The Cotswolds HOA Board will begin anew in March 2019! We need good neighbors who care

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1 December 2018 Jan Hirsch, Editor Neighborhood Management, 2700 Highway 280, Suite 425 Birmingham, AL Inside this issue Letter from the Editor Page 1 Iron City Power Washing Ad HOA Committees Real Estate Corner Updates Page 2 Page 3 Winterizing Your Home Page 4 Nataliya Isanova/Keller Williams ad Winter Care Tips for Dog & Cat Owners Winter Projects Renting the Clubhouse Questions/Concerns Eric Dabney/Eternity Solutions LLC Ad Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Dear Neighbor, The Cotswolds HOA Board will begin anew in March 2019! We need good neighbors who care about the well-being of our neighborhood. There are 5 slots to fill, and of the three of us remaining on the current Board, most will NOT be running again, including me. It is time for some new folks to join with renewed energy and fresh new ideas for continuing to make The Cotswolds a great community in which to live. Some of you have been vocal re the job the current Board has done. NOW is the time for those neighbors and others to offer their services. In January, you will receive a form in the mail to complete in order to run for the 2019 HOA Board. Please consider running for the Board and doing your part as a good neighbor! Also, please know that this issue of the Cotswolds Chronicle will be my last. It has been an honor and privilege to serve my neighborhood that I love so well! Wishing you all a VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY! Sincerely, Jan Hirsch

2 Scotty is already well-known in The Cotswolds for his terrific handyman work. We have employed Scotty several times and find him delightful, dependable and hard-working. His power washing business further expands his helping hands in keeping The Cotswolds pristine! Jan & Ron Hirsch COMMITTEES Committee Chairperson Contact Information ARC Carolyn Jeff Beautification Tyler DeStefano Landscape Tyler DeStefano Newsletter Jan Hirsch Pool & Clubhouse Carolyn Jeff Social Lauren Lawrence Website Jan Hirsch Welcome Jan Hirsch 2

3 THE COTSWOLDS REAL ESTATE CORNER UPDATES Provided by Cotswolds Resident Bill Priddy of ARC Realty Company COTSWOLDS SOUTH For Period January 1 through November 1, 2018 Number of Homes Sold 6 Average Days on Market 39 Average Sales Price $310,816 High Sale $348,500 Low Sale $273,000 COTSWOLDS NORTH For Period January 1 through November 1, 2018 Number of Homes Sold 19 Average Days on Market 61 Average Sales Price $324,984 High Sale $398,000 Low Sale $301,000 COTSWOLDS TOWNHOMES For Period January 1 Number of Homes Sold 2 Average Days on Market 9 Average Sales Price $234,500 High Sale $248,500 Low Sale $220,000 through November 1, 2018 Sales data accumulated from Birmingham Multiple Listing Service. This information should not be used as an appraisal of value for your individual home. Value is determined by many other factors other than average price per square foot, such as age, condition, location, etc. If you would a complimentary in-home consultation to determine your home value in the current market, please give Bill a call at Information purposes only and is not intended to solicit property currently listed with another broker. For 3 year sales & inventory analysis for The Cotswolds: Single Family: Townhomes: 3

4 WINTERIZING YOUR HOME Protect Your Pipes Depending on the region of the United States you're in, you'll need to protect your pipes from bursting this winter. Time to Weatherproof Weather-stripping and storm windows will prevent cold air from entering your home or heat from escaping it, which will reduce your power bills. Check your Fireplace Animal nests or creosote buildup in your fireplace can be hazardous. Have an annual inspection before building your first fire of the season. Block the Cold Caulk around windows and use foam outlet protectors to prevent cold air from entering your home. However, the majority of heat loss typically occurs via openings in the attic. Check to make sure that you have enough insulation. Change Your Thermostat Have you switched out your thermostat to a programmable version? If not, add this one to your list. A programmable thermostat lets you customize your heating, so the system doesn't run when you don't need it. You can program the thermostat for one temperature when you're at home and another when you're away. Protect Your Plants You'll need to bring plants and flowering trees inside before the first cold snap. Typically, you should bring your plants in before temperatures dip below 45 degrees. Bring in the Outdoors Cold temperatures, snow and ice can damage outdoor furniture and grills. If possible, store them in the garage or basement. If you have a gas grill with a propane tank, close the tank valve and disconnect the tank first. It must be stored outside. If you don't have storage space for your items, purchase covers to protect them from the elements. You also need to maintain your grill and cover it before putting it away for the season. Maintain your Outdoor Equipment Outdoor power equipment such as mowers and string trimmers need to be cleaned and maintained prior to storing them. If you have a snow blower, it's time to inspect it before the first snowfall to ensure it's working properly. This is also a good time to stock up on ice melt. 4 Save on Your Energy Bills Call your local power company to see if they conduct energy saving assessments. It's often a free service in which a representative will identify specific changes to make your home more energy efficient and save you money. In addition to the suggestions above, LED light bulbs and hot water heater blankets can also make a difference.

