Here's our neighborhood watch.
HOA's. Hate them or love them?
- Thread starter aquariuscsm
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One time the neighbors called the home owners association on me for squirting their dog with the garden hose.
LOL!
Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm
I want to hear everyone's experience about living in HOA's,the good and the bad/pros and cons.
We're looking at three HOA houses tomorrow. I've always hated the idea of them,but I've never lived in one. One of the houses,the one she really likes,is in the country club. Back yard is the golf course (which I'm not overly crazy about). It's 3000+ sq ft on a one acre lot. Lots of mature trees. Built in the 80s. $175,000 tax appraised at $250,000. Taxes are $3000-$4000 a year. What I REALLY want is a mid century art deco house,but it seems no one wants to sell these and the ones we find for sale are uber expensive. Anyway,we saw the HOA rules,which honestly,are just common sense. The ones that stood out I just had to share with y'all :^)
The HOA dues put you as a county club member. They have once a month HOA parties (totally not my bag at all).
*You may change your car's oil as long as it's done on your property and oil is drained into a catch can (heck,I thought everyone just let it drain on the ground haha)
*You may wash your car as long as it's done on your property.
The one rule that I don't care for,you have to mow your yard once a week. If you miss a week,they mow it for you charging you $50.
Ok everyone,tell me your experiences with these things.
I wouldn't live in a HOA to save my life. Bad enough I live in a co-op which is about 90% as bad. Don't ever live somewhere that allows your neighbors control over what you do with your property.
I want to hear everyone's experience about living in HOA's,the good and the bad/pros and cons.
We're looking at three HOA houses tomorrow. I've always hated the idea of them,but I've never lived in one. One of the houses,the one she really likes,is in the country club. Back yard is the golf course (which I'm not overly crazy about). It's 3000+ sq ft on a one acre lot. Lots of mature trees. Built in the 80s. $175,000 tax appraised at $250,000. Taxes are $3000-$4000 a year. What I REALLY want is a mid century art deco house,but it seems no one wants to sell these and the ones we find for sale are uber expensive. Anyway,we saw the HOA rules,which honestly,are just common sense. The ones that stood out I just had to share with y'all :^)
The HOA dues put you as a county club member. They have once a month HOA parties (totally not my bag at all).
*You may change your car's oil as long as it's done on your property and oil is drained into a catch can (heck,I thought everyone just let it drain on the ground haha)
*You may wash your car as long as it's done on your property.
The one rule that I don't care for,you have to mow your yard once a week. If you miss a week,they mow it for you charging you $50.
Ok everyone,tell me your experiences with these things.
I wouldn't live in a HOA to save my life. Bad enough I live in a co-op which is about 90% as bad. Don't ever live somewhere that allows your neighbors control over what you do with your property.
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Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
I live in a co-op which is about 90% as bad.
What's a co-op Hemi? I've never heard of that.
I live in a co-op which is about 90% as bad.
What's a co-op Hemi? I've never heard of that.
ZERO chance I would buy a home in a HOA. Just what I want to do is pay someone for the privilege of having them tell me what I can and can't do on my own property.
Aqua,
Can you afford to buy land and build a house?
Can you afford to buy land and build a house?
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Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Aqua,
Can you afford to buy land and build a house?
Gosh I totally wish!! Although houses here in Texas are cheap,land in desirable areas is crazy expensive!!
Aqua,
Can you afford to buy land and build a house?
Gosh I totally wish!! Although houses here in Texas are cheap,land in desirable areas is crazy expensive!!
Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
I live in a HOA that wants to collect the yearly dues... but not do anything else. They did not respond to *any* correspondence from me for two years. I sent first class mail, faxes, emails, registered mail... you name it. And no response.
They finally had a half-retired lawyer elected to the board, so he started off his first letter to me all tough, and with legal threats. When I showed him proof that I'd been blown off by the board for two years, he softened up quickly.
My position is that they need to enforce ALL of the rules, just not the one that deals with the dues.
As a result, they haven't seen a penny from me in two years, and I've made it clear to them that they're not going to see a check from me anytime soon.
I'm surprised they haven't tried to take your house for that.
I live in a HOA that wants to collect the yearly dues... but not do anything else. They did not respond to *any* correspondence from me for two years. I sent first class mail, faxes, emails, registered mail... you name it. And no response.
They finally had a half-retired lawyer elected to the board, so he started off his first letter to me all tough, and with legal threats. When I showed him proof that I'd been blown off by the board for two years, he softened up quickly.
My position is that they need to enforce ALL of the rules, just not the one that deals with the dues.
