The leaves are
falling, the temperatures are colder, and the days are
getting shorter. All signs that the tourist area will begin
its more restful season; however, Harbor Ridge continues to
hustle and bustle into the holiday season.
The annual
meeting is just around the corner on Saturday, December 5.
We encourage owners to attend the meeting, so you get a
detailed description of the expenses and what updates are
planned for the upcoming year. We are excited to announce
there was no increase in the base maintenance fee of $407.
The budget includes purchasing appliances as needed,
purchasing a new plow truck, replacing mattresses, replacing
rugs in various units, and replacing some master bedroom
deck storm doors.
Owner getaway
rates are available for the weekend of the annual meeting
and throughout the winter for $95.00 for one night and
$125.00 for two nights. Reservations can be made less than
seven days in advance.
The carpet on
the lower level of the clubhouse was replaced late this
spring. What a challenge moving the pool table and fitness
equipment, but the finished result made it worth its while.
Up to three
buildings will be closed down during the slow winter weeks
to conserve on fuel and utility costs. This means that
owners may not be staying in their own units. Owners will
be assigned a comparable unit to the one they own. We
appreciate your understanding in this matter.
Since it
proved so helpful to owners, the association is again
providing owners the option to pay their 2010 maintenance
fee in three payments. The full amount is still due by
January 1 and July 1. The suggested payment amounts are
$150, $150, and then the remaining balance. Any balances
not paid by January 1 and July 1 will be subject to the $50
late fee and additional interest. Should other payment
arrangements be needed, owners must contact us prior to
January 1 or July 1 to avoid late charges accruing.
Maintenance
fees must be paid prior to occupancy and prior to depositing
their week with Interval International. Should you want to
deposit your week in advance, please contact the resort for
an estimated payment amount. A deposit is on hold with II
for 10 days. If the 10-day hold period expires, it is the
owner’s responsibility to redeposit the week.
Owners should
contact the resort when they move, as the resort staff is
unable to waive late fees due to an incorrect address on
file. The resort also requests that owners notify them of
changes to phone numbers. These numbers are used for
regular deposit, vacation date, and payment reminders, and
unit changes due to maintenance issues. We do not sell our
mailing and phone list to outside agencies.
Should you
desire to add to your ownership, the homeowners association
has some great values to purchase additional flex time.
Please call and speak with a Front Desk employee if you are
interested.
Not interested
in additional ownership, but you need an extra vacation
week? You may purchase a bonus week for a steal at $329.00,
plus exchange fees. Merely contact the front desk staff to
have an additional week deposited into your Interval
International account.
Two owners
recently called the resort and suggested that we notify
owners to be aware of possible scams operating under the
names of MGM/Universal Timeshare and TWA Resales. A rule of
thumb to follow with resale companies: if they tell you
that your winter week can be sold for $18,000—$24,000, stay
away. Also, you should check with ARDA to see if they are
members.
Have a happy
fall!
Posted: November 10, 2009
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We have
been extremely busy preparing for our season’s rush which is
now upon us. The pool wall between the hot tub and swimming
pool area was rebuilt, and we appreciate the owners’
patience during this long construction process. Units
41—44 have been carpeted top to bottom with beige
carpeting, and guests have given us positive reviews. We
are currently recovering from the polyurethane fumes of the
hardwood floor being refinished in the Great Room. You can
see yourself in the floor!
Harbor Ridge wants to remind owners that owners and their
immediate family members may use the clubhouse facilities.
Harbor Ridge defines immediate family members as parents,
grandparents, children, and grandchildren. Owners may
bring a guest for a $5 fee, and the owners must accompany
the guest(s). Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Our payment plan option for the January 1 maintenance fee
was very beneficial to owners, and we will be offering that
again this spring for the July 1 due date. Owners are
encouraged to pay $150 on May 1, $150 on June 1, and the
balance on July 1. If owners need alternate payment plans,
please call prior to the due date to arrange a plan that is
mutually agreeable to both parties, which will avoid late
fees. Harbor Ridge wants to help owners through these
challenging economic times, because we know how important
vacations are to families.
Many owners visited us this winter on our owner getaway
package. These rates have ended for the winter season, and
we look forward to offering them again next December.
Updated: May 21, 2009
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Another peak season is coming to an end, and we ask
ourselves, “Where did the year go?”
Thank you for promptly paying the special assessment
payments that were due in May. Any unpaid special
assessments must be paid prior to next year’s occupancy or
verification of an Interval deposit. The Board requested
that a portion of the assessment be used to put the finish
coat of pavement over the base coat. The Clubhouse,
Building One, Building Two, and the Laundry Building’s
parking lots were completed in August, as these were the
oldest. The new pavement improves the initial appearance of
the resort.
