Well, needless to say that didn't sit well with me. As steam rolls from my ears, I need clarification. Do I not already pay a premium to rent and/or live in Watercolor? As a homeowner, there is a substantial monthly fee.... on top of the million dollar price tag. What is going on?o.k., I have spoken to Watercolor Vacations on two separate occasions and got the same basic answer with some variation on details. I find it hard to believe at all, so I need everyone's help. Watercolor Vacations has initiated a "resort fee" for guests who book through them. This fee covers access to amenities that NOBODY else can have access to. These include: boat house.. being kayaking, canoeing, electric boat rides, and fishing; access to the golf course; use of Camp Watercolor; DVD Rentals; beach bonfires; fitness club usage without fees, etc.. I was informed I was still "allowed" to dine at Fish out of Water (gee, I feel lucky). I pursued more details because, as some of you know, we have considered purchasing in the community. They went on to inform me that ONLY those homes using Watercolor Vacations had access. In fact, that these homeowners paid an additional fee on top of the 40% management fee, for amenity access. Therefore, if I used another rental agency, or VRBO, my guests would not have access to these things. In addition I was told as a home owner, neither I nor my guests, could use these facilities (even as a full time ressie)! huh? Well, needless to say that didn't sit well with me. As steam rolls from my ears, I need clarification. Do I not already pay a premium to rent and/or live in Watercolor? As a homeowner, there is a substantial monthly fee.... on top of the million dollar price tag. What is going on?
Well, needless to say that didn't sit well with me. As steam rolls from my ears, I need clarification. Do I not already pay a premium to rent and/or live in Watercolor? As a homeowner, there is a substantial monthly fee.... on top of the million dollar price tag. What is going on?Edited
Replies
81
Beach Fanatic
As an outsider, I find this discussion interesting to follow. St. Joe seems to have forgotten that the kind of people who can afford to buy a premium vacation home usually didn't get to that financial point in life by just blindly writing out a check any time someone asked for one. They've likely haggled and played a fair amount of hardball many, many times in their business life over the years.
SoWal Expert
OK, hot off the presses from WCVR. Please look at the attachment and the new addition of the asterisks on this second page. According to their office, all amenities are available for homeowners - period. Guests of homeowners (through other rental companies) have access to the Beach Club and Camp pool. However, guests renting through other companies will not have access to camp activities or DVD rentals. While the HOA owns the pools, it is Noble House that is in charge of some activities. So, this could be a real sticking point if the kids have their hearts set on making ceramics or stepping stones at the camp. On the other hand, not sure if the staff will be sticklers for this. Time will tell. As a homeowner, it makes me wonder if we should remain with WCVR instead of changing.If that is the case, it doesn't explain why the person with whom I spoke at WCVR told me that it was exclusively for WCVR owners and guests. I specifically asked several time if a home owner who chose not to rent at all, would also be able to use these "priviledges" and the representative repeatedly told me no, and continued that they were paid for by the WCVR and not the HOA, thought there was question as to whether or not that applied to the boat useage since that did appear to be HOA controlled, even though it was on the "for WCVR" only list. Understand, the new guy in charge has been in place for only 30days and is still learning, as is the staff apparently.
SoWal Expert
It sounds like a way to funnel rentals to Watercolor's rental company AND recoup some of the money that has been lost over the years providing amenities to all and sundry.
My question is this:
What exactly is the difference between the "guests" of a homeowner and the "paying guests" of a homeowner.
They both use amenities.
My question is this:
What exactly is the difference between the "guests" of a homeowner and the "paying guests" of a homeowner.
They both use amenities.
SWGB
The point is, for those that purchased homes in Watercolor from St. Joe, or otherwise, was it ever disclosed to you by St. Joe that if you chose to rent your home when it otherwise wasn't in use and you for whatever reason elected not to rent it through their management company that they would deny your guests the right to use certain community amenities?
Thank you Coondog for re-centering the thread. I have appreciated the responses however and have found them very helpful. There should be concern about future buyers and what this might mean to them. It is my hope this gets resolved openly and honestly.
Do either of you have an interest or employment with a rental company outside of WCVR?
