Georgetown,TX (Austin, Pflugerville, Serenada: HOA, homes, neighborhood)

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by hound 109

I can see why someone wouldn't want an HOA because they don't want to be told not to jack their car up on the driveway or park their motorhome on their yard....but being concerned because you might forget to make your $400 HOA payment is not logical to me.

Or not to leave your garage door open unless you are entering or exiting, or not to have more vehicles than you can park in your garage (thus necessitating parking a vehicle in your driveway, intended for such), or what color you can paint your house and, in some cases, the inside of your house where it can be seen through the windows). Not all HOAs have reasonable regulations. Plus, there's the little bit about the very fact that they have the right to foreclose on your home, something that, in my opinion, should only be held by the mortgage holder, NOT a third party. (And, in Texas, I'm really frankly surprised that it's even legal, given that until a very few years ago we weren't even able to get home equity loans - a good thing, in my opinion - because of the risk to the homestead and the state's desire to protect the homeowner and family from predatory practices. How the mighty have fallen!)

HOA's can be a good thing, but one must always remember that the quality of the HOA is very dependent on the kind of people who are on the Board and that can change with time. If you buy in an HOA, BEFORE you make an offer read the restrictions very carefully and know that you'll need to keep an eye on the Board and whatever changes they can and do make over time.

[Hathaway]

Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! The HOA rules that if one has a dog it has to be neutered or spayed and if outside cannot bark. That's just one rule. They have the power to slap a lien on your home anytime and to foreclose on it. We don't want to purchase a home and have it foreclosed. We plan on paying our dues - if we should continue with this - we believe this HOA has too much control.

[Hathaway]

Thanks for the driving directions! We will check out Serenada when we fly down next month.

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

From IH35, take exit 261A. Head west on Williams Drive (at the light).

Turn right on Serenada (there's a light - it's a couple/three miles down). The Serenada subdivision is down that road, mostly on your left, some on your right.

If you miss Serenada Drive and get to the HEB, turn right onto Shell Road then take the first right and that will take you into it, as well.

[chris5927]

Originally Posted by Hathaway

My husband and I are retiring to the Georgetown area or Pflugerville from Ohio. Does anyone know of any nice subdivisions with no HOA'S Homeowners Association. We were going to buy in Berry Creek but the HOA there can slap a lien on your home if you are behind in your dues and foreclose on it. This scares us to death and would prefer to stay away from HOA if at all possible. It seems that all new home subdivisions have one and would prefer to buy an existing home because of this.

Thanks.

We live in Serenada and love the fact there are no HOA's. People are friendly, the neighborhood is quiet and safe.

[schock77]

I'm curious about Serenada and River Ridge as well. I live in RR/CP area now and have no problem with HOA, just a bad neighbor...

Anyway, I love the larger lots and trees I've seen in both... anyone else have input on these areas?

[art_teacher_mom]

Originally Posted by schock77

I'm curious about Serenada and River Ridge as well. I live in RR/CP area now and have no problem with HOA, just a bad neighbor...

Anyway, I love the larger lots and trees I've seen in both... anyone else have input on these areas?

We still own a home in Georgetown, but don't live there anymore. Hubby got transferred to Dallas. (Sniff-sniff! ). We lived on acreage, but if I had to choose a regular neighborhood in Georgetown to purchase in - my short list would definitely be Serenada and River Ridge. I had friends that lived in both those neighborhoods and they were great.

[Trainwreck20]

I grew up in the Serenada area, and I still think it is an excellent area to live in. A couple of things to note about the area:
- not any sidewalks (but not that much traffic, either)
- there are multiple sections that vary significantly. I prefer the intial ones, although the houses are dated somewhat (probably), the lots are bigger.
- There is an airport right next to Serenada. Not a bunch of 747s or anything, but some occasional noise.

[kelly katsus]

I agree, I would want an Home Owners Association. They keep the property values up by enforcing rules that the community agrees upon. I have always lived where there was an HOA and glad I did.

[Campbell21]

Originally Posted by Hathaway

Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! The HOA rules that if one has a dog it has to be neutered or spayed and if outside cannot bark. That's just one rule. They have the power to slap a lien on your home anytime and to foreclose on it. We don't want to purchase a home and have it foreclosed. We plan on paying our dues - if we should continue with this - we believe this HOA has too much control.

how exactly does one keep their dog from barking? seems slightly unreasonable. Maybe that's a rule against leaving outside when you are not home?

Good to know about the HOA's and the apparently odd and unreasonable expectations though. I like the idea of people keeping their yards neat and trimmed...but Any third party that has that much power over my home is not a third party I want to be involved with!!!

[texastee]

Go with an HOA if you desire to live in an area that is required to be maintained. If you dont care if your direct neighbors weeds are creeping upon your lawn and making the area look like a deserted lot, or have a neighbor with fallen shutters hanging or broken down cars in the driveway, then leave it alone and go without one. I will always be in an HOA neighborhood, seen both sides of the fence. I appreciate the HOA.