The new sofas and chairs arrived the last week of June.
Guests have commented that they enjoy the extra seating in
the living room, and they say that the sleepers provide a
better night’s rest. New living room rugs were also
installed in Building 4 in May and June.
The staff greatly appreciated the owner’s cooperation during
the upgrades. The furniture arrived mid-week, so movers
were moving out furniture and moving in furniture during
guests’ stays. Then the guests had to park away from their
units for two days during the paving process, which was also
inconvenient. Again, thank you for your patience!
Management and the board have decided that up to three
buildings will be closed down during the slow winter weeks
to conserve fuel. This means that owners may not be staying
in their own units. Owners will be assigned a comparable
unit to the one they own. By maintaining constant lower
temperatures in these buildings, the furnaces will be
consuming less fuel. Remember, by dialing back 1 degree,
fuel consumption saves up to 3%.
Should you desire to add to your ownership, the homeowners
association has some great values to purchase additional
flex time. Please call and speak with a Front Desk employee
if you are interested.
The
association is providing owners the option to pay their 2009
maintenance fee in three payments. The full amount is still
due by January 1 and July 1. The suggested payment amounts
are $150, $150, and then the remaining balance. Any
balances not paid by January 1 and July 1 will be subject to
the $50 late fee and additional interest. Should other
payment arrangements be needed, owners must contact us prior
to January 1 or July 1. Owners are reminded that it is
their responsibility to contact the resort when they move,
as the resort staff is unable to waive late fees due to an
incorrect address on file.
Posted: November 3, 2008
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HHappy
spring from snowy coastal Maine! We have had an old
fashioned Maine winter this year with greater than average
snowfalls. However, our condolences to those living in
northern Maine with their record breaking snowfalls. The
snow has provided great cross country skiing conditions on
the carriage roads.
Winter brings many local families to use the
resort facilities to ward off the wintertime blues. Just a
reminder that immediate family members may use the pool and
fitness area free of charge; however, owners must pay $5.00
for each friend that comes along for the fun. Extra usage
increases facility costs through maintenance fee increases
for all resort owners. We love to see the clubhouse
utilized to its fullest; just assume responsibility for your
extra guests.
We are proud to announce that we recently
replaced the king size beds in the master bedrooms of Units
11 through 28 with Englander Velvet Touch plush mattresses.
Building 1 has also had new stoves installed to cook the
finest tasting Maine lobsters. New sleeper sofas and chairs
have been ordered and should arrive by early July. We are
excited about the upgrades that we have been able to do this
year!
We have had many owners already pay their
special assessment in advance. The special assessment of
$100 per annual week of ownership is due by May 15, 2008.
Alternate year owners must pay $50 for their special
assessment. Owners are encouraged to call the resort prior
to May 15 should they need to set up a payment arrangement.
A $25.00 late fee was charged on July 15 for any past due
special assessment.
Many float owners have yet to make their
reservations for 2008 or to request a week be deposited with
Interval International. Please be sure your membership is
valid through December prior to contacting the resort. We
look forward to hearing from you.
Should owners have any questions regarding
Interval International or the resort, please feel free to
contact the resort staff. We want all of our owners to be
educated and have fabulous vacations year after year.
Posted: May 16, 2008
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Happy holidays! We wish you could all see the winter
wonderland here at Harbor Ridge. We received approximately
14 inches of snow on Monday and Tuesday, and it is still
hanging on the trees five days later. Perfect snow and such
beauty for cross country skiing around Acadia National
Park. Even though there are only a few units occupied now,
the staff is hustling, bustling, and shoveling.
It was a pleasure seeing so many owners at the annual
meeting on December 1. Thank you for actively participating
in your ownership. Jerry Williams of Livermore Falls was
reelected to another five-year term on the Executive Board
of Directors. The Executive Board appointed Dianne Lytle of
Southwest Harbor to a one-year term to fill the vacant
position resulting from James Murphy’s resignation. Jerry
and Dianne are both excited about serving the owner’s association in this
capacity.
Owner getaways are available from now until the beginning of
April with the exception of school vacation weeks. Owners
may call 7—10 days in advance to make their reservations.
It is $95 for one night and $125 for two, and these rates
include tax.
Winter brings many local families to use the resort
facilities to ward off the wintertime blues. Just a
reminder that immediate family members may use the amenities
free of charge. Owners must pay $5.00 for each friend that
comes along for the fun.
In closing, a
former manager of mine asked one time, “How do you spell
love?” I replied, “L-O-V-E.” He responded, “Yes, but
T-I-M-E is what it is all about.” In the spirit of the
holiday season, make your vacation reservations now and wrap
up your destination or your Interval International Resort
Directory in a decorated box. What a great gift! Let your
family know this holiday season that you love them by
reserving time for that upcoming, memorable family
vacation.
