Vista de Oro
faq.htm newsletter.htm photos.htm lotowners.htm Vista_de_Oro_Mexico_phone2.htm
link to photo album https://vistadeoro.tripod.com/photos
New Homeowners Information
The following information is for persons who may be contemplating purchasing a home in Vista de Oro.
Vista de Oro is a close knit community consisting of 62 residences and is located north of the Playa Elegance RV Park. The community owns and maintains the electrical infrastructure, which consists of the transformers and the lighting system.
Vista de Oro also maintains 24-hour security system. The watchmen not only look for possible break-ins but also are on the lookout for electrical and water problems that may occur. Some problems that have and do occur are (1) street lights that malfunction due to bulbs burning out or the sensors failing, (2) PVC water lines breaking, (3) air conditioners that are inadvertently left running when the occupants have left, (4) water tanks overflowing due to the shut-off float breaking, (5) the electric co. shutting off the power to a home or the water co. doing the same. These and other problems are reported to the people in Vista de Oro who will then take appropriate steps to rectify the situation.
The residents of Vista de Oro hold at least one meeting a year, which is held during the Thanksgiving weekend. At this meeting the residents receive a financial report that covers the security and electrical finances. Other business that is germane to Vista de Oro will be discussed and acted upon if necessary. Minutes are taken at the meeting and are then distributed to all residents via e-mail or by regular mail if e-mail is not available.
Vista de Oro's infrastructure is maintained by the residents assessing themselves $125.00 every 3 months (per quarter) for a total of $500.00 per year. The allacation of the money is as follows - $40.00 per year from each homeowner is allocated to the electrical fund for the maintenance of the electrical system and the $460.00 per year is allocated to the security system.
Persons who are seeking to purchase a home in Vista de Oro will find very congenial people who do their utmost to see that Vista de Oro is a secure and friendly place.
HISTORY
Vista de Oro (View of Gold) is a blend of homes from several eras: 1980's,
1990's and the 2000's. The original concept of RV pull-under sundecks and
Mexican tile shade ramadas changed to site-built homes as rapidly as Puerto Penasco's
real estate expansion in the early 1990's. Tom and Lucy Juanarena developed Vista de Oro.
They had considerable experience in Mexico having built and operated Playa de Oro RV Park
for 20 years and later Playa Elegante.
The acquisition of individual property bank trusts in 1997 eased many
U.S. homeowners concerns about ownership of property in Mexico and raised the
level of investment in property improvements. This investment continues as
homeowners are now retiring to live in Vista de Oro and wish to improve their
home amenities.
Living in Puerto Penasco and receiving city services is similar to any U.S. city.
Retirees have found bill paying for essential services a simple matter and no
longer need private enterprise to perform those deeds. Weekend and vacation-only
homeowners can also handle their own bill paying by building credit at the various
utility offices.
The community of Vista de Oro requires volunteer participation to function successfully.
The mix of homeowner's occupancy varies from as little as one month total per year
to almost 100% (12 months) occupancy by one or two families. Absentee homeowners must
therefore rely on volunteers to ensure the "good health" of their home in Vista de Oro.
This is accomplished by 24-hour watchmen security patrol and watchful homeowners.
The homeowners voted to eliminate the day watchman, 7 am to 4 pm, Friday, Saturday
and Sunday from October through June and use neighborhood block watch during those days.
July through September a fourth watchman is added Friday, Saturday and Sunday lam to 4pm.
The watchmen not only look for possible break-ins but also are on the lookout for
electrical and water problems. Some problems that have and do occur are (1) street
lights that malfunction, (2) PVC water lines breaking, (3) air conditioners that
are inadvertently left running when the occupants have left, (4) water tanks
overflowing, (5) the electric co. shutting off the power to a home or water co,
shutting off the water. These and other problems are reported to the people in
Vista do Oro who will then take appropriate steps to rectify the situation.
Employment of these watchmen is contracted to a private business and Vista de Oro
supplies all necessary equipment such as radios, night¬lights, cell phone, and
caps indicating security. A volunteer homeowner collects the fees and disburses
the payments for services. A U.S. bank is the depository for all Vista de Oro monies.
Vista de Oro homeowners own the entire electrical grid system and contract out all
maintenance and inspections. There is a fee to all homeowners for this infrastructure
maintenance.
The community maintains peace of mind through the efforts of volunteers and communication
via Email primarily and has its annual meeting followed by a potluck on the Saturday
after Thanksgiving. Annual treasury reports, infrastructure, security issues and plans
for the next year are discussed and everyone has the opportunity to participate.
Vista de Oro security fees are $125 every 3 months for 2004 for a total of $500 per year.
This amount includes $40 per year that is put into the Electrical fund for maintenance
of the electrical system. Make checks out to Vista de Oro Security and mail to Vista de Oro
Security, P.O. Box 872, Lukeville, AZ, 85341 or give to Joe Dunne, Lot 16 or Carolyn Lowe,
Lot 120.
This history was written by John Bellingham And added to by Joe Dunne and Carolyn Lowe
City Services and locations
Property Taxes - January - City Hall - Blvd Benito Juarez
Bank Trust - dates vary - most pay Santander Serfin Bank - Blvd Benito Juarez
Water & Sewer -OOMAPAS - annual or monthly - Blvd Benito Juarez
Electric - CFE - By-Monthly - Blvd Benito Juarez
Trash - OOMISLIM - Annual or monthly - Blvd Freemont at City Hall Telephone –
Telmex - Monthly - Big tower in town.