Q: What is the Trust responsible for?  

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A: The original Owner and Developer, Fiorino Grande established the Trust in 1988. The covenants that support the formation say in part “These covenants are set forth to protect future and present owners of property in “Green Valley Estates”, situate in the Township of Lower Heidelberg, County of Berks and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, about to be developed as building lots, against financial deterioration of reasonable property values in said development directly or indirectly attributed to poor workmanship and materials in proposed new structures, or of external design inferior to existing structures and  to maintain the same quality of workmanship and materials in future construction as found in existing constructions of the past.”  In future amendments the covenants discuss the care of the common elements of the development, i.e., walking paths, playgrounds, parks and retention basins to recite a few. 

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Q: How was the Trust formed and who are the Trustee’s?

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A: The original developer formed the Trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The current trustees include Fiorino Grande and The First National Bank of Minersville as successor to Hamilton Bank. Mr. James T. O’Brien is the banks designee.

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Q: Who is Keystone Property & Asset Management?

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A: Keystone Property & Asset Management (KPAM) is a full–service facility & asset management firm handling millions of square feet of real estate in and around the Greater Reading marketplace.  Keystone Property & Asset Management (KPAM) handles Owner’s Associations, Home Owner Associations, office and medical assets, industrial assets, retail assets and Condo Associations.  Keystone Property & Asset Management is affiliated with NAI Keystone Commercial & Industrial LLC, a full service real estate brokerage firm in Wyomissing, PA. KPAM was hired by the Trustees to manage the day-to-day affairs of the Trust. Key contacts include:

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            Danielle Denis – 610-370-8518          ddenis@keystonepam.com

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Q: What do the fees we pay cover?

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A: Liability and Fire & Extended Insurance coverage for the common area property, real estate taxes for the common areas, accounting/audit fees, snow removal at some elements, grass cutting and landscaping maintenance, repair and maintenance of fields, playground equipment, soccer nets, basketball nets and areas, trash removal (included in the real estate tax bill), trustee fees, management fees, legal fees if incurred, banking fees, and playground maintenance for repairs and upkeep.

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Q: Who is allowed to use the Common Areas?

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A: Any resident of the Community as well as their accompanied guests. 

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Q: Who makes decisions to have things done?

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A: The Trustees have the final say. KPAM as day-to-day managers also has authority granted to them by the Trustees. An Advisory Board is now formed and will set priorities and have an impact on operations.  

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Q: Tell me more about the Advisory Board.

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A: Our goal is to have one member from each development phase.  The Advisory Board will meet on a quarterly basis with KPAM to discuss projects that require attention, how funds are going to be spent and present ideas or suggestions of work needed to be done.  We have a sign-up sheet for anyone to sign that would be interest in participating on the Advisory Board or you can email us that you are interested in joining the Board.  The management company will then provide recommendations to the Trust and proceed.

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Q: The prior management company billed for a fiscal year, July 1st – June 30th.  Has this changed?

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A: This is correct.  Moving forward starting in 2018, we will be billing on a calendar year – January 1st – December 31st.

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Q: There was a period where the prior management company did not bill or invoice for dues. What happened?

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A: The prior management company reportedly is defunct and did not invoice or bill for annual dues. The costs of operating the Trust did continue. The mowing continued as did the insurance, accounting and miscellaneous costs. We have solid financial records reflecting all costs incurred.  

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Q: When I signed my contract for my home the fees were at a specific rate.  Does this rate always remain at that rate or does it change?

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A: Your annual fee amount will reflect what is needed to cover the yearly budget.  If extra fees are required to perform projects needed, the annual fees may increase or a special assessment may be issued.  The rates that are listed in your buyer’s contract at the time you purchased your home ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

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Q: What will be done with Home Owners that do not pay the annual fees?

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A: First a Dun Notice will go out for fees not paid for a particular year. Second if the fees still are not paid they will be referred to the Trustee’s Attorney and he will file with the District Justice for a lien to be placed on the property. Third, the lien will get paid when the house gets sold.  

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Q: How do I get approval to install a fence, shed or address any architectural changes at my property? Do I need a permit?

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A: Yes, a Building Permit is needed for putting up a shed or fence, and when building new or adding onto existing structures, retaining walls or to tear down buildings. An application should be completed and submitted along with plans, drawings of your property, showing structures, property lines and measurements must be submitted, along with the required Permit to the Keystone Property & Asset Management for approval. You must submit a copy of the permit obtained from the Township for work that you want to have done. KPAM will approve or disapprove said alteration or addition and promptly notify the homeowner of their decision. The Trustee has given KPAM the authority to approve or disapprove these additions and alterations. 

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Be sure to contact Lower Heidelberg for local permit application and forms here.

Download an Architectural Improvement Form here and return to: 
          Keystone Property & Asset Management
          greenvalley@keystoneassetmgmt.com

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Q: What is the term of the Covenants?  Can they be discontinued or changed?

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A: Covenants are run with the land and shall be binding on all parties and all persons claiming under them for a period of twenty (20) years from the date these covenants are recorded, after which time said covenants shall be automatically extended for successive periods of ten (10) years unless an instrument signed by a majority of the then owners of the lots has been recorded agreeing to change said covenants in whole or in part. The covenants are inclusive of and in addition to covenants and restrictions which are contained in the Trust Deed & the Plan of Record.     

Q: I am selling my home is there anything that I need to do?

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A: Your Realtor should contact us to obtain a resale certificate. Local real estate companies have been notified to reach out to us when they sell a home in your development. The resale certificate fee is currently $125. Payment of this fee and any outstanding maintenance fees can be paid at the time of closing.