Can my builder mandate where I put shrubs?

[miokie]

Originally Posted by homehunter09

This does not seem to be the case, per my builder. BUT if so, then my question is, should not the existing homes come into compliance as well?? Again, I'm not really opposed to complying, just not with $800 and an unrealistic deadline of "before closing."

Whether or not the other homes are in compliance with HOA standards is irrelevant, for now. It's not unknown for HOAs to suddenly begin to enforce rules they've previously ignored.

Your posts so far give no indication that you've checked yet with the HOA. As others have said, you should do that pronto.

Your relationship with the HOA will long outlast your relationship with the builder. That's one more reason you should check this out with them. They'll either confirm or refute what the builder is telling you, and you can proceed accordingly. Wondering about the other corner lots will do you no good at this point.

[tyanger]

Originally Posted by homehunter09

Ha ha, I wish I do feel like a King but we do have our earnest money on the line, too.

Glad to hear things worked out to your satisfaction.

Like most business negotiations (and that is definitely how home buying should be approached - without a trace of emotion), it frequently boils down to who blinks first. You're right, it's your earnest money and you need to be comfortable with the transaction - but IMO in this market you actually hold all the cards. You have drive home the point that the seller/builder (in this market) has more to lose ($100s thousands) than the buyer ($1 thousands). It is a gamble, but these days the odds are in your favor. Good luck

[LQQKOUT]

Originally Posted by miokie

Whether or not the other homes are in compliance with HOA standards is irrelevant, for now. It's not unknown for HOAs to suddenly begin to enforce rules they've previously ignored.

Your posts so far give no indication that you've checked yet with the HOA. As others have said, you should do that pronto.

Your relationship with the HOA will long outlast your relationship with the builder. That's one more reason you should check this out with them. They'll either confirm or refute what the builder is telling you, and you can proceed accordingly. Wondering about the other corner lots will do you no good at this point.

This statement it completely true. And I would advise the same. As I lived in a HOA that completely ignored the rules until the reins were handed from the HOA Property Management Company to the local residence. That was when the game of hard ball really began.

Glad to see you worked things out and now it will be a HAPPY HOME.

[loves2read]

frankly a 20" space for holly bushes between fence and sidewalk is NOT big enough--those hollys are going to grow--unless they are dwarf variety and bet they aren't--
you are going to have to prune them every other week to keep them from intruding on the sidewalk--remember people and other things hang-over the edge of the sidewalk normally and most sidewalks are too narrow anyway IMO for two people walking abrest or person/dog or parent/child usually...
think that is something an architect put in that was approved and no one has done any practical thinking
check out what type of hollys are going in and then the max size they might grow--
and remember that perennial shrubs will reach their max height in optimum conditions and then many time continue to grow more slowly--but still grow during their lifetimes...
a plant that is not growing is very unusual
Developers are companies like Drees, DR Horton, Highland who turn land into lots/developments but they also build homes...
some custom developers in Tarrant county are Larry Cole, David Bagwell, John Askew, Holigan is company that is doing Southern Hills in Keller, TX and smaller development s of I20 around Everman I think--
some developers DO build homes--sometimes under different market name--some developers just turn raw land into developed commercial or residential prospects and supervise until all lots are sold...

[momof2dfw]

While I'm not a huge fan of holly shrubs they do have their positives. With hollies being planted up against the fence you won't have to worry about too many people wanting to hop your fence. I'd rather have other types of shrubs as I even hate picking up the trimmings after taking the hedge clippers to them as they stick something awful and it stings.

[tyanger]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

While I'm not a huge fan of holly shrubs they do have their positives. With hollies being planted up against the fence you won't have to worry about too many people wanting to hop your fence. I'd rather have other types of shrubs as I even hate picking up the trimmings after taking the hedge clippers to them as they stick something awful and it stings.

Just 'liquid nail' a bunch of broken glass along the top of the fence