5 Winter Care Tips for Dog and Cat Owners When it s cold outside, extra precautions are required to ensure your pet s well-being. Follow these tip to keep your pet warm and cozy during these chilly months. THE OUTDOOR FACTOR Cats can get frostbite, and many seek warmth by crawling into car engines, which can be dangerous or fatal. Cats should be kept indoors year-round. Dogs also should be kept inside if possible. If kept outside, they should have a draft-free shelter large enough to stand and turn around in, yet small enough to retain body heat. Use a layer of straw or other bedding material to help insulate your pet against the cold. Different breeds of dogs have different sheltering needs. Purchase a commercially produced doghouse, or contact your local humane society for construction plans for a doghouse suitable for your climate. Please be sure to contact your veterinarian if you have questions. After letting your pet out to relieve herself, be sure to wipe her paws when she comes back inside. Tender pads can be injured from salts and other ice-melting chemicals. These products can be irritating to skin and mouth. Signs of ingestion include excessive drooling, vomiting, and depression. Outdoor animals typically need more calories in the winter. This allows their body to produce body heat. Increase the amount you feed your pet if she is allowed to go outside. Indoor-only animals may actually need fewer calories to avoid weight gain. WATCH WHAT YOUR PET INGESTS Batteries contain corrosives that, if bitten or swallowed, can cause ulceration in your pet s mouth, tongue, and gastrointestinal tract. Antifreeze is deadly to pets. The sweet taste is irresistible to animals kept in the garage in colder months. Look for safe non-toxic antifreeze and make sure all spills are cleaned immediately and thoroughly. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet may have ingested any antifreeze! Winter typically is the cold and flu season. Medications as basic as aspirin can be harmful and dangerous to pets. Do not medicate your animal yourself unless under the direction of your veterinarian. Keep all prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs out of animals reach. Rat and mouse killers are used more frequently during the winter months. Place these products in areas that are inaccessible to your pet. If you suspect your pet has gotten into a potentially poisonous substance, call your veterinarian immediately! Have the telephone number to your local emergency animal hospital readily available. 5

6 WINTER PROJECTS Painting, Fences, Landscaping, etc. Please remember that exterior projects, such as having a new roof installed, painting your home, including the front door (but not including minor touching up), replacing a fence, replacing a tree, installing new planter beds or borders, and similar projects require that an Architectural Change Request be submitted before work begins. The process is very simple. Go to our website On the bottom of that page, you will find the ARC Request Form to complete. In most cases, the Change Request is processed in less than 72 hours. RENTING THE CLUBHOUSE Reservations provide Residents with sole use of only the Clubhouse Kitchen and Clubhouse main sitting area during the reserved time. The fitness room, bathrooms, water fountain, pool and pool deck will be shared with any other residents and their guest (s) at that given time. HAVE A QUESTION OR CONCERN ABOUT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD??? Please contact Amanda Carr, our neighborhood Manager. She can be reached at or Amanda@nhmllc.org. Amanda has been working with The Cotswolds and many other similar neighbors for several years now and is very knowledgeable. If she is not able to fix your problem or answer your question, she will know just what to do or the go-to person to ask! A BIG THANK YOU! Many thanks to all our newsletter advertisers! Their $$$ help to fund the cost of the newsletter, making our HOA dues go that much further in maintaining and improving our community! 6

7 Nataliya Isanova, a Cotswolds neighbor, will make your property shine online by attracting buyers to your homes by providing incredible 360 Virtual Tours, Walk-Through Video and Real Estate Photography. She looks at each and every opportunity as the first step in building a strong relationship and treats every client the same, whether representing a $100K or $1M property! Nataliya will be happy to provide a weekly market overview report, if you contact her with your address. She will run a comparative market analysis on your property if you d like. Just let her know, and she ll get right on it. Nataliya can provide you special financing through Keller Mortgage when you work with her to buy or sell a home. Give Nataliya a call for your real estate needs! If your property is listed with another Broker, this is not a solicitation! 7

8 Licensed Electrician Always dependable, on time and courteous, Eric has been one of Jan & Ron Hirsch s best finds in their 2+ years in The Cotswolds. He has added outlets indoors & out, wired their terrace fountain, and re-wired their kitchen and saved them from a potential fire, as he found some arcing they weren t even aware of. 8