Frequently Asked Questions

A homeowner's association (HOA) is an organization in a subdivision, planned community, or condominium building that makes and enforces rules for the properties and the residents. Those who purchase property within an HOA's jurisdiction automatically become members and are required to pay dues, known as HOA fees. Some associations can be very restrictive about what members can do with their properties. An HOA is typically established to make and enforce rules regarding the properties within the jurisdiction. An HOA is comprised of–and run by–the community's residents. Those on HOA boards and committees do so on a voluntary basis on their own time. Membership in an HOA is usually a requirement to buy a home within a community where an HOA has been established. 

The managing agent is a company that is engaged by the Board of Directors. The managing agent attends to the day-to-day operation of the Association and implements the policies and decisions as determined by the Board of Directors. Cedar Management Group's sole business is serving Associations as Managing Agent, generally referred to as the management company. A management company provides such services as: Collection of assessments, covenant enforcement, supervision of subcontractors, obtaining bids for subcontracted services, providing financial statements and collection reports, communications with homeowners and the Board of Directors, and to serve in an advisor capacity. The management company reports directly to the Board and all decisions are made by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

All owners are required to pay Association Fees by the governing documents of their Association. The fees may be due annually, semi-annually, quarterly or monthly. They fund the operation and maintenance of the common property and are used to provide services for the benefit of all owners. Association Fees pay for common area landscape maintenance, repair and maintenance of neighborhood signs (if custom), other improvements desired by the Association, and for services to the owners. Reserve fee funds are sometimes held in reserve for other expenses incurred by the neighborhood, including legal fees and liability concerns.

The “Governing Documents” for your association are the Articles of Incorporation (AOI), Bylaws, Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (CCRs), plus any Rules and Regulations, Resolutions or guidelines that have been established by your association. These can be found on the document tab.

It is part of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions that you agreed to when you bought your home. Through this document, you agreed to certain standards of maintenance, upkeep and behavior in order to make the community as attractive as possible for yourself and your neighbors, and to maintain or enhance your property values. When you purchase a home in a deed-restricted community, you automatically agree to comply with the restrictions then in place or that are properly established. This ensures that the integrity of the community is maintained.

This better ensures that your intended improvement meets your community’s standards as set forth in the Governing Documents and avoids the problems that arise from the construction of improvements and the use of colors or styles that conflict with others in your neighborhood. Some improvements/changes can affect your neighbors negatively. When in doubt, submit an Architectural Request form (available via the Vine portal link on the Home Owners Only tab) with complete specifications for review. You may also email your board directly (email in the footer below) with questions.

NOTE: This is not a complete list of examples. When in doubt, submit an Architectural Request form (see the Documents tab) with complete specifications for review.

Home improvements include, but are not limited to: 

• Painting of shutters or doors or replacing siding in any color that is different from the current shutter/door/siding color.

• Constructing  a new deck or extending the existing deck that results in a different footprint from the current deck.

• Installing an in-ground pool or hot tub/spa of any kind. NOTE: Above-ground pools are prohibited by the CCRs.

• Building or installing a backyard shed where one does not currently exist.

• Construction that will change the front elevation of a home (like adding a porch or roof over the front door). 

• Putting up a fence where one does not already exist or in a different style/height/material of the current fence.

• Regrading your yard in any way (aka changing the slope of your lot). This can affect the drainage of your lot, your neighbors' lots, and potentially other parts of the neighborhood.