But Maple Park is not part of Walker Lakeshores, and so the couple took the matter to court.

It was a long battle that has cost the Pearns thousands of dollars in legal fees. In 2017, the case went to the Court of Appeals. Judge Joseph Kameem ruled that the Pearns owed WLLA only $30 for the accumulated 3-year maintenance fee ($10 per year for maintenance). The WLLA appealed the decision but later withdrew, which means that Judge Kameem’s ruling stands.

HOA ignores court ruling present time

The couple, however, received another billing from the WLLA, this time, amounting to $325 for assessment and $50 for membership. This was clearly going against court ruling.

Amelia Pearn has been documenting her legal battle in a personal blog. There, she notes that irregularities have been discovered from the WLLA. Withdrawals from the HOA funds amounting to more than $200,000 were discovered. It was found that part of the withdrawals were to pay for personal expenses like cable and electricity bills—expenses completely unrelated to HOA business.

But the Pearns weren’t the only ones the WLLA billed. Several other Maple Park homeowners received a similar bill from the Walker Lakeshores HOA. Some of them pay, some don’t; and, to the surprise of Maple Park residents, others got sued!

At So Cal Property Enterprises, Inc., our goal is to help homeowners associations perform their duties, and this includes keeping their books open. Transparency is critical to the effectiveness, reliability, and trustworthiness of an HOA. Our team comprises a select staff of well-trained, professional and highly skilled individuals, each an expert in their respective fields. We have the expertise and experience to deliver reliable and professional services in finance and accounting, collection, board education and governance, site reviews and reconstruction, and vendor selection.

If you need help with your HOA or property management, we invite you to give us a call at 951-270-3700.

 So Cal Property News: California HOA Allows Residents to Close Garage Doors

In a quiet neighborhood in Auburn, California, residents were mandated by their homeowner’s association to keep their garage doors open from eight in the morning to four in the afternoon on weekdays. The mandate took effect on January 1. Now, said California HOA allows residents to close garage doors. Less than two weeks after the regulation took effect, the Auburn Greens HOA backed down after receiving negative feedback from its members.

Homeowners associations keep the neighborhood safe

Among the responsibilities of homeowners associations, maintaining the safety of the neighborhood remains a top priority. But this seems to be the opposite for this Auburn Greens HOA. When the HOA required its members to keep their garage doors open, the main concern of the homeowners is their safety, and understandably so. With their garage doors open practically all day, their household becomes vulnerable to thieves and unlawful entry. It’s like a welcome mat for unscrupulous characters.

What inspired the mandate?

The ruling came about when the HOA discovered that one resident allowed someone to live in their garage. While this may have been against the HOA rules, the way they tried to resolve the issue clearly wasn’t in the best interest of its members, according to the opinion of the majority.

Moreover, a penalty was attached to the ruling. Anyone found to have violated the rule will be fined a whopping $200—a fine that some members were willing to pay outright for their peace of mind.

California HOA allows residents to close garage doors

Drawing the ire of its members, the HOA backed down and reversed its ruling. It was clear to the members that their HOA didn’t think the situation and solution through. A more welcome move would have been to communicate to the members their concern about allowing someone to live in the garage and gather a consensus on the best solution to deter squatting while still maintaining the safety of its members and security of the neighborhood.

When the “California HOA allows residents to close garage doors” news broke, residents finally heaved a sigh of relief. But, from this point on, its members may keep a closer watch on their HOA’s activities and decisions to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.

At So Cal Property Enterprises, Inc., our goal is to help homeowners associations perform their duties while ensuring that their members’ concerns are properly addressed.

To discuss your HOA and property management needs, we invite you to give us a call at 951-270-3700.

 Increase the Value of Your Home: A Beginner’s Guide

One of the best and most effective ways to increase the value of your home is to make a few improvements to your interior and outdoor spaces. These home improvements don’t have to be expensive. You might be surprised at how a few tweaks here and there can increase the value of your home considerably. Here are a few tips that you can consider:

Give your home a thorough inspection

Inspect every area of your home; bedrooms, kitchen, toilet and bath, living room, and dining area for the interiors, and roof, exterior walls, patio, and yard for the outdoor space. First, make a list of all the things that need to repairs (roof sheets or shingles, gutters, sticky doors and/or windows, closet and cupboard doors, floors, etc.). Next, create another list for all the improvements you wish to make, like a fresh coat of paint on your interior walls, upgraded or modernized bathroom features, and such.

It would also be great if you can consult with a professional interior designer or a realtor, so you can get their professional opinion on how to increase the value of your home.

Enhance your home’s curb appeal

Your front yard is the first thing that people notice when they walk past your house. Suffice it to say that if this is unappealing, it’s most likely that people will assume that the interiors of your house will be the same. Add a few potted plants on the side of your driveway, and a couple more outside your main door might liven the place up a bit. Choose plants that are native to your state, and choose those that require little maintenance such as those that are “drought-tolerant” if you live in a particularly dry region.

