After a Lost Creek Ranch (LCR) resident asked me a good question about our HOA dues, she thanked me for my response and suggested that I post it for all to read. The resident bought a home in Lost Creek Ranch when the neighborhood was new and small (2001-2002). Today, there are over 1,100 homes in Lost Creek Ranch and no more new homes being built. So, her question was about HOA dues for LCR residents. Specifically, why they didn't go down as the neighborhood grew and more homes were built? It's a good question, as more homeowners mean more dues collected. One would think that this would mean that less was needed from each home. So HOA dues should have gone down as the neighborhood grew, right? Unfortunately, no... here is the explanation of why not, in case you were unaware of this information:

It was never the intention or design of the LCR long-term budget (designed by the community developer/builders) for dues to be reduced. In fact, for the first few years/phases of LCR, the dues were subsidized by the builders in the community. This was because there weren't enough homes for dues alone to pay for all of our wonderful amenities. From our parks, ponds, fountains, jogging trails, fencing, signage, management and more... their cost required subsidizing for the first few years. This kept our dues from being unbelievably high; the builders didn't want high dues to keep homeowners from buying here so they subsidized them... or helped pay the shortfall. This is very common in new neighborhoods; and as with most new communities, the long-term budget was designed so that the more homes the builders sold, the less they had to subsidize the HOA dues. They looked at it as an investment in the neighborhood. Eventually, the design allowed for the builders to completely stop subsidizing the HOA dues as they sold out of homes in the (then) self-sufficient community. At that time, there would be enough homeowners to pay for the amenities while paying around the same dues they always had (with no more help from the builders). That's exactly what happened a few years ago and where we are still today.

The good news: While most HOAs have dues increases every year or two (as the cost to maintain amenities goes up each year due to inflation), Lost Creek Ranch has only had one increase since taking ownership from the builders several years ago. This is mainly because our board sends most expenses out for bid (i.e. we got bids on maintaining our common landscaping and have saved thousands). More good news: LCR HOA dues remain low relative to the amazing amenities we have. Just compare LCR to some of the neighborhoods around Allen, Plano, McKinney and Frisco. This is why most consider LCR such a great place to live (even at $460/year). If you want to help make this community even better, or you want to know more about the LCR HOA, please feel free to contact me. And remember that we always need more volunteers (for committees like: pool, parks, yard/decoration, social, etc.). Serving as a volunteer here in Lost Creek Ranch has been a rewarding experience for me that I have enjoyed for many years now. So, even though dues aren't going down, I'm thankful for all of the amenities that we have and how (relatively) little we pay for them.

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com
 

Well, it's official... Marion Elementary attendance boundaries in Lost Creek Ranch WILL NOT CHANGE!
I just posted the high points of the story on the LCR HOA website, but here they are again:

After a storied battle by Allen, TX Residents to make their voices heard, one which included televised news coverage, Lost Creek Ranch Residents were victorious today. The AISD School Board voted 7-1 in favor of the school boundaries proposal that will keep ALL of Lost Creek Ranch attending the school named "Marion Elementary at Lost Creek Ranch". A great BIG thank you went out to the committee and all of the other volunteers that made sure that the Lost Creek Residents' voices were heard on this issue which would have affected so many of our children (and, quite possibly, some neighborhood property values). There is little doubt that the committee's hard work preparing alternative boundary solutions, and rallying Resident attendance for Board meetings and at hearings (I was at several), provided the visibility needed to help keep all of Lost Creek Ranch at Marion Elementary. Click here to see the new maps on the AISD web site showing the 2009 and 2010 school attendance areas. Hurray for LCR! Rising up to support one another, even those who would not have been affected by the changes, is there any better definition of community?

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com

See brief news coverage of the victory here. The students mentioned, who will continue to be able to walk to school, are the Residents of Lost Creek Ranch:

There are lots of Homeowners Associations (HOAs) in Allen. Each HOA has it's own purpose, but most are formed to keep common areas, yards, homes and neighborhood amenities in good order. For the purposes of this comparison, we'll be looking at those HOAs that at least have community pools (some HOAs have no common areas to maintain). These HOAs tend to have annual dues ranging anywhere from a few hundred dollars a year to almost $1,000 per household. There are various factors, but HOA dues tend to be greater in communities with more amenities. While the average HOA dues in Allen are around $450 per year, the average HOA doesn't have much more than a community pool in terms of amenities (plus maybe one other like a park, pond or jogging trail). Luckily for the Residents of Lost Creek Ranch, we have very average dues (at around $436 per year), but our amenities are anything but average. Just look at the above-average list of amenities we have to be proud of for our very average dues:
- Community pool
- Community playground (next to pool)
- Private park (on Prairie View Drive)
- Not just one, but three ponds with fountains
- Not just one, but two jogging trails (one along creek and one around the ponds and fountains)
- Community events like the Fall Festival, Spring Carnival, Holiday light & décor contests, etc. 

