Happy Thanksgiving from Avalon Management

We hope that all are enjoying this time with family and friends, and we are thankful for our family of clients.

"We must find the time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives; these are the residents, the many people we work with, and communities which we serve" - Mark Jones, President of Avalon Management  #happythanksgiving

HOA Board Responsibility

Your community is more than just a neighborhood. In many ways, it’s a lot like a business. Collectively, your regular annual assessments amount to tens of thousands of dollars that need to be budgeted carefully and spent wisely. And your neighbors who have volunteered and been elected to serve on the association’s board are responsible for making critical decisions - on our behalf - about managing the community and our money.

The board also develops long-range plans - like when the parking lot will need to be repaved and when the elevators will need to be replaced - about the parts of the community that are shared property. The board must set aside funds so that these kinds of projects can be accomplished on schedule or even ahead of schedule in the event there’s an unexpected breakdown.

The board also sends out requests for bids and contracts with vendors to do the work necessary to maintain our shared amenities. Board members decide who will do the best job of replacing the roof at the best price or who will be the most reliable company to hire to mow the grass and remove dead tree limbs.

The board’s decisions can have a significant impact on the community’s appearance and, consequently, on our property values. Regardless of our professional manager, the board ultimately is responsible for overseeing association operations. Be sure to communicate with the board regularly, observe board meetings, and attend annual meetings to elect responsible board members and to participate in the conversations about significant community issues.

Thank You Veterans!

President Kennedy said once ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.’  The men and women in our military have answered that call.

The courage and strength that our veterans exude are qualities which deserve only our highest gratitude.  We cannot thank you enough for what you have done, the sacrifices you have made, and what you continue to do for this country. You have our best wishes and our deepest appreciation.

November Landscape Tips

In November, it is time for our final lawn Fertilizer application this year. Use a product that has a good dose of potassium and phosphorus to support root health like 16-6-8 or similar. Now that the weather has finally cooled and we are watering less, you will notice that your grass is growing more slowly. It is growing so much more slowly in fact, that we can reduce mowing frequency to once every other week instead of weekly and edging every six weeks will be sufficient. You can continue on this pace until spring. The time you save from mowing may need to be spent raking. Clean up leaves as they fall to prevent mildew and fungus spores from spreading. Continue planting perennials, groundcovers, herbs, roses, trees, and shrubs; don’t worry it is not too late. Oddly you may get some of your best rose blooms this month. But stop fertilizing to encourage them to go dormant for a couple of months in January and February. They need the rest, and you need them to go dormant to hard prune.   If we do get rain, it is time to plant native wildflowers such as California poppies. Do not worry, you can plant them in December or January as well, but want to time it with the wet weather.   Remember to turn off the irrigation system if it does rain, or better yet, turn off the system a day before if the forecast calls for a 75% or better chance of rain the next day.  With the damp mornings, watch for snails and slugs. As needed, set out pet safe baits.  Water your established shrubs and trees if there’s no rainfall for more than a week and a half. Even if there is no rain at all, we only need to water 2-3 times a week, and 5-9 minutes per station. Inspect drains, and make sure you are prepared for the coming wet weather; I promise we will eventually get some rain.  Bonus Tip: Backyard garden enthusiasts, plant strawberries in the first half of the month for maximum fruit harvest. Space plants 1 foot apart in rich, loose soil in full sun. The “straw” in the name comes from an old practice of mulching around the berries with straw to prevent the berries from rotting on the soil. Use garden cloths instead for your home garden. Better yet, just be diligent in picking, and expect a few lost fruits

Check out the Avalon Mobile App for your community!

Avalon has rolled out our mobile app for every community we manage.  Instant access to association information, communications and notifications.   Here is a short video overview: Community Base

#hoawebapp,#avalonmanagement