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Hidden Springs/Estates
Summer Newsletter 2026
| Warm summer greetings, Hidden Springs/Estates residents. We hope you enjoy our quarterly newsletter, which highlights neighborhood news, area happenings and other useful community information. To contact the HOA, you can email us or visit our website. |
| Last Quarter's Accomplishments at a Glance | |
- Replaced freeze-damaged entrance landscaping
- Trimmed all entrance palms before hurricane season
- Rebuilt lightning-damaged irrigation system
- Repaired underground sprinkler wiring
- Continued beautification of our entrances
- Honored generous homeowner donations
| | Message from the President | | |
Hello, Hidden Springs/Estates Homeowners,
Welcome to summer!
As we all know, hurricane season is upon us, so now is the time to prepare. Please take a few moments to trim and thin the large trees around your home, remove dead palm fronds, and prune any dead or weakened branches from your oak trees. During high winds, these can become dangerous projectiles. It's also a good idea to have flashlights, fresh batteries, extra drinking water, canned food, and other emergency supplies on hand. If possible, avoid overpacking your freezer so it stays colder longer in the event of an extended power outage.
Now I'd like to share some of the projects your HOA Board has completed over the past several months.
Winter Freeze Damage
This past winter's freeze caused significant damage to many of our landscape plants, especially at the Pine Springs entrance. Unfortunately, we lost all four Robellini palms located at the corners of the entrance. Because of their extensive root systems, removing the stumps could compromise the stability of the brick walls, so they will remain in place. Sadly, this also means we will no longer be able to use them to display our Christmas lights. The freeze also destroyed all the Ixoras. These have been replaced with beautiful deep purple Loropetalum shrubs. They took a little time to establish themselves, but they have filled in nicely and have greatly improved the appearance of the entrance.
(See photos of the freeze-damaged Robellini palms and Ixoras, along with the new Loropetalum plantings.)
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Hurricane Season Preparation
To prepare for hurricane season, we had all 10 palm trees at the Pin Oak and Pine Springs entrances professionally trimmed. While palm trimming is an annual expense, it is one of the most important preventive maintenance projects we undertake each year. Properly trimmed palms are healthier, more attractive, and significantly reduce the risk of heavy fronds becoming airborne during tropical storms or hurricanes.
(See before and after photos.)
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Sprinkler System Repairs
In July, we experienced one of our largest unexpected maintenance expenses.
The irrigation system at the Conroy entrance appears to have been struck by lightning, requiring both controller boxes to be replaced. At the same time, the underground wiring at the east Conroy entrance had failed. After extensive troubleshooting, our contractor discovered that over the years the roots of a large Laurel Oak had completely grown over the junction box and wiring.
It took a two-person crew two full days to locate the problem, excavate the area, and rebuild the underground system. The repair cost exceeded $2,000.
The good news is that the system is now functioning properly, and we do not anticipate any further issues for many years.
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Recognizing Our Generous Neighbors
The Board would also like to recognize the homeowners who have donated more than the suggested $125. We recently had a designated $500 contribution to replace the freeze-damaged Ixoras with the beautiful new Loropetalum shrubs at the Pine Springs entrance.
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Your Support Matters
We are grateful not only for these extraordinary gifts, but for every homeowner who contributes to our HOA. While membership and donations are voluntary, they are essential to maintaining the entrances, landscaping, irrigation systems, holiday decorations, and other improvements that help make Hidden Springs/Estates a community we are all proud to call home.
As maintenance costs continue to rise, every contribution—large or small—makes a meaningful difference. We sincerely ask that you consider supporting the HOA this year so we can continue preserving and enhancing our neighborhood.
Contribution notices will be mailed during the first week of September, so please watch your mailbox.
For your convenience, you may contribute by:
- Check
- PayPal
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Zelle (please see the contribution notice for payment details)
If paying with cash is easier, I would be happy to personally pick it up from your home. Just contact me to make arrangements.
Thank you for your continued support and for helping keep Hidden Springs/Estates a wonderful place to live. As always, if the Board can be of assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are here to serve our community.
