Why Would ANYONE Want An HOA? (part 1)
Why Would ANYONE Want An HOA?
All the rules and restrictions that make your life difficult?
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
I'll tell you who.
noHoa_01010913012.jpg
The duty of a HOA is to enforce rules and restrictions. Such as not having cars up on blocks and not letting your lawn completely die out.
noHoa_02010913012.jpg
Or to make sure people cut their grass and deal with any weeds that makes the property look really run down. Window unit air conditioners are usually not allowed either, at least in the south.
noHoa_03010913012.jpg
Owners are also restricted from keeping piles of trash in front of their homes and dead trees in their yard.
noHoa_06010913012.jpg
HOAs would have a big problem with keeping junk and rubbish and misc equipment in front of the home all the time. That makes the whole neighborhood look bad. Although they may want to see the plans or know what it will look like, they generally welcome the addition of storage sheds to the property. If not, using one's garage or an off site storage locker would be appreciated by all the other residents in the neighborhood.
As you can see, these are all pretty reasonable things. HOAs are run by volunteers such as your friends and neighbors in the neighborhood. While I cannot guarantee that every single one of them is not out for a power trip, chances are they joined the board to protect everyone's investments because they care.
You may be thinking, "But that's why there's a city ordinance. Let them enforce it."
While it's true many cities, towns and counties have many of the same, if not even stricter rules and restrictions that an HOA community has, clearly not all do. And enforcement may be less than expedient. The housing crisis has left many municipalities strapped for cash but also have a backlog of code violations due to unkempt unoccupied properties. Waiting for an HOA to get around to something may take a day or two. Waiting for a city to get around to it may take a year or two. With an HOA, you're using a volunteer body comprised of neighbors to enforce rule violations.
Or you may also be thinking, "That's why I live out in the country."
Living on a large parcel of land in an area with mixed properties- some really high end and some really low end that have amateur junk yards, waist high weeds and mounds of garbage in their front yard, is very different than living in a subdivision or neighborhood where homes are on small lots, right up against one another. In one scenario, the lots are not viewed as one contiguous neighborhood so a handful of properties may do things to lower their own value but it has little or no effect on the value of other homes in the immediate area. Especially when several acres of woods screen the view of it. Whereas in a neighborhood of similar homes, such as the one shown in the photos, these properties are all viewed as comparables when you go to sell your home. The homes that are not maintained may sell for a lot less and that would make it difficult for someone who does maintain their home to get what its truly worth. Not to mention many buyers would take one look at that neighborhood and say "no way, Jose" and it's not because of the houses themselves. The houses are nice.
Neglect and not caring breeds more neglect and not caring.
When a neighborhood doesn't enforce its rules and regulations and people start to get tired with how the neighborhood looks run down and may consider leaving. They too start to not care about their own property. They don't feel any pressure to keep up their yard or do many of the things they would do if everyone in the neighborhood was obsessed with keeping up appearances as many communities are. You can literally go into one subdivision and see where people take enormous pride in their homes and their community and drive right down the street and see where a different attitude, maybe because of a high number of renters or a lack of enforcement of the rules makes a huge difference in how much houses sell for and how a neighborhood feels.
Some people just don't like to be told what to do.
These tend to be people who have not yet had the displeasure of watching their neighborhood decline. I used to be one of these people.
If you're considering leaving your neighborhood because of a select number of homes that are not maintaining their properties, instead of putting your home on the market, consider serving on the board of your homeowners association. Chances are you will bring a lot of valuable skills that will be useful but even more important, you will be bringing passion and a caring attitude that will help your community change for the better.
All the rules and restrictions that make your life difficult?
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
I'll tell you who.
noHoa_01010913012.jpg
The duty of a HOA is to enforce rules and restrictions. Such as not having cars up on blocks and not letting your lawn completely die out.
noHoa_02010913012.jpg
Or to make sure people cut their grass and deal with any weeds that makes the property look really run down. Window unit air conditioners are usually not allowed either, at least in the south.
noHoa_03010913012.jpg
Owners are also restricted from keeping piles of trash in front of their homes and dead trees in their yard.
noHoa_06010913012.jpg
HOAs would have a big problem with keeping junk and rubbish and misc equipment in front of the home all the time. That makes the whole neighborhood look bad. Although they may want to see the plans or know what it will look like, they generally welcome the addition of storage sheds to the property. If not, using one's garage or an off site storage locker would be appreciated by all the other residents in the neighborhood.
As you can see, these are all pretty reasonable things. HOAs are run by volunteers such as your friends and neighbors in the neighborhood. While I cannot guarantee that every single one of them is not out for a power trip, chances are they joined the board to protect everyone's investments because they care.
You may be thinking, "But that's why there's a city ordinance. Let them enforce it."
While it's true many cities, towns and counties have many of the same, if not even stricter rules and restrictions that an HOA community has, clearly not all do. And enforcement may be less than expedient. The housing crisis has left many municipalities strapped for cash but also have a backlog of code violations due to unkempt unoccupied properties. Waiting for an HOA to get around to something may take a day or two. Waiting for a city to get around to it may take a year or two. With an HOA, you're using a volunteer body comprised of neighbors to enforce rule violations.
Or you may also be thinking, "That's why I live out in the country."
