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March 21, 2025

People ask us "Why are you involved with FSCV and why don't you just enjoy life and let the world pass you by?"

Well.......the answer is quite simple.

     We care about all of us. In approximately two years, our community will transition from a builder managed to a resident managed community. We then take over the management and financial responsibility to operate Four Seasons.
     A critical part of the transition is the amount of money held in a "Reserve" that will fund future repairs, maintenance, roads, sewers, remediations and other essential components of the community. FSCV, acting strictly as a volunteer based, civic group of engaged residents, is planning and accumulating data that will be handed over to the Transition Team as appointed by the HOA, when we start the official handover from a KHOV managed HOA to a resident managed HOA and community. For the record, we are not affiliated with KHOV, Associa, or the current Board of Directors. We act only as private residents of this community, and as such, we want what is best for the residents who reside here.
     As part of our continuous review, the Finance Team of FSCV found a discrepancy in the Reserve Study that resulted in an overstatement of $544,000, or 35% of the reserve. The proper accounting as part of the Reserve's balance is important to us, because it is a primary component of the overall funding balance that is needed for future expenditures. By bringing this discrepancy to the HOA, they acknowledged that there was a mistake in the accounting when the reserve study was done, and the reserve study will be updated to correct that inclusion. This is a prime example of why we do what we do, and to make sure that we have eyes on all the areas that are not always apparent, but are nonetheless, critically important to the community when we do transition over in the near future.
     We are not here to cause trouble, or to create undue drama. We are just doing this to make sure that we, the residents of Four Seasons, are aware of any infrastructure or accounting related issues that need remediation to be brought up to code, and that they are properly documented and addressed to the transition team that will be put together in the future.

This is why we do what we do.
Thank you for your support...

Harvey Drill

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September 12, 2024

Hello Four Seasons

    With reference to the theme Things You Should Know, I felt we should clarify our position, our end goal, and our core competence concerning what we are striving to achieve and why.
    We are inclusionary in our quest, and we are not trying to divide the community in any way, shape, or form.  People will agree with what we are doing, and people will disagree with what we are trying to achieve. That is fair, and that is where freedom of choice comes into play.  We do not represent the builder, the HOA, or any entity affiliated with KHOV or Associa. We do look after the best interests of like minded residents, who have a vested interest in a seamless transition from a builder managed community to a resident owned and managed community.
    We do have our own set of interests that differ from the builder and it's representative, Associa.
KHOV is a builder, Associa is a management company hired by Khov. Their job is to build homes, and when completed, move on to the next development.
    Associa is to manage the community that they have been contracted with, and work within the guidelines given to them from the KHOV managed Board.  FS Community Voices (FSCV) is comprised of "Like Minded Residents" who have bought into this community, and wish to make the most of our community that we all live in and call home.  We want to maintain the high quality of life that living at Four Seasons allows us to have.
    The time is coming when the residents will take over the management of the community, HOA, and all of the financial responsibilities of maintaining the Four Seasons in its entirety.
    FSCV, through its talented team of unpaid volunteers is busily preparing for the day, when the responsibility of running and maintaining our community falls squarely with us. The team is skilled in the specific disciplines needed to identify the areas of concern. We will always take the high road, and quite honestly, we are all a bunch of nice people, who want the best for the community, and we do not have a bone to pick with anyone at KHOV or it's assignees.
    While KHOV is an excellent builder and developer, there are issues that we are currently identifying that will need remediation and bringing the specific areas up to the building codes that were set in place by Berkeley County when they approved plans for Four Seasons.  We do not want to be hit with a large increase in HOA fees when we take over, because we did not properly identify areas that need to be corrected or will age out when we do take over. The concept is to identify any and all deficiencies, so we hopefully do not see a major increase.
    We need the support of the residents, as we will one day in the near future have a newly appointed KHOV board set up to handle the transition would then be presented with our findings, and it is our hope that any findings would be presented in a manner that we would be compensated proportionally for correcting what needs to be corrected.
    We want to make sure, that at that time, we have identified as much as we can, in areas that need remediation, and what that will cost to bring it into compliance, so that we do not get short changed and then see our HOA dues raise significantly to fund any potential shortfall.
    FSCV's goal is to be proactive, and not reactive in identifying areas of concern on behalf of like minded residents. Quite simply....We all live here and have paid good money to live here. We are looking at the best interests of the residents only. The builder is primarily looking at the best interests of its shareholders. That is the fundamental difference.
    So, we ask our community to rally around FSCV, as we will make every effort to always act in good faith, and only in the best interests of the residents of Four Seasons. Clearly, we do not represent, nor make any illusions that we are affiliated with KHOV, the Board, or Associa. We are strictly like-minded residents who share a common concern in that we want what is best for every homeowner within the community as we prepare for the changeover to a resident owned community.