The ownership and use of any amenity is in the covenants and bylaws that were given to you at the time of your closing. Unless they are legally amended then it doesn't change.
Admin
The point is, for those that purchased homes in Watercolor from St. Joe, or otherwise, was it ever disclosed to you by St. Joe that if you chose to rent your home when it otherwise wasn't in use and you for whatever reason elected not to rent it through their management company that they would deny your guests the right to use certain community amenities?
St. Joe does not manage rentals any longer. In addition, once a property is purchased, the owner deals with the homeowners' association, not the builder or developer.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Do either of you have an interest or employment with a rental company outside of WCVR?
The ownership and use of any amenity is in the covenants and bylaws that were given to you at the time of your closing. Unless they are legally amended then it doesn't change.
I do not have an interest or employment with a rental company outside of WCVR. I am simply a renter for the time being. A renter in WC for five years now and a lover of 30-A and Watercolor. We are also potential buyers. I came across this noticeable change in policy as we were inquiring about purchasing a property as well as when I went to book our upcoming vacation. I'm just looking for clarification on this matter as it weighs in on a home purchase as well as with whom we choose to rent.
Beach Lover
I'm still scratching my head... help me out here.
If HOA owns the tennis center, than how can the owners, guests of owners not in the rental program, and "Advantage" members pay more than those in the "Elite" St. Joe rental program?
If HOA owns it, how can St. Joe be bargaining with it?
If HOA owns the tennis center, than how can the owners, guests of owners not in the rental program, and "Advantage" members pay more than those in the "Elite" St. Joe rental program?
If HOA owns it, how can St. Joe be bargaining with it?
SWGB
I'm still scratching my head... help me out here.
If HOA owns the tennis center, than how can the owners, guests of owners not in the rental program, and "Advantage" members pay more than those in the "Elite" St. Joe rental program?
If HOA owns it, how can St. Joe be bargaining with it?
They are not restricting access, they are offering a lower usage fee to those on the Elite program. In fact for legal purposes they are probably charging everybody the same fee and "subsidizing" the Elite program participants.
SoWal Expert
Aside from it being an incentive to rent through the WC agency, why don't they just restrict usage to those owners/guests/renters whose dues are current.
And charge additional fees if necessary to make the ink black instead of red?
And charge additional fees if necessary to make the ink black instead of red?
Beach FanaticAuthor
They are not restricting access, they are offering a lower usage fee to those on the Elite program. In fact for legal purposes they are probably charging everybody the same fee and "subsidizing" the Elite program participants.
O.K., here's the update I've gotten so far. It is my understanding there was an HOA meeting this past Saturday to discuss this particular subject. It is as has been posted here in previous posts. All homeowners have access to all amenities. All guests of homeowners have access to all amenities, if the homeowner is present for the activity. All renters renting through WCVR have access to all amenities. If you are renting a home that is not in the WCVR program, you will NOT have access to specific amenities that are offered. More specifically, the boat house kayaks, canoes, fishing, electric boat rides, etc., Camp Watercolor, the fitness center, bon fires, DVD rentals, etc.. This is an ongoing debate and is being worked on. St Joe and/or Noble House pay a hefty cost to lease these amenity areas from the homeowners, so they feel it is within their right to do this. It is for the purpose of gaining market share. Hmmmm... I'm curious to see if this technique will actually work. For me, it brings up concerns for future restrictions. It has for now, at least, satisfied my concerns about homeowner usage. It has not satisfied my concerns with regard to putting my home with another agency, or doing VRBO. I can not guarantee my information to be accurate, but I did get it from what I deem to be a reliable source.
Beach Comber
Hope you are correct about the homeowners amenities not being restricted. I understand if Noble House is paying then they could charge outside rental companies but don't penalize those who do not rent their home.
Admin
Hope you are correct about the homeowners amenities not being restricted. I understand if Noble House is paying then they could charge outside rental companies but don't penalize those who do not rent their home.
The fact that no realtors or rental agents, especially those on site, have not posted tells me that things are not clear to them yet either.
SWGB
The fact that no realtors or rental agents, especially those on site, have not posted tells me that things are not clear to them yet either.
