Why does Desert Breezes have a web site?

The purpose of the web site is to facilitate better communication between homeowners, the Board and the Association’s Management Company.

Casas Homeowners can now have virtually instant access to current copies of official documents, schedules of meetings and events and other community news.

In an effort to reduce paper and costs associated with copying and mailing HOA documents, we encourage homeowners to sign up for electronic notification that these documents have become available online.

Can anyone access the Desert Breezes Community Web Site?

The Desert Breezes Community Web Site includes both public and private components. The public pages can be viewed by anyone and include Community News (limited features), Area Attractions, Dining, Entertainment, Golf, Services, Important Links and Emergency Information. This provides homeowners, their guests and seasonal tenants with a single source for what is happening in the Coachella Valley and easy to follow maps to many Valley locations.

The private [Owner’s Login] area of the site is available exclusively to Registered Users (homeowners), and includes access to all available pages, features and official documents.

Anyone who is not a Registered User will not be granted access to the [Owner’s Login] area of the site. This is done to insure the privacy of community members, limiting availability of the Association’s financial information and Homeowners Directory to only members of the community.

What features are available in the Owner’s Login area of the site?

In addition to the public areas of the site, as a Registered User, you will be able to view, download and print homeowner-specific information including:

• Schedules of Meetings & Events
• Official Documents including:
• Agendas & Minutes
• CC&Rs, By-Laws & Forms
• Budgets and other Financial Information
• Rules & Regulations
• A list of the Board of Directors & Committees
• The Community Directory*
• Shoot’n the Breeze Community Newsletter
• Community Blog

* The online Community Directory will be available when we receive updated permission information from each homeowner regarding their publication preferences.

Is there a charge for me to access the Owner’s Only area of the web site?

No. The Owner's Login area of the Desert Brezes Community Web Site is available to all Casas homeowners who register to use the site.

Is there an extra charge for me to download copies of official HOA documents, such as CC&Rs, By-laws, etc.?

No. These documents are available free of charge to all registered Desert Breezes Casas homeowners.

How do I download copies of official documents?

All online documents are available in Adobe’s PDF (portable document file) format, from within the [Owner’s Login] area of the site. PDF is the standard format for the electronic delivery of documents. Generally, when a PDF document is printed, it has the same quality of the original document.

If you do not currently have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, or you would like to update your existing copy, it is available free of charge from the Adobe Systems web site. Simply click on any one of the multiple links provided on the web site to go to the Adobe Systems page, where you will be able to download and install the latest version of Acrobat Reader.

How do I sign up and become a Registered User?

All homeowners who have not opted-out of receiving community communications will be receiving an announcement postcard in the mail with sign-up instructions.

If you did not receive that postcard, or have misplaced it, please visit the Desert Breezes Home Page at www.desertbreezespd.com , and click on the following link:

Homeowners, click here to obtain your User ID and Password.

When prompted, enter your name, email address, property address and phone number. Your information and homeowner status will be verified and you will be sent your assigned User ID and Password via email, including login instructions.

Please allow 24 hours to receive your User ID and Password.

What is the Owner’s Profile?

Each registered homeowner will have the opportunity to maintain their personal contact information and preferences regarding association communications including newsletters, notices, Community Directory participation, volunteer interests, etc.

Why do you ask for so much information in the Owner’s Profile?

In addition to allowing us to maintain accurate homeowner contact information and preferences, the Owner’s Profile information you provide will also be used to assist in our Emergency Preparedness and Response efforts, which include, for example:

• Who you would you like to have notified in the event of an emergency?
• Does anyone in your household have any special needs?
• Are you a full-time or seasonal resident?
• Is your property rented? You will have the ability to provide tenant contact information.
• Do you possess any special skills or equipment, which might be helpful in the event of an emergency?

Will other homeowners have access to the personal information in my Owner’s Profile?

No. Your Owner’s Profile information is private and can be viewed only by you (when logged in with your User ID and Password), authorized Board or Management personnel, or by a designated Community Emergency Response Team member, in the event of a disaster or emergency.

No other Registered User will be able to view your Owner’s Profile information. You may update your Owner’s Profile at any time.

How can I learn about community news?

Recent community news is available from the [Community News] button located on the button panel, as well as from the within Owners Only area of the site. Archived news items are available exclusively from within the [Owner’s Login] area of the site, and are available by clicking on the Community News tab. Shoot n’ the Breeze, our community newsletter is also available online, in PDF format, and presently includes archives of all issues going back to January 2008.

Do you have a news item you think we all may want to know about?

Use the [Contact Us] button to send a message to the Webmaster, and select Community News Item, from the pull-down list. Please be sure to include your name, email address and phone number.

Is there a way to communicate with other homeowners through the site?

Communicating with other homeowners or expressing your thoughts about our community has never been easier with our Desert Breezes Community Blog. Available exclusively from within the [Owner’s Login] area of the web site, Registered Users will have the opportunity to make comments and voice their ideas on a wide range of topics including landscape, architecture, pools, community administration and more.

For those not familiar with blogging, it is not unlike email, except that you when you post, all registered homeowners who visit the blog will be able to read your message. Those who wish to respond may also do so, again for all to read. In this way it is possible to conduct a type of public and ongoing dialog on subjects of community-wide interest.

Sharing your thoughts, ideas or opinions on various subjects is a great way to find like-minded neighbors who feel the same way. Since Board and/or Committee members will be reading the blog, it is also a way to let them know how you feel about a particular subject.

In addition to association-specific topics, if you find a new restaurant that is fantastic (or not-so-great), let us all know, on the blog! Looking for a good and honest plumber? Ask your neighbors on the blog!

Please keep in mind that in order to view or contribute to the Desert Breezes Community Blog, you will need to be a Registered User, and your posts will be identified as coming from you. While some of us may express differing views on a particular subject, please be respectful and courteous.

No anonymous, inflammatory, rude or defamatory posts will be permitted.

The blog will be moderated; therefore your posts may not appear immediately. Please see the Desert Breezes Community Blog home page for blog rules and details

What if I have a problem with the common area landscaping or hardscape. Who should I call?

If you have a personal request of, for example, the Landscape Committee, use the Contact Us button and select Landscape as your subject. In this way your request will be forwarded directly to the Landscape committee and you won’t have to wait or check the Community Blog for a response.

How do I contact the Board or Management Company?

If you have a police, fire or medical emergency, please dial 911.

To contact a Board Member or Property Management via email, please use the [Contact Us] button on the lower left of the button panel. Please be sure to include your name, telephone number, property address. Your message will be forwarded to the appropriate recipient.

You may also email a Board Member directly from the Board of Directors tab, which is located on the Owners Only Page of the site. Please allow 24 hours for a response.

Have more questions or need help?

If you have any questions, please contact the Webmaster by clicking on the [Contact Us] button on the lower left of the button panel.

Please include your name, property address and phone number as well as your question or issue.

Please allow 24 hours for a reply.