Hidden Springs/Estates
Fall Newsletter 2022
|
Fall greetings, Hidden Springs/Estates residents. We hope you enjoy our quarterly newsletter, which highlights neighborhood news, area happenings and other useful community information. To contact the HOA, you can email us or visit our website.
|
|
Message from the President |
|
Hi, Neighbors,
Happy Hot and Humid September! As most of you know, this is the height of Hurricane Season. Make sure you're prepared! Even if we don't have a hurricane, we have many storms where electricity can go out (for hours or days). Make sure you have candles, flashlights, canned food and water -- just in case.
The HOA has taken measures to prepare too. In July, we had the Palm Trees in the Pine Springs median and the Pin Oak median trimmed. For the 10 trees, the cost was $750. Of course our normal $625 a month to maintain our landscaping at the three entrances does not include Palm Tree trimming.
We have many new families that have moved into Hidden Springs/Estates in the past few months. Many are not familiar with Florida weather. If you see a new neighbor whose fence is falling or whose Laurel Oak trees are thick, maybe mention to them it's a good idea to repair fencing or thin out the trees. These Laurel Oaks have very shallow root systems. During strong windstorms and hurricanes, they topple over fairly easily. It's happened many, many times in the 35 years I've lived here, and many experienced this recently when that strong storm came through a few weeks ago. It's not a pretty picture, especially when they fall on your home or on your cars. So be sure to get them thinned out. If you have a Laurel Oak on the easement that is dying, you can call 311 and tell the County. They will come out and take down that dead or dying tree.
Lastly, don't forget about septic tanks. You'd be surprised how many new homeowners don't know we are still on septic tanks. With all the additional rain, it's particularly important to have them cleaned out and maintained. Our septic tanks are almost 40 years old. If you think the $300 every two years or so to have them drained out is expensive, it's a lot cheaper to do that than have to tear up your yards, sprinkler systems and put in a new drain field and septic. That's about $7,000. The old saying, "Penny-wise, Pound-foolish." So be sure to think about the septics.
Let's keep our fingers crossed for a non-eventful rest of hurricane season. As always, myself and the board will answer and help with any issues that we can.
If you have a new neighbor and they have not updated the HOA with their information, please encourage them to send us a message and give us their email address so that they can begin receiving the newsletters.
Sincerely,
Donna Fontaine
HOA President
|
|
Damage to Brick Wall Before & After |
|
On or about July 28, 2022, a car crashed into our brick wall along Dr. Phillips Boulevard. Unfortunately, it must have been a hit and run. We diligently attempted to find the culprit through Orange County Sheriff's Office and Florida Highway Patrol to no avail. The hope was the HOA could have filed a claim against the driver's insurance. We have almost 1/4 of a mile of brick wall and almost 1/4 of a mile of stucco wall along Dr. Phillips Boulevard that, for all intents and purposes, is "our wall" that we maintain. We also own the wall along Conroy that encases our subdivision.
We do not have liability insurance for any of our walls. We've looked at purchasing insurance in the past, but it was just too expensive. The County does NOT maintain these walls.
As our fiscal year starts September 1, please remember that your $110 per year contributions help us pay for issues like this. This is the third time in 4 years that we've had to pay for repairs to our walls. As costs for everything rises, your $110 contributions have not. So please, please remember that without your contributions, our neighborhood would look completely different, and not in a good way. Let's all work together to keep Hidden Springs/Estates a great place to live.
|
|
By Treasurer Tina Dottino
Our 2021-22 fiscal year is ending. Thanks to so many wonderful residents, for the second year in a row we’ve received donations from almost 60% of our neighborhood homeowners! Your donations are greatly appreciated and are essential to protecting and improving our neighborhood. Your continued investment in our community ensures that our neighborhood remains a place that residents are proud of. A special thanks to our neighbors who made contributions above the suggested amount – your generosity has a direct impact on our community and allows us to make continued improvements. Your contributions cover regular expenses such as irrigation, mowing, trimming, and lighting of common areas at the entrances, and extra Sheriff patrols for safety. We sponsor community events such as the Neighborhood Night Out. In addition, your contributions help us take care of unexpected expenses such as repairs to the brick wall surrounding our neighborhood, which have been damaged by car accidents twice this past fiscal year. We’ve also invested in a major overhaul to the signage at the Pin Oak entrance.
