Strange situation: 10% of homes in neighborhood not in HOA (Wylie)

[FalconheadWest]

Are there amenities you want access to? A community pool? Clubhouse? Anything gated and locked? If so, you will not have access to those things. If you do, it's not a good property to buy. Also, I know of situations like this where home owners go to the HOA of the other sections and ask to become part of the HOA. Once you become part, it cannot be removed for resale. If you want the amenities, that's an option.

[IC_deLight]

Originally Posted by FalconheadWest

Are there amenities you want access to? A community pool? Clubhouse? Anything gated and locked? If so, you will not have access to those things. If you do, it's not a good property to buy. Also, I know of situations like this where home owners go to the HOA of the other sections and ask to become part of the HOA. Once you become part, it cannot be removed for resale. If you want the amenities, that's an option.

Or, you can work a deal to pay an annual fee for access (if such amenities exist) with the freedom to leave when you want instead of having perpetual liens that can never be paid off. You can also obviously join gym/health club - which will have nicer facilities and you can leave when you want.

It's never, never "worth it" to agree to perpetual liens that can never be paid off. You'll have an obligation to pay but the HOA won't have an obligation to provide. Assessments can be increased without your consent, etc.

[NAvery815]

There are no amenities and none will be added, no space for them. The only property the HOA maintains is the entrance sign/lighting.

Even though it isn't our situation, the idea of negotiating to pay an annual access fee is a good one. I agree about it not being worth it to go under an HOA's control. If the HOA hosts any block parties or social events, that may be what I could offer to do to be included. Or maybe I'll just start my own social group with the 10% that aren't in the HOA, haha.

[cully]

So the city is supposed to repair the roads then. They're not private hoa roads. What's up with the city? Is it going bankrupt?

And when you say the hoa is in trouble financially....over what. What's to worry about? The entrance sign?

You couldn't pay much monthly for lighting and the entrance sign.

[NAvery815]

The city is doing fine. I'm not sure what you're talking about on the HOA financials, I didn't say anything about that.

HOA fees are $250 a year, so they collect around $55k🌇. I am sure that goes to pay the management company for enforcement, legal bills to collect from those that don't pay, in addition to the entrance.

However, as a homeowner in the HOA, you still have an unknown liability hanging out there if there is a lawsuit or something, although. The CCRs do state there is a cap of $400/year on how high fees can go.

[cully]

Oh, sorry, right.

While $400 a year isn't bad doesn't it seem like "make work". Hiring a management company to enforce and go to court to collect $400/yr. If they use a slightly higher end attorney (by some area's standards) they charge to association $300-$350/hr. The clock runs for every call and driving to court and back, usually increases for a court appearance. Even if it's lower per hour...does that seem worth it?

Is lighting and landscaping the entrance really $55,000 a year less the lawyer's portion. Or is this some sort of circle pattern to create jobs for lawyer friends?

About the pool. There are some hoa communities that open their pool to public membership...a certain number every summer. While it is more wear on the pool and more testing and chemicals, they also get more money in memberships.

[NAvery815]

Originally Posted by cully

While $400 a year isn't bad doesn't it seem like "make work". Hiring a management company to enforce and go to court to collect $400/yr. If they use a slightly higher end attorney (by some area's standards) they charge to association $300-$350/hr. The clock runs for every call and driving to court and back, usually increases for a court appearance. Even if it's lower per hour...does that seem worth it?

Totally agree. $250 - $400/year to have the right to band together and take legal action against your neighbors. I do see the value, it's basically insurance to be able to take action to protect property values, but I've lived in many non-HOA neighborhoods and never saw any major problems that didn't fall under city codes.

[cully]

Without common amenities do they really nit pick about the properties?