HOA meetings - does it get noisy or is it dull ? (Spring Hill: rental, homes)

[KPB]

Originally Posted by Sunnydee

When we decided to relocate to Florida and were house shopping, I kept noticing that I'd find a house I liked, but when I looked out the windows, or walked around the neighborhood, I'd often see things I considered unsightly. I saw cars on blocks, trash bins in the front yard, old furniture in the yard, etc. and these things were in nice, middle class neighborhoods. I asked our realtor about this and she said that Florida was different and if we wanted to live in a tidy neighborhood we should look at homes in HOA communities.

IMO you had a pretty bad agent. Maybe she was new.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by kpb

you can find homes that are in perfectly fine neighborhoods w/ no hoa. You can even find them in s.tampa.
Not everything in s.tampa is a million dollars.

+1

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by PhotoProIP

What is left that's not part of an HOA? how are the schools? Are those areas affordable for middle income people? $30k to $50k??? (Families, not singles)?

We have been OVERRUN by these HOA policed communities everywhere we go.

Downtown is not livable for families; those who live in ST are 1%-ers. Where do you suppose we go exactly? The entire state is overrun with this types of communities.


Having access to this information is irrelevant. That doesn't change the fact that these HOAs are abusive and don't do $hit for the homeowner. Ours is wasting thousands on replacing the flowers by the entrance every two weeks instead of buying plants that last without dying in this heat!

The one we had back down in Miami was ran by the homeowners and not a company, and we did help each other out, and no one trashed the neighborhood. So, it IS possible to have a reasonable HOA. The problem we have here is that too many people are transients, and don't plant roots enough to TAKE OVER the HOA and run it properly.

Have you ever traveled outside the US? Most people elsewhere don't need to this Bull$hit to own homes in nice areas! are Americans that uneducated that they need to be policed like this? Don't we have enough law enforcement as it is? I think it is counterintuitive and useless to have an HOA.

I don't need someone to tell me to mow my lawn, I have eyes, I can see it grow!

While it's clear that there are several issues with your arguments, I would be pleased to point out a number of neighborhoods in my immediate area that fall well within the price ranges you mention that don't have HOAs. In fact, a large area of many hundred homes that would be affordable for people in the income range you mention is just west of me, and they don't have an HOA. And they are in the attendance zones of "A" grade schools as well.

HOAs are not run by companies, the HOA hires a management company to manage the day to day operation. The HOA dictates to the management company how they should run things if they're doing it right. As a result of this, the management company should reflect the wishes of the HOA (their client) in their dealings.

I'm not sure why I'm bothering to defend HOAs, as it's clear that you don't want one. That's OK, and as I have stated along with others, find a place without one and you'll be just fine.

RM

[bentlebee]

Originally Posted by MortonR

While it's clear that there are several issues with your arguments, I would be pleased to point out a number of neighborhoods in my immediate area that fall well within the price ranges you mention that don't have HOAs. In fact, a large area of many hundred homes that would be affordable for people in the income range you mention is just west of me, and they don't have an HOA. And they are in the attendance zones of "A" grade schools as well.

HOAs are not run by companies, the HOA hires a management company to manage the day to day operation. The HOA dictates to the management company how they should run things if they're doing it right. As a result of this, the management company should reflect the wishes of the HOA (their client) in their dealings.

I'm not sure why I'm bothering to defend HOAs, as it's clear that you don't want one. That's OK, and as I have stated along with others, find a place without one and you'll be just fine.

RM

I personally prefer a HOA community and nothing is perfect but some are run very well while others are run so bad. Since we conduct property management we deal with many management companies and aside from that we own a few rentals ourselves and all are in HOA communities.

The worst runner was by Pam Washburn of Premier property management who should be out of this business and we were glad when the Board finally saw what the home owners had told them for years.

In another community there is a Board run by a few home owners who have no business background and are not doing a very good job but it is reasonable and sooner then later they will leave the Board to be replaced.

Rampart in Seven Oaks used to be pretty good until it was taken over and lots of changes were implemented and many communities have parted with the new management company so in the end good work is rewarded by keeping them and otherwise it is easier nowadays to get rid of them.

Some believe they need to run it as a dictatorship while working with home owners will get a way better result and being a little more relaxed will get the support of home owners.

[EngGirl]

Originally Posted by bentlebee

In another community there is a Board run by a few home owners who have no business background and are not doing a very good job but it is reasonable and sooner then later they will leave the Board to be replaced.

It's pretty amusing to see people's complaints about HOA boards when they have no clue what they are talking about. And I didn't know you had to have business background to be on the board. I really think people need to join HOA boards to see what it takes to run the community from inside. But of course only few are getting stacked with it because it's completely volunteered position that takes a lot of personal time. B**ching about it is was easier!

It reminds me "I was everything, but I don't want to do anything"...

And thanks for not naming the community!

