F LOR I DA’S P R E M IE R C O M M U NIT Y MARCH 2015
A publication of Quantum Marketing Communications, LLC
IN THIS ISSUE Meet Your Neighbors Did You Know Quick Reference Directory
CDD, HROA, HDC: Who’s who in Harmony? Can You Claim Your Significant Other As A Dependent Buying vs Renting
Argentine Tango in Central FL
VICTORY loves
COMPANY. HARMONY’S CLOSEST GYM
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March 2015
from the
EDITOR
Bill Bokunic Publisher & President of Quantum Marketing Communications 321.331.6398 bbokunic@yahoo.com
Welcome February and March are my favorite times in Florida, I wouldn’t want to be any place else! I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to support our advertisers. Anytime Fitness is the closest gym to our area off the Old Canoe Creek next to Publix. You can get there by taking Hickory Tree to Pine Tree to Old Canoe Creek. It’s less than 15 minutes away, never crowded, always open and the cleanest gym I have ever seen. They will work with you to move your current gym membership if you are locked into one. Phil is the owner and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. He believed in me and this publication when many others didn’t, so please give them a chance and visit. (Plus you will hear a Phil’s great Aussie accent) Victor Russell Salon is in East Saint Cloud, and you have Harmony residents as owners! World-class stylist and professionals from New York and beyond all right here locally. Weed Man is a network of locally owned and operated lawn care professionals providing environmentally responsible fertilization, weed control and integrated pest management services. For the past 40 years, Weed Man’s promise has always been the same. Daryl, the local Weed Man owner/operator loves our community and is offering a savings to switch over or start with him. See this month’s ad. Meissner Cruise & Travel Linda Meissner is a local Harmony resident and can help you put together an amazing vacation. Please see her ad this month. Please welcome our new and recent advertisers: The Good News Handyman (Local and great, did work for us) Learn Argentine Tango Please mention our publication when visiting any of our advertisers. Bill Bokunic Publisher and President, Quantum Marketing Communications 321-331-6398 bbokunic@yahoo.com
3
ON THE COVER Meet Your Neighbors
The Steiert Family Lauren, Steve Bella and Jack Steiert. They have 3 dog’s named Boston, Fenway and Laird. The Steiert family moved to Harmony in September 2014 and they live on Beargrass Road.
What do you love most about Harmony? What we love most about Harmony is being surrounded by nature. We love seeing wildlife when we walk the neighborhood or hike on the trails.
Here are a few questions answered from the Steiert’s: Where did you move from? What do you miss most? Kissimmee, FL. Living in Kissimmee afforded us a convenient location and a larger home, but we prefer living here. Moving to Harmony is such a “life upgrade” for us that we don’t really miss anything, except for the convenience of having a doggy door for our three rescue dogs. What is your background? We are educators, with nearly 40 years’ experience combined. I teach English III Honors at Harmony High School. Steve teaches at Flora Ridge Elementary School in Kissimmee. Steve has a B.A. in Elementary Education from UCF. I have a B.A. in English from Saint Anselm College, Manchester, NH, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Stetson University, and a Ph.D. in Holistic Life Coaching from University of Sedona. In addition to being educators, we are a family of artists. Steve is an award-winning nature photographer, Lauren is an award-winning altered artist who upcycles furniture and also assembles random objects into decor for the home, and even Bella and Jack have participated in and won awards at the Osceola Center for the Arts shows over the past several years. We are Wellness Advocates for doTERRA and host frequent free classes both at our home and
in the community, promoting wellness through essential oils. What is a good early story about Harmony? Realizing that one of my star students from last year, Russell Gibson, lived directly behind us was a happy surprise. He and a few of his friends, also former students of mine from Harmony High and Harmony residents, helped us move in. We have since become good friends with his entire family-- his mom, Scarlett, his dad, Russ, and his little sister, Rachel-- and occasionally get together to play cards with his parents while his little sister plays with our kids, and, occasionally, when Russ has his smoker out, we are treated to BBQ ribs! It’s great having ready-made friends as neighbors! What is unusual or unique about Harmony, in comparison to your previous home? We lived off of a very busy main road prior to moving to Harmony. We were always nervous to let the kids ride bikes or walk the dogs in the neighborhood for safety reasons. We don’t worry about that now that we live in Harmony. It’s a safe environment for our kids and dogs to get out and enjoy everything the community has to offer!
Buenos Aires
Argentine Tango
in Central Florida?