Living on a large parcel of land in an area with mixed properties- some really high end and some really low end that have amateur junk yards, waist high weeds and mounds of garbage in their front yard, is very different than living in a subdivision or neighborhood where homes are on small lots, right up against one another. In one scenario, the lots are not viewed as one contiguous neighborhood so a handful of properties may do things to lower their own value but it has little or no effect on the value of other homes in the immediate area. Especially when several acres of woods screen the view of it. Whereas in a neighborhood of similar homes, such as the one shown in the photos, these properties are all viewed as comparables when you go to sell your home. The homes that are not maintained may sell for a lot less and that would make it difficult for someone who does maintain their home to get what its truly worth. Not to mention many buyers would take one look at that neighborhood and say "no way, Jose" and it's not because of the houses themselves. The houses are nice.
Neglect and not caring breeds more neglect and not caring.
When a neighborhood doesn't enforce its rules and regulations and people start to get tired with how the neighborhood looks run down and may consider leaving. They too start to not care about their own property. They don't feel any pressure to keep up their yard or do many of the things they would do if everyone in the neighborhood was obsessed with keeping up appearances as many communities are. You can literally go into one subdivision and see where people take enormous pride in their homes and their community and drive right down the street and see where a different attitude, maybe because of a high number of renters or a lack of enforcement of the rules makes a huge difference in how much houses sell for and how a neighborhood feels.
Some people just don't like to be told what to do.
These tend to be people who have not yet had the displeasure of watching their neighborhood decline. I used to be one of these people.
If you're considering leaving your neighborhood because of a select number of homes that are not maintaining their properties, instead of putting your home on the market, consider serving on the board of your homeowners association. Chances are you will bring a lot of valuable skills that will be useful but even more important, you will be bringing passion and a caring attitude that will help your community change for the better.
Total Comments 2
Comments
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I'm a 62 yr old woman. This is not my first HOA and likely will be my last. No other HOA has been a problem. Unfortunately I have no idea how to get away from them, so I'll likely stay in this one until my death.
When I read the entries on line, many don't like the person who seems to have a problem with the Board and continually brings it up. I do appreciate him/her in that they are doing their best to warn a buyer. Unfortunately unless you buy an old home, you're likely stuck with an HOA. Those who say "you can move" aren't being realistic. I bought a home for $440K, renovated over 8 yrs and put $300k into it. My home now might be valued at $525k, so a very big loss when you include cost of moving and RE commission and new renovation. And who is to say that the next development would be any better?
There needs to be regulations to protect a HO from abusive boards. My board President and I don't get along and he will intentionally delay my projects and has refused to provide me with documentation that State Statutes say I'm entitled to. The only way for me to get this is to hire an attorney which I've done. So far my costs are around $4500 and will likely exceed $10k. I intend to go as far with this as I can, and I see a court case in the future. However, while I'll likely get bragging rights and win, it's unlikely the Board will be required to refund my expenses, and that's the shame of HOA boards. Volunteer or not, they still need to be ethical, and my "current" board is not. State legislators don't care ... I've gone that route.
My only advice to a buyer is BUYER BEWARE. if you think you're a reasonable person and you get along well with people then you feel exactly the same way I do. I never thought I'd be dealing with this, but you cannot predict a totally evil Board member .. I can barely conceptualize an evil person, yet they are out there, and they are predators, waiting to pounce. Most HOA Boards fall under two categories ... Those which are too lax and don't want to follow CC&Rs and those who exercise too much control. I am dealing with a board that enforces control on those they don't like and their buddies can break all the CC&Rs. Since in theory Boards change after terms, this problem should self correct, but it never does bc these people keep rotating maintaining their bully status.
Wherever you buy, good luck. Just remember that while you may get along today, tmo is a new day. In an HOA YOU SURRENDER YOUR PROPERTY RIGHTS TO COMMUNITY CZARS. TYRANNY THRIVES IN AN HOA. AND LAST THOUGHT. IN AN HOA NO HO IS PROTECTED BY THE CONSTITUTION. BUYER BEWARE.Posted 04-26-2014 at 04:23 PM by PITIFUL BOARD in Tucson
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You are smart to ask...wish I had. If you do not enjoy being told what you can do with your home..DO NOT, i repeat...DO NOT buy your home in an HOA neighborhood, no matter how good it looks up front. It's a different America in an HOA, and you loose many individual freedoms. Get yourself educated on the subject and Web search the new America, [url=http://www.hoa-condoblog.com]THE FLORIDA HOA & CONDO BLOG[/url], [url=http://www.ccfj.net]CYBER CITIZENS FOR JUSTICE, INC. -- HOME PAGE[/url],
[url=http://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/08/homeowners-associations-tips.asp]9 Things You Need To Know About Homeowners' Associations[/url], [url=http://gawker.com/5830257/the-horror-of-homeowners-associations]The Horror of Homeowners' Associations[/url]
[url=http://njcooperator.com/articles/104/1/Common-Lawsuits-in-HOAs/Page1.html]Common Lawsuits in HOAs[/url]
[url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128078864]Not So Neighborly Associations Foreclosing On Homes : NPR[/url]
If after reading about all this you think living in an HOA is still for you......than maybe you would be better in assisted living, where the insurance may foot part of your expences.Posted 10-27-2014 at 02:37 PM by PLBR