Posted: February 1, 2008
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According to the calendar spring has
arrived! However, we sit here writing this during the
greatest snowfall of the year on April 5. The weather was
very mild until the first storm of the season arrived on
January 16. From that date the snow amount was low, but the
wind was unbelievable. We hired additional part-time
workers to allow the maintenance department to work outside
during this weather. We repaired the exterior damage on
Building Three. The clap boards were replaced along with the
doors and windows as needed. The first four townhouses in
the building are completed. This fall when the occupancy
slows down, the last four will be tackled.
Associated Builders, the original contractor
hired to build Harbor Ridge in 1991, completed all repair
work on the eight Townhouses in Building V. Clark Young,
the developer of Harbor Ridge, contacted Associated Builders
upon learning about the ongoing problems with the building.
They reached an agreement whereby the cost to repair
Building V would be paid by the contractor even though the
statutes of limitation in the State of Maine had expired.
The yearly project of painting the interior
of one of the five townhouse buildings was completed.
Building One was painted and borders and decorating touches
were added. All five buildings are now completed.
Hopefully we will be able to work on interior furnishings
needing to be replaced next year.
The occupancy rate at Harbor Ridge has
changed over the last several years. We used to be able to
plan ongoing projects from November until April, but not any
longer. Interval International now fills deposits made by
our owners from April until the end of November, almost as
soon as they are deposited. If you are unable to utilize
your unit and you have not found a guest to occupy it,
please let us know, as we may have a maintenance project to
complete during that time.
We would like to remind our local owners, who
utilize the facilities regularly, the resort use is for
immediate family members. Owners are welcome to bring
friends provided they pay a $5.00 per person guest fee and
accompany their friends. Children under the age of 14 must
be accompanied by an adult. The clubhouse is open from 8:00
am to 8:45 pm daily.
We would like to remind owners to please call
us if you have questions regarding your ownership or
exchanging with Interval International. We want all of you
to get the greatest benefits out of your timeshare here at
Harbor Ridge.
It is important to keep Harbor Ridge up to
date on address and contact information changes. We do
calls to remind you about depositing your weeks and paying
maintenance fees. We also like to call owners if we need to
change a unit due to maintenance and repairs.
Have a great spring and summer!
Posted April 28, 2007
Happy New Year!! Harbor Ridge has been
bustling with activity during the past two months both
inside and out.
We have completed the painting of five units
in Building 1, in hopes of the entire building being
completed by February school vacation week. In addition to
the painting, the maintenance staff has been busy repairing
Building 3. It came to our attention that there was some
significant water and structural damage on the ocean side of
the building. The building is being reinforced, damage is
being repaired, and clap boards, windows, and doors will be
replaced as needed.
The office staff has been busy collecting the
maintenance fees, preparing newsletters, making
reservations, and verifying deposits with Interval
International. It is always so exciting to verify a deposit
and then see that a vacation confirmation is being printed
for the owner. Curiosity kills me and I have to then find
out where our owners are traveling. Vacation ownership is
such a great investment in family relationships.
Just a reminder to our owners that the Winter
Clubhouse Hours are now in effect. The Clubhouse is open
Monday thru Thursday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm and Friday thru
Sunday from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. Drop in for the day and
take a dip in the pool. We’d love to see you!
Posted: January 28,
2007
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Resale Transactions—Discharges Must be Done
In the last year, the resort saw the
largest number of resales transacted since its sellout.
However, as the number of resales at Harbor Ridge grows,
owners need to keep in mind that a stumbling block to a
successful transaction is a problem with the title.
The first step that the Harbor Ridge
Condominium Association takes when helping owners complete
the transfer of ownership is a title search at the
Hancock
County Registry of Deeds. During this title search, the
resort staff periodically finds either an undischarged
mortgage or a name on the recorded deed that no longer is
associated with the Harbor Ridge ownership.
In the first instance, owners that have
financed their weeks and paid off the Note are sent
documents by the Developer to clear the mortgage from the
title. These documents not only consist of the original
Note and Mortgage, but also the Discharge of Mortgage that
must be recorded with the Registry of Deeds.
These documents should be recorded promptly.
If not and the discharge paperwork is lost, then it can
delay the resale and add extra cost to the transaction. The
cost to redraft and forward new paperwork documenting that
the Note has been paid in full is $50.00. This extra cost
will be passed on to the owner in addition to the transfer
fee typically charged on resales.
In the case of a name not associated with the
ownership but still having an interest in the property,
title cannot be transferred without this person's consent.
Owners will need to either consult a lawyer or the party of
interest to get him or her to sign the resale deed.