Buenos Aires Argentine Tango in Central Florida? Have you ever seen or heard of Argentine Tango? Chances are you have either heard the music or seen it on television. Most people associate it with the ballroom dance studios which teach “American Tango”. The original Argentine Tango from Buenos Aires is very different. It has a closer embrace and a real sense of romance and passion. If you have seen it you would think it is too difficult to learn but love how it looks! Learning the Argentine Tango is not as difficult as you may think. And, once you learn, there are many options of going out for a romantic evening of Tango. The Argentine tango community in Central Florida has been around for a long time and usually goes unnoticed because there are no real dedicated classes to learn and not a lot of advertising. My wife and I have been a part of our tango community since 1998, and we just celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary at a Tango club this past Valentine’s Day. The ambiance is very nice and cozy. The people are very friendly, and it is a really safe environment compared to your standard nightclubs. Some people go to watch the dancers and listen to the music and some go to dance. The average cost is $10 and usually includes light food and drinks. It certainly is a must see if you are interested in Argentine Tango! My wife, Melina Lucia, and I are starting a beginner’s class for this dance on March 6th, 2015, on Friday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. We really make the class fun and easy for anyone to learn! For more information, see our advertisement in this publication! We are looking forward to sharing our passion with you!
5
Buying Renting VS
by Jeanine Corcoran
“Can I afford to buy?� The real question to ask is “Can I afford to continue renting?� Most renters don’t realize the amount of money they pay over a period of several years. An average rent of $1250 a month over 10 years is $150,000! “Why should I buy when I can rent and not have the responsibility of house problems?� Here are the top 3 benefits of home ownership. 1. Tax Advantages – both property taxes and interest payments are tax deductible. Always talk to your tax advisor as to the benefits specific to you. 2. Home Value Appreciation – benefits from increased value over time which builds equity and increased value from home improvements added for your enjoyment. 3. Pride in Ownership – it’s yours! No more asking for permission to make changes on the place you call home. You now have a sense of permanence and solid foundation in your own home.
There are many programs available for buyers today including programs for Teachers, Medical Professionals, Police Officers, Military and Firefighters. Also, there are county bond programs and state programs to help buyers. Even our company offers the Corcoran Buyer’s Program that works in coordination with these programs to help buyers even more. When considering purchasing a new home or a resale home, it’s important to have a Real Estate Professional and a Mortgage Professional to represent you and help you get the most for your money. Don’t do it alone! Seriously consider the pros and cons of buying versus renting— paying your own mortgage or paying someone else’s mortgage. With interest rates still historically low at or below 4% on a 30year fixed mortgage, why rent? Now is a great time to buy. Jeanine Corcoran is the Broker and Owner of The Corcoran Connection, LLC – A Real Estate and Property Management Company. Jeanine has been helping families with their Real Estate needs since 2005. Jeanine can be reached at 407.922.3308, email her at JeanineCorcoran@gmail.com, or visit TheCorcoranConnection.com or HarmonyResales.com
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DID YOU
KNOW by Kerul Kassel
?
“DID YOU KNOW that Harmony was designed to promote the peaceful coexistence of human and animal residents within the community while striking a balance between the preservation, use and enjoyment of Harmony’s natural areas? Underlying these objectives are the values of fostering a respect for the land, the protection of wildlife and the sensible use and enjoyment of Harmony’s abundant natural and manmade amenities by its residents. Among Harmony’s many wonderful features are the guidelines for companion animals, and more specifically, the amenities for dog owners. With miles of walking trails, three dog parks (Central Bark near the Town Center, and the Small and Large Dog Parks), and many doggy-pots conveniently located around the community, Harmony is a dog-lover’s dream. At the dog parks, there is some general etiquette: Even though the parks off Primrose Willow are called the Large and Small Dog Parks, there are no size restrictions. The name is about the size of the park, not the size of the dog. Large dogs
Hey 2015 Seniors!
can and do go in the Small Park and play with smaller dogs. Small dogs can go in the Large Park. That said, be considerate, especially if your dog is large (if the park is occupied by small dogs), or rather active or boisterous, as not all dogs, or people, welcome that level of activity and curiosity. Before entering a park, always ask any owners of dogs you aren’t familiar with whether their dog is friendly to other dogs. If the answer is no, it is best to wait until the dog using the park leaves. The owner should be kind enough to not make you wait too long. Even dogs that are not good with other dogs have a right to use the dog parks. If you are in the park with your dog, when a dog is entering make sure that your dog is not near the gate. Entering the dog park can be a tense moment for many dogs, not only those entering, but those already in the park. Letting your dog hang out by the entrance when other dogs are entering can invite a dog fight. Did you know that Osceola County issues stiff fines to owners of loose dogs and owners that do not pick up after their dogs? Nobody wants to step in or smell dog waste, or find a “present� on their lawns or in their flower beds. Thank goodness we have so many doggy pots to make it convenient to clean up after our dogs.�
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Can you
claim your significant other
as a dependent?