Sincerely,
Donna Fontaine
HOA President
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By Treasurer Tina Dottino
Thank you to all who paid dues this past year! Our fiscal year wraps up at the end of the month, on August 31. As we complete the year, we want to say a big thank you to the 206 residents who paid their dues. Many residents were very generous with their donations, which enabled us to meet our expenses and undertake some major wall planter upgrades. Your contributions are greatly appreciated! While we are able to meet our regular expenses, any major upgrades or repairs tend to strain our budget. Our fiscal year will be kicking off soon and notices will go out next month. Please pay your dues by mailing a check or using our PayPal feature. We also offer Zelle now, for convenience. Though we are a voluntary association, everyone in the neighborhood benefits from the donations. Your HOA dues go toward providing for the maintenance and landscaping of our common areas, including mowing, sprinkler repair, and tree trimming; offering welcome baskets to new Hidden Springs/Estates residents; hosting events such as the National Night Out Block Party, repairing of our neighborhood walls; and maintenance of the lighting and signage at our entrances. We could not do all of this without the financial support of our residents. We deeply appreciate all the neighbors who pay their dues and hope that even more of our Hidden Springs/Estates homeowners contribute! While our dues are voluntary, they are essential and every contribution matters. Please click here to contribute.
Spending by Category - Year to Date
2025-2026 Fiscal Year to Date as of 7/31/2
| | | Administrative expenses | $ 2,224.00 | | Common area maintenance | $ 18,653.00 | | Community events and promotion | $ 465.00 | | Holiday decorations | $ 2,120.00 | | Utilities | $ 2,599.00 | | Insurance | $2,037.00 | | Newsletter & Website | $167.00 | | OVERALL TOTAL TO DATE | 28,265 | | | Save the Date: National Night Out | | Mark your calendars for the next National Night Out neighborhood block party on Tuesday, October 6 from 6:30-8:30pm. It's hosted by the HOA in conjunction with the Orange County Sheriff's Office and free to attend! We'll grill hot dogs and have other snacks. New this year: J's Cone Zone ice cream truck will be here serving sweet treats so be sure to bring cash if you'd like some ice cream. See sample menu below. | | Save the Date for Our Next Happy Hour November 13 | | Everyone had a great time at our Karaoke Happy Hour on Friday, June 12 hosted by Sacha and Leslie! It's always a great time getting to know our neighbors better. Save the date for our next Happy Hour tentatively scheduled for Friday, November 13 and hosted by Damon Nicholson. Adults Only. If you would like to host an upcoming Happy Hour, please contact Karen Butler at VLN7807@aol.com. | | Resident Realtor: Real Estate Market Update | | | | |
This neighborhood market report is brought to you by our Resident Realtor, Kendle Arribas with The Agency. She has lived in Hidden Springs for more than 20 years and has a deep understanding of our community.
If you're thinking about selling your home and would like a free market evaluation, please contact her at Kendle.Arribas@TheAgencyRE.com.
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Orlando's State of the Market
"Summer is typically one of the most active periods of the Central Florida housing market each year, and 2026 is no exception," said Chris Atwell, president of the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association. "Even with stubborn interest rates, buyers are steadily driving the market along, which is reflected in increased median sales prices across the region."
- Overall sales rose by 8% from May to June. There were 2,711 sales in May and 2,929 sales in June.
- June’s interest rate was recorded at 6.5%, holding steady with May.
- The median home price for June was recorded at $416,308, up from $407,002 in May.
- Homes spent an average of 62 days on the market in June – down from 66 days in May.
- Inventory for June was recorded at 11,924, up 0.1% from May, when inventory was recorded at 11,914.
- New listings rose 4.6% from May to June, with 3,978 new homes on the market in June, compared to 3,802 in May.
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Hidden Springs/Estates Activity
For the period of March 17-July 29, 2026, our neighborhood had 4 sales ranging from $385,000-$685,000, and 1 home is currently pending sale. There are 3 homes active on the market in our neighborhood.
