Property Taxes

During your closing, you paid your share of the 2008 property taxes. This is somewhat unusual as usually the buyer pays and the seller pays his share during closing. However, at that point there was some issue about when the condominium agreement had been done so they said it had to be that way. The property was then and still is on Travis County Appraisal District roles as one property. You can see that record here.

Note: The following is in my contract and, I suspect, in all of yours as well.

"If the unit is not separately assessed for property taxes on the Closing Date of if the actual taxes attributable to the Unit are not known on the Closing Date, then Buyer will be charged for a prorated portion of the current year's estimated property taxes attributable to the Unit. To calculate the amount payable by the Buyer, the Title Company will multiply the Total Purchase Price by the mill rates then in effect for all applicable taxing jurisdictions (the "Estimated Unit Tax Proration"). Buyer will remit the Estimated Unit Tax Proration to Seller at Closing. Seller will hold the Estimated Unit Tax Proration in trust until Seller receives the tax statement, which Seller will timely pay to avoid penalty. Buyer and Seller agree to reconcile the difference between the Estimated Unit Tax Proration and the actual tax statement for the Unit, for which Seller will refund to Buyer any prorated overpayment, and Buyer will pay Seller any prorated shortfall. Obligations imposed by this provision will survive closing."

Indeed it appears that the taxes were paid in November from this document provided to a resident.

Now what remains is for Novare to notify each of us of overpayment or shortfall.

You should at some point in the next few months receive an individual value assessment for your unit from the Travis County Tax Assessor who collects City, County, School District and Austin Community College taxes.

Update: As of 3/9/2009 we don't know of anyone who has received an official letter from Novare concerning this reconciliation. However, tax professionals have advised several residents that any refund can be shown on 2009 taxes.

Rumorsnation

Who was one of Austin's most respected chefs we saw on the street in front of the 360 today, talking about his negotiations for a eatery spot in the bldg, creekside? We won't tell; but if and when he opens, we'll be among the first inside, trying the cuisine.

After August's rumor....today, the word is out. David Garrido will do some Southwestern food under his own name right here in the building.

Sales and Resales

The following went out from Novare sales. Thought folks might like to have this when we begin the fight on our valuations from Travis County Tax Assessor!

Subject: $100,000 Off Home 2702 This Week Only!
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:30:11 -0800
To:
From: krystle@lifesurroundsyou.com

Austin Towers Blog has posted an entry on the rentals and sales in the building here.

Board of Directors

Note: The 2009 directors were elected. Brian Queenin was elected to a three year term. Krystle Copulos was elected to a two year term. Michael Jones was elected to a one year term. Residents will find their e-mail addresses on Novare Connect. The offices will be held as follows:

President: Brian Queenin

Vice President: Krystle Copulos

Sec'y/Treasurer: Michael Jones

I will leave bios below for future reference. I have saved the final PDF issued by management before the election.

Brian Queenin has offered himself as a candidate. His resumé is here. (This is a Word doc.)

Other candidates that I know of are: Dr. Andrea Pana (her resume is here) and Michael Jones.

Warren James is also running and his resumé is here. (This is a Word doc, too.)

Robin Johnston is also running and her resume is here. (Also a Word doc.)

There is now a handout at the front desk about the election. The election will be in the club room not in the management office. (Which has room for maybe three people!)

Leak of 9/11/08

On 9/11/08 there was a leak from a fire sprinkler pipe. Here is the report for AFD.

Utilities

Your utilities are billed on the HOA bill. After some 'catch up' billings these are allegedly all based on individual meters. You should have the following charges.

• Utility billing fee: A fixed $3 fee, I think. (I guess this is for the labor in billing us.)
• Chilled water access fee. (This is fixed for each unit, supposedly based on size of unit.)
• Chilled water demand. (This is the chilled water that you actually divert to run the A.C. unit. It is supposed to be metered electronically at your unit.)
  
• Electricity. (You have an individual meter in the hallway.)
• Water. (This is the water you actually use through your water line. This is also supposed to be electronically metered at your unit.)
• Sewer. (This is simply based on water usage.)