Harvey Drill

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Things You Should Know
January 1, 2024

Happy New Year to all fellow Community Voices! 

     As we plan and prepare for the eventual transfer of Four Seasons from KHOV to the community, and take on the sole responsibility of managing, funding, and the upkeep of our community, we need to be aware of what that entails. Any "surprises" or areas that need remediation or replacement will be entirely funded by all the residents, with no subsidized funding by Khov.
     By way of example, my Sister in Law lives in Miami Beach. Each household was assessed $40,000 to remediate the leaking of their pool, and underground parking structure, as well as updating the common area. No one in their development will have a choice, but to pay or sell their residence to fund the repairs and modernization project. Clearly this type of assessment is an exceptional event, but wear and tear, and aging out of our infrastructure is not an exceptional event. We are trying to avoid such a surprise when we do take over, as we are actively reviewing and assessing the infrastructure here at Four Seasons.
      In South Carolina, the HOA can and likely would place a lein on your property if the assesment is not paid. This would preclude you from selling the house until the lein, late charges, interest, legal fees, etc are satisfied.
     As mentioned previously, we are looking to protect us from such assessments and the need to outlay large expenditures once we take over. In addition to limiting any exceptional items, we also are cataloging and identifying areas that are not in compliance to county and state codes, such as storm drainage issues etc.
     While this is a few years out, identifying and cataloging potential areas of concern is in all of our best interests. What was cited above is an extreme example of what could occur. Collectively we can insure that the transition process is beneficial for all of us, and that we avoid being saddled with such a situation similar to what my SIL is now going through.

Wishing everyone a Happy and Safe New Year!

Harvey Drill

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Things You Should Know
Nov 9, 2023


     Our quest is to educate and make everyone aware that we are well prepared to transition Four Seasons from a Builder subsidized HOA to a resident owned HOA.
     We are working towards this goal not in an us against them mentality, but rather focused on what is in the best interests for each and every home owner that live within our community.
     Right now, KHOV subsidizes the monthly fees we pay. When we take over, the subsidy is gone and we are fully responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of Four Seasons.
     We aim to educate everyone in areas of concern and what is needed to minimize any unnecessary increase in our monthly dues when the handover occurs.
     We do not wish to cast judgment, alienate, or point fingers.
Collaboration with all parties in the spirit of inclusion is what we seek.
     Future Things You Should Know will point out specific areas that we should be aware of, as they directly impact all of us living here.

