To HOA or not to HOA; that is the question. (fit in, HOA fees)

[nb1968]

Originally Posted by annerk

Then why don't you live someplace without one? Nobody forced you to live where you do.

I would not even attempt to sell in this market, but I dream of getting away from those idiots soon.
However, as has been said here previously. It is hard to find a newer house without having a HOA to deal with.

[annerk]

Originally Posted by nb1968

I would not even attempt to sell in this market, but I dream of getting away from those idiots soon.
However, as has been said here previously. It is hard to find a newer house without having a HOA to deal with.

There are plenty of them in unincorporated Lake County.

[champa]

they have their purpose and as long as you know the rules and read the FL statues (pretty short section) you find that most HOA's execute more power than they legally have so you can easily ask them to reconsider their position. I have not had problems with them and in fact even became rather involved in a few myself.

If you want to have a big trailer, or couch in your front lawn maybe an HOA is not the best for you but there are some communities with HOA's that are flexible. For instance we had a neighbor who wanted to park his boat on the driveway, we had to dissagree with that, but worked it out so that he could put it in his back yard behind a fence where it wasn't visible from the street or other neighbors. So live and let live...

[amax41]

so what's the point boat in the driveway or not - it doesn't lower property values in any other state. HOA's IMHO are pretty much a power trip for self-serving residents that want privledges that they don't pay for. Also there are very few ways to put straps around them. There are many grey areas and loopholes to walk right through.

While some of the rules are typical common sense, others aren't - such as not allowing adult children over 25 to reside in the house. Coming up with an assessment that is outrageous and being able to demand it immediately.

The bottom line is - these little groups require regulation. They also need to understand you can't expect a diamond sitting next to a crap pile to shine and sparkle. Which is why most HOA's exist - trash moving into areas that have created a tradional look that they do not want.

My next move? no east side of orlando....actually no orlando, no orange county... and absolutely no HOA unless they are reigned in tight.

[deafcharger]

I'm currently looking for a house. I have seen a house have $360 a year for HOA fee but other house have $440 a year on same street. Why is that? I assume all houses have same fees in a subdivision.

[champa]

Originally Posted by deafcharger

I'm currently looking for a house. I have seen a house have $360 a year for HOA fee but other house have $440 a year on same street. Why is that? I assume all houses have same fees in a subdivision.

make sure they HOA fee quoted in the listing is acurate, sometimes it is outdated...

[Jan in Orlando]

I have lived inside the Orlando city limits without a HOA for twenty years now. Have called city code enforcement once about a real eyesore that was resolved efficiently. The people who created the problem have moved since then much to everyone's relief. I'm happy to report there have not been any other major problems.

I was once married to someone who got in way over his head with HOA involvement. I mean it became like a JOB. It got so bad with people calling us at odd hours constantly like on Sunday morning to complain about bugs in their bushes and such that I finally put my foot down and said he could only be on the board if they would put a business line in our home for this purpose. Guess who was no longer going to answer it? Needless to say, that was the end of that!

With that said, I'm ready to give up the traditional house and yard for something less back-breaking. I'm sure a HOA is likely to be in the picture so I'm glad I have some past experience with them. Make sure the HOA is accountable for what you will pay. Add up the services you will receive in return and you may find with the group rate you are getting a pretty good deal after all, and then you too may get to give up doing yard work in this godawful heat. Ride or walk around and talk to some residents - ask them how they like it, if there have been any problems and if the developer/HOA is good to deal with. Oh the things you can find out that way, like asking about a car you think you might want - ask people who have them. They are only to happy to give you the facts! Just my two cents today.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by raj34787

Hi guys,

I have a delimma; to buy in a subdivision or to buy an older home outside a subdivision. What are the advantages (if any) in living in a subdivision? What are the disadvantage of living in a subdivision (I can think of a ton but am curious what you guys think)?

Thanks!

I purchased a house in 2001 in a HOA, if I had it to do over again, I would NOT. Near the outskirts of the town I live in are homes that are on bigger lots and no HOA, I wish I had purchased one out there.

The HOA usually has some rule that states "anything that is a problem for someone else in the neighborhood", I am paraphrasing of course but they use it to come after you about anything and everything. In my HOA the rules are selectively applied. I absolutely HATE it !!

[Wack-a-Mole]

Originally Posted by champa

they have their purpose and as long as you know the rules and read the FL statues (pretty short section) you find that most HOA's execute more power than they legally have so you can easily ask them to reconsider their position. I have not had problems with them and in fact even became rather involved in a few myself.

If you want to have a big trailer, or couch in your front lawn maybe an HOA is not the best for you but there are some communities with HOA's that are flexible. For instance we had a neighbor who wanted to park his boat on the driveway, we had to dissagree with that, but worked it out so that he could put it in his back yard behind a fence where it wasn't visible from the street or other neighbors. So live and let live...

So, maybe he worked hard and long to be able to afford said Boat, and enjoyed 'looking' at it in HIS Driveway. How can you reasonably justify that YOUR 'right' not to see HIS Boat in HIS driveway supersedes HIS 'right' to see HIS Boat in HIS driveway? HOA's seem to be for people who believe their 'wants' trump those of any who 'differ' from them.

[annerk]

Before you buy into a HOA, read the rules and regulations. Most don't allow boats, RV's, etc to be parked in driveways. WHere I live you can't park it in your yard (front, back, or side) either. It's not a new rule, it's been there all along. Anybody that didn't bother to figure out what they were buying before they bought has no one to blame but themselves.

The problem is, where do you draw the line? Who's to say that a rusted out 30 year old Winnebago that runs can't stay when a brand new Setra conversion can?