Any Watercolor home owners please feel free to clarify what the association dues cover -as far as amentities. There has been threads in the past that have eluded to the notion that some W.C. homeowners who didn't rent their home as not having the the same privileges/ rights as the the ones that rent. Rather than talk strictly w/ realtors, I would appreciate a honest answer from somebody who owns and can give me the reality or any +'s or -'s.
Special assessments.....amentities that aren't included in the HO dues. Sometimes there is nothing better than hearing from an owner. Any general thoughts or feelings from the owners in W.C., especially in the Dragonfly pool-Publix phase would be appreciated.
I am not an owner.... so in reality I don't have the down-low, but we have stayed in WC for over six years, multiple times per year... and have done some house hunting of our own. It is my understanding that all homeowner's and their guests (as long as the homeowner is with them) are entitled to all amenities on property. It is also my understanding that past discussions did take place to revoke those privileges, and intelligently, was struck down. Noble House, who manages WC Inn and Watercolor Vacation Rentals, leases the land from the HOA on which the amenities are run. In order to stay competitive with outside rental agencies, Noble House has devised amenity packages that are exclusive to those who rent through them... hence the higher rate. It is tiered, and lengthy to explain. The jist of it is, if you own a home in WC and do not use Watercolor Vacation Rentals as your management company, your guests are not entitled to certain amenities. Outside agencies have devised numerous ways to get around this by offering similar luxuries through them (i.e. babysitting, bikes on site, kayak rentals, etc.)
While all of these decisions were being made, some discussion evidently took place to disallow all homeowners who didn't have their home in the rental program privileges. I believe it was resolved through HOA meetings. Doesn't mean it won't come up again. I think an active board within any community is important... within a community that allows a business to use part of their land, it is imperative.
As for Phase IV.... they receive all benefits all other phases receive... including the same HOA fees.
It may feel like the step child for now, but I really think it will be quite nice once built out, for a better price point. Not sure if rentals will ever be as popular over there, but for full time or just second home use, I think it could work well.
On a side note, when I visited the Phase IV, St. Joe model home in August, the realtor at the time said there was discussion of another pool going in further into Phase IV... something nice, as Phase IV is actually quite large and lengthy. With the problems St. Joe is having, I am unclear where that leaves any future development for WC.. especially on something like an additional Phase IV pool.
I'll be anxiously watching the responses here. Hope mine helped a bit.