Ah, but one of the on site realtors has been posting. ;-)
SoWal Expert
yes, but the on-site Realtors are not with St Joe, and know only as much as the rest of us who are talking to WC rental program directors.
Admin
Ah, but one of the on site realtors has been posting. ;-)
yes, but the on-site Realtors are not with St Joe, and know only as much as the rest of us who are talking to WC rental program directors.
Thanks - that's what I meant.
Beach Lover
Do either of you have an interest or employment with a rental company outside of WCVR?
The ownership and use of any amenity is in the covenants and bylaws that were given to you at the time of your closing. Unless they are legally amended then it doesn't change.
No, I do not. I own a lot and I am in the process of finalizing my plans and will start moving dirt in November, and will move here full time shortly thereafer. In addition, St. Joe still controls the rentals through their relationship with Noble House which is why they are trying to deny use of certain amenities to those that do not rent through them.
SWGB
One of the reasons I understand for this, the gentle persuading of owners to use the onsite rental company, is consistency. Unfortunately most renters don't remember the fly-by-night rental company that they got the "great deal" on, only to arrive to a dirty, unkempt, lacking rental home that no one could be reached to remedy the situation, they do however remember that they stayed in something called WaterColor. In the long run it actually benefits an owner, but folks are strapped for cash and the dollar is more important at times.
Beach Comber
Are there any happy owners on St. Joe's program?
Jason Sprenkle
360 Blue
Jason Sprenkle
360 Blue
SoWal Expert
As I understand it, there are many happy owners on WaterColor's Rental Program. WC Rental Program is now offering the same mgt for less money than they used to, and they are even giving a bare-bones minimum for less priviledges, more in line with what discount mgt companies would offer, yet WC has a 24 hour check-in with staff on duty 24-7. That in itself is a huge plus.
Beach Fanatic
FTLOG! Why don't we cease and desist with this thread. Is anyone 100% COMPLETELY HAPPY with ANY of their local managment companies, Sunburst, Beach Rentals, 30A Resorts, 360 Blue, etc., etc...??? How did this thread become a way to bash and single out ONE local rental company.
I think this thread has become an unfair travesty with other disguised (or not so disguised) competitors chiming in for the sole purpose of bashing Watercolor and St. Joe --enough already!
I think this thread has become an unfair travesty with other disguised (or not so disguised) competitors chiming in for the sole purpose of bashing Watercolor and St. Joe --enough already!
Edited
Meow
Are there any happy owners on St. Joe's program?
Jason Sprenkle
360 Blue
Beach Fanatic
We took a walk around the pool area and restaurant areas at WC when we were there at Xmas time.
Not many people were there so they were glad to show us around.
One employee, advised us that we might want to use another rental route, such as VRBO, to save some money.
Ellen
Not many people were there so they were glad to show us around.
One employee, advised us that we might want to use another rental route, such as VRBO, to save some money.
Ellen
Admin
FTLOG! Why don't we cease and desist with this thread. Is anyone 100% COMPLETELY HAPPY with ANY of their local managment companies, Sunburst, Beach Rentals, 30A Resorts, 360 Blue, etc., etc...??? How did this thread become a way to bash and single out ONE local rental company.
I think this thread has become an unfair travesty with other disguised (or not so disguised) competitors chiming in for the sole purpose of bashing Watercolor and St. Joe --enough already!
Seems to me this thread is about the title, clarification, not bashing.
Beach Comber
I love Watercolor, that's why we have a house there. Just wanted clarification on some amenities. This is the only issue I have ever had and this really seems not to be an issue now. Great developement in my opinion, just wanted clarification that owners do not have to start paying for amenities that were previously free. No bashing here.
Beach Fanatic
Are there any happy owners on St. Joe's program?
Jason Sprenkle
360 Blue
Seems to me this thread is about the title, clarification, not bashing.
Repectfully Kurt, while the thread was about "clarification of ammenities", there were a few comments that caused me to wonder if it had not "strayed" from its original intent--as threads sometimes do.
You can fairly talk about clarification of the ammenities at WC, but a competeing rental company implying general, negative feelings about WC's overall program is unfair, in my opinion.
Edited
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