Dues notices for our next fiscal year (2022-2023) will be mailed in the beginning of September. We encourage you to make your contribution for the upcoming year early. If you haven’t contributed in the past, we encourage you to support our HOA this year with a $110 donation. PayPal is a popular option for payment. Your continued support into the next fiscal year is greatly appreciated and allows us to continue maintaining and upgrading our neighborhood. Please click here to contribute.
|
|
National Night Out Neighborhood Block Party |
|
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 4, from 6:30-8:30pm. In partnership with the Orange County Sheriff's Office, this annual event brings communities together to raise awareness of safety and crime prevention, and a local deputy will be available to answer any questions. Bring your children, pets and get to know your neighbors better! We will grill hot dogs, serve refreshments, provide informational pamphlets, giveaways and more. The Jeremiah's Ice Truck will also be there serving up cool treats from 7-8:00 p.m. In addition, we will have a Kids Arts & Crafts Specialist to entertain the kids. The cost is FREE to attend National Night Out; prices for ice cream and Italian ice vary. Join us at the tent at the retention pond on the corner of Pin Oak and Sago Palm. In the event of rain, we will cancel. Hope to see you there!
|
|
Yard of the Quarter Winners: Harrison and Samantha Dunnett 5175 Hidden Springs Blvd. |
|
Congratulations to Harrison and Samantha Dunnett, our new Yard of the Quarter winners! Harrison and Samantha recently moved to Hidden Springs/Estates from Fort Lauderdale. They've come with their young family - Hannah and Julia - to be closer to their family here in Orlando.
Originally from South Florida, both Samantha and Harrison went to UCF, so they're somewhat familiar with the Central Florida area. College sweethearts, they now have Hannah, who's 3, and Julia, who's a bit over a year. I can attest, they're a busy family!
Harrison is a software developer, who works remote, and Samantha is an accountant, who also works remote. As Harrison alluded to, one of the great things about a post-Covid world is working from home and being able to be home with your children.
The Dunnetts used a professional landscaper, High Maintenance Landscaping, to help them create an easy-to-care-for landscape design. They used different ground covers and plants: Dwarf roses, Agapanthus (also known as Lily of the Nile), boxwoods along the wall of the home and layered that with Juniper that is also along the front of the home's decorative wall. They took out a couple of the Laurel Oaks that had outlived their lives, put in a Hibiscus tree and Crepe Myrtles. The lighting on the decorative wall really adds to the ambience of the home.
The home before their purchase didn't have any grass. It was all weeds, so they put in St. Augustine sod. See the before picture to get an idea of what the Dunnetts have done.
Harrison is quite handy and does some woodworking on the side. He put in new cabinets and countertops in the kitchen. He also enjoys taking care of the landscaping.
Samantha has found a new hobby: Disney Pin Trading. What better place to do that than Orlando. Both parents love taking the kids to Disney.
Harrison and Samantha were awarded a $50 gift certificate from Ace Hardware. Congratulations, again, to the Dunnetts! Welcome to the Neighborhood!
|
|
Real Estate Market Update |
|
Orlando's Market (July 2022) |
Per the Orlando Regional Realtor Association: “With a drop in median home price and another big jump in inventory, July’s data shows just how quickly Orlando’s housing market conditions can change,” said Tansey Soderstrum, Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association President. “We’ve now seen three consecutive months of significant increases in inventory. While prices may not be dropping much, buyers finally have more options when looking to purchase a home. The local market continues to show signs of cooling off a bit and is trending toward a more balanced market.” |
|
Hidden Springs/Estates Activity
For the period June 1-August 31, 2022, our neighborhood had 6 sales posting an average of 6.5 days on the market. Currently we have 1 home on the market. 4 of the sold homes had conventional financing and 2 were cash transactions. Homes sold between $474,000 and $687,500 and the average sales price for this period was $575,083. This average showed a gain of $54,571 from our last quarterly report! Hidden Springs/Hidden Estates continues to be a popular neighborhood that is holding values in this uncertain market.
|
|
Real Estate Report for Hidden Springs/Estates
June 1-August 31, 2022
|
|
Contact John Scolaro with Coldwell Banker Realty at 407-230-5567 or email orlandorealtor.john@gmail.com if you're thinking about selling your home and would like a free market home evaluation.
|
|
Your annual contributions help Hidden Springs/Estates pay for a deputy to watch out for suspicious activity, monitor motorists' speed and help protect our community overall.