As a result, they haven't seen a penny from me in two years, and I've made it clear to them that they're not going to see a check from me anytime soon.
I'm surprised they haven't tried to take your house for that.
Just make sure you understand the CC&R. I've seen an HOA that was very strict, like prohibiting you from leaving your garbage can outside past a certain time, or working on your car in your driveway, etc.
For me I would consider living in a strict HOA. I like neighborhoods with curb appeal, and around here you'd have to spend $4M to get that if it's not in an HOA. I dislike when people park their cars all over the street... And some leak fluids. Looks like a Walmart parking lot. You see that even in fairly expensive non-HOA neighborhoods.
For me I would consider living in a strict HOA. I like neighborhoods with curb appeal, and around here you'd have to spend $4M to get that if it's not in an HOA. I dislike when people park their cars all over the street... And some leak fluids. Looks like a Walmart parking lot. You see that even in fairly expensive non-HOA neighborhoods.
It is nice if you don't want noisy neighbor. It is bad if you want to be noisy neighbor.
To be honest I don't mind it because of the rules, I hardly break them anyways and it prevent my wife from wanting to do "cool things" to the exterior of the home.
The biggest problem with HOA is the cost of its insurance, at least in multi stories condos. When / if a unit flood and damage everyone down stair, the payout will skyrocket and you have to increase the fee to cover the increased premium. I'd image it is not an issue for single story condo or townhouse.
To be honest I don't mind it because of the rules, I hardly break them anyways and it prevent my wife from wanting to do "cool things" to the exterior of the home.
The biggest problem with HOA is the cost of its insurance, at least in multi stories condos. When / if a unit flood and damage everyone down stair, the payout will skyrocket and you have to increase the fee to cover the increased premium. I'd image it is not an issue for single story condo or townhouse.
Can't stand HOAs.
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Originally Posted By: 04SE
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
My HOA just informed me that I can NO LONGER even have my hood open, EVEN IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY
That is easy, take the hood off the car and then listen to them squeal!!!!
OHHH great idea! That would be hilarious.
Yeah, but
they would STILL fine me for "working on the car", even if only checking the oil!!
Originally Posted By: 04SE
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
My HOA just informed me that I can NO LONGER even have my hood open, EVEN IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY
That is easy, take the hood off the car and then listen to them squeal!!!!
OHHH great idea! That would be hilarious.
Yeah, but
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
My HOA just informed me that I can NO LONGER even have my hood open, EVEN IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY, as I face a $50.00 fine for the 1st offense, going up to $100.00 for the second, and then $250.00 for EVERY ONE after that!!
Which is why I live @one mile away from my nearest neighbor. If you can't take a leak in your front yard your neighbors live TOO CLOSE!!!
My HOA just informed me that I can NO LONGER even have my hood open, EVEN IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY, as I face a $50.00 fine for the 1st offense, going up to $100.00 for the second, and then $250.00 for EVERY ONE after that!!
Which is why I live @one mile away from my nearest neighbor. If you can't take a leak in your front yard your neighbors live TOO CLOSE!!!
Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
There might be some HOA problems in California very soon. Governor Moonbeam has a bill on his desk (AB 1448) that if signed will allow anyone to setup clothes lines in their front or back yards to dry clothes. This law will void all HOA restrictions against clotheslines.
It appears that Governor Moonbeam recently saw this marvelous invention, a clothesline with clothespins, that uses solar energy to dry laundry. It's really a blessing to have a Governor that sees what others don't see, recognizes its value and is willing to share his wisdom with his subjects in California.
The bill signing ceremony should be a great show. For these HOA people being told what to do does not compute. As far as they know they are always in charge and their word is law. This could escalate into a Pay-per-view extravaganza.
Well...the Federal Govn't tells HOA's they can't prevent you from putting up a satellite dish or antenna on THEIR ROOF to receive television reception.
There might be some HOA problems in California very soon. Governor Moonbeam has a bill on his desk (AB 1448) that if signed will allow anyone to setup clothes lines in their front or back yards to dry clothes. This law will void all HOA restrictions against clotheslines.
It appears that Governor Moonbeam recently saw this marvelous invention, a clothesline with clothespins, that uses solar energy to dry laundry. It's really a blessing to have a Governor that sees what others don't see, recognizes its value and is willing to share his wisdom with his subjects in California.
The bill signing ceremony should be a great show. For these HOA people being told what to do does not compute. As far as they know they are always in charge and their word is law. This could escalate into a Pay-per-view extravaganza.
Well...the Federal Govn't tells HOA's they can't prevent you from putting up a satellite dish or antenna on THEIR ROOF to receive television reception.
