SHARP’S FARMHOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
The Sharp’s Farm Newsletter Fall 2008 Edition
Pond News
Residents around the pond faced a very high level of pond algae and stagnant weed this year. The HOA authorized both extended and more numerous chemical treatments, totaling thousands of over-budget dollars, but a combination of hot weather and general lack of rain hampered efforts to keep the problem at bay. Alan Cooper with Texas Aquaserve, who has been contracted to maintain the pond, responded to queries in mid July with the following:
“Algae that is growing in the middle of the pond has attached itself to dead or dying submerged pondweed. This dead pondweed is the result of a successful herbicide treatment. The problem is that these dead plants have a difficult time decomposing and sinking because of high surface water temps. Algae mats up on these clumps and makes floating blobs. Algae that doesn’t get caught into clumps in the middle of the pond, are blown by a prevailing eastern breeze into the shallow mouths of the pond. Heavy rains and cooler temperatures are just about the only things that will make my job easier.”
Patience is appreciated, the cost for the extra treatments are part of a budgetary shortfall which will may need to be addressed at a later time.
Neighborhood News and Congratulations
Do you have a child that has achieved something special, or other event that you would like advertised? Or, do you have something major to sell, a child that babysits, mows lawns, or wants to provide other services? Please email them to me at and I will incorporate them into this section in the next newsletter. At least two houses in this neighborhood recently sold - without listing - because the current homeowners let their friends and neighbors know they were planning to move and buyers appeared! This can be a very effective tool.
In addition, if you or your company would like to be a sponsor for any of the neighborhood events, we are happy to return the favor by acknowledging the assistance and giving you free ad space here.
Violation Letters
A big part of sustaining property values in such tough economic times is MAINTENANCE. Fences that sag, peeling paint, landscaping that is straggling, weed infested, dead or unkempt keeps prospective buyers in their cars and searching for a neighborhood that looks more prosperous. We also have had more than our share of foreclosed properties, which have put a drag on all of our market values, as well as the general appearance of the neighborhood.
Principal Management drives the neighborhood at regular intervals to assess the condition of our homes. We pay Principal to do this because they are experienced and it takes an objective eye. Try to think of them as the painfully honest friend/relative who tells you that your new hair-cut is unbecoming or that those pants actually DO make you look fat. They really are doing you a favor and helping to protect your property value.
As the chart below indicates, if you have gotten a letter about your fence, weeds, or other issue; you have a lot of company. Fortunately, very few violations required any subsequent action, so a big thanks to everyone who got out the stain bucket, the hammer, the mower, or the Roundup, and acted on the information!
Violation Letters from Jan 1, 2008 to Present
Violation / First Letter / Second Letter / Fine
Weeds / 10
Fence / 48 / 7 / 3
Mowing / 14 / 3
Trash / 5 / 1 / 1
Other / 11
Grass / 4 / 1