Safety Report May-August
There was one reported residential burglary in late August on Pitch Pine Drive and two others in nearby subdivisions this quarter. Please stay vigilant and call 911 immediately to report suspicious activity.
School is back in session, please watch out for children going to and from school. Speed is becoming a serious issue and it's mostly those living in the neighborhood. Please SLOW DOWN. The speed limit is 25mph! One person was pulled over for running a stop sign and issued a warning. Deputies may be running radar in the area now that school is open.
We are still in hurricane season and there are people going door to door offering roof inspections and tree removal/trimming. Remember, this is a NO SOLICITING neighborhood. Please do not let solicitors in your house or buy anything from them. If you are interested in what they are selling, call the company directly and make an appointment.
If you notice anything suspicious in the neighborhood, please call 407-836-HELP (4357) for a non-emergency or 911 for an emergency.
|
|
It is that time of the year when storms knock down branches in our yards and on the street. Help keep our neighborhood looking beautiful by picking up the debris and putting it by the side of your home for yard waste day, which is Wednesdays. There also seems to be more trash in our neighborhood lately, please help us keep it clean by picking up the trash that you see on the streets and on our medians if you are walking. We want to keep our neighborhood looking attractive and our home prices on the rise. |
|
Garbage and Recycling is picked up on Tuesdays for Hidden Springs/Estates residents. Yard waste and Large Items are picked up on Wednesdays. Items should be placed at the curb no later earlier than 6:00 p.m. the night before and no later than 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Roll carts should be placed behind your home/fence or in your garage so they are no visible from the street when being stored. Frequently asked questions can be found here. For more information, please visit the Orange County website.
|
|
Code Enforcement, AirBnB Update & Watering Days |
|
In the last newsletter we told you about three Airbnbs in the neighborhood. Short-term rentals (less than 6 months) are not allowed anywhere in Orange County zoned for single family residences (R1). Our neighborhood is in Orange County, not Orlando, and is zoned R1. Orange County Code Enforcement has issued violations to the owners of these three homes, all have removed their ads and two are pursuing other long-term solutions. Code Enforcement took the third to an enforcement hearing and the Magistrate ordered daily fines if they started to do short-term rentals again. If you suspect a home is being used for short-term rentals, report it to Orange County 311 (see below) or send an email to hoa@hiddenspringsestates.org. For more information about zoning for short-term rentals call (407) 836-3111.
The Orange County 311 system is a great way to connect with local government services. They can help you with animal concerns, neighborhood inquiries, traffic matters, road conditions and more. You can contact them via phone, website or an easy-to-use app. You can report issues anonymously. Learn more at ocfl.net/311.
Watering Restrictions:
|
You may water your lawn TWO DAYS A WEEK until November 6. Orange County Watering Restrictions and Irrigation Schedule can be viewed here. Outdoor irrigation is limited to two days a week during Eastern Standard Time (from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November). Water only if necessary and not between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Water for no more than one hour per zone. Watering Violation Enforcement Process: First-time violators will receive a warning through a door hanger notice and by letter. Repeat violators will be subject to a fine of $25 per violation. A violator can appeal to a Hearing Officer after a written request is submitted and a $25 filing fee is made.
|
|
Free Interior Design Class at Library by Hidden Springs Resident Rebecca Hubler |
|
|
|
Rebecca Hubler, ASID, CAPS |
Interior designer and Hidden Springs resident Rebecca Hubler is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS). She will be presenting: |
|
“Interior Design 101; Tools, Techniques, and Tricks of the Trade”
Where: Orange County Library, Southwest Branch, 7255 Della Drive
Date: November 12, 2022
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Cost: Registration is free
The course “Interior Design 101; Tools, Techniques, and Tricks of the Trade” is geared to help homeowners and design enthusiasts understand and apply the basics of Interior Design to create pleasing environments and avoid decorating pitfalls. Learn how to set a mood by incorporating lighting, color, texture, storage solutions, art and accessories to transform an ordinary space into the extraordinary. Rebecca’s presentation will focus on the “how to’s” that interior designers use when working with clients. Rebecca will show that by understanding and implementing the fundamentals of good design (unity, balance, rhythm, harmony, emphasis, scale & proportion) into your next interior design project you can successfully achieve beautiful results that are functional and pleasing, and that reflect you.”
