Kelle28 12 years, 8 months ago on Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
I've been an owner at Palm Bay for many years now. We pay our fees. We don't make a profit on our villa but we cover enough of our costs to make it reasonable for us. For the record, we are not related to the Francis family since that seems to be a point of contention for some owners as a way to discredit a sincere comment.
We pay our monthly fees and our indenture every year. We do it in a timely manner because let's be honest if you tried to not pay your fees in the US, you'd be cut off without so much as a warning notice and they certainly would not turn your services back on until you had paid in full.
My husband tried very hard to work with other owners to come to a consensus for productive and genuine improvements. Sometimes the owners were cooperative and other times they were deadlocked. Often, they did not even bother to log into the virtual meetings. What we consistently found was that Ron Francis was always willing to discuss the situation, he provided budgets and a variety of programs designed to meet owners needs. We also consistently found that some owners enjoyed arguing much more than working together to find a solution.
We all bought into Palm Bay because we fell in love with the property, the villas, the ambiance, and the people of Exuma. Why own somewhere you don't want to be right? We spend weeks there every off season because we like to max out rental potential in the high season. Every time we've visited, the property has been neatly maintained and our villa is always ready to welcome us... along with a cool drink at the Splash bar made by Anita or Tiny. These things have not changed.
Our property value in the US bombed when the housing market crashed... but I didn't call up my developer or my realtor and call him a fraud. All investments are risky. Don't want to take a risk... put your money in a CD.
In addition, we don't just rely on Ron and his staff to get our villa rented. We network with friends. We post the villa on home rental sites. We've given it to extended family for their use. There is much more value in the villa than just rental fees. We've never had a guest return from Exuma that did not find courteous service, a lovely villa, and a well maintained resort.
I am sure Mr. Hartnell did his research and because he is a respected journalist, I appreciate that he took the time to interview 10 owners. However, Palm Bay has more than 70 villas and their respective owners and not all of them are unhappy or feeling conned.
I appreciate that the Tribune allows for comments and public discussion so that all interested parties have a chance to share their views. Given the venom in some of the responses by unhappy owners, I hope that the tone of this comment and the consideration I have taken to be fair will be treated with the same respect that I have given to the other comments. Please only respond with productive remarks.
BahamasInvestor 12 years, 8 months ago on Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
There appears to be two camps. One group is mistreated and the other is not. I suspect that those who had contractual issues and butted heads with the management have been treated poorly while those who have not had contract issues have been treated well. Those who have been treated well can't see why the others won't just pay. The "victims" can't see why they should fund a company that broke their deal and why others continue to fund it. Sounds like an owners meeting is overdue.
mynameis 12 years, 8 months ago on Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
An Owners' meeting might be overdue but based on the rhetoric in this forum, I'm not sure if much will be accomplished as it appears that the two groups of homeowners would be at cross purposes - the ones on this forum who are venting appear to be persons who will not be satisfied until steel bracelets are being applied to Mr. Francis and he is frog-marched through the streets of Exuma barefoot over a bed of hot coals specially prepared for him. Sooo counter-productive...
exumawannabe 12 years, 8 months ago on Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
Water cut-off/fees battle tears apart resort project
Owners only meeting is a great idea...should have been done long ago...when people are ready to take responsibility..I say let's do it.
Even better than skype..if people are serious about their property..all that are able should set a date to meet during off season. If change is what is the order..and your property is a high priority...well we would have to see who would be willing to show.