Four years ago I moved from Chicago to Idaho and my realtor Gerry Turner, a very good realtor in the area, show me Kanaka Rapids Ranch or KRR. A beautiful ranch community next to the Snake River, with lakes, creeks and full of wildlife. While we were driving around the KRR streets, a family of quails cross the road, the lake had cygnets and I saw a couple of river snakes. I thought, this is my dream place.
The construction of the house was not easy, but which construction is easy? But in 2008 I lost my high paying job and my income was severely reduced. I could not pay the high KRR maintenance fees of close to $ 260 a month for HOA and close to $ 60 dollars for the Water Board. In January 2009, I contacted Patty Belden from the HOA board as ask if we could meet and negotiate a payment plan to cover what I owed from 2008. She never replied. Instead she hired a lawyer in Boise VIAL FOTHERINGHAM (with our HOA fees); in May 2010 the Boise lawyer and KRR filed a lawsuit against me. I had to hire a local attorney and end up paying $3,500 dollars when I owed $2,340 plus the attorney fees.
The KRR homeowners have no vote or voice at KRR. In fact HOA stop their meetings with the homeowners, don't answer our calls or e-mails. Moreover, they ask us not to communicate with each other by email and they dissolved the community newsletter by creating their own newsletter called SPIRIT.
On their last newsletter (October 2010) they told us "three swans will be destroy this month and future eggs will be destroyed". Also, homeowners have complained of people shooting their firearms at the ranch and killing wildlife but HOA does nothing to stop the issue.
So if you want a inept and bully HOA, beautiful expensive place to live with hunters around killing and harassing wildlife and experience dictatorship, come and live with us in Kanaka.
Dennis
Buhl,#2General Comment
Sun, December 21, 2014
The individual that posted her comments in 2010 may have had a grievance then, but not today. The ranch community is friendly, the fees remain reasonable, and yes, we still have swans living on our ponds, as well as other wildlife. I encourage anyone planning to move to or visit southern Idaho to give us a try..... you will love the friendly environment and easy access to golfing, fishing, hiking, boating, kayaking, or just plain leisure living at it's finest!!
Dennis
Buhl,#3General Comment
Sun, December 21, 2014
In rebuttal to a ripoff report published in 2010, I own property at Kanaka Rapids and plan to build a home soon. The comments made in 2010 are totally out-dated, and while the gentleman's comments may have been true five years ago, they no longer apply today. The people mentioned in the report have all left the ranch or are deceased.
I would encourage anyone interested in buying property or visiting the ranch make an effort to do so without discounting it because of an outdated and biased comment. The owners are friendly, the community is a quiet and peaceful setting along the Snake River and also located on the historic Oregon Trail. We have fishing ponds, wildlife in abundance, naturally occuring geothermal water which can be used to heat your home at a minimum cost. More than adequate water rights to keep the premises looking fresh and vital, and hiking trails, tennis courts, and close to a public golf course located on the river.
If you google Kanaka Rapids on Google Earth, you will find the development, a mixture of attractive home sites mixed in with natural vegatative praire landscape. We have rolling hills, and you will find both the Riverside and Creekside areas gated and secure. In 2013 we had an algae bloom on the lakes and they do not appear very pleasant on Google Earth, but I assure you that you will find the community a pleasant one in which to live.
As far as fees to live at Kanaka Rapids, I pay $40 per month for the water syatem, and $99.67 in maintenance fees a month for an almost 8 acre lot. You can have horses on your property, and my property taxes are $643.46 a year. You cannot get much cheqper than that. Hunting is not allowed in the common areas, and I have never seen a hunter in the gated areas.
We do have excellent waterfowl hunting and fly fishing minutes away, and Sun Valley, a national attraction for the rich and famous, is 80 miles distance.
Thanks for listening!!
Leona
Buhl,#4Author of original report
Sun, December 19, 2010
h*o....it looks like Kanaka Rapids Ranch updated their website andadded the current board members which are: Wayne Bagwell, Ron Anderson, Maryl Whittaker, Patti Belden and Randy Bateman.
By the way Wayne Bagwell the HOA"President's" e-mail is returned to sender and he never responds to the general e-mail box, I only get an automatic response.
However, in the Kanaka Web Site it reads: "He (Wayne Bagwell)has been invaluable to the Board with his ability to open communications and bring differing opinions together".
Invaluable? I will say, he is more likely anasty, unresponsive, detached and damaging individual.
Robert
Buffalo,#5Consumer Comment
Fri, December 03, 2010
Seems you forgot to mention a very important detail about the swan situation. Here is the complete update as it is presented in the newsletter.
SWAN UPDATE. We have recently been informed by the Idaho Dept. of Agriculture that the HOA is required to destroy all swans that do not have clipped wings. If we do not comply it is a felony and the HOA could be fined as much as $5,000. We have attempted to find other homes for the birds but the Ag. Dept has given us a time limit to comply. Therefore three swans will be destroyed some time this month and future signets will have their wings clipped or the eggs will be destroyed.
I understand that you're angry, but that doesn't mean you have to accuse them of killing swans willy-nilly. It is the STATE that requires the culling.
Leona
Buhl,#6Author of original report
Fri, December 03, 2010
Correction: The monthly fee at kanaka is $98.95, the trimester fee was $260 now is $296.85. KRR HOA still don't answer their e-mails and continues to be unfriendly...