Questions???

1. How much are my HOA dues and when are they due?

HOA dues are $145.00 paid quarterly and are due on the first of January, April, July, and October of every year. 

2. Is there a penalty for paying my HOA dues late?

There is a fifteen (15) day grace period during which you will not accrue any late fees.  After the grace period, you will receive a fee of 5% of the overdue assessment.  Additionally, interest on your entire accumulated balance will accrue at 15% per annum. (HOA Dues Late Fee Policy)

3. What do my HOA dues pay for? 

Maintenance of 4 Acres of Common Area  

This includes mowing, string trimming, weeding, shrub and tree trimming, mulching, spring and fall cleanup, fertilization, weed control, sidewalk maintenance in common areas, snow and ice removal from common area sidewalks, and upkeep of eight streetlights, community signs, and the fence. 

Management Fees  

This covers the cost of the management company, AppFolio, as well as office expenses, postage, delivery, tax and auditing fees, and legal costs. 

Electricity  

This includes the cost of electricity for the eight streetlights in our development. 

Reserve Study 

This includes the cost of a study to plan for the long-term maintenance of major common area components such as fences, streetlights, sidewalks, and stormwater basins.   

Reserve Fund

 A savings account for future planned and unplanned expenses.

Insurance

This includes the cost of insurance for the common areas, as well as coverage for directors and officers.

4. What has the HOA Board done to cut costs?

Your HOA Board has implemented several cost-saving measures, including: 

• Reduced management fees: We have reduced the management fees from approximately $12,600 per year to around $4,800, by retaining a higher-quality, local management company. 

• Builder accountability: We challenged the second-largest builder in the country, holding them accountable for costs they are responsible for, such as the new fence around the stormwater basins, fallen trees in common areas, and snow/ice removal on our roadways. Snow removal costs for the 2023/2024 season were $13,278.00, and costs for the 2024/2025 season were even higher. The Board successfully argued that snow removal is the builder’s responsibility until the township adopts the roadways, at which time the township will take over snow removal using our tax dollars. Without this effort, we would have all been required to pay for these services.  

• Utility savings: We turned off electricity and water service that were not being utilized in the common areas, resulting in savings of $305.52 in electricity and $284.64 in water costs per year. Additionally, we were able to lock in a fixed electric rate of $0.06236/ kwh for 3 years saving hundreds of dollars over the course of the contract. 

• Insurance savings: We secured a new insurance policy with better coverage at a lower cost, saving the Association $140 for the year. 

• Cost-effective communications: We have switched to electronic communications whenever possible, reducing the need for postage and further lowering costs.

• Taxes:  Our Secretary/Treasurer, John Warther, successfully completed the 2024 Federal and State tax returns, along with the newly required annual reporting form, at a cost of just $5.00, saving us $320.00 compared to the previous year.  

  5. Where are the savings obtained from the cost cutting efforts going and why aren't my HOA dues going down?

When many of us purchased our homes, the HOA quarterly dues were set at $50.00. This was part of a marketing strategy to attract buyers, with the builder covering the shortfall. Before the construction of the newer homes, the builder wanted to raise the dues but faced resistance from the original homeowners. To avoid upsetting potential buyers and risking sales of the remaining homes, the builder decided to maintain the $50.00 quarterly dues. Instead, they amended the HOA documents and increased the one-time capital contribution fee (the HOA buy-in fee) from $125.00 to $495.00.

It’s important to note that all new homeowners paid the $495.00 fee, which the builder used to cover the shortfall caused by the low $50.00 dues. After selling all of the homes, the builder increased the quarterly HOA dues from $50.00 to $144.52 to better align with the Association’s actual costs. However, the builder did not obtain a reserve study or contribute to a reserve account for the community.

In contrast, your Board has raised the quarterly HOA dues by just $0.48 to $145.00 since taking control of the Association in February of 2024. This modest increase will help fund a reserve study and contribute to a reserve account, ensuring the financial stability of our Association. This proactive approach is aimed at preventing future special assessments, which are fees charged above the regular quarterly dues.

 6. How can I check my account balance, pay my dues, and submit architectural request? (Appfolio)

Our Association uses software called AppFolio to manage homeowners' individual account records as well as the accounting records of the entire Association securely. You can either download the AppFolio app from the Apple Store or Google Play, depending on the type of cellular phone you have, or you can simply click the link to AppFolio provided under the "payment and ARC request" menu item listed on this website.

 7. Are there fees for using AppFolio or paying HOA dues through the app?

While there are no fees for using the app, there are fees for paying HOA dues through the app.  Those fees are as follows:

 Fees for making HOA payments through AppFolio 

     2.99% for credit cards ($4.34) 

     Withdrawal from your bank account $2.49 

     Debit Card about $10.00 

You are not required to pay your HOA dues through the app.  In fact, Century 21 Dale Realty Company accepts paper checks or cash as well as direct payments from your bank account and there is no fee. Please mail checks at least two weeks prior to the due dates to ensure they are applied to your account on time.  

   8. Do I need to submit an architectural request to make changes to the exterior of my home?

Yes, our governing documents indicate that no improvement (s) or other structures of any kind whatsoever shall be constructed, reconstructed, placed, maintained or modified, and no major landscaping on the lot shall be altered, unless such action, and such improvement has been approved expressly and in writing by the Committee. (Rules on Architectural Requests)

   9. Can the rules be changed?

Yes, any of the Association's rules can be amended but only with a supermajority vote of the entire Association (2/3 or 67%). The best way to invoke change is to show up to meetings and participate in the democratic process.

    10. Has the township adopted the roads and who will plow them? 

    The township has officially adopted most of the roadways in Hickory Ridge. However, the partial roads or "stubs" of Beech Ridge and Powder Ridge Lanes have not yet been adopted. Despite this, the township has an agreement with U.S. Home Corporation to plow those areas. As a result, all roadways in Hickory Ridge will be plowed by the township using tax dollars. Residents are asked to remove all vehicles from the streets during snowstorms to ensure efficient plowing. Please note: vehicles left on the road during snow events may be ticketed by the township.  

11. How can I get reminders when my HOA assessments are due?

Our management company sends out email reminders each quarter to all residents who have provided them with their email address.  Additionally, In the AppFolio portal under “account profile” you may list your email address and/or telephone number.  Scrolling down under “account profile” is a section called “contact preferences”.  You may check email and/or mobile push notifications to receive automated reminders from the app as to when payments are due. (Appfolio)