Is The Keys Under Valued?
Is Management To Blame?
Can The Keys Do Better?
These questions will Give your voice to others who want change and leadership…
Discloser From New Management
The Keys Condominiums have several unique advantages and untapped possibilities:
Spacious Rooms: Above all the rooms are 12×12 foot rooms, The Keys offers larger living spaces compared to the 9×10 foot rooms common in many modern developments. The Kitches and living areas are larger than most. This can provide a more comfortable living experience and attract buyers or renters looking for more space.
Generous Common Areas: In addition there are two unused club houses and regions next to pool that are untapped for possiable income. Needs a study.
Prime Location: Because of proximity to the stadium and downtown makes it a convenient choice for residents who enjoy urban living or need easy access to city amenities.
Potential for Leadership and Innovation: The likelyhood of focusing on improvements, the needs of occupants and cost-saving solar energy solutions, The Keys could not only lower expenses but also generate additional income and enhance property value.
For these reasons investing in opportunities—such as modernizing facilities, improving sustainability, and leveraging its location and space advantages—could significantly increase the appeal and value of your property while reducing the cost or holding the cost of HOA fees..
Property In Regression
Albert Einstien said “insanity is when you repeat the same mistake over and over expecting different results” essentially means that it is considered illogical or foolish to keep doing the same thing over and over again while hoping for a different outcome
The Keys is a property in regression. For the same reasons; my and others observations should highlight significant concerns about the quality of service and maintenance at The Keys Condominium Association property. The issues with landscaping and grounds management are particularly striking a level of wiped out, as these elements play a critical role in maintaining property value and creating an inviting environment for residents and visitors. In general here are some key points to consider about the management of The Keys Condominium Association:
Loss of Natural Beauty: The disappearance of trees, hedges, and ground cover not only diminishes the aesthetic appeal of the property but also impacts residents’ quality of life. Shade, greenery, and well-maintained landscapes contribute to a sense of community and relaxation.
Environmental and Functional Impact: Trees and plants help reduce heat, provide privacy, and prevent soil erosion. Their absence can lead to increased temperatures, less comfortable outdoor spaces, and an overall decline in livability.
Accountability in Grounds Maintenance: The lack of maintence needs to be identified. Whether it’s due to insufficient water, mismanagement of irrigation systems, or neglect by contractors, the association should investigate thoroughly. A clear set of standards and performance metrics for contractors is essential.
Landscape Management Book
Need for a Landscape Management Plan: A comprehensive landscape management book or plan will serve as a guiding document for maintaining and improving the grounds. This plan might include:
- Inventory of Plants and Trees: A numbering and region identification to identify trees and placement of shubs and existing landscaping elements, including their condition and care requirements.In addition locations of watering meters and regions watered by the meter.
- Watering Schedule: Clear guidelines for irrigation, including timer settings and seasonal adjustments.
- Replacement and Renewal Plan: A strategy for replacing dead plants and trees and adding new ones to enhance the property.
- Resident Involvement: Encouraging community input or forming a committee to oversee landscaping efforts could foster a sense of shared responsibility.
- Property Paint Upgrade
- Evaluate enhancing property with upgraded paint presentation.
Transparency and Communication: The association should provide regular updates to residents about landscaping efforts, challenges, and plans for improvement. This builds trust and demonstrates commitment to maintaining the community’s appeal.
Addressing these issues proactively can not only restore The Keys’ natural beauty but also reinforce its value as a desirable place to live. A strategic, transparent approach to landscaping could be a beacon for effective community management.
FirstService Residential Property Management
Why is FirstService Residential failing to provide a plan to address landscaping restoration.
The Keys Condominium Association management as well as FSRPM raises serious concerns about transparency, prioritization, and proper stewardship by the management and their representative, FirstService Residential (FSR). Several critical issues emerge:
1. Transparency and Disclosure Failures
FSR’s failure to disclose key information and leadership to invest in unnecessary investments during the meeting undermines trust and accountability. Homeowners deserve clarity on how their fees are allocated and how decisions impact the property’s value and livability. If owners do not see action based on decision they loose interest in attending meetings.
- Withholding Information: Not providing a landscaping manual, water controller layout, or previous paid invoices with cost estimates suggests either a lack of preparation or an attempt to obscure the situation.
- Misaligned Priorities: Advocating for an $800,000 reroofing project without evidence of significant roof damage raises questions about decision-making motives.
- Neglected Questions: Failing to answer direct inquiries from homeowners about the condition of roofs and landscaping is a clear breakdown of communication.
- Fear Tactics: Making statements such as Fannie May and Freedie Mac will not lend on property if roof is not replaced. Is a lie.
2. Landscaping Concerns
The degradation of the property’s greenery reflects poorly on management.