Recently in our office, Jennifer Lutz has been working on a tax return for an unmarried couple who live together. The information supplied to us indicated it would be advantageous to claim a personal exemption for the financially dependent significant other. Generally, dependents must be a U.S. citizen, resident alien, national or a resident of Canada or Mexico. In addition, your dependent cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person, and they cannot file a joint tax return with another individual. According to the IRS, you can claim your significant other as a dependent on your federal income tax return if they meet the requirements of a “qualifying relative.” This means your significant other must meet the following conditions for the entire calendar year: Residency – They must have lived with you as a member of your household. The IRS allows for temporary absences such as trips, illness, military service, and education as long as your home is their official residence. However, you cannot claim the depen-
dent if your living situation violates local law. In some states, “cohabitation” by unmarried people is against the law. Income – Your significant other’s gross income for the year must be less than $3,950 (limit for 2014). Support – You must have provided more than 50% of your partner’s total support for the year. When calculating their total annual support received, you must include income from all sources including their own funds, such as a savings account. In addition, you may also be able to claim your significant other’s children as dependents if they meet the above qualifications and are not claimed by another individual. This can lead to greater tax savings with tax credits if you are providing financial support for their education expenses and/or child care expenses. More information can be found in IRS Publication 501 at IRS. GOV. If you are questioning whether your situation qualifies, their online tool helps you determine if an individual can be considered your dependent. And of course, seeking the assistance of a tax professional is recommended.
11
CDD, HROA, HDC: Who’s who in Harmony? by Steve Berube, Chairman, Harmony CDD
In the last issue, I detailed the basics of the Harmony Community Development District (CDD) as well as its interactions with you, the residents. This time, I will attempt to explain how the Harmony Residential Owners Association (HROA) works, along with the Townhome & Condominium Home Owner Associations (HOA) that operate in Ashley Park. First, the HROA which governs ALL residential properties in Harmony. The name says it all: Residential Owners Association. It is a non-profit corporation that funds its operations solely through the annual fees that you pay; hence, the strong collections capability granted to HOA’s by the Legislature. Without a substantial percentage of owners paying their fees (under the deed restrictions that HOA’s employ) the HOA would cease to exist; so, strong powers of collection, up to and including foreclosure, are available to all HOA’s. Beyond collecting fees, the HROA manages the “look” of Harmony’s homes in areas such as paint colors and quality, lawn and other exterior maintenance, parking of commercial vehicles, trailers and boats, trash can timeliness and a number of other exterior guidelines. In short, the HROA tries to keep good neighbors from becoming bad neighbors. As Harmony evolves, the HROA is becoming more residentcentered with probably the most evident change being the ever-increasing interaction(s) between the Social Committee and the HROA. Another notable change will be the new commercial vehicle parking area which will be funded initially by the HROA and managed by First Services Residential. Further evidence of HROA evolution will be noted in the near future as the Board evolves and moves closer to resident-control. As with all HOAs, the Board of Directors consists of Developer appointees. As communities grow, residents begin to be appointed/elected to the Board and this transition is continuing to happen here. Currently, there are two residents and three Developer personnel on the Board. But, plans are firming up and numbers being verified, for a Board election in the near future. First Services Residential is the company that manages day-today business of the HROA including sending fee invoices, performing inspections and sending violation letters, and as noted above, assisting the Social Committee and managing the coming vehicle area. As mentioned above, the HROA/First Services governs EVERY residential property in Harmony. Due to their unique needs, the Ashley Park Townhomes and Condos are governed by additional, individual HOAs. In the case of the Townhomes, TITAN Management (supported by D.R. Horton) is the HOA for all areas including the play area in Ashley. For Condos, Sentry
Management governs and there is a resident-controlled Board of Directors to assist you. Harmony Development Company (HDC) is an operating unit of Starwood Land Ventures, the owner of Harmony. Though the names are similar, HDC and the Harmony Community Development District (HCDD) are completely separate entities. In short, HDC is the largest landowner in Harmony and is in the business of developing raw land into buildable lots, hence the frequently-used term of Developer. As you might have noticed, neighborhoods are created when grassy fields get transformed into streets, alleys, green areas, lots and eventually homes get built. The Developer funds its business by buying land, improving it as described and then reselling it to a builder. The builder adds a house and then sells the whole package to the newest resident of Harmony. It is important to remember that HDC pays its share of both HROA and CDD fees, which, in both cases, are about 60% of the respective budgets. As you would expect, HDC’s share of those budgets continue to decline as more and more houses are sold. Eventually, there will be no houses to sell and HDC’s mission will be completed. Next issue, I will provide contact details for the businesses and agencies you might need to contact. Lastly, please patronage the advertisers of this magazine and tell them you saw their ad here. Without the advertisers, this would not be possible.
