Three Palms Real Estate

Homeowners association

A Homeowners association is an organization comprised of all owners of units in the development. The vast majority of them are incorporated and are therefore governed by a board, which is a private government.

Some of the developments that real estate developers build are common interest developments, a category that includes planned–unit developments of single–family houses, condominiums, and cooperative apartments. Before the first unit is sold of one of these developments, the developer records restrictive covenants — on all of the properties — that "run with the land," meaning that all successive buyers are bound by the same covenants as the original purchaser. These covenants, among other agreements, form the basis for the homeowners association.

Homeowners associations collect fees, fines, and assessments from homeowners, maintain the common areas of the development, and enforce the association's governing documents. These may include detailed rules regarding construction and maintenance of individual homes. The common areas maintained and governed may include landscaping, common buildings (e.g., clubhouses) and recreational facilities, common walls in attached housing developments, and infrastructure such as streets, mailboxes, sidewalks, and parking lots.

Often, a homeowners association collects special assessments from all its members in addition to set fees. Assessments can be made to cover legal expenses for a judgement against the homeowners association, to repair damage from a natural disaster, or to make improvements.

In some states, California or Texas for instance, a homeowners association can sell a member's house without any judicial procedure in order to collect a fine. Other states, like Florida , require a judicial hearing.

Some of the responsibilities that the covenants delegate to homeowners association boards would otherwise be performed by local governments or require private legal (civil) action.

Nevertheless, only owners -- who need not be residents -- are allowed to vote in elections to choose the board. Residents of the community who are not owners (e.g., renters) do not typically receive a vote.

Some of the first homeowners associations in the United States were the private places, or private streets, of St. Louis , Missouri . The earliest, Benton Place , opened in 1867. In the next five decades, over one hundred of these streets were laid out in St. Louis . Many more appeared in nearby suburbs, such as University City , Missouri . Under the covenants of these private places, the residents not only owned the street but the utility easements and sewer and water mains as well. After years of decline, the places underwent a revival in the 1960s. Most are in the prosperous Central West End , but a few homeowners associations were all-black, such as nearby Lewis Place , and were prosperous enclaves surrounding by blighted neighborhoods. Studies by urban planners, such as Oscar Newman, found that these private places were less likely to suffer from crime and other aspects of urban decay than the nearby public streets.

In recent decades, homeowners associations have become increasingly common in the United States, exercising control over 22.1 million American homes in 2005, according to the [Community Associations Institute].

About Three Palms Real Estate – Your Professional Guides to Paradise
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Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Area Info

Climate
The Gulf Coast Area has a mild climate with an average annual temperature of 67.4 degrees. The average temperature in January is 51.4 degrees. The average temperature in July is 81.8 degrees. The average annual precipitation is 67 inches, and the growing season is 292 days.

Education
Education is a fundamental block in building a bright future. The Gulf Coast Area opened a brand new high school during 1999 in Gulf Shores (ph. 251.968.4747). The area has two elementary schools; they are Gulf Shores Elementary (ph. 251.968.7375) and Orange Beach Elementary (ph. 251.981.5662). Gulf Shores Middle School (ph. 251.968.8719) offers an excellent curriculum in preparation for high school. All public schools are part of the Baldwin County school system. If you are interested in private education, you also have the option of Bayside Academy (ph. 251.955.5211), which includes age 3yrs – Grade 4.

Healthcare
The nearest hospital is South Baldwin Regional Medical Center (ph. 800.580.3627) located in Foley. South Baldwin Medical Center offers 24-hour emergency services (ph. 251.952.3400). Numerous medical professionals practice in the area providing both family practice and specialized care.

Airports
Corporate and Private air service is available in Gulf Shores from the Jack Edwards Municipal Airport, with a full Instrument Landing System and the longest paved runway being 7000 feet. The closest commercial air service is available in Pensacola, roughly 30 miles away, at the Pensacola Regional Airport (ph. 850.435.1746). Major carriers serving the airport are Continental, US Airways, Delta, Northwest, and American. Other commercial airports are located in Mobile (ph. 251.633.0313) and Gulf Port, Mississippi (ph. 228.863.5951).

Shopping
The area offers many shops ranging from casual apparel and beachwear to upscale fashion and specialty boutiques. If you are a bargain hunter, you can find 120 factory outlet stores in Foley.

Parks and Recreation
The nearest state park is the Gulf State Park (ph. 251.948.7275). The 6,000-acre park area offers campsites, picnic areas, 18-hole golf course, 825 foot fishing pier, 144 room hotel and convention center. Other parks in the area include Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge (ph. 251.540.7720), Meyer Park (ph. 251.968.4420), Johnnie Sims Park and Kids Park (ph. 251.968.4420), and Wade Ward Nature Park (ph. 251.968.4420).

State/Local Income Tax
For detailed information about Alabama income tax, contact the Alabama Department of Revenue, Individual and Corporate Tax Division (ph. 251.242.1000). In most instances, local governments in Alabama do not levy city, town, or county income taxes.

Property Taxes
Property (Ad Valorem) taxes are taxes on real business and/or personal property. “Ad Valorem” means “according to value”. For details, call the Revenue Commissioner’s office (ph. 251.943.5061, ext. 2840).