The Villas of Wake Forest were recently named the best condominium community in North Carolina by the Community Associations Institute, based on the finances, activities, leadership, professionalism, communications, teamwork, volunteer engagement and commitment.
Mayor Vivian Jones presented the award to the community at its annual meeting on Nov. 4. The Villas is an over-55 community for active adults with 144 condominium units on the west side of Wake Forest next to the Caveness Farms apartments.
In its application, the HOA board, now run by the residents, said they had negotiated with the developer to fix drainage problems, cracked streets, driveways and sidewalks at no cost to the community, a savings of close to $100,000. They have met the eligibility requirements are working to convert the streets from private to public with town maintenance which will preserve and enhance property values and provide peace of mind to a community of mostly retired residents.
The HOA board has established a long-range committee to assure adequate capital reserves. An album of photographs and biographies of all residents was prepared and distributed to everyone on paper and CD, a project that has proved to be very popular. A cadre of volunteers repairs small jobs and also walks the community to assess any maintenance needs and to communicate and prepare the community for severe weather.
There is a Neighbors Helping Neighbors initiative to loan tools and provide transportation to doctor visits. There is a maintenance responsibility chart so everyone knows whether residents or the HOA are responsible for maintenance.
There are 23 clubs ranging from bible study to quilting to genealogy. There is a quarterly town hall meeting. Budget and financial data are on the website. There is also a quarterly newsletter and a monthly calendar.
Community Associations Institute had the entries independently judged by a panel of out-of-state professional community managers.
CAI is an international organization with nearly 40,000 members, whose mission is to provide information, education and resources to the homeowner volunteers who govern communities and the management firms who support them.
