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16 | THE COLONY NEWS | AUGUST 2025 | It's time for our regular home inspections, and we encourage all homeowners to take a proactive approach to property maintenance. Here are some helpful tips to prepare your home: • Exterior Inspection: Walk around your property and look for peeling paint on wood, stucco, or wrought iron. Please note that spot touch-ups are not recommended, as sun fading can make new paint stand out against older sections. • Gutters: Clean your gutters and check for rusty support nails. Accumulated dirt or rust can stain your stucco walls. • Tree and Yard Maintenance: The Homeowners Association (HOA) is responsible for maintaining the front yard. Homeowners are responsible for maintaining the back, side and courtyard areas of their property. Trim trees regularly to prevent branches from overhanging into neighbors' yards and to avoid leaves or blossoms clogging your gutters. Also, promptly remove any dead trees or bushes from your yard to maintain a neat appearance and prevent potential hazards. • Fences and Gates: Inspect wooden or wrought iron fences for chipping paint or rust. Regular maintenance can prevent costly replacements in the future. • Patio Covers: Check if patio cover slats need painting or replacement and look for rusty nails. • Garage Doors: If your garage door appears chalky, it may need a fresh coat of paint. Inspect the wood trim and rubber gasket around the door — cracked gaskets can be replaced or painted for a refreshed look. • Weep Screed: This is the strip at the base of your stucco wall where it meets the foundation. If it's peeling or chipping, a paint touch-up can help protect it. Important Reminder: For any major repairs or exterior painting, homeowners are required to submit an application to the Architectural Control Committee for approval before work begins. This ensures all improvements maintain the community's standards. Minor touch-ups, however, do not require prior approval. Thank you for your attention to these details and for helping to keep our community beautiful! ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL By Gloria Brosky