Beaverton Condo Values (Hillsboro, Cove: rent, HOA fees, insurance)

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Other issues making the local news regarding condos are pit bulls and maintenance.

Most condos do not allow dogs like that. However, it's becoming the rage for a pit bull owner to go to a $60/hr massage therapist and get a written note stating it's a "comfort" pet and then the dog owner promptly that note legally entitles him to let the dog menace and crap all over. Legally, it really doesn't, but no condo association is going to spend the tens of thousands to fight it. There are more and more pit bull attacks occurring in condos as a result. One condo in the Pearl district has something like 40% of the owners with dangerous dogs.

Another is maintenance. Association fees are one thing, but maintenance is another. All condo owners share in it as an addition. A lady we know with a condo in Beaverton paid an additional $8,000 last year and has to pay $12,000 this year for maintenance. If you can't, you lose your condo. The record, in Portland, is $102,000 per condo owner for one I read about recently in the Oregonian. So I would really have the place checked out, but remember that in the last 20 years virtually 100% of all construction was done with cheap materials, major short cuts and a lot of unskilled labor.

So be very very careful.

[Revilla]

Originally Posted by BLAZER PROPHET

Another is maintenance. Association fees are one thing, but maintenance is another. All condo owners share in it as an addition. A lady we know with a condo in Beaverton paid an additional $8,000 last year and has to pay $12,000 this year for maintenance. If you can't, you lose your condo. The record, in Portland, is $102,000 per condo owner for one I read about recently in the Oregonian. So I would really have the place checked out, but remember that in the last 20 years virtually 100% of all construction was done with cheap materials, major short cuts and a lot of unskilled labor.

So be very very careful.

This had not occurred to me, we will be very careful and take our time looking at them as well as other possibilities. My daughter is familar with the area and Portland, she graduated from the Portland Art Institute a couple years ago and has been renting, so this will be our first look at the possibility of purchasing something. Definitely will approach it with a Buyer Beware attitude.

[oldtintype]

Originally Posted by BLAZER PROPHET

Other issues making the local news regarding condos are pit bulls and maintenance.

Most condos do not allow dogs like that. However, it's becoming the rage for a pit bull owner to go to a $60/hr massage therapist and get a written note stating it's a "comfort" pet and then the dog owner promptly that note legally entitles him to let the dog menace and crap all over. Legally, it really doesn't, but no condo association is going to spend the tens of thousands to fight it. There are more and more pit bull attacks occurring in condos as a result. One condo in the Pearl district has something like 40% of the owners with dangerous dogs.

Which building is this? Where did you get the stats? I'd love to know. I also know that when you have an emotional support animal if the dog creates a disturbance, menaces people, damages property, etc. the dog can be evicted. So having a letter is not a free for all to do whatever you want, and if it's really happening the management companies need to enforce the laws around support animals--all it takes is a call to the ADA or Fair Housing.

As for the dogs...I think people are always ready to assume people are cheating with these dogs and some really low life people are but many are legit--you just may not see the disability.
In terms of companion dogs with service dog distinctions (actually with a medical/emotional support companion dog only fair housing rules apply, they don't get the full rights a service dog gets), it takes more than a massage therapist. They're officially emotionally support animals for people who don't meet the full ADA distinction of providing a physical service (such as guide dogs) but who have mental impairments or conditions that benefit from the support of an animal (not just dogs, cats can qualify too). Many people who have things like severe depression, schizoprenia etc. would not leave their homes or be able to function without the support animal. In the case of things like Autism the dog is a calming distraction and can read the emotional level of the person, keeping outbursts to a minimum and allowing people to function in crowds etc. I've had personal experience with the use of an emotional support animal for Autism and the benefits are huge (though most people would never assume this person had autism because of "looking normal" which I think encourages people to assume the dogs are bogus). For people who try to abuse the system it sucks but I also know that it's not easy to get a doctor to write a letter in support of an emotional support animal. I'm sure there are a few who are sleazy and will do it but if people are having a massage therapist write a letter that can easily be challenged by management. The ADA will also provide their opinions on the legality of a emotional support animal if you call them so if it's really happening all it takes is a call to the ADA or the Oregon Advocacy Center. No one who works with people who have disabilities want to see the system abused so if someone has a bogus letter, that's a good place to start. Condo associations SHOULD try to fry anyone with a bogus letter. It's unfair to the people who really need the dogs. The need and benefit is there.

