A Question About Flower Mound HOAs

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by skids929

Consider your HOA increased at some point soon.

There's no HOA where I live. We have city ordinances with teeth and inspectors to actually enforce them.

[skids929]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

There's no HOA where I live. We have city ordinances with teeth and inspectors to actually enforce them.

Its sounds like my dream Town. In my current town we have rules too but idiots that are missing teeth finding excuses not to enforce them.

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by skids929

Its sounds like my dream Town. In my current town we have rules too but idiots that are missing teeth finding excuses not to enforce them.

Basically we have some of the same 'common courtesy' laws that a reasonable HOA would have, i.e. no parking on grass, no boats/trailers in front or in front driveways, must keep grass cut, must keep trees trimmed, etc. but with none of the ridiculousness like having to choose exterior paint from a small palette of colors, being told what kind of flowers/trees we can and can't plant, etc. We don't have to have matching mailboxes either. Y'know...all of the good parts without any of the silliness.

[getmeoutofhere]

I enjoy the way people get all pissy about HOA's. Sometimes they can be terribly run, but that's easy to find out. Other than that, it's not like your life is impacted in any appreciable way. How many people are going to paint their house some outlandish color that would be banned? Maybe 1 out of every 10,000.

I live in one of the most expensive (dues-wise) and detailed HOA's in the area, and you know how much it has affected me? Not a bit. Except for the fact that everything looks nice.

And you know how many people are turned down for additions and such? Virtually no one, because they hire a competent designer who makes something that looks nice. The only people turned down are those who want to use duct tape and silly putty to make an addition.

[skids929]

Originally Posted by getmeoutofhere

I enjoy the way people get all pissy about HOA's. Sometimes they can be terribly run, but that's easy to find out. Other than that, it's not like your life is impacted in any appreciable way. How many people are going to paint their house some outlandish color that would be banned? Maybe 1 out of every 10,000.

I live in one of the most expensive (dues-wise) and detailed HOA's in the area, and you know how much it has affected me? Not a bit. Except for the fact that everything looks nice.

And you know how many people are turned down for additions and such? Virtually no one, because they hire a competent designer who makes something that looks nice. The only people turned down are those who want to use duct tape and silly putty to make an addition.

Exactly! If you just follow the rules it has NO bearing on your day to day life. I don't know what all the hub-up is all about HOAs being all bad. In my limited time in DFW and experience I have seen what appear to be very well run HOA neighborhoods I have been thoroughly impressed with.

[PrincessKick]

Originally Posted by skids929

Exactly! If you just follow the rules it has NO bearing on your day to day life. I don't know what all the hub-up is all about HOAs being all bad. In my limited time in DFW and experience I have seen what appear to be very well run HOA neighborhoods I have been thoroughly impressed with.

I just think telling me what kind of flowers I can plant goes a bit far. If I chose to move into a very strict HOA neighborhood I would deal with it. My new neighborhood has a basic and reasonable HOA which costs 100/yr. We have a pool in our backyard and already free membership at a community Rec ctr thanks to DH working for the city in which it's located. Our neighborhood looks very well kept up so it's working for us. I did like Wellington a lot (favorite area is the streets around Native Oak and Cape Brett) but between wanting a large lot and knowing my DH would complain about their HOA this is probably a better fit.

[JjPoptart]

Thanks so much for all of the feedback! I will certainly keep all of this in mind as we move forward in our home purchase!

[Cheesebiz]

Originally Posted by mSooner

re: Bridlewood--You do get some nice facilities out of it...at least one pool, playgrounds, tennis courts, etc. Not sure of the specifics.

Wellington Dues are $640/year and out of it you get:

2 beautiful pools with lifeguards
Ponds
Basketball/tennis courts
Multiple playgrounds
Access to a fitness center (it isn't huge, but it is well kept and you have the basics.)
Group exercise classes (not a huge selection, but they are free)
A summer swim team (with a minimal fee)
Neighborhood activities--they throw an amazing end-of-school pool bash every year with free food, games, and a DJ

Plus the landscaping, maintenance, etc. that come with an HOA.

I say that's a pretty good deal! They can be annoying, but I think Wellington is WAY better off with one than without

BW has

2 beautiful pools with lifeguards
A golf course with clubhouse you can eat at
Equestrian Center
Basketball/tennis courts AND Fitness Center
Multiple playgrounds
An Elementary school
Group exercise classes (not a huge selection, but they are free)
Neighborhood activities and Clubs

Plus the landscaping, maintenance, etc. that come with an HOA.