No HOA in my Heighborhood, but One wants to Start: What to Watch Out for?

[markjames68]

Originally Posted by Mister 7

People don't paint their houses pink in nice neighborhoods. That's what you HOA people don't get. HOAs are generally in nice neighborhoods with expensive houses. Someone painting a $500k house pink or purple, that just doesn't happen. If it does it's a freak occurance.

We have no HOA in our neighborhood and all the houses are very, very pretty. There are boats here and there (including in my yard ) and nobody cares. I don't care if they do care.

I literally live in a "well known, well respected" Knoxville neighborhood.

Houses hardly ever go up for sale here and when they do they're gone in a day or two.

It’s nice, until it’s not. And then you’re dependent on local codes and laws.

In my community one neighbor got into business trouble and then started renting out rooms on Airbnb. Lots of police action, drugs, etc. Didn’t maintain his lawn. The HOA was able to start legal action to get him out after excessive violations. Eventually the bank foreclosed and the HOA was able to recoup money for fines and legal costs.

I’ve lived in pseudo-Nazi HOA communities where retirees go around taking pictures and filing complaints - they are the worst. Usually they have a phone book sized CC&R document as well.

A good HOA is fairly hands-off and takes a “lowest common denominator” stance. A bad one tries to rule the community.

[Mister 7]

Originally Posted by markjames68

It’s nice, until it’s not. And then you’re dependent on local codes and laws.

In my community one neighbor got into business trouble and then started renting out rooms on Airbnb. Lots of police action, drugs, etc. Didn’t maintain his lawn. The HOA was able to start legal action to get him out after excessive violations. Eventually the bank foreclosed and the HOA was able to recoup money for fines and legal costs.

I’ve lived in pseudo-Nazi HOA communities where retirees go around taking pictures and filing complaints - they are the worst. Usually they have a phone book sized CC&R document as well.

A good HOA is fairly hands-off and takes a “lowest common denominator” stance. A bad one tries to rule the community.

Agree they're not all terrible, but I'd die before I ever bought a house in a neighborhood with an HOA due to the many, many legit horror stories. Sometimes I wait a little too long to mow my grass, to think that some bored housewife would have power to tell me to mow my yard....hah. That would go over well.

In a condo, etc. they are mandatory...that I do understand. I don't get people who live in condos and complain about it....

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by Mister 7

People don't paint their houses pink in nice neighborhoods. That's what you HOA people don't get. HOAs are generally in nice neighborhoods with expensive houses. Someone painting a $500k house pink or purple, that just doesn't happen. If it does it's a freak occurance.

We have no HOA in our neighborhood and all the houses are very, very pretty. There are boats here and there (including in my yard ) and nobody cares. I don't care if they do care.

I literally live in a "well known, well respected" Knoxville neighborhood.

Houses hardly ever go up for sale here and when they do they're gone in a day or two.

I think I may prefer pink paint to a boat in the driveway or yard.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by markjames68

It’s nice, until it’s not. And then you’re dependent on local codes and laws.

In my community one neighbor got into business trouble and then started renting out rooms on Airbnb. Lots of police action, drugs, etc. Didn’t maintain his lawn. The HOA was able to start legal action to get him out after excessive violations. Eventually the bank foreclosed and the HOA was able to recoup money for fines and legal costs.

I’ve lived in pseudo-Nazi HOA communities where retirees go around taking pictures and filing complaints - they are the worst. Usually they have a phone book sized CC&R document as well.

A good HOA is fairly hands-off and takes a “lowest common denominator” stance. A bad one tries to rule the community.

I've lived in two HOA communities. Both truly improved the quality of life within the neighborhood. They maintained common recreational facilities (club house, tennis courts, swimming pool), maintained beautiful commons areas, kept the streets in tip top shape, and provided security. Yep, there were / are rules about your home and yard, but, they are reasonable and sensible. Helps maintain property value.

[Mister 7]

Originally Posted by AnsleyPark

I think I may prefer pink paint to a boat in the driveway or yard.

Let me make sure to mail you a complaint form.