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Obviously, HOA's, gated communities must hold some attraction to non-Americans as well. When you cross the border into Tijuana and head south to Ensenada you'll see untold number of HOA communities, even for solidly Mexican communities (not just the American ex-pat communities). Go across the border from Mexico to Central America and I've seen any number of newer communities there with HOA's, gated entryways.
My continuing issues are with noise control. Junked cars in the driveway don't bother me in the least. But I don't want a neighbor moving in next door and running a noisy business out of his garage or deal with an out-of-control teenager blasting rap music until all hours of the night. I work nights, sleep days, and with that, I desperately need some control where I live.
When I moved into my townhouse complex, on a tour, I noticed any number of townhouses with a balcony jutting off the second floor of a bedroom. I automatically assumed I could add one after I bought mine, only to learn that they began disallowing balconies some 10 years ago. I'm still a bit peeved that I can't have a full-length balcony off my 2nd floor, but what will be, will be.
I was not aware Mexico had Mod Edit HOAs. If that is the case it's interesting since the majority here who buy into Mod Edit HOAs are America's middle class. In Mexico there is no middle class, only the very poor and the very rich and nothing in between. And I know the very poor ain't buying real estate which leaves the very rich accepting orders on Mod Edit how to run their household.
Those things that bother you. You don't need the Mod Edit HOA keystone cop to sic those people. You can just call your local zoning and code enforcement officer. Every town has them. It's part of your property taxes. It is not illegal anywhere to put a junk car in your driveway but many towns have local neighborhood preservation guidelines they enforce and that is the job of a zoning code enforcement officer. They usually have full police power too.
Last edited by Ultrarunner; 03-31-2010 at 06:49 PM..
I think they are great for those that want them and I know some that absolutely love living in an HOA... they are for the most part also retired and appreciate strict order.
Having owned in both... I doubt that I will buy into another HOA. It's not that I had any bad experience... every year, I was asked to run in the HOA election... I politely refused because I got along with everyone and quite often... those serving on the board would damage long standing friendships and feelings of ill will.
The reason I doubt I would buy again is because the costs have increased anywhere from 10 to 30% each year... seems there is always a capital expenditure in the waiting... the man I bought the home from was there for 50 years and the dues were $110 per year... now we have special assessments of $600 plus $1600 a year dues... all in the course of 5 years.
As for fairness... it's open to interpretation. The current association president didn't like how he was being treated... so he ran for office and had the rules changed in the first 6 months... sounds like fairness in in proportion to time spent willing to get involved.
It's great for those that want that lifestyle... just go in with eyes open!
I was not aware Mexico had Mod Edit HOAs. If that is the case it's interesting since the majority here who buy into Mod Edit HOAs are America's middle class. In Mexico there is no middle class, only the very poor and the very rich and nothing in between. And I know the very poor ain't buying real estate which leaves the very rich accepting orders on Mod Edit how to run their household.
Those things that bother you. You don't need the Mod Edit HOA keystone cop to sic those people. You can just call your local zoning and code enforcement officer. Every town has them. It's part of your property taxes. It is not illegal anywhere to put a junk car in your driveway but many towns have local neighborhood preservation guidelines they enforce and that is the job of a zoning code enforcement officer. They usually have full police power too.
I have had a Mexican roommer in my house for 11 years now. He's grown so accustomed to peace and quiet in my townhouse complex, that he's the first one to notify me of the Mexicans up the street are having a loud party, urging me to call the police.
Fully-Americanized Mexicans or Central Americans who return to their countries, who have gained appreciation of HOA communities, are going to demand it if they go back to their home countries to retire. This may explain the prescence of the HOA communities I've seen in Mexico and Central America in my travels. I've occasionally picked up sales brochures, when down there, and these communities don't look any different than what we offer up here.
And, there are middle class Mexicans, and middle class HOA communities around Tijuana. Before I bought some land in the south Tijuana hills 4 years ago, I scouted the area thoroughly for the best place to build a house. I know what I'm talking about.
As for law enforcement curtailing noise. Been there, done that. I sleep from 9am to 5pm. And what the police going to tell me if someone next door has been running a power saw most the day? Can't do anything until 10pm!!
Thanks! Just the time I go to work, dog-tired from not having gotten enough sleep!
Listen man, I know America used to stand for freedom. Despite us losing many of those freedoms in recent times, especially under the dictatorship of the Bush crime family regime, we still have one basic right though it too is being threatened. You have the right to own, occupy and enjoy the fruits of your land. Now tell me where your rights are when you are told you can not plant yellow flowers, you can't fly an American flag despite being a veteran, you can't park your boat or RV or your truck, you can not hang religious symbols on your front door, you can only paint your home the color THEY tell you to.............on and on and on. That my friend is not freedom. That is a communist regime within a free country.
Those 5 defenders of communist HOAs left in America, 1 of them here, always hide under the old "they prevent my neighbor from parking junk cars in their lawn". What a crock of sheet that is. When was the last time you drove through any NON communist HOA neighborhood and seen any junk cars in anyone's lawn? Never, exactly. And if your neighbor did park his junk in the lawn, well by golly that is what you pay taxes to your local code enforcement official for. One call and they take care of that bad neighbor.
The day I let some communist organization tell me what I can and can't do to MY property is the day I ask Kim Jong Ill to accept me into his country.
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While everything you state makes sense, sometimes you just cant keep the grass at a perfect height at all times, sometimes there will be a few weeds. OK, colors, well not everyone has the same taste in colors, so sometimes we see colors that we do not like.
But some rules regarding certain plating, cars parked, and of course my favorite of all time, