Village News. Working for our Neighbors and Neighborhood!

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1 Volume 2, Issue 2 June 8, 2012 Village News Working for our Neighbors and Neighborhood! SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: The 2012 HOA Assessments are due on June 30th, If payment is not post marked by that date, a $25 late fee will be added to your balance as indicated on the invoice. Please contain your outdoor pets. We have received several complaints regarding outdoor cats roaming the neighborhood and staying on other people s property. Join our Facebook group and network with the other 144 homeowners who have joined. Remember, you need an approval letter for a fence, shed, deck, patio, etc. Details are available on the Branford Village website. M e s s a g e F r o m T h e B o a r d We hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day Weekend and are getting ready for the summer. We hope you were able to go to East Fallowfield Park for their 3rd annual Hats off to our Hero s Day. The event s Master of Ceremonies (MC) was our own Dan Johns. The event had music, food, and entertainment for the children. Donations of new men's or women's socks, T-Shirts, and underwear were also collected by "David's Drive" (a local non-profit supporting the needs of our veterans) to donate to the VA Hospital. We are looking into having a neighborhood activity over the summer months to get everyone together. If anyone has any ideas or would like to help organize the activity, please let us know. Some ideas were to have a block party or a 4th of July event. Since the nice weather is upon us, it is extremely important to be careful as you drive through the neighborhood as many children will be playing outside and riding their bikes. Please remember that the speed limit is 25 MPH. Please note that above ground pools are not permitted in the neighborhood. Above ground pools are those meant to be kept up for the season. This does not include the inflatable wading pools. As a safety precaution, it is important if you have a wading pool, that you empty it every night. A new feature in this and future newsletters are articles written by Board member on topics that may be of interest to you. We hope you enjoy this additional feature and if you have any topic suggestions, please let us know. I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : T r e a s u r y U p d a t e s B y K e n M o n a c o Branford Village Yard Sale 2 Neighbors Helping Neighbors 2 Get your Summer On 2 Insert: DZ General Contractors 3 Hibernia Park 4 Lease vs. Buying a Car 4-5 Insert: Astrum Solar 6 Insert: Shivak Lawn and Landscape 7 Assessment Appeals 8 Advertisers 9 Homeowner Advertisers 10 The 2012 home owner invoices were mailed out in April and as previously communicated, the assessments remained $200 for Thank you to all the homeowners that have already sent in their payments. The deadline for homeowners to send in 2012 assessments is June 30 th. After June 30 th past due homeowners will be charged a late fee of $25. The board has been looking at opportunities to make capital improvements to the village, but in order to do that we count on all homeowners paying their assessments on time. We are aware of the difficult financial times we are dealing with and are willing to work with those homeowners that reach out to us. If you need to set up a payment plan for this year s or past assessments, please the treasurer at Treasury@branfordvillage.org We have also been working diligently to reduce the outstanding balances on past assessments. One year ago we had 36 homes with outstanding balances that totaled $23,000. Currently, there are only 21 homes with outstanding balances that total $15,000, which includes an additional $1,500 in penalties beginning January 1, Some of these balances are due to the vacant properties and we will receive payment after the houses sell. Thanks again to all of you who diligently pay your assessments on time. Have a safe and happy summer. B R A N F O R D V I L L A G E H O A P O B O X 3 0, C O A T E S V I L L E, P A

