“Avoid Summertime Blues”

by Randy Browning, Park Manager

As a Homeowner in La Casa there are obligations to your neighbors and conditions of a deed restricted community.  Constant yard and home maintenance are two of them.  Good maintenance keeps your home in top notch condition and saves you money.  Weeds in gutters indicate clogged gutters.  Clogged gutters can cause wall leaks in your home creating mold and wood rot.  Mold on your roof and exterior of your home causes deterioration of the outer surface and health issues to you and your neighbors.  Weeds and unkept shrubbery around and up against  you home enhances insects and rodents around and in your home.  Also it can be a fire hazard.

All above items take away from the appearance of your home and lower its value as well as impact the values of your surrounding neighbor’s homes.  The upkeep and maintenance of your home and yard is a year-round responsibility.  When you travel north for the summer, La Casa becomes a tropical paradise and it is even more beautiful, but it also means everything such as weeds, shrubs, palms, mold, algae and other concerns such as wind and water damage happens 2 to 3 times faster and more often.

Everyone should have a person (caretaker) to check and maintain their home when they are away.  This is the reason why the Board of Directors mandates that the Park Manager inspects homes during the summer.  The beauty of the park and value of homes in La Casa depends on it.  Being out of town does not relieve any homeowner from the responsibility of maintaining their home.  Home maintenance is a year-round responsibility as a condition of living and owning a home in La Casa.  “I am up north and will do the violation when I return,” is not an acceptable statement when receiving a violations letter.

As a good neighbor and homeowner prior to leaving the community for your northern adventures, make sure your home is in good condition prior to leaving: check painting of the home, tie downs, cleaning or painting of driveway, clean roof, and check your home for rusted screws at carport supports top and bottom. This will save you money and irritation if a storm hits and it will keep you from receiving violation letters.  Be sure to have a person doing maintenance on your yard and checking your home while you are gone.  Piece of mind is a wonderful thing.

Security:

Your security is important.  If you’re expecting someone be sure to call the Gate House at (941) 423-6463 and let the guard know to pass them through.  This is for guests, contractors, medical personnel, deliveries or tow trucks.  Our security work hard at protecting and serving work hard at protecting and serving the residents of La Casa.  Help them by calling ahead with information on expected guests.  This will make your guest feel welcomed, as well as speed their entrance into the park.

Guests:

Having a guest in?  Do they have an RV camper, boat or need special parking arrangements?  Do not just let them park anywhere.  Remember, parking at the club houses, office and rec hall is by office permit only.  Parking is only allowed for 7 days or less.  Street parking is prohibited, parking on the grass is not allowed and mooring your boat at the 2 boat ramp is not allowed.  Any of these will result in a violation.  Contact the office for guidance on parking arrangements for yourself or guest.  Remember, we try hard to resolve issues, but some parking needs can’t be meet in a community with limited parking areas.