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Unread 04-12-2008, 04:48 PM
 
Location: Home is where the heart is
15,402 posts, read 14,589,983 times
Reputation: 18684
Quote:
Originally Posted by VRE332 View Post
you got too much time on your hands to be doing that
LOL, and also three cheers for Fairfax Mom, she's my kind of woman! I like people who read the real estate ads for fun. You should try it, it's a great way to relax.

Some people read the comics, some people read dear Abby, some people like porn. It's the same thing. Try it when you're travelling through a new city--it's very entertaining, and you learn a lot about the area.

And if you discover you really love this sort of thing, you can step it up a notch and watch House Hunters on HGTV. Now that does take a time commitment (half hour) but it's my idea of entertainment.
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Unread 04-13-2008, 01:32 PM
 
141 posts, read 427,643 times
Reputation: 39
Quote:
Originally Posted by normie View Post
LOL, and also three cheers for Fairfax Mom, she's my kind of woman! I like people who read the real estate ads for fun. You should try it, it's a great way to relax.

Some people read the comics, some people read dear Abby, some people like porn. It's the same thing. Try it when you're travelling through a new city--it's very entertaining, and you learn a lot about the area.

And if you discover you really love this sort of thing, you can step it up a notch and watch House Hunters on HGTV. Now that does take a time commitment (half hour) but it's my idea of entertainment.
Yes you are correct. Since moving to this area 5 months ago, reading the real estate ads are great and gives you a feel for what is going on in the other communities. As far as my take on it, I do like the idea of an HOA. It worked for us in Florida and it is working great here in this area. In addition, in this community environment, we have had many opportunities to meet our neighbors and even participated in the Community cleanup day.
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Unread 04-13-2008, 01:52 PM
 
Location: Home is where the heart is
15,402 posts, read 14,589,983 times
Reputation: 18684
Quote:
Originally Posted by walkingnoelle View Post
I think it's funny how defensive people get when a person states they don't like the HOA mindset.
It's the title of the thread that gets people defensive, and you're absolutely right, it is funny how people let it annoy them. I mean, it would be like getting defensive about a thread titled "Why Do People Put Up With Synagogues?" or "Why Do People Put Up With Immigrants from India?" You're an army wife, I'm sure you would laugh if you saw a thread titled "Why Do People Put Up With Letting Soldiers Live Here?"

You'd laugh because you're a good sport and it's a bunch of silliness. I mean, think about it... people in Nova take great pride in diversity. We're proud of living with all different races, religions, sexual preferences... but this is where we choose to draw the line! Diversity in housing choices? That's just too much to bear! You're right, it is funny...

It's like arguing which is better, townhomes or SFH. Yikes! Just pick the one that you prefer, and don't worry about what the other guy likes. Or, in the immortal words of Ghandhi, "hey, what's it to you?"

Last edited by normie; 04-13-2008 at 02:31 PM..
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Unread 04-14-2008, 05:53 AM
 
Location: Kentucky
2,830 posts, read 4,081,797 times
Reputation: 1036
I don't live in northern VA but I visit often. I live in a neighborhood with an HOA. I think it's a good thing like some have already mentioned. I like the fact that everyone in my neighborhood has to keep their homes and lawns nice. Plus a HOA prevents people from doing dumb things that make the whole neighborhood look bad, like having cars parked all over creation or having junk everywhere.
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Unread 04-14-2008, 05:58 AM
 
1,941 posts, read 3,595,568 times
Reputation: 1030
O.K. - I read the real estate ads and also watch HGTV - and - I call it "house porn" - I know I am addicted - - I know - I am sick.
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Unread 04-14-2008, 06:02 AM
 
Location: Home is where the heart is
15,402 posts, read 14,589,983 times
Reputation: 18684
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fairfax Mom View Post
O.K. - I read the real estate ads and also watch HGTV - and - I call it "house porn" - I know I am addicted - - I know - I am sick.
Hey, we can start our own 12-step program! I can see it now "Hi my name is Normie, and I'm a house-aholic."
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Unread 04-14-2008, 09:23 AM
 
Location: Loudoun County, VA
1,131 posts, read 1,779,260 times
Reputation: 341
Quote:
Originally Posted by normie View Post
Hey, we can start our own 12-step program! I can see it now "Hi my name is Normie, and I'm a house-aholic."
Count me in too! Nothing beats "Hidden Potential", "Flip That House" and "House Hunters" (esp the International version!!).
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Unread 04-14-2008, 11:30 AM
 
1,080 posts, read 1,351,470 times
Reputation: 348
Quote:
Originally Posted by HEATHER72 View Post
I think it's funny how people complain how "anal" HOA's are. Yet they should get a copy of the covenants when purchasing a home. You know the rules beforehand, if you cannot conform... don't live in that neighborhood. It's that simple!
Wrong. From HOA to HOA it varies to the degree with which the rules are enforced.

Just because its there, doesn't mean anyone cares. Where I grew up, the HOA rules were really just for extreme circumstances. In the "boat" example I gave, if someone had a really old nasty boat that never sees maintenance, then the HOA rules might come into play in getting the eyesore removed. No one cared about having a bright and shiny boat in the neighborhood. In other words, if you keep your stuff clean and aren't doing something the majority finds tacky, then you're good to go. That just hasn't been the case here in NOVA. I once had someone walk by and give me crap about my garbage can while I was getting the mail because it was a couple hours past the time they're supposed to have been put up. Gimme a freakin' break... if that's not anal, I don't know what is. The rule is there to keep people from leaving the garbage cans out there all week.

However, they'd always look the other way as long as your stuff was in order.

In NOVA - no dice. Thus, ANAL.

And don't worry, I won't live with an HOA again. You can keep the house nazis for yourself. As far as community and all that... lol... I meet my neighbors by spending time in the yard and chatting with whoever else steps out. The HOA meetings are just full of whiners and complainers.

IMO, HOA's were conceived to address abuse that hurts others values. Unfortunately here in NOVA, for the sake of legalistic consistency, common sense gets thrown out the window.

Last edited by DvlsAdvc8; 04-14-2008 at 12:15 PM..
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Unread 04-16-2008, 05:43 PM
 
179 posts, read 428,350 times
Reputation: 70
Default Faded Colors

Friend of mine was going to buy a home in Ashburn until he noticed this (see attached link) Even if the color is faded - you ARE in trouble!

Mailbox Samples (http://www.ashburnfarmassociation.org/mailboxes.htm - broken link)
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Unread 04-16-2008, 06:15 PM
 
Location: Loudoun County, VA
1,131 posts, read 1,779,260 times
Reputation: 341
Quote:
Originally Posted by Older&Wiser View Post
Friend of mine was going to buy a home in Ashburn until he noticed this (see attached link) Even if the color is faded - you ARE in trouble!

Mailbox Samples (http://www.ashburnfarmassociation.org/mailboxes.htm - broken link)
That's our HOA, gotta love them.
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