     The Finance volunteers is comprised of concerned homeowners from Four Seasons all with finance backgrounds including John Lisée, Cindy Rice and Tracy Sprainer. 
     KHOV currently controls all financials for the Homeowner’s Association and won’t relinquish control of the Association until all the homes are nearly sold.
The Finance volunteers review the monthly Homeowner’s financial statements issued by Associa on Town Square. This includes the recent issuance of a letter (see below) coordinated by John Lisée to KHOV/Associa Finance Board covering the Team’s review of financial statements with detailed questions relating to their review. KHOV’s 2023 budget included approximately $2 million of Operating expenses and $183,000 of planned reserve fundings as laid out in a Full Reserve study.
     In addition, the Finance volunteers reviewed the Full Reserve study dated January 21, 2020 and the impact and relationship of it to the financial reserve transactions on the Homeowner’s financial statements. Our HOA dues will eventually pay for ongoing operating expenses of Four Seasons as well as fundings into a reserve fund which are projected to meet anticipated expenditures for the community over a 20 year period.
    The Full Reserve study needs to be updated soon with new estimates for future capital repair and replacement costs (and probably higher) and new site improvements including all streets completed after the January 2020 study. The total projected cost of future capital repair expenditures in the initial Full Reserve study totaled over $7.6 million.

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Questions for HOA Four Seasons Annual Budget Meeting 12/8/23

1) The 2022 column is mislabeled and should be 2023 and the 2023 should be 2024.

2) Will you provide a breakdown of the assessment income by account? Does the budget number indicated include account 4120 Initial Sale Working Capital and does this account represent the $1,000 received at each home closing?

3) Will you provide a non-summary full line item budget version and/or budget spread by department report on Town Square?

4) The January 2020 Reserve Study (based on May '19 assessments) concluded "the current level of funding is not projected to maintain a positive balance" and recommended either a $40,000 increase in funding every other year, or a 10% per year funding increase, with either approach beginning in 2020. Was either of these recommendations acted upon, and beginning at what time?

5) You indicated in your budget letter that “with inflation and the increasing rate of professional services, it was challenging to ensure that we properly fund for upcoming expenses.” When the 2024 Reserve Study is completed will there be a catch up contribution made by KHOV to fund the reserve at the recommended current amount? The reserves are also affected by inflation and increased costs.

6) What funding to the reserve account was made in 2022, and has been (or will be) made in 2023?

7) What percent of the reserve funding for '22 and '23 comes from the monthly resident dues?

8) The 2020 study also recommends an update "every three to five years". May '24 will be five years, during which there has been considerable inflation. When will an updated reserve study be completed, who will conduct it, and what are their qualifications?

9) What is budgeted for 4905-Reserve Contribution Income? Note it was budgeted in 2022 but not in 2023. Why?

10) Gatehouse budget is listed at $217,441. This is an increase from the 2022 budget of $51,840 and from the 2023 budget an increase of $11,043. What the high increase?

11) Administrative Payroll increased by $69,858. In your budget letter you stated that you eliminated the janitorial service and added a second full-time maintenance. What was the amount of the deduction in the 2024 janitorial service and now allocated to Administrative payroll?

12) Landscaping budget increased by $293,500. Can you detail this budget to explain the increase?

13) How many homes are budgeted to close in 2024 and how is it reflected in the assessment income?

14) Where is the income received on our reserve funds budgeted and what is the amount of that interest income?

15) The Master Association fee increased by nearly 17%. Can we get a copy of that budget and explanation for the increase?

16) The budget for taxes and insurance at $90,200. What is our deductible per incident and is it included in this budget?

17) The professional fees are budgeted at $94,960. What is allocated for the CPA audits and how many years are budgeted?

18) When will updated actuals for 2023, June thru November be published?

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Below is a Financial Letter from the Finance Team to KHOV Board/Finance Committee Members dated August 29, 2023

John Lisée
378 Tupelo Lake Drive
Summerville, SC 29486
August 29, 2023

Krista Dorris
K. Hovnanian Four Seasons at Lakes of Cane Bay
322 Four Seasons Blvd
Summerville, SC 29486

Krista Dorris (via certified, return receipt),
Please share this letter with the Board/Finance Committee members for K Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Lakes of Cane Bay(“KHOV”).

As a result of the January HOA meeting where the homeowners were informed that an audit of the community’s financials has not been performed for four years, a group of us (see list below) with a finance background reviewed the latest issued financials. The lack of an audit or an independent review of the Associations financial operations is of concern to many homeowners and has created a situation that does not reflect favorably on either KHOV or Associa. The following issues/feedback represent our collective review.