Please keep in mind that the Condominium
Association will help any owner facilitate the transfer of
ownership and assist owners in any way possible during the
resale process. However, the Condominium Association does
not provide legal advice nor will it broker a deal with an
ex-spouse or significant other. Owners in the process of
reselling who have questions about their title should
contact Harbor Ridge or the Registry of Deeds in Ellsworth.
Updated: April 29, 2007
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Reaffirm Your Decision About Owning
Recently, the resort
staff has been bombarded with phone calls from owners
regarding resales. There are various reasons that prompt
owners to call the resort about “getting out from under”
their timeshare. Lifestyles change; children grow up;
people divorce; owners encounter financial hardships; or
they just get tired of their timeshare and want to sell.
More often than not,
owners who want to sell their weeks have never even used
them. They pay their fees and their weeks go by unused.
Some owners merely do not understand how to use it! In
simplest guaranteed terms, owners can stay at Harbor Ridge
for a specific week each year. Owners bring their flower
boxes, grills, quilting projects, and make their unit their
home away from home for a week. These same owners regret
having to leave and return to their daily routines.
Owners can enjoy
flexibility in both time and place. They can join or
reactivate their memberships with Interval International and
trade time for weeks at resorts all around the world.
Whether owners want to trade summer vacation weeks to
winter, visit resorts in other lands, go cruising through
the Caribbean, or simply extending stays at their own
resort, owning here at Harbor Ridge offers the luxury of
staying in world-class accommodations with all the comforts
and privacy of home. The travel options are many and there
is always a vacation destination meant to match everyone’s
personal vacation style. Don’t hesitate to call for
vacation planning help.
Can’t find the time to
take a vacation? Don’t let your week go unutilized! One of
the most appreciated gifts you can give is that of a week at
a luxurious resort. This is actually one of the biggest joys
of timeshare ownership. It's a great feeling to say to a
loved one, "I've booked a week in a nice resort for you--go
enjoy it!"
Do you own your own
business? Looking for a tax write off? Show your customers
how important they are with a vacation giveaway drawing.
Better yet, give your star employee a week’s vacation on
you.
So, utilize your
ownership at Harbor Ridge and take that much needed
vacation! Once you're on vacation, you'll appreciate being
a timeshare owner even more! You'll enjoy first-class
vacations with all the comforts of home, BUT without all the
obligations or worries!! Your only requirement is to spend
quality time with your family and friends, enjoying the
food, activities, and sights. As a timeshare owner, you'll
quickly discover what a REAL vacation is… each year,
for the rest of your life.
Posted: June 14, 2006
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Need For Passports to Visit
Canada and Nearby Countries While on Vacation
ALL PERSONS traveling by air
outside of the United States are required to present a
passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter
the United States.
LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
The following summarizes information available on the
Department of Homeland Security’s website.
 | CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport,
passport card (scheduled to be in full production
beginning in July 2008), or
WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued
photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of
citizenship, such as a birth certificate. |
| LATER:
On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the
full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The
proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the
United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a
passport, passport card, or
WHTI-compliant document.
Please Note: Children under age 16 will be able to
continue crossing land & sea borders using only a U.S.
birth certificate (or naturalization certificate) after
the new law takes effect in June. The original birth
certificate or a copy may be used. See the Department of
Homeland Security's Ready,
Set.. Go! for more information on the changing travel
requirements. |
Note: The passport requirement does
NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or
returning directly from a
U.S. territory.
U.S. PASSPORT AND WHTI COMPLIANT
DOCUMENTS:
| U.S. Passport: U.S.
citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling
via air, land or sea between the U.S. and the
aforementioned Western Hemisphere countries. |
|
The Passport Card: Passport card applications
are currently being accepted in anticipation of land
border travel document requirements. Based on current
projections, we expect the passport card to be in full
production beginning in July 2008. We will provide
additional updates as available. Once in production, the
passport card it will only be valid for land and sea
travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean
region, and Bermuda. |
| WHTI-Compliant Travel Documents for U.S.
citizen travel via land or sea, as of January 31, 2008:
|
|
| Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST) |
| State Issued Enhanced Driver’s License (when
available) |
| Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available) |
| U.S. Military Identification with Military Travel
Orders |
| U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when traveling in
conjunction with official maritime business |
| Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
|
| Form I-872 American Indian Card |
|
For further information see
U.S. Customs and Border protection.
ABOUT WHTI
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is a result of the
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA),
requiring all travelers to present a passport or other
document that denotes identity and citizenship when entering
the U.S.
The goal of the initiative is to strengthen U.S. border
security while facilitating entry for U.S. citizens and
legitimate foreign visitors by providing standardized
documentation that enables the
Department of Homeland Security to quickly and reliably
identify a traveler.
For further information, visit the United States Department
of State website
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html.
Updated: December
16, 2008
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