Gaining Steam...

To all of my neighbors,

Thank you for coming to the meeting we had last week. Your efforts in organizing this community are inspiring and Lakeland is starting to take notice. We have started an organization "to enhance the quality of life for the residents of the area of Lakeland know as Stonebridge." This includes the areas of Fletcher Trace and Hwy 64 West border to the Kingsridge/Canada Road East Border- everything South of I-40 and North of Hwy 64- for a look at a map click here.
We are currently:
amending the bylaws of our community organization
changing the name
securing a bank account for the organization (not for profit)
organizing a beautification strategy for our entrances, common areas, and medians
How can you help? We need your dues and contributions. We have set the organization's annual dues at a rate pf $25.00 per year. As of our current bylaws, when you have paid your dues, you are a voting member of this organization. The dues will be used to communicate to the residents via newsletter, postcard, etc on the how we are enhancing stonebridge and report on events, legislation, or developments that affect our community. This is your community and this is how we will make it better. This is the best $25.00 investment for your personal home. The effort that all of us will make will translate into higher property values over time.

We need the effort so we need you.

Please send your check for $25.00 to
CROSS
C/O Siobhan McOlgen
3006 Hepplewhite Cove Lakeland, TN 38002
As of our meeting last week we have elected officers and they are:

Michael Stansbury President mstanzbury@gmail.com 901-461-6045

Tom Pickering Vice President pick1776@aol.com901-387-0461

Siobhan McOlgen Treasurer mailto:msaspen@msn.com%20314-608-2153

Troy Wheeltey Secretary twheetley@gmail.com 901-382-0316

Leah Cook Lay Member leahdukecook@yahoo.com 901-382-7074

Wayne Butler Lay Member wbutler@acosta.com901-380-2700

James D. WalkerLay Member901-386-9109


Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions, comments, or news that we all need to here.
Respectfully,-

Michael Stansbury

Our values.

To all- Speaking with the Steering committee on Monday, we discussed our real estate values and how undervalued we are. Let me give you an example: In Woodland Park a home closed for $117.00 per sq ft across the street from Canada Road- In Stonebridge 8998 Breckenridge sold for $78.00 per sq ft- So how can we get a consistent over $100.00 per sq ft for homes in Stonebridge? Here are a few ideas:

• Consider their entrance- Woodland Park has a hoa that funds and maintains their entrance. We have an entrance, but no organized way of taking care of it, but soon will!!! If we can beautify our entrances and make it appealing- it will help the values. Not only this- but the landscaping that is on both side Davies Plantation running north through Stonebridge has great potential to bring our community to the higher standard.
• Keep the litter out- The visitors to our community seem to like McDonald's and Bud Light,
  
• Home curb appeal is important too- it sets the tone for what the buyer will see inside- I will post some good examples on the blog- and some bad examples outside of our neighborhood (keeping the peace)
• Master Bath
  This is one room in the house that you can ALMOST go overboard and still get your money back when you sell the home. Refinish or replace the cabinetry, put in new tile and sinks - even install a new, stand-up shower! When (or if) you put your home on the market, you should see a good return on investment.
• Kitchen- New appliances and new counter tops- Granite tops cost (if you go with a builder/generic stone, which look great) will cost $2000-$2800 with under mount sink, new appliances (cost $1500) also a tile back splash will help
  
• Keep the services updates- If your AC or Furnace is over 15 years old- you need to replace it. 10-15 years old, it's a good idea to replace the condensing unit unless it you have kept it serviced every year. (keep those coils clean and a new one will last much longer)

• Paint!!!
  It's fairly obvious, but painting your home modern, neutral colors makes a difference in the appearance of the home. And when you factor in the cost - roughly $1.75/s.f. - it would be mistake to forego painting your home when you decide it's time to modernize it. If you're planning on staying in the home for some time, paint it whatever colors you wish, but plan on repainting right before it's time to put it up for sale. If you plan on updating your home in order to sell it, go with neutral colors so that it will appeal to the widest audience.

• Put in Wood Laminate Floors- The products for laminates are getting better and better- the warranty's are great and the installation is easy. Costco has some great products and our local flooring company, Tim Hogan Abbey Carpets has this new Armstrong line that is worth every penny.

I also would like to invite you to an Open House on Saturday from 2:00-4:00 at 9600 Pine Point, take Canada road North and Pine Point is on your right. We rehabbed the home and used some of the same strategies talked about above. If you like Flip that House- than you will like seeing what we did to this home. If that doesn't get you to come- we will have cookies there too. I love free food. Look out for your postcards on the meeting next week- they will be coming Saturday and Monday. If you need any help with the above- let me know ,I use good contractors for the work.

Mike S.

Steering Committee Meeting Update/We Need Door to Door Volunteers!

To All-

We had a steering committee update today-

Here is some information from the meeting:

• We are informally calling our organization Concerned Residents of Stonebridge Subdivision or C.R.O.S.S.
• Our purpose is to mutually support the quality of life in the community of Stonebridge
• We are sending out postcards to all Stonebridge residents for the meeting next Thursday at the Stonebridge Golf Course
• The members of C.R.O.S.S. are defined as residents who pay the annual fee of $10.00. This entitles that member to voting rights

Here is the agenda for the meeting next Thursday:

Where: Stonebridge Golf Clubhouse

When: 6:30 April 17^th

Who: Residents of Stonebridge

Why: To mutually support the quality of life in the Stonebridge Community

Agenda Items:

• Golf Course Update
• Beautification
• Neighborhood Watch/Crime
• Bylaw Ratification
• Nomination of Officers
• Setting dues/Receiving Contributions

For more information cal 461-6045 or e-mail mstanzbury@gmail.com

Call to Action! Please volunteer to go door to door- Show up at the golf course parking lot at 5:15 on Monday April 14th- We will have flyers to send out and a plan of where you need to go door to door. I appreciate all your help!