[PhotoProIP]

Originally Posted by EngGirl

It's pretty amusing to see people's complaints about HOA boards when they have no clue what they are talking about. And I didn't know you had to have business background to be on the board. I really think people need to join HOA boards to see what it takes to run the community from inside. But of course only few are getting stacked with it because it's completely volunteered position that takes a lot of personal time. B**ching about it is was easier!

It reminds me "I was everything, but I don't want to do anything"...

And thanks for not naming the community!

Awwwww, you find it draining writing nasty letters to people you don't know or care to know? I don't feel bad at all.

[Spring Hillian]

Who, in their right mind, would buy a home in a HOA development when they find the idea repulsive to begin with?

Some people like the idealistic neighborhoods and are willing to pay for it and abide by the rules and regulations. For them I say "go for it" but dont complain when you get a violation for planting a rose bush in your yard.

Originally Posted by MortonR

I think the issue is pretty simple for folks such as yourself:

Florida state law dictates that the presence or existence of an HOA has to be disclosed in advance, that is, at the time a property is marketed and/or an offer to purchase is presented. I know that's not the exact wording and that some of our resident realtors will clarify if necessary, but it gets the idea across.

If you don't want to live in a home that is covered by a homeowner's association, don't buy one.

It's not like you wouldn't know going into the purchase. It's disclosed numerous times, and you'll have to sign several documents at or before closing that attest to your understanding of such.

And I would posit that it's not a matter of civility or politeness. While we can debate the issues around the purpose of HOAs, what it boils down to is human behavior, and what some consider acceptable behavior is not for others. This allows those who desire to live in a neighborhood without the potential for neighbors parking on their lawns, or rebuilding the engine of their truck in the driveway for four weeks, or parking their RV in front of the house for several weeks, etc., etc., etc. to do so.

Yes, there are some HOAs with covenants that are very restrictive. Again, you have access to that information prior to even making an offer on a house in the area, so it's easy to avoid.

We have an original owner in our neighborhood who, for reasons well beyond the comprehension of most, decided that they no longer wanted to be a part of the HOA. They stopped paying dues. Despite notices, debt collectors, etc., they held out for four years. We finally filed a notice of foreclosure on their property, which, I would add, was granted by the courts.

This was over a $200/year fee.

Because they wanted to be "most right" they ended up risking the loss of their home and ultimately paid close to $5,000.00 (that's a five followed by three zeros) for the back fees, penalties, and the HOA's legal fees.

Until the legislature rules otherwise, or our HOA is dissolved, they will be bound by the bylaws and covenants of the HOA. Why? Because they agreed to be when they bought the property.

Sorry about the rant, but this attitude of "I don't want an HOA telling me what I can or can't do with my property" makes about as much sense as I don't know what.

Again, this boils down to: "If you don't like it, don't do it. If you choose to do it, you can't say you weren't warned and that you accepted the consequences."

'nut said.

RM

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Spring Hillian

Who, in their right mind, would buy a home in a HOA development when they find the idea repulsive to begin with?

Some people like the idealistic neighborhoods and are willing to pay for it and abide by the rules and regulations. For them I say "go for it" but dont complain when you get a violation for planting a rose bush in your yard.

Exactly.

And I know of places where the covenants do identify exactly what you can and can't plant in your yard. Too restrictive for me, I wouldn't live there.

RM

[hokiepoke]

Learned my lesson with HOA....RTFM!!! (Read the "Fine" Manual)

When I sold my last house, the HOA held up the sale of the house because we repainted the house exterior but did not use a specific shade of gray that was specifically stated in the books - had to get gray paint #xxyy available only at Sherwin Williams. Our shade of gray was a bit darker and never mind that other houses had their gray paint peeling and faded. But hey, that was my fault because it was documented so I had to redo the paint for the sale to go through.

When I bought our house here, I gave the HOA bylaws documents a thorough read. So yeah - I know not to park my trailer boat (if I had one) for more than 3 days or it's a violation, and don't let the grass grow more than 12 inches. And I'm ok with that. RTFM!

[Spring Hillian]

I am sure some HOA's have crazy restrictions while others are more liberal. I wonder if the HOA got a commission from the local Sherwin/Williams dealer

Originally Posted by hokiepoke

Learned my lesson with HOA....RTFM!!! (Read the "Fine" Manual)

When I sold my last house, the HOA held up the sale of the house because we repainted the house exterior but did not use a specific shade of gray that was specifically stated in the books - had to get gray paint #xxyy available only at Sherwin Williams. Our shade of gray was a bit darker and never mind that other houses had their gray paint peeling and faded. But hey, that was my fault because it was documented so I had to redo the paint for the sale to go through.

When I bought our house here, I gave the HOA bylaws documents a thorough read. So yeah - I know not to park my trailer boat (if I had one) for more than 3 days or it's a violation, and don't let the grass grow more than 12 inches. And I'm ok with that. RTFM!