. This whole process have given people a new look at Festiva as a management company. Did they do the best they could with what they had to work with ? I say NO.....they dragged their feet and let 6 months go by before anything major happened. Festiva as a management company is a big fat ZERO in my book. THEY could not MANAGE a breakfast order !!!! I think we haven't seen the bottom yet. I am sure Festiva has gotten something up their sleeves. I honestly feel that Festiva is trying their best to run everybody off and then take control of as many units as possible. It has always been their goal to scare people into giving up their deeded weeks for the points scam. Roy Cooper has about 1/10 of a backbone and probably got financing for his gubernatorial run from many private companies. Festiva wants all of us to go away so they can take control of everything. THAT WILL BE THEIR MISTAKE !!! HOLD ON TO YOUR DEEDED WEEKS !!!!

 

[NC Air]

stopped by Peppertree over the weekend and took photos of progress.
Status was from visiting the main office from where you check in.
They said in some cases they get the certificate of occupancy and can turn around the condo the next day with housekeeping, as all the power and HVAC have been left on this whole time, so no mold and gross cleanup from being closed up 10 months.

There were a fair amount of cars and vacationers there, but not super busy as it's really not summer season yet. Schools are still in session for the most part through this week.

They definitely have Buildings 20-23 open, and got them opened in April they said. Next to open will be 15 and 16 which they have a few things to finish and get reinspected. They have moved some construction materials to the front of buildings 24 and 25 but front office says nothing has started yet. Buildings 17-19 have a little material in front and behind the buildings but front office said for sure nothing has started there.

IF it takes 6 weeks to complete, which they think it's been running lately after a rough start and encountering some surprises during construction (didn't say what those were), then I'd estimate if you are using buildings 24-25 it will be mid to late July at earliest to use them. And likely August at earliest for owners of Buildings 17-19.

Front office staff had a really good attitude and said everyone is REALLY angry, but they don't mind people calling every week or whatever you want to check on the latest status.

i have a bunch of photos from my visit, stored on flickr. but can't figure out how to post them

peppertree june 2016 (15) by NC Air, on Flickr
peppertree june 2016 (12) by NC Air, on Flickr
peppertree june 2016 (11) by NC Air, on Flickr
peppertree june 2016 (9) by NC Air, on Flickr
peppertree june 2016 (8) by NC Air, on Flickr
peppertree june 2016 (6) by NC Air, on Flickr
peppertree june 2016 (5) by NC Air, on Flickr
peppertree june 2016 (4) by NC Air, on Flickr
peppertree june 2016 (3) by NC Air, on Flickr
peppertree june 2016 (2) by NC Air, on Flickr

 

[allsmiles277]

Thank you for all of the photos !!!!!