Desert Breezes

Quorum Article - March 1998

Desert Breezes is located on Fred Waring Drive, between Washington and Warner Trail. It comprises a master association, two timeshare associations and two regular associations. Its land status is fee simple. It is a gate guarded community. The developer was Betty Williams and construction commenced in 1984.

Desert Breezes Master Association is managed by CAI member Desert Resort Management (Tom Miller 346-1161). All sub-associations enjoy the master association's facilities, which are an attractive clubhouse with workout room, 5 tennis courts and a large pool/spa. Tom Miller is assisted in the operation of these facilities by Social Director Mary Helen Eley.  Principal vendors are Sunshine Landscape and Ainsworth Pool Service. 

Desert Breezes Timeshares (CAI member since Sept '97): This is a regular weekly timeshare based community comprising 76 one and two bedroom and studio condominium units. There are 3850 owners of the time share "intervals." HOA dues are in the range: $364 - $490 per annum per interval, depending on the size of unit.

Desert Breezes Four Seasons: A "quarter share" timeshare project with 28 units and 112 owners. This is an unusual timeshare configuration because each unit has only 4 owners, each with the right to occupy for two weeks every other month and one week in August. HOA dues are: $259 per month per unit The timeshare components of Desert Breezes are managed by Linda Kolstad of Resort Condominiums International Management (345-2637).

The timeshare facilities include 2 pools/10 spas and its own clubhouse. The only outside vendor is Shadow Palms Gardening. In keeping with the importance of maintaining maximum control in a "hotel" environment, all other maintenance is done in-house.

Linda's observation: A timeshare is a unique hybrid between a hotel and a regular homeowner association. Timeshare management has its special joys and challenges. There is joy in developing on-going personal rapport with timeshare owners in an upbeat "resort hotel" atmosphere, where one can learn and accommodate individual preferences. This is generally not possible with the ever changing faces of the clientele of a regular hotel. The contrasting challenge is meeting the expectations of a timeshare resort owner. These are much higher than those of a mere hotel guest.

Desert Breezes Villas: this association is not a CAI member. However, it is managed by CAI member J&W Management (Jerry Wells) Tel: 568-0349. It comprises 48 standard one and two bedroom condo units. HOA dues are $295 per month. Facilities include one pool/spa. Principal vendors are Sunshine Landscape and Valley Pools. Desert Breezes Casas (CAI member since Feb '96): comprises 247 standard 2, 3 and 4 bedroom PUD units. Facilities include 5 pools and 4 spas. HOA dues are: $210/month. This association is managed by Desert Resort Management. Principal vendors are Sunshine Landscape and Ainsworth Pool Service.

Tom Miller, who also manages nine other homeowner associations, attributes the success of the Casas and the fine condition of its amenities to a "hands-on" board of directors and an active, detail oriented president.

View from the Top: Cindy Finerty, President of the Casas, reports a successful 8 year struggle to bring this association from the verge of bankruptcy to current fiscal solvency. She attributes this success to an active, cohesive and supportive board of directors. Hard work and attention to detail has resulted in the achievement of two seeming contradictory goals for the association: "We never let our age show." and "We keep the dues down."

View from the Curb: There is something for everybody at Desert Breezes - time shares and regular condos with fun community facilities. Some units are free standing with private yards. The HOA dues are low and tennis is included. Some of the nicest floor plans in any gated community may be found at Desert Breezes. With the flow of development to the east, what was once a fairly remote community is now centrally located. Because of the timeshare element, there is no direct comparison with other desert communities. However, Silver Sands and Laguna de La Paz are probably the closest competition.