HH
Contact Info For Harmony Residents CDD---www.harmonycdd.org, 407 566 1935, Steve, Ray, Mark, Kerul or David @Harmonycdd.org
HROA—First Services Residential at 866 378 1099 or FSResidential.com Condos HOA---Sentry Management, 407 846 6323
Townhomes HOA---TITAN Management, 407 705 2190
Harmony Developer Office---407 891 8358 or www.HarmonyFL.com BrightHouse Cable / Internet---877 892 3279
Century Link Cable / Internet---866 314 4148 OUC Electric---407 957 7373
Waste Management Trash Pickup---407 843 7370
Osceola County---www.osceola.org “Citizen Action Center” County Commissioner Fred Hawkins fhaw@osceola.org
H A R M ONY
Sheriff non-emergency---407 348 2222
13
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Quick Reference Directory ACCOUNTANTS
Larry Herring CPA, PA 611 N. Wymore Rd Winter Park, Florida 32789 407-647-7777 www.herringcpa.com ACCOUNT ON US Bernie Sutter 1207 Illinois Ave Saint Cloud, Florida 37769 407-892-1266 brsutter@accountonus.org
HAIR
Victor Russell Salon 105 East 13th Street Saint Cloud, Florida 407-892-1005 www.victorrussell.com
HANDYMAN
The Good News Handyman Rick Wade 407-468-1352
HOSPITAL
Conbere’s Mobile Auto Service Save time, we come to you! 407-301-2881
Health First-Holmes Regional Health Care 1350 South Hickory Street Melbourne, Florida 32901 321-434-7000
CARPET CLEANING
INSURANCE
AUTO REPAIR
Best Care Carpet Cleaning 407-891-9635 www.carpetcleaningfl.com
CHURCH’S
Church at Harmony Meeting 10am Sundays at Harmony High School (844) 444-FBCH http://www.churchatharmony.com/ Life Church Meeting at Narcoossee Middle School 10:10am Sundays 217-827-7986 http://lifechurchcfl.com/
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND INVESTING Edward Jones Kerry L. Scott 4725 Old Canoe Creek Rd Saint Cloud, Florida 34769 407-498-0147
GYM
Anytime Fitness 3380 Canoe Creek Rd. Saint Cloud, Florida 34772 407-891-9111 www.Anytimefitness.com
PARTY
Farm Bureau Blair Harris, Michael Long, Jimmy Lake 407-847-5189 www.floridafarmbureau.com
LAWN CARE
Weed Man 4417 13th St. Suite 182 - St. Cloud, FL 34769 (407) 979-4623 Triple Palm Lawns 407-957-3489 Triplepalmlawn@aim.com
MORTGAGE
Butler Mortgage Charlene Sims 407-931-3800 X109 csims@butlermortgage.com
MOVIE THEATERS
Cinema World East of 95. On 192 next to Sam’s club. Melbourne, FL CWTheaterts.com
PEST CONTROL
Rapid Response Pest Management Stephen Richards 407-891-pest
PHOTOGRAPHER
Kristin Madden 407-744-8387 Facebook.com/KristinMaddenPhoto
POOL TABLES
Florida Game Rooms 9350 S. Orange Blossom Trail tr #12 407-859-4400 www.myfloridagamerooms.com
REAL ESTATE
The Corcoran Connection, LLC Jeanine Corcoran Owner/Broker Selling/Buying/Renting/Property Management Now serving international clients with Portuguese/Brazilian and Spanish speaking team members 407-922-3308 Jeaninecorcoran @gmail.com http://www.thecorcoranconnection.com
RESTAURANTS
Stone Bridge Tavern The Royal Crest Room 5530 Michigan Ave Saint Cloud, Florida 34772 407-891-0903 www.stonebridgetavernandgrill.com
TRAVEL
Meisner Cruise and Travel Harmony resident 407-738-7088 Meissnertravel.com
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