The following comments relate to our review of the Balance Sheet Report and Consolidated Income Statement Report and are in no particular order:

1. Please advise the residents of the timeline for completion of the 2020, 2021, and 2022 audits. Also, can you please post the 2019 financial statements along with a description of the outstanding discrepancy(ies) between end of year 2019 and start of year 2020 that will be addressed in conjunction with the 2020 audit as per the Feb 2, 2023 BOD meeting minutes?

2. We noticed that the signs of the Year to Date Budget Variance column are not consistent with best practice reporting. Typically, favorable variances are reported as positive numbers and negative variances are reported as negative numbers such that the sum of these equate to the sign of the total. Using this approach, the financial reader can quickly ascertain the nature of variances. The signs for the Year to Date Budget expense variances are reversed (income line items are OK). Actual expenses at a lower amount are a favorable variance but are shown as negative. Please consider changing the variance reporting to be consistent with best practice reporting.

3. The Reserve Funds are an important component for a successful turnover when the community is completed.
a. We applaud your decision to use CDARS. Can you please confirm that all other CDs for the Reserves are below the limit of $250,000 for FDIC Deposit Insurance?

b. Please explain why there are two Owners Equity-Prior Years (#3000 and #3005) accounts with a negative balance of $199,972 as of May 31, 2023. Will this equity adjustment amount be funded by KHOV?

c. We understand the Current Asset Refundable Deposits Account #1700 is a placeholder for CDARS purchased for Reserve Funds but do not understand why it is a negative amount. Did the monies deposited in Account #1700 come from a loan from KHOV that we will have to repay?

d. We recognize that the reserve funds may be affected by a previous and now outdated reserve study. What are the future plans to update the reserve study to ensure that the reserves are being adequately funded on an on-going basis?

4. Regarding Payroll & Benefits expenses, Accounts #5330, 5340, and 5399 show zero Year to Date Actuals versus Year to Date Budget of $13,616 at May 31, 2023. Have these expenses been incurred but are not yet reflected on the Income Statement?

5. As Four Seasons continues to be developed, there is a concern that the entirety of the complex is adequately covered by insurance. Does the Board/Finance Committee use a schedule of assets to ensure that the insurance coverage is adequate?Per the April 4, 2023 Finance Committee minutes, Jared Carter was asked for information regarding the insurance coverage on the reserve study. Has the information been received and acted on?

We appreciate the opportunity provided at the Annual Meeting to submit questions. We also appreciate that you posted the Dec 2022 through May 2023 financial statements and hope this practice will continue. It will greatly assist KHOV, Associa, and the homeowners to better understand the financial status of the community and prevent misinformation as we move closer to a community turnover.

Best Regards,

John Lisée (liseejl@gmail.com)
Cynthia Rice (cynthialrice@gmail.com)
Tracy Sprainer (tsprainer@hotmail.com)

cc. Steve Galek (sgalek@aol.com)

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Meet the Social Media Volunteers

     We are the FS Community Voices social media administrative group.  We are responsible for managing the Community’s presence on Facebook. Our objective is to facilitate an interactive and informative platform that is respectful and inclusive of all Four Seasons homeowners. 
     Additionally, the team will curate and share relevant content, such as community updates, events, important announcements, and resources, to keep homeowners informed and engaged, while promoting a sense of community. 

Abby Mittelmann
Dave Green
Maggy Green

Visit our new Facebook Page 

Click Facebook.com 
Login Facebook and Then Search FS COMMUNITY VOICES
Then Join

The following links are excellent resources for our Four Seasons Community
(note: click on the Titles to open links)

Difference between a POA, HOA and COA

South Carolina HOA Laws and Resources 

South Carolina Dept of Consumer Affairs

SC Code of Laws - South Carolina Homeowners Association Act

Contributors:
Diane and Steve Wright