If possible, you can also plant a tree if you don’t have any yet. And of course, always make sure that your lawn is trim and clean.

Make your home energy-efficient

First, check your appliances and fixtures to make sure that every piece or item is functioning properly. Next, replace old fixtures with energy-efficient ones. If you are going to replace your old appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR certification label. In a nutshell, appliances and electronics that are ENERGY STAR-certified use less than the standards required by the federal government—about 20 to 30% less.

Spruce up the place

Lastly, spruce up your place by installing new window treatments, rugs or carpeting. Wall hangings and decorative pieces on your surfaces will also add some visual interest.

These are but a few basics on how to increase the value of your property; they’re not necessarily big projects, but these simple tweaks could help you get started.

Top 5 Reasons to Live in Corona, CA

Are you thinking of moving to California? Whether for work or retirement, California’s communities remain at the top of the list of best places to live in. However, there’s more to the Golden State than Los Angeles or San Francisco. Here are five reasons to live in Corona, CA, a city in Riverside County that offers a first-rate quality of life for its residents.

1. It’s a safe and quiet suburb – It’s hard to imagine finding a safe and quiet place in the country’s most populous state, but the truth is, such places exist. This is what makes Corona’s safe and quiet suburbs number one among the reasons to live in Corona, CA. Young families, established professionals, and retirees alike will love it here. It also has an ethnically diverse community that is made up of young and well-educated families.

2. Only an hour’s drive from downtown L.A. – Here’s another excellent proposition to live in Corona — you’re only an hour’s drive away from downtown L.A.! Number two in the reasons to live in Corona, CA: the city’s proximity from the City of Angels makes it an excellent choice when you’re looking for a more affordable residence.

3. Home to an exciting dining scene – It may be a quiet suburb, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bare and isolated place. In fact, the exciting dining scene here makes it into the list of top reasons to live in Corona, CA. If you love to eat out, you’ll surely enjoy the varied dining establishments; choose from Mexican, American, Caribbean, Asian, and Greek cuisine, among others.

4. There’s a golf course open for public play – For retirees who are looking for an activity to help keep them in shape, there’s a well-kept golf course open for public play. The Dos Lagos Golf Course boasts a picturesque backdrop of South Corona as you practice your swing on its fairways, water hazards, and sand traps. The golf course is also a popular events venue for weddings, private parties, and corporate events.

5. Many fun outdoor activities for the kids – Meanwhile, Corona has something to offer for the kids as well. If you’re looking for more reasons to live in Corona, CA, you’ll be delighted to know that the city has an indoor go-kart racing track facility, an interactive Renaissance family-friendly fair, as well as playgrounds and parks for weekend picnics. Fly a kite, go for a walk with your dog, or have a BBQ — Corona is an ideal hub for you and your family.

While maintaining your property may require a little effort, it costs far less than having repairs done—extensive ones at that if the problem has already escalated. As a property owner, you need to be on top of your property’s maintenance. If you don’t know where to begin, or which areas you need to focus on, below are five tips we’d like to share regarding maintaining your property.

1. Waterproof exterior walls, panels, roof, and windows

Water seepage is one of the most common issues often overlooked until it’s too late, usually when wallboards or panels are already showing signs of decay, or leaks have started to appear in your home’s interiors. While it is a common practice in construction to apply waterproof coating to these features, over time, the coating may have thinned out or peeled off. Regularly check for signs of water seepage (stains on the walls, surfaces that are damp or wet without being subjected to rain or water, and leaks), and apply a fresh coat of waterproofing material every two to three years.

2. Check for termite infestation on wooden slabs or boards on ceilings, floors and walls

Termites thrive on moisture and warm temperatures, two things that are often present beneath the surface of your home. Termite infestation generally remains undetected until obvious signs appear. Make sure to keep your home clean and dry, which means taking the maintenance steps mentioned above as well as checking for faucet and pipe leaks. You can also tap on the wooden walls and floors. If you notice a hollow sound when you tap, chances are termites are already there. Contact a professional pest control service immediately. Ensuring that your property is termite-free is one of the most critical factors in effectively maintaining your property.

3. Check roof shingles or sheets, and keep gutters clean and debris-free

Roof repairs are one of the most expensive repairs on a property, which is why you need to check your roofing system’s condition at least once a year, especially after a rain or snow storm. Clean the gutter regularly to remove debris like leaves and twigs to prevent it from clogging.

4. Keep your yard or garden clean

Whether you have a landscaped garden or a simple grass lawn in your front yard, your outdoor space needs as much attention as your indoor space, maybe more. An unkempt yard is not only unpleasant to look at; it could also become a breeding ground for pests and insects, or a regular hangout for rats. Maintaining your property means keeping it clean and tidy all the time.

5. Have your heating and cooling systems cleaned annually

A/C units and heating systems need to be thoroughly cleaned and inspected by a professional at least once a year. A poorly performing cooling or heating system will not only increase your utility bills, but it can also put your safety at risk.