- Water Neglect: Trees and plants dying due to lack of water points to mismanagement of irrigation, not the claim of disease. This issue could likely be resolved by addressing water distribution and contractor oversight.
- No Landscape Plan: A documented landscaping maintenance manual with clear schedules for watering, fertilizing, pruning, and plant replacement is a standard necessity for managing a property of this scale. The absence of such a manual demonstrates a significant lapse of management or nifarious objectives..
- Environmental and Aesthetic Impact: Landscaping is vital not only for appearance but for maintaining property value and creating a welcoming environment for residents. Its deterioration is a pressing issue that should be prioritized. Otherwise the quality of renters will diminish.
3. Nefarious Budgetary Focus
The push for roofing improvements without identifying immediate issues—while landscaping visibly suffers—suggests poor financial and project prioritization.
- Homeowner Input Ignored: The absence of roof-related complaints indicates that the urgency of the project may be overstated.
- Lack of Cost Clarity: Proceeding with costly projects without first addressing the well-documented landscaping concerns could result in diminished homeowner trust and satisfaction. The Representitive for FSR reported that all landscaping plumbing needs to be replaced. Wrong!
4. Swimming Pool & Maintenance
The swimming pools only operate during the winter and the hot tubs are not hot. The garbadge gates are gone or failing due to poor construction and design.
In 2025 The Keys Condominium Association will be paying more for less.
Above all as an owner you should be concerned; the actions presented highlight systemic issues with how FirstService Residential (FSR) is managing The Keys Condominium Association and property. Furthermore to address these challenges effectively, it’s crucial to focus on solutions that enhance service quality, reduce costs, and explore income opportunities. For your consideration here’s an actionable approach:
1. How to Increase Service Quality While Reducing Costs
Conduct a Comprehensive Audit:
- In fact evaluate all vendor contracts (landscaping, utilities, maintenance) to identify inefficiencies or overcharges.
- Review past financials and expenditures for patterns of waste or mismanagement.
Competitive Bidding for Services:
- Firstly require multiple bids for all major contracts to ensure competitive pricing.
- Secondly transition to performance-based contracts, tying payments to measurable outcomes like landscaping quality or maintenance completion.
Implement Solar Energy Solutions:
- Thirdly install solar panels to reduce electricity costs for common areas. Solar power can provide immediate savings on utility bills and, in some cases, generate income through surplus energy sales for EV Charging.
- Explore local, state, or federal incentives for renewable energy projects.
Smart Water Management:
- Upgrade to types of trees and shrubs that are green and require less water. Rather than replacing irrigation systems repair existing system and manage.
- Develop a landscaping manual with weekly schedules. Identify all trees, shrubs and regions served..
Landscaping Plan & Budget:
- Establish type of landscaping for The Keys and budge for the improvements and changes.
2. Creating Income Streams to Offset Expenses
Community Space Rentals:
- Convert clubhouses to rentable storage space or unit for sale or rent.
Enhanced Amenities:
- Introduce value-added storage garages next to pool house or storage lockers.
- Solar & EV Charging
- Solar to manage the high cost of pools and jacuzzi’s.
- Evaluate and Introduce EV Charging within The Keys Parking.
3. Investigating and Addressing Root Problems
Before implementing changes, it’s vital to address ongoing damages and mismanagement:
Root Cause Analysis:
- Investigate why landscaping has deteriorated and whether vendor performance or water system issues are to blame.
- Assess the urgency and necessity of proposed projects (like reroofing or new landscaping plumbing) based on evidence, not conjecture.
Leadership Accountability:
- Push for greater transparency and accountability from FSR. If they continue to fall short, consider exploring other management companies.
4. Planning for 2025
Five-Year Plan:
- Develop a detailed roadmap for restoring landscaping, improving services, and addressing infrastructure needs, balancing costs with projected fee adjustments.
Voting For Change In 2025
The emphasis on voting is a powerful reminder that homeowner participation is critical to shaping the future of The Keys Condominium Association. Voting represents the collective voice of the community and ensures that decisions reflect the majority’s interests. Here’s how this can be approached effectively:
1. The Importance of Voting
- Expressing Priorities: Voting allows homeowners to highlight what matters most—whether it’s landscaping, infrastructure improvements, or financial transparency.
- Ownership Representation: The 87% participation threshold ensures that the outcome truly reflects the community’s consensus, making decisions more legitimate and widely supported.
- Accountability: A high turnout also holds the association and management accountable to residents’ collective will.
2. Encouraging Informed Participation
Especially to make voting meaningful, homeowners need to understand the issues at stake:
- Provide Clear Objectives: After all ensure that voting is accessable and outlines each decision point with context and implications, enabling owners to make informed choices.
- Host Information Sessions: Notably LivRight offers forums where homeowners can ask questions, hear explanations, and discuss the proposals in detail within comments.
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