We hope you will join the King's Pointe community!
Not all homeowner associations (HOAs) are the same. At King's Pointe we value our neighbors — fellow business partners — and support one another to improve the quality of life for everyone who lives here. When you choose to purchase at King's Pointe, you're getting a different kind of HOA community.
Why buy at King's Pointe?
King's Pointe is an active residential community perfectly situated in West Des Moines. You'll find friendly neighbors, easy access to shopping and amenities, quick commutes anywhere in the Des Moines metro and stress-free living. Our professionally managed association takes care of lawn care, snow removal and maintenance of common areas. You'll have the ability to make your home yours.
You'll also know that our Board of Directors, with guidance from management, works hard to avoid the dreaded special assessments. King's Pointe carefully studies our future capital replacement needs and works hard to ensure that our reserve funds will cover future expenses.
We've compiled some resources to help answer your questions about HOA living and the King's Pointe difference. You may also find The Community Associations Institute's buying guide useful for explaining HOAs and knowing which questions to ask. If you have questions not answered here, please reach out.
What is a reserve study?
A reserve study is an important financial planning tool to help associations anticipate major capital repairs and replacements. When a community understands when major projects will become necessary and how much they'll cost, they can properly save for future expenses.
King's Pointe's reserve study was prepared by Association Reserves and last updated in 2023. Our board adjusted our funding plan in 2021 to accelerate our reserve contributions in an effort to improve our percent funded and reduce our risk of special assessments.
What is "percent funded"?
Every association will have different needs for its reserve funds based on the property's age, amenities and other factors. Percent funded is a ratio to help owners understand how a reserve fund's balance compares to capital needs.
At King's Pointe, our Board of Directors has been working over the last decade to improve the association's percent funded. Starting in 2020, we report our percent funded on a monthly basis to owners on our financial report. You can contact our manager to obtain our financial report with current percent funded.
Our philosophy is to ensure that every owner pays the true cost of ownership during their time living with us. King's Pointe adds funds to its reserve fund monthly from our dues.
How do I compare dues between HOAs?
Associations collect and allocate their dues differently. It's important to compare financial reports, reserve studies and board minutes to fully understand what's being collected and how it's used.
King's Pointe collects dues on a monthly basis. Our dues have three components: operating dues, reserves for ongoing capital depreciation, and reserves for past unfunded capital depreciation. Operating dues are pretty straight forward, this is the money we collect to pay for the day-to-day operation of our community. It includes things like building and general liability insurance, management, trash, exterior and common area maintenance, snow removal and lawn care.
Our dues do not cover any utilities for individual units. Owners will have their own bills for electricity, gas, water, HO-6 "interior" insurance, TV, phone and internet service.
Why are King's Pointe dues higher than others?
King's Pointe does collect higher monthly dues than many comparable properties. In 2026, our monthly dues are $547. This includes $219 of monthly operating dues and a $328 reserve fund contribution. Ongoing capital depreciation is approximately $200 per unit per month, which leaves $128 reserve contribution for past unfunded capital depreciation.
Our dues are set at a level that allows us to minimize risk of a special assessment to the community, while also ensuring we do not defer capital replacement projects. The risk of a special assessment at King’s Pointe is low because we save for our capital improvements each month; rather than keeping our dues artificially low, delaying major projects, or demanding large special assessments that could easily exceed several thousands of dollars per unit.
Simply said, King’s Pointe is different because we save for our projects over time, instead of dealing with emergency situations. Much like you save for your retirement, or a down payment for a property, King’s Pointe saves the proper amount of money over the longest timeframe possible, allowing us to minimize costs and chances of special assessments. Would you rather pay a little more each month or $10,000 in 90 days?
If you compare other HOAs, you'll find most are not putting that level of funds into reserves. Unless a community has substantially lower future expenses, it's likely facing a higher risk of a special assessment or may have delayed maintenance.
You should also compare an association's history of dues. Consistent, low dues should raise flags, as a reserve expert explained to NPR.
We also know that many HOA communities in West Des Moines were built in the early 2000s. Like King's Pointe, as HOAs reach 20-30 years of age, these communities will be facing significant capital replacement projects in roofs, siding, concrete and other big-ticket items that are nearing the end of their useful life. King's Pointe's dues structure accounts for these replacements. We encourage you to ask other associations about their plans.
Will dues increase in future years?
The King's Pointe Board of Directors reviews our long-range reserve plan each year in the fall and considers dues levels as it sets the budget for the following year. The Board updated its reserve funding plan in 2021 and raised dues to accelerate reserve fund contributions. This plan calls for increasing our reserve fund contributions about 5% each year through 2028. We anticipate operating expenses will increase 3-5% each year for a net dues increase of about 4-5% annually.
The Board encourages owners to participate in the budget review process each year. Final notice of the next year's approved budget and dues is mailed to owners in late November.
What are the Declaration, Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Rules & Regulations?
HOAs are governed by a complex set of legal documents. The Declaration is the highest-level document and constitutes a contract between owners. It describes the community, its amenities and establishes how owners will co-exist. Articles of Incorporation established the legal entity. Bylaws delegate duties and responsibilities for governing the community between owners and the elected Board. It also establishes how the owners shall elect the Board. Rules & Regulations are additional board policies that codify expected community standards for owners and residents with procedures for violations.
All of King's Pointe's documents can be found on our legal documents page for your review.
Have more questions specifically about King's Pointe? Check our new owners' Welcome Guide for additional questions or contact us!