Updates to your home, proper maintenance and curb appeal all add value. When our neighborhood looks good, it helps increase everyone’s home values. Please do what you can to keep your homes looking their best both with interior updates as well as landscaping and lawn maintenance.
If you're planning to sell, you still have time to capitalize on the summer buyer momentum. To see what your home might worth in today's market, I am happy to provide a complimentary consultation and develop a strategy customized for your property. You can contact me at Kendle.Arribas@TheAgencyRE.com.
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Real Estate Report for Hidden Springs/Estates
March 17-July 29, 2026
| | Accuracy of all information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. © My Florida Regional Inc. DBA Stellar MLS, ©️ 2023 FMLS, ©️ 2023 GCMLS, all rights reserved. Matrix v11.2. Copyright © 2024 CoreLogic. All rights reserved. | |
Electrical Panel Updates: What Homeowners Should Know
By Kendle Arribas
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If you've been talking with neighbors lately, you've probably heard that many homes in our community are needing electrical panel replacements. This is becoming a more common project in older homes, and it's one worth taking seriously.
I recently experienced the issue firsthand when the breakers in my electrical panel completely melted. Thankfully, the problem was caught before it caused a fire, but it served as an important reminder that electrical systems can deteriorate over time.
If your home requires an electrical panel replacement, be sure to hire a licensed electrician who obtains the proper permits through Orange County. A panel replacement is typically an all-day project, and you'll be without power for part of the day. Once the work is completed, the required inspection is usually scheduled within the next day or two.
From a real estate perspective, keeping your electrical system up to date is more than just a safety improvement. Buyers today are increasingly aware of aging electrical panels, and many home inspectors pay close attention to them. An outdated or problematic panel can lead to repair requests, insurance concerns, financing complications, or delays during the sale of your home. Replacing an aging panel before you list your home can provide peace of mind, improve marketability, and help make the transaction smoother.
If you're wondering whether your electrical panel should be evaluated, or if you need a recommendation for a licensed, reasonably priced electrician, I'm happy to share the contact information for the professional I used.
Feel free to email me at Kendle.Arribas@TheAgencyRE.com, and I'd be glad to help.
| | | | With the elimination of our deputy patrol services, it is more important than ever to get to know your neighbors, keep an eye out for each other and call 911 immediately to report suspicious activity. If you have a camera that has captured video of an event, please share it with the Sheriff's Department. | | |
If you notice anything suspicious in the neighborhood, please call 407-836-HELP (4357) for a non-emergency or 911 for an emergency.
Remember, this is a NO SOLICITING neighborhood. Please do not let solicitors in your house or buy anything from them. If you are interested in what they are selling, call the company directly and make an appointment.
PLEASE contact the Sheriff Department via the non-emergency line at 407-836-4357 for any significant disruptions in the neighborhood that you think need to be addressed. The Sheriff Deputies have been very helpful.
| | Curbside Collection - New Pickup Days! | | |
Recycling and Yard Waste is picked up on Mondays for Hidden Springs/Estates residents. Garbage and Large Items are picked up on Tuesdays. Items should be placed at the curb no later earlier than 6:00 p.m. the night before and no later than 6:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Roll carts should be placed behind your home/fence or in your garage, so they are no visible from the street when stored. For more information, please visit the Orange County website.
| | 311, Code Enforcement, AirBnB Update & Watering Days | | |
Dial 311 - It Works!
This is how Board members stay on top of code violations.
Be a good neighbor and call 311 if you see a hazard i.e.; broken sidewalk, mold/slippery sidewalk, falling tree branches, etc. The Orange County 311 system is a great way to connect with local government services. They can also help you with animal concerns, neighborhood inquiries, traffic matters, road conditions and more. You can contact them via phone, website or an easy-to-use app. Learn more at ocfl.net/311. There are a couple of houses that are being fined or charged for cleanup work performed by the county.
Home Businesses are allowed in Orange County but, they must not have employees or customers coming to the house. If you have a neighbor who has employees and/or customers coming to the house, contact Code Enforcement using the Orange County 311 system and they will investigate.