|
|
Visit Orlando's Magical Dining |
|
|
|
Experience Orlando’s culinary scene with Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining, celebrating its 17th year through Oct. 2, 2022. Enjoy three-course, prix-fixe dinners at many of Orlando’s most popular restaurants, including MICHELIN Guide honorees, for just $40 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
|
|
Please welcome the following new residents to Hidden Springs/Estates! Each is given a welcome basket from the HOA filled with goodies and neighborhood information. Special thanks to Karen Butler and John Scolaro for their work in putting together and delivering these wonderful welcome baskets to our new residents each quarter. If you have anything you can contribute to our welcome baskets, please contact us.
Current list of sales and purchaser information:
|
|
March 3, 2022
5351 Abelia Dr.
John James Thompson
Pamela Baguio Thompson
|
|
March 18, 2022
5175 Hidden Springs Blvd.
Harrison B. Dunnett
Samantha Dunnett
|
|
April 4, 2022
5019 Caspian Ct.
Camrin Arresseigor
|
|
April 15, 2022
4915 Caspian Ct.
Dr. Victor Rivera-Forastieri
|
|
May 13, 2022
5905 Cedar Pine Dr.
Dylan and Sarah Murphy
|
|
|
Not pictured:
May 18, 2022
6016 Pitch Pine Dr.
Thomas Jay Colbrook
May 26, 2022
5503 Pine Shade Ct.
Mohamad Alkameh
Amal Alhamwi
June 24, 2022
7626 Majestic Pine Ct.
Thomas Gainer
Sherry Lee Gainer
June 28, 2022
5339 Abelia Dr.
Jacob T. Grimm
Katharina J. Grimm
June 30, 2022
5760 Tamarack Dr.
Evan Reiersgard
Virginia Renee London
July 1, 2022
5773 Pitch pine Dr.
James A. Marino
Cynthia R. Marino
July 22, 2022
5436 Split Pine Ct.
Sfr Crown Jewel Borrower LP
|
|
Database Updates
Please make sure that you keep the Hidden Springs/Estates Homeowners Association updated with your latest email address and any resident name changes. We continually update our records by adding proper names and email addresses into our database. If you know someone who has recently moved in or who does not receive our emails, please tell them to contact us so they can receive our quarterly newsletters, event updates and alerts form the HOA.
|
|
|
Volunteers Needed for Events |
|
Do you love to plan events? Are you a creative person? We need your help with some upcoming events in our neighborhood. Assistance could include tent and table set up, welcome basket preparation and delivery, sourcing items to put in welcome baskets, event planning including National Night Out, Community Clean-Ups, and holiday events. If you would like to assist, please contact Karen at vln7807@aol.com.
|
|
Thank You to Our Supporters |
|
Advertise your business in our newsletter! Promote your business to Hidden Springs/Estates residents with a business card-sized ad in our quarterly newsletter for $50 per issue, which includes a free ad on the Supporters page on our website for one year ($25 value). Only one ad will be featured per newsletter. Please email HOA@HiddenSpringsEstates.org for additional advertising information.
|
|
President
Donna Fontaine
Vice President
Fred Hawkins
Treasurer
Tina Dottino
Secretary
Charles Simonel
|
|
Contact Management & Welcoming Director
Karen Butler
Sr. Database Director
Denise Bradley
Communications Director
Kendle Arribas
Orange County Code Enforcement Liaison
Anonymous
|
|
Click here to see our supporters. If you are interested in promoting your business to Hidden Springs/Estates residents with a business card ad on our Supporters page for $25, please contact the HOA for more information.
|
|
Although it is the Hidden Springs/Estates Homeowners Association's (HSE HOA) intent to provide accurate and up-to-date information, no warranty, express or implied, is made regarding accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information contained on the pages of this newsletter. The HSE HOA assumes no liability for damages, incurred by the user of this information, which occur directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omissions or discrepancies in the information. The HSE HOA provides this information on an "as is" basis. The HSE HOA reserves the right to make changes and updates to the information at any time and without notice. Any person or entity who relies on information contained herein does so at his or her own risk.
Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
