Why and when do I pay homeowners assessments?
The purchasing of your new home in McPherson Ranch is a mandatory membership in the Homeowners Association, a non-profit, Texas corporation. The assessments are due January 1st of each year, and considered delinquent after the 31st. The assessments pay for the operating cost of the association and the maintenance cost of the common areas including the amenity center and pool. The assessments also pay for the association general administrative cost including the management company agent for the association enforcing the covenants, conditions and restrictions of the association. In addition, the assessment pays the liability and property insurance protecting the assets of the association. For details, please review the financial reports.
Can the Homeowners Association really foreclose on my home?
Yes, the Homeowners Association has the ability to place liens or seek foreclosure on properties within the community for certain violations. Failure to pay the annual dues, fines, or other assessed fees could result in collection efforts, a lien against the property, or foreclosure.
Is the Homeowners Association legal?
State law applies to many of the Homeowners Association's enforcement rights and remedies.
Do I have to get permission to make changes to my home?
Improvements or alterations to a lot or dwelling must be submitted to the Architectural Change Committee (ACC) for approval before the work begins.
The ACC can accept, review, and approve many changes through email. Changes are reviewed for compliance to city code and Homeowners Association rules and guidelines.
All changes to a lot within McPherson Ranch must be approved in writing. An ACC request must be submitted for all previously completed unapproved changes.
The Homeowners Association (HOA) has the responsibility to request that unapproved and unauthorized changes in violation of the HOA rules and guidelines be removed. Such changes must be approved or restored to their previous state and could result in fines.
How do I know if I need ACC approval for my project?
The simplest answer is to read your copy of the Deed Restrictions. However, for most of us, that is easier SAID than DONE. Our Deed Restrictions are full of legal wording and have bits and pieces of important information scattered throughout. Occasionally, clarifications will be published in the Newsletter or call your Association Manager. Any change to the exterior of your house and/or land is probably subject to ACC review and approval prior to the change. One thing you never have to worry about is having your request rejected as unnecessary. If you take the time to prepare and submit a request, the ACC will take the time to review and respond to it. REMEMBER, if a member of the Association makes an improvement to the exterior of their property without obtaining the ACC approval is a serious violation of the CCRs. The Board of Directors is required by the Association By-Laws and CCRs to enforce the remedy of the violation.
How does a homeowner make a request to the ACC?
All requests must be submitted on a Property Modification Approval Request Form to our Management Company. A copy of the Property Modification Approval Request Form is available on this website in the HOA files section or you can request a copy from the Management Company. Please complete the form in it’s entirety as it applies to your improvement project; and remember there is no such thing as too much information. The more information included, the more likely your project can be approved in a timely manner. Please include photos and examples of similar project in the neighborhood where possible.
Why are there so many rules? Can't I do whatever I want with my own personal property?
The rules were created when the neighborhood development began. They exist to create a unified, master-planned community for the enjoyment of all residents. The rules help to protect property values, ensure equal access to all of the community amenities, and to guarantee the continuity of the neighborhood. You signed and acknowledged the bylaws upon purchasing your property. If you have any questions about what you can and cannot do, please contact Neighborhood Management or attend an HOA Board Meeting.
Do we have to join the Homeowners Association (HOA)?
Every lot within McPherson Ranch is tied to the Homeowners Association in perpetuity. To purchase a lot within the community, one must also join the Homeowners Association.
Do I have to pay my dues?
All owners of a lot within McPherson Ranch are required to pay annual assessments to the association.
These funds are used to maintain common areas e.g. greenbelts, lake, dam, playground, pools, basketball court, landscaping at entrances, etc. These funds are also used for the Homeowners Association to obtain management, legal, and financial services. The annual budget, including detailed reports on assessment revenue, costs, and cash flow, are presented to the residents of the community at the annual Homeowners Association meeting. The records are open and available for residents to review at any time. Failure to pay the annual dues assessment, fines, or other fees could result in collections efforts, a lien against a property, or foreclosure.
Do the rules address storage sheds?
All permanent structures are subject to Architectural Change Committee (ACC) approval. Likewise, all non-permanent structures are also subject to ACC approval.
Lot owners should submit an ACC request for storage sheds before installation. If a shed has already been installed, the lot owner should submit an ACC request for the existing structure.
The Homeowners Association (HOA) has the responsibility to request that unapproved and unauthorized changes in violation of the HOA rules and guidelines be removed. Such changes must be approved or restored to their previous state and could result in fines.
Who runs the Homeowners Association and makes decisions?
The Homeowners Association (HOA) is governed by an elected Board of Directors that is charged with representing the neighborhood to external entities (vendors, service providers, developers, neighboring communities), enforcing the neighborhood rules and guidelines, and caring for the communal amenities. Board members are elected for two-year terms at the annual HOA community meeting.
The Board of Directors has contracted with a management company, Neighborhood Management, to oversee day-to-day operations, disperse payments to vendors, collect dues, discover and report violations, send out announcements, etc.
Why did I get a violation notice while there are other violations throughout the neighborhood? Do I have to pay a fine?
The Homeowners Association (HOA) has hired Neighborhood Management, a property management company, to take on the daily operating aspect of the running the HOA. They drive the neighborhood to check the landscaping, each property and monitor the vendors weekly. If they see something in violation of the codes and covenants they will take a picture, mark the address time and date. From then they will send a notice of violation with a set time to correct the issue. If the issue has not been rectified within the given time, the home can receive a fine and a new deadline. This will continue until the issue has been resolved. If you see an issue that you think has been missed, please feel free to contact the property manager. If your property has been assessed a fine for being in violation, you are obligated to pay the fine by the deadline given. When you purchased your home, you agreed to follow all of the codes and covenants, thus making you liable for being in violation. You are issued a fine after receiving a notice of violation. If you feel you have received the violation in error, please contact the Property manager.