2 Page 2 Village News B r a n f o r d V i l l a g e Y a r d S a l e Back by popular demand is the Branford Village Yard Sale so empty your garages, scour your basements, and clean out your closets. The yard sale will take place on Saturday, June 16th. The published time is 8 AM - 12 PM but we suggest being ready by 7:30 AM for the early birds. The yard sale will be advertised in the local paper and on multiple social media websites. The advertising cost will be covered as part of the social budget so there will be no fee for homeowners to participate. You may want to tie a few balloons to your mailbox so people know that you are selling items. Thank you to Kelly Kelly for organizing the yard sale and preparing all the advertising. N e i g h b o r s H e l p i n g N e i g h b o r s Thank you to all that helped out with the Good Deed s Day With the assistance of social media there has recently been a great showing of neighbors helping other neighbors. There was a Good Deed s Day organized by Jenny Hadler where a group of neighbors helped maintain the vacant homes by mowing the lawns and performing general landscaping cleanup. Since the HOA can only suggest general upkeep of lawns and the township can not act on the vacant lawns until the lawn is over 12 inches in height, then taking another 6-10 weeks to get it mowed, this event showed great pride in the neighborhood and it seems to be spreading. We would also like to thank those neighbors that assisted in planting the flowers by the front entrance sign and in the center islands. There has also been some useful information sharing on the Facebook Group page. With over 144 members, neighbors are able communicate the best places for services, items in need, organizing boot camps, etc. We encourage you to join the Branford Village Facebook group so you can take advantage of what our neighborhood has to offer and join in some great discussions. G e t y o u r S u m m e r O n! B y D e b B o r r e l l o We all have busy lives but I encourage you to make the most of living in The Village this summer. Plan a picnic at East Fallowfield Park under the shade of the pavilion. Host a BBQ in your backyard and invite your neighbors. Take a stroll through the development to relax and meet new people. Enjoy a thunderstorm from the front porch. Start a book club. Plant a garden. Laugh. Make the most of every moment and enjoy being part of such a wonderful community. PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESSES: Board@branfordvillage.org. Treasury@branfordvillage.org, Compliance@branfordvillage.org

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4 Page 4 Village News D i d Y o u K n o w A b o u t H i b e r n i a P a r k? B y B r u c e L i n g e n f e l t e r Hibernia park is a great place to have nearby, being only a short drive from Branford Village. The 990 acre park offers hiking, fishing, boating, and weekend camping. There are picnic tables, and picnic pavilions with barbecue grills. During the summer months, you can enjoy an interesting tour of the Hibernia mansion, parts of which predate the Declaration of Independence. In August, the park will host the 84th annual Old Fiddlers Picnic. Here are some interesting facts you might not know about the park. The first owner of the property was George Harrison, a weaver who lived there from 1744 until 1790 s when he sold it to Samuel Downing. George Harrison built the first section of the Hibernia mansion in Succeeding owners added on to the mansion over the years. Samuel Downing started the first iron forge on the property. It was initially used to convert pig iron into bar iron. By 1850, Hibernia Forge was owned by Charles Brooke, and consisted of 2 iron forges, 2 heating furnaces, a grist mill, a rolling mill, several homes, and the mansion. The property also had an orchard, stables and a farm, which allowed it to be self sustaining. After the death of her husband in 1825, Rebecca Lukens received financial help from Charles Brooke which allowed her to run the Lukens Steel mills in Coatesville. She was very successful in running the company until She accomplished this at a time when it was very unusual for a woman to be involved in business. The name Hibernia is Latin for Ireland. The name first appeared in records when Samuel Downing was the owner. With the advent of steel, iron production ceased in the late 1870 s. In 1894, the property was purchased by Franklin Swayne, a real estate lawyer from Philadelphia. He commuted from the city on the train. During his time at Hibernia, the property was used for farming, raising sheep, and during the winter, selling ice. When he was in his 60 s, Swayne married Dolly Clifford, an English actress who was in her 20 s. In 1903, Dolly convinced her new husband to build a ballroom to host a Christmas day evening ball. He was forced to sell some of his property to pay for the ballroom, and the expensive ball. Records indicate that the ballroom was only used one time. Shortly after the ball, the couple separated. The beautiful ballroom was used by later owners of the mansion to maintain their lawnmowers, and for storage. L e a s i n g V e r s u s P u r c h a s i n g a V e h i c l e : W h a t i s R i g h t f o r Y o u? B y L e e H e r z e r There comes a time in everyone s life when you have to make the decision to buy a new vehicle. It may be your first purchase, trading in an old vehicle or simply getting the latest model. For many people, stepping foot inside the auto dealership and dealing with a car salesman is a very frustrating experience. However, once you decide on which make and model you want, there comes a time to decide whether to lease or purchase the vehicle. Leases and purchases are simply two different forms of financing. Leasing is not renting, as many people seem to believe, but rather leasing finances the use of the vehicle. Leasing basically finances the depreciation of the vehicle over a certain time period. Purchasing simply finances the vehicle in the form of a loan over a specified time period (usually 4-6 years). The following guide should serve as a handy tool to determine which option is best for you, the advantages and disadvantages and terms you should know before making your decision. B R A N F O R D V I L L A G E H O A P O B O X 3 0, C O A T E S V I L L E, P A