[Nell Plotts]

Oldtintype is correct.

Remember, there is not even a HOA to intervene on your behalf if you have a SFD and a neighbor has an ill mannered Pit Bull.

Tell me, please, what condo in the Pearl has a bunch of owners with aggressive dogs? I really want to know because it isn't consistent with my experience. PM me if you don't want to post the info on line.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Originally Posted by oldtintype

Which building is this? Where did you get the stats? I'd love to know. I also know that when you have an emotional support animal if the dog creates a disturbance, menaces people, damages property, etc. the dog can be evicted. So having a letter is not a free for all to do whatever you want, and if it's really happening the management companies need to enforce the laws around support animals--all it takes is a call to the ADA or Fair Housing.

As for the dogs...I think people are always ready to assume people are cheating with these dogs and some really low life people are but many are legit--you just may not see the disability.
In terms of companion dogs with service dog distinctions (actually with a medical/emotional support companion dog only fair housing rules apply, they don't get the full rights a service dog gets), it takes more than a massage therapist. They're officially emotionally support animals for people who don't meet the full ADA distinction of providing a physical service (such as guide dogs) but who have mental impairments or conditions that benefit from the support of an animal (not just dogs, cats can qualify too). Many people who have things like severe depression, schizoprenia etc. would not leave their homes or be able to function without the support animal. In the case of things like Autism the dog is a calming distraction and can read the emotional level of the person, keeping outbursts to a minimum and allowing people to function in crowds etc. I've had personal experience with the use of an emotional support animal for Autism and the benefits are huge (though most people would never assume this person had autism because of "looking normal" which I think encourages people to assume the dogs are bogus). For people who try to abuse the system it sucks but I also know that it's not easy to get a doctor to write a letter in support of an emotional support animal. I'm sure there are a few who are sleazy and will do it but if people are having a massage therapist write a letter that can easily be challenged by management. The ADA will also provide their opinions on the legality of a emotional support animal if you call them so if it's really happening all it takes is a call to the ADA or the Oregon Advocacy Center. No one who works with people who have disabilities want to see the system abused so if someone has a bogus letter, that's a good place to start. Condo associations SHOULD try to fry anyone with a bogus letter. It's unfair to the people who really need the dogs. The need and benefit is there.

A few months ago there was a front page article in the Sunday Oregonian about all this. It was all pretty disgusting. I doubt I'd ever buy a condo unless it was small and maintenace costs would be lower. Also, some very strong association rules about animals- although they won't stand up.

[oldtintype]

Originally Posted by BLAZER PROPHET

A few months ago there was a front page article in the Sunday Oregonian about all this. It was all pretty disgusting. I doubt I'd ever buy a condo unless it was small and maintenace costs would be lower. Also, some very strong association rules about animals- although they won't stand up.

Well if that's true then the HOA or management company is lame and allowing it to happen and should heap the blame on themselves, particularly for not enforcing the fact that service/support dog or whatever, rules are rules regarding the behavior of the animals.

The same goes for service dogs who are allowed in public places like restaurants, etc. They still have to be safe around others and can be kicked out if they're not or do damage, ADA or not.

[suncat]

Originally Posted by nancy thereader

I am still retiring, though (June 24th) and still will try to come out for a visit this summer.

Let us know when you do come for a visit. If I'm still here, I'll buy you a cup of coffee.

[Nell Plotts]

One of the reasons for reading at least one years worth of HOA meeting minutes is to get a feel for the HOA culture: do they enforce covenants appropriately and consistently, is there a covenant PITA who lords over others for perceived infractions?

[nancy thereader]

Let us know when you do come for a visit. If I'm still here, I'll buy you a cup of coffee.

What a nice thing to say, suncat. Thank you & I will do that.

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by Nell Plotts

Oldtintype is correct.

Tell me, please, what condo in the Pearl has a bunch of owners with aggressive dogs?

I think it's the Cujo Towers!!