Elevators

We supposedly have state-of-the-art elevators and one would think they'd have to be to service 430 units with four elevators, one sometimes reserved for freight. Now that construction is substantially finished, I find that normal waits for an elevator to arrive are under one minute. If elevators are reserved or out of service this is extended. The northeast elevator has problems with the fob swipers and the extra swiper (no keypad) they finally installed in the elevators don't seem to work consistently.

I'm cleaning up old comments here and readying it for more recent and relevant info. LB

Photos

I have lots of photos of the building and its surroundings on one of my other blogs, Austin, Texas Daily Photo.

Seventeenth Floor

That's the floor with the private terrace. This topic is for chats about this private amenity.

Security

Here's where we discuss our safety and well-being and how we can collectively achieve it.

Plumbing

A fellow resident came to my place to check out the toilets. Ours are identical in our two baths but his are different. Made me realize we needed a place to discuss plumbing.

Rants and Suggestions

My cohort on this blog (FFP) says we should have this cateogry and makes this first observation:

I know that it's really cool to sit around and smoke cigarettes when you're out seeking the heart of Saturday night, but it's kind of disgusting for the rest of us to see a war zone of burned-out ciggie butts and wadded-up packs strewn on the sidewalk along the east side of the building. Is there any way management might be able to put some more of those trash cans with sand on top by the benches where the smart set congregates at night? No guarantee that they will use them, but one can hope.

I would add that a trashcan inside the doggie door so that beer cans can be left there when people exit to drink and drive would keep them from being left on the railing. In that vein I wonder why we often don't have doggie bags in the container when the Gables keeps them stocked and their containers are in a public area.

Hey, What's That Sound?

" We better stop, hey, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down "

If you are old enough to remember hearing these lyrics on the radio, you need to join the 360 Boomer support group, but this topic is about what gets into your ears. We are used to the white noise of the chilled water plant by now ourselves and unsurprised when our door pops when the fitness center door slams, but what is the falling bowling ball sound from above? My theory? It's doors closing on higher floors. There are lots of sounds outside the building, of course, the pulse of urban life. Use this space to discuss mystery sounds or strategies for dealing with sound.

Welcome

You just closed. Here's the place to ask what you should get. Look for a touch-up paint kit, maybe some swag, some coupons and a 360 discount card good for things like a Late Night happy hour at Ruth's Chris and discounts at Joe's Bar and Grill. You'll be getting key cards and transponders for parking. You can get a fob entry key for $25. See the concierge. Please comment here with other newbie tips.

Novare Connect

The official WEB site for our building is www.novareconnect.com/360 and this is where you need to communicate with management and request warranty service. You can also see a FAQ there, but currently it hasn't been updated with rule changes. You should be able to access your bill and your preferences for package notification. Info about accessing this site can be obtained from management. You can access e-mail addresses for management and the Board members there as well.

The Neighborhood

Here's the place to comment on your great finds for food, drink, shopping, walks, amusements.

Want it? Got it?

If you are looking to buy or sell stuff (or give stuff away), make a comment here. Don't put any contact info you don't want the public to see.

Tenth Floor

We are the home of the fitness center but we are so much more than that. Talk among yourselves.

Floors

Have a great idea for floors or questions about the developer installed carpet and wood? No concrete floors here, folks. Recommend (or diss) your flooring contractor or tell how you installed it yourself.

Rules and Regulations

What does it say it those reams of paper you got? Help your friends and neighbors be condo-abiding citizens. No glass by the pool, please.

Balconies

What goes on (and is allowed) out there anyway? Discuss among yourselves.

We all Have it

Here is the place to talk about the appliances, floors, light fixtures and finish out that we all have from the developer. Hints and tips about maintenance, warranty issues, etc. Need a new air filter or halogen bulb? Share with neighbors here.

Light it UP

Getting track lights? What's it take with that concrete ceiling? Talk it up here.

Audio Visual

Talk it up about big screen TVs (plasma or LCD?) and speakers and surround and all that jazz. Recommend products, providers, etc.

Parking

That's a long drive to your space, huh? Talk about parking issues here.