Originally Posted By: OneEyeJack
There might be some HOA problems in California very soon. Governor Moonbeam has a bill on his desk (AB 1448) that if signed will allow anyone to setup clothes lines in their front or back yards to dry clothes. This law will void all HOA restrictions against clotheslines.
It appears that Governor Moonbeam recently saw this marvelous invention, a clothesline with clothespins, that uses solar energy to dry laundry. It's really a blessing to have a Governor that sees what others don't see, recognizes its value and is willing to share his wisdom with his subjects in California.
The bill signing ceremony should be a great show. For these HOA people being told what to do does not compute. As far as they know they are always in charge and their word is law. This could escalate into a Pay-per-view extravaganza.
Where do you get your information from? You're wrong. Here is the text from the bill:
Quote:
SEC. 2. Section 4750.10 is added to the Civil Code, immediately following Section 4750, to read:
4750.10. (a) For purposes of this section, “clothesline” includes a cord, rope, or wire from which laundered items may be hung to dry or air. A balcony, railing, awning, or other part of a structure or building shall not qualify as a clothesline.
(b) For purposes of this section, “drying rack” means an apparatus from which laundered items may be hung to dry or air. A balcony, railing, awning, or other part of a structure or building shall not qualify as a drying rack.
(c) Any provision of a governing document, as defined in Section 4150, shall be void and unenforceable if it effectively prohibits or unreasonably restricts an owner’s ability to use a clothesline or drying rack in the owner’s backyard.
(d) (1) This section does not apply to provisions that impose reasonable restrictions on an owner’s backyard for the use of a clothesline or drying rack.
(2) For purposes of this section, “reasonable restrictions” are restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of using a clothesline or drying rack.
(3) This section applies only to backyards that are designated for the exclusive use of the owner.
(e) Nothing in this section shall prohibit an association from establishing and enforcing reasonable rules governing clotheslines or drying racks.
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB1448
There might be some HOA problems in California very soon. Governor Moonbeam has a bill on his desk (AB 1448) that if signed will allow anyone to setup clothes lines in their front or back yards to dry clothes. This law will void all HOA restrictions against clotheslines.
It appears that Governor Moonbeam recently saw this marvelous invention, a clothesline with clothespins, that uses solar energy to dry laundry. It's really a blessing to have a Governor that sees what others don't see, recognizes its value and is willing to share his wisdom with his subjects in California.
The bill signing ceremony should be a great show. For these HOA people being told what to do does not compute. As far as they know they are always in charge and their word is law. This could escalate into a Pay-per-view extravaganza.
Where do you get your information from? You're wrong. Here is the text from the bill:
Quote:
SEC. 2. Section 4750.10 is added to the Civil Code, immediately following Section 4750, to read:
4750.10. (a) For purposes of this section, “clothesline” includes a cord, rope, or wire from which laundered items may be hung to dry or air. A balcony, railing, awning, or other part of a structure or building shall not qualify as a clothesline.
(b) For purposes of this section, “drying rack” means an apparatus from which laundered items may be hung to dry or air. A balcony, railing, awning, or other part of a structure or building shall not qualify as a drying rack.
(c) Any provision of a governing document, as defined in Section 4150, shall be void and unenforceable if it effectively prohibits or unreasonably restricts an owner’s ability to use a clothesline or drying rack in the owner’s backyard.
(d) (1) This section does not apply to provisions that impose reasonable restrictions on an owner’s backyard for the use of a clothesline or drying rack.
(2) For purposes of this section, “reasonable restrictions” are restrictions that do not significantly increase the cost of using a clothesline or drying rack.
(3) This section applies only to backyards that are designated for the exclusive use of the owner.
(e) Nothing in this section shall prohibit an association from establishing and enforcing reasonable rules governing clotheslines or drying racks.
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB1448
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
My HOA just informed me that I can NO LONGER even have my hood open, EVEN IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY, as I face a $50.00 fine for the 1st offense, going up to $100.00 for the second, and then $250.00 for EVERY ONE after that!!
Which is why I live @one mile away from my nearest neighbor. If you can't take a leak in your front yard your neighbors live TOO CLOSE!!!
Totally agree!!!
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
My HOA just informed me that I can NO LONGER even have my hood open, EVEN IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY, as I face a $50.00 fine for the 1st offense, going up to $100.00 for the second, and then $250.00 for EVERY ONE after that!!
Which is why I live @one mile away from my nearest neighbor. If you can't take a leak in your front yard your neighbors live TOO CLOSE!!!
Totally agree!!!
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