5 Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 5 L e a s i n g V e r s u s P u r c h a s i n g a V e h i c l e : W h a t i s R i g h t f o r Y o u? ( C o n t i n u e d ) Leasing - The Advantages Low Down Payments - Lease down payments are generally lower than purchase down payments. Many dealers offer lease programs at $0 due at signing, however, be aware that the more cash you put down, the lower your monthly lease payments. Low Monthly Payments - Since you are only paying for the depreciation on the car, your monthly lease payments will be much lower than financing the car through a loan. Lease payments are 30%-60% lower than loan payments. Easy Exit - When your lease term is up (usually months), you can simply hand your keys back to the dealer and walk away. New Vehicle Every Couple of Years - Many people like to drive a new vehicle every few years. Warranty Coverage - Most leases come with at least a 36,000 mile warranty. People that consistently lease always have a vehicle that is under warranty. Leasing - The Disadvantages No Equity - Leasing a car is very similar to paying rent for an apartment. When the lease term is up, you will have no equity. Lack of Flexibility - If you want to exit your lease prior to the lease term you may pay hefty penalties. Mileage Constraints - Most lease agreements grant 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year. Most leases also charge an extra cents for each mile you drive over that certain mileage limit. Increased Insurance Costs - Most lease agreements require higher liability coverage than on a loan. Typically, this may increase your monthly insurance costs anywhere from $20-$80 per month. Purchasing - The Advantages Cheaper in the Long-Term - If you are the type that likes to keep a car for 7+ years, then purchasing a vehicle will be cheaper in the long-term as you will have a number of years without monthly payments. Equity - Once your loan is paid off, you will have a certain level of equity to take advantage of for a trade-in or to put down on your next vehicle. Vehicle Customization - Many people like to customize their vehicles (i.e. spoilers, paint work, lighting). Leases limit this customization. No Mileage Constraint - When you own your own vehicle you can drive as much as you like. Reasonable Insurance Costs - Once you own your vehicle free and clear, you will have the option as the owner to reduce your liability coverage and/or eliminate collision coverage. Purchasing - The Disadvantages High Down Payments - Dealer down payments can be significantly higher for purchasing versus leasing. High Monthly Payments - Although you typically only finance a vehicle over 5 years, the monthly payments tend to be 30%- 60% more expensive than lease payments. For example, a typical lease of a $20,000 vehicle may be $250/month; however, to purchase that exact same vehicle would result in a monthly payment of approximately $375/month. Warranty Expiration - At some point your warranty will expire. You will have the choice to purchase an extended warranty or risk paying for unexpected repair costs after the warranty expires. Barrier to Exit - If during your loan term you decide you want to get a new vehicle there may be a point where you owe more money on your loan than the vehicle is worth. Hopefully the information above paints a clear picture of both the advantages and disadvantages of leasing versus purchasing. Leasing is typically the right answer for people who want to save money on monthly vehicle payments, who have a stable and predictable lifestyle and take good care of their vehicles. Purchasing is better for those who drive a lot of miles, enjoy paying off their vehicle loans and enjoy having a number of years without monthly vehicle payments. This decision is solely up to the individual buyer. You can find other useful tools online such as additional advice and lease versus buy calculators to further aid in your decision making. PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESSES: Board@branfordvillage.org. Treasury@branfordvillage.org, Compliance@branfordvillage.org