I sell a LOT of homes in MANY of different communities all over Allen and even in McKinney, Plano, Frisco and beyond. However, when I'm asked about great communities with great amenities, Lost Creek Ranch has always been at the top of my list. That's one of the reasons I chose to make LCR my home and why I've always been so involved here. Most communities with the same amenities are paying at least $500-$600 per year. Our large number of homeowners, and budget-conscious board, have keep our dues very reasonable in comparison.

September 2007 sales for Lost Creek Ranch

*Note that the Sales Price often does not refelect Seller contributions. For example, the Sales Price may show $220,000 when, in actuality, the Seller contributed $7,500 towards Buyer closing costs; thus netting the Seller $212,500. I can research this and get more accurate information pertaining to specific homes like yours.

Call Ryan Cave, The "Caveman" for more details and property-specific adjustments at 214-789-9366.

Residential
RES	Pool		Living Areas	Stories			Map	Beds	Baths	Garage/CarPort/ Total Cov. Parking	Sales Price*
1							DA*/0460*/Z	3	2	2/0/2	$ 155,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 1	Sto: 1			SqFt: 1,734	YrBlt: 2002		Original List Price:	$159,900
2							DA*/0460*/V	3	2	2/0/2	$ 168,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 1	Sto: 1			SqFt: 1,843	YrBlt: 2002		Original List Price:	$169,900
3							DA*/0461*/Z	3	2	2/0/2	$ 175,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 1	Sto: 1			SqFt: 1,890	YrBlt: 2003		Original List Price:	$174,900
4							DA*/0460*/V	3	2.1	2/0/2	$ 196,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 2	Sto: 1			SqFt: 2,486	YrBlt: 2001		Original List Price:	$205,000
5							DA*/0460*/V	4	3	2/0/2	$ 220,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 2	Sto: 2			SqFt: 2,818	YrBlt: 2005		Original List Price:	$215,500
6							DA*/0460*/V	4	2	2/0/2	$ 214,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 1	Sto: 1			SqFt: 2,509	YrBlt: 2003		Original List Price:	$249,800
7							DA/0461/S	4	2.1	2/0/2	$ 232,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 2	Sto: 2			SqFt: 2,953	YrBlt: 2003		Original List Price:	$239,900
8							CG/0461*/S	4	2	2/0/2	$ 160,000
	Pl: N		#Lv: 2	Sto: 1			SqFt: 1,987	YrBlt: 2001		Original List Price:	$180,900

Prepared By: Ryan Cave / Keller Williams Realty Allen

----- Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed. -----.

LOST CREEK RANCH FALL FESTIVAL PLANNED FOR OCTOBER 7, 2007

Residents of Lost Creek Ranch: Be sure to mark October 7th on your calendars for the Lost Creek Ranch Fall Festival from 2pm-5pm at the park on Charleston Dr. and Xavier Dr. You and your family won't want to miss it as there will be bounce houses, trackless train rides, a canned food drive/prize raffel, a Halloween costume contest, a cake/cookie walk, vendor booths and a Chili Cook off with a great prize for first place (open to all residents). There will be fun for all ages so plan to attend! If you would like to set up a vendor booth (Lost Creek residents only), volunteer to help, or just get general information (or more on the Chili Cook off) you can call Ryan Cave, The "Caveman" at 214-789-9366.
If rained out, the rain date is October 14th, same time, same location.

*** We need more chili cookoff teams step up and cook/compete for the big prize! ***

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com

A community yard sale can be a great way to clear out our garage, and home, of unwanted clutter. Get rid of that old desk, that extra coffee maker, or that exercise equipment that is serving as a clothes rack. The advantages of a community yard sale vs. going it alone:

• Many homeowners can pool together and buy an ad or two local newspapers.
• Only one set of signs is generally needed around the exterior of the neighborhood.
• Homeowner Associations will sometimes help advertise.
• More yard sale participants usually means more shoppers.

Lost Creek Ranch is having our annual community yard sale 9/15/07 at 8am. We try not to use garages unless they are front-entry to avoid traffic jams in the alleys. So what are you waiting for? Pick a date and get organizing (while the weather is still nice)!

LCR HOA ANNUAL YARD SALE SEPTEMBER 15, 2007

It is time to start cleaning out your garage again! Our Neighborhood, Annual Yard sale will be held Saturday, September 15, 2007 starting at 8 am. The Lost Creek Ranch HOA will provide all signage and advertising We advertise in the Dallas Morning News, Collin County Community pages (Allen American), and Allen Online. They will follow all city guidelines and put up signs in and around the neighborhood. Unless you have a front entry garage, they request that you hold your sale in your front yard. The traffic to our sale grows each year and the congestion in the alleys would be horrendous if the sales were held in the back. Thank You for your cooperation and participation.

Ryan Cave, The "Caveman"
Truth, Honor & Personal Integrity
214-789-9366
www.CaveRealty.com