Casa de Oro 

Quorum Article - May 2003

Casa de Oro is a 96 unit condominium complex located on seven acres of fee land nestled in the Santa Rosa foothills. One block west of Palm Canyon Drive and one block north of Vista Chino, this is a great central location within walking distance of downtown shops and dining. This is the Little Tuscany area of Palm Springs, adjacent to Old Las Palmas.

The Casa de Oro homes were built in 1974 and 1975 for the seasonal vacationer and weekender. They are in fourplex-townhouse configuration. Accommodations are two and three bedrooms, ranging in size from 1,088 to 1,150 square feet. Each unit has a patio or deck and a single car garage. They are currently selling in the $125,000 to $165,000 range. Of course, unit values do nothing but benefit from close proximity to the million dollar plus estate homes in this area.

Community facilities include a clubhouse, with full kitchen, a sauna, racquetball court, and restrooms. Additionally, there are three pools, two Jacuzzis, and two tennis courts. There is generous off-street parking. Residents enjoy some spectacular mountain views from the greenbelt and many of the units. Although not gated, Casa de Oro functions pretty much as a gated community.

Casa de Oro has just come off a major renovation project. Up until 2001 a sense of apathy pervaded the Association. This had resulted in a general deterioration in the overall appearance of the property. However, a new Board and Monarch Management, its new management company determined that it was time to modernize.

For a start, all the trees, which had been allowed to become overgrown, were trimmed and opened up to allow light into an otherwise dreary community. This also allowed grass to grow in properly for the first time in years. This new light also revealed other problems, for which solutions would soon flow.

The next obvious step was to paint the buildings. However, once discussions got under way it was apparent that paint alone would not suffice. The old, outdated wooden garage doors needed to be replaced; the exterior building lights were mismatched; and the streets were in poor shape.

MC Builders was brought in to brainstorm with the Board and management to come up with a renovation plan that would fit within budget. It soon became apparent that, in order to make this highly desirable project happen, the Association would need to take out a loan. The Board took this necessary step and loan repayments are now included in the HOA dues. 

MC Builders oversaw the entire project, which took almost nine months to complete.

Included in the work were the painting of all stucco, trim and fencing; the replacement of all wooden garage doors with rollup insulated metal doors; refurbishment of all upper decks and stairs; and the installation of new upper level wrought iron railings. Vinyl fencing was installed at one of the pools. There was a complete makeover of the landscaping.

Anyone familiar with the community would have been amazed at the transformation of a somewhat ugly duckling into a swan. Needless to say, all the homeowners, despite some initial skepticism, are very pleased with the undoubtedly positive effect on their ambiance and their property values. While the Association is now allowing its reserves to rebuild, it is nonetheless currently replastering one of its three pools.

A five-member Board of Directors governs the Association, whose monthly dues are a very reasonable $283 per month. Julian Becton of Monarch Management assists the Board in its duties. Other vendors include Don's Pools and Pro Landscaping.