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8 Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 8 D o n t f o r g e t t o a p p e a l y o u r a s s e s s m e n t v a l u e. B y K e n n y S m i t h The information below is an estimate of what you can save. The county determines the actual assessment values of your home. Keep in mind, the appeal process does not guarantee your taxes will reduce. The county has the right to keep them the same, or increase them. The information is based on s information. As you may know, our area has extremely high taxes compared to the values of our homes. You may not know that you have the right to appeal your property assessment each year and hopefully get the taxes lowered. The annual appeal process for this year begins on May 1st and goes through August 1st. You may have been contacted by consulting firms and agencies that offer appeal services. They normally work on a contingency fee of your first year s savings or charge a flat fee. How do you know if your property assessment and therefore taxes are too high and you should appeal them? If you look at your School taxes and your Chester County Tax bills, you will notice there is a base property assessment value on them. What does this mean? The assessment value is what your house would have been worth in 1996, which was the last time the county was assessed. To determine the Market Value of your house today, you should multiply the assessment value by a Common Level Ratio factor of 1.79, which means if you assessment value is 160,000, you are being taxed on a house worth $286,400. If your market value is greater than what you think your house is worth, it may be beneficial for you to appeal your property assessment. An appraisal and/or comparable properties will help determine that. Keep in mind, the appeal process does not guarantee your taxes will reduce. The county has the right to keep them the same, or increase them. How do I determine what I can save? 1. First you have to estimate what is your new property assessment value. To do so, take the market value of your home multiplied by 1/1.79 or.56. For example, if you believe your house would sell for $250,000, your assessment value should be 140,000. To see all CLR s for PA, go to 2. To determine your estimated School tax, you need to multiply your assessment value by the 2011 millage rate for Coatesville School District of mills. (2012 s rate is not published yet). 140,000 x 2.949% = $ This is your base tax rate. 3. To determine your Chester County tax, you need to multiply your assessment value by the 2012 millage rate for Chester County of mills. 140,000 x % = $ This is your base tax rate. (to find out county and school district millage rates, Google chester county millage rate ) 4. Subtract the possible new taxes from your 2011 base rates. To help you in your calculations, there is a downloadable spreadsheet on the Branford Village website. What does it cost to appeal my property assessment? There is a processing fee of $25 that is due when you file your form. Information To find out information about the appeal process or to download the application form, please go to

9 Page 9 Village News t h i s I s s u e o f V i l l a g e N e w s i s B r o u g h t t o y o u b y t h e F o l l o w i n g A d v e r t i s e r s : Shivak Lawn and Landscape Jason Shivak (610) shivakja@yahoo.com Branford Village s Landscaper See Insert on Page 7 Advertise Your Business or Service Here! See Insert on Page 6 I f y o u k n o w a n y o n e w h o w o u l d l i k e t o a d v e r t i s e t h e i r B u s i n e s s o r S e r v i c e s, p l e a s e h a v e t h e m c o n t a c t t h e b o a r d. D i s c o u n t e d A d v e r t i s i n g P r i c e s f o r R e s i d e n t s!

10 Volume 2, Issue 2 Page 10 t h i s I s s u e o f V i l l a g e N e w s i s A l s o B r o u g h t t o y o u b y t h e F o l l o w i n g A d v e r t i s e r s W h o A r e H o m e o w n e r s : See Insert on Page 3 Are you a homeowner who offers a product or service that the neighbors can benefit from? Let them know about it by advertising in the newsletter and in our online business directory. Homeowners: Advertise Your Services Here! I f y o u k n o w a n y o n e w h o w o u l d l i k e t o a d v e r t i s e t h e i r B u s i n e s s o r S e r v i c e s, p l e a s e h a v e t h e m c o n t a c t t h e b o a r d. D i s c o u n t e d A d v e r t i s i n g P r i c e s f o r R e s i d e n t s!