FAQ


Who is in the HOA?

Everybody who owns property in Grand Oaks is a member of the HOA.


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What is the Board?

The Board is a group of three people elected by the HOA to determine budget and policy. Elections are held at the annual meeting in fall. Board positions last three years and are staggered so one position is up for vote every year.


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What is the Management Company? Who is Jack Baker?

The Management Company (Community Association Management, represented by Jack Baker), is a corporation whose job is to manage the business matters of the HOA. This includes collecting dues, paying bills, retaining legal services, and managing meetings.

The management company also inspects the entire subdivision twice a month to ensure everything is in good repair. (This means they also send the Blue Cards). Their contact info is here.


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What is the Architectural Committee?

This is the committee that reviews applications for improvements. The members are homeowners like you. Their responsibility is to ensure that your improvement is, in the words of the CCRs, "compatible with the neighborhood".

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What are the CCRs?

These are the written rules that govern the HOA. You signed them when you closed on your house. You can find a copy on the documents page.

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Do I have to apply for permission to {paint | build | dig | landscape | etc}?

You should apply for permission for anything that will change the physical appearance of the property, in front or back. Even if you are sure nobody will object, filing the written application in advance is the most practical way to proceed. Considerations are:

  • It's easy to do anyway. (The form is online).
  • It's harmless. If you apply for approval for your parakeet, and it turns out you don't need approval, you haven't lost anything (except the cost of a stamp).
  • It can prevent painful disputes. It's much less expensive to argue about your proposed project before you have spent thousands of dollars on it than after.
  • It protects your improvement. Once the Architectural Committee grants written approval for your project, then it is approved forever, even if a future Architectural Committee has a different point of view.


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I got a Blue Card! What do I do?

If you agree with what it says (like it says "you have to mow your lawn" and your grass is really tall), just do what it says (like mow your lawn). No further action is required, and you won't have any more trouble.

If you disagree with the Blue Card, then Rule #1 is: communicate. Don't ignore it, because then nobody knows that you have something important to say. Compose a response in writing and send it to the management company.

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Can I pay dues online? What is the address for dues payments?


This site does not accept online payments because it would cost the HOA a transaction fee. It would force the HOA (i.e. your neighbors) to pay about $3.00 to save you the cost of a postage stamp. You can pay online at the management company website but you will pay a large processing fee. This is due to the site provider they use; it is not under their control and the fee does not go to them.
To send your payment via US Mail, use the address on the contacts page.


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My neighbor has tall weeds. Why hasn’t the HOA taken care of it? 

The management company has probably already notified your neighbor. For residents who do not respond to the first notice, the legal process is necessarily slow, involving certified mail and a waiting period for people to respond. So even if the HOA is as aggressive as possible, it can take months to correct a problem if somebody really doesn't want to cooperate.

If you are not sure they have noticed, you can pick up a complaint form on the documents page.

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Can the HOA get speed bumps / stop signs / warning signs at the roundabouts?

No. This is a City of Austin decision.

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Why don't we have a swimming pool?

In a word: Money. There are only 323 households, and the cash requirement to build - - and maintain - - and pay insurance - - would be huge.

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Where are the nearest swimming pools?

In addition to two free city pools at moderate distance – Dittmar pool to the east at 1009 W Dittmar Rd, and Dick Nichols pool to the west at 8011 Beckett Road, you might consider paying annual dues to join the Tanglewood Forest pool. At 9801 Curlew Drive, it's less than 2 miles away, and usually not crowded.

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Are the park and trail private property?

Yes. They belong to the HOA, so each homeowner owns about 0.3% of the trail. There is a rumor that we are legally required to keep these premises open to all City of Austin residents, but that appears to be an urban legend. Current policy is that out-of-neighborhood visitors are welcome on these premises.

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Can I reserve the pavilion for a party?

There is no reservation system. Pavilion usage is first-come first-serve. In practice there has never been a problem - - even if parties collide, there are enough picnic tables to go around.

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How long is the trail?

1.47 miles.

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