Short-term rentals are not allowed in Orange County. If you suspect a home is being used for short-term rentals, report it to Orange County 311 (see below) or send an email to hoa@hiddenspringsestates.org. For more information about zoning for short-term rentals call (407) 836-3111. We are keeping an eye on one that stopped but now may be starting up again.
Watering Restrictions:
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You may water your lawn TWO DAYS A WEEK until November 1. Orange County Watering Restrictions and Irrigation Schedule can be viewed here. Water only if necessary and not between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Water for no more than one hour per zone. Watering Violation Enforcement Process: First-time violators will receive a warning through a door hanger notice and by letter. Repeat violators will be subject to a fine of $25 per violation. A violator can appeal to a Hearing Officer after a written request is submitted and a $25 filing fee is made. Water enforcement has recently been seen in the neighborhood.
| | Do You Love to Sing? Join the Sunshine Singers | | Do you love to sing? The Sunshine Singers are in need of singers for their group. Currently, four of the singers are neighbors who live here. This volunteer women's group performs at assisted living and memory care centers in the Orlando area. Rehearsals are on Mondays from 9:30-11:30. Performances are on Tuesday mornings or afternoons. If you sing first or second soprano or alto, come sing with the Sunshine Singers! Reading music is a plus but not required. For more information, call or text Marlene Greil at 407-325-7475. | | |
Please welcome the following new residents to Hidden Springs/Estates! Each is given a welcome basket from the HOA filled with goodies and neighborhood information. Special thanks to Karen Butler for her work in putting together and delivering these wonderful welcome baskets to our new residents each quarter. If you have anything you can contribute to our welcome baskets, please contact us.
The HOA makes an effort to keep our directory of homeowners current. If you have a new neighbor and they are not receiving our newsletters, please have them reach out to the HOA to get added to our list.
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October 28, 2025
5056 Caspian Court
Lucas Oncins Gaudio
Luiza Oncins
Jaime Oliveira Oncins
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June 26, 2026
4904 Caspian Ct
William T. Morton
Not pictured:
July 8, 2026
6006 Scots Pine Ct
Omar Hafizbegovic
Maria Muller-Garcia
July 16, 2026
7719 Pine Vista Ct.
Yeiuda Vaturi
Mazi Vaturi
| | | Please make sure that you keep the Hidden Springs/Estates Homeowners Association updated with your latest email address and any resident name changes. We continually update our records by adding proper names and email addresses into our database. If you know someone who has recently moved in or who does not receive our emails, please tell them to contact us so they can receive our quarterly newsletters, event updates and alerts form the HOA. | | Like and Follow Our Facebook Page | | Follow our Facebook page for Hidden Springs/Estates where we share news, events and updates related to our neighborhood! This page is another great place to stay informed about what’s happening in our community and to connect with fellow residents. Please note, this page is intended for sharing positive updates and information. If you have any concerns or issues, we kindly ask that you direct them to our HOA email at HOA@HiddenSpringsEstates.org. We invite you to like and follow our page at: Hidden Springs & Estates Facebook Page. We look forward to connecting with you online! | | |
President
Donna Fontaine
Vice President
Fred Hawkins
Treasurer
Tina Dottino
Secretary
Charles Simonel
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Contact Management & Welcoming Director
Karen Butler
Sr. Database Director
Denise Bradley
Communications Director
Kendle Arribas
Orange County Code Enforcement Liaison
Anonymous
| | Click here to see our supporters. If you are interested in promoting your business to Hidden Springs/Estates residents with a business card ad on our Supporters page for $25, please contact the HOA for more information. | | |
Although it is the Hidden Springs/Estates Homeowners Association's (HSE HOA) intent to provide accurate and up-to-date information, no warranty, express or implied, is made regarding accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information contained on the pages of this newsletter. The HSE HOA assumes no liability for damages, incurred by the user of this information, which occur directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omissions or discrepancies in the information. The HSE HOA provides this information on an "as is" basis. The HSE HOA reserves the right to make changes and updates to the information at any time and without notice. Any person or entity who relies on information contained herein does so at his or her own risk.
Copyright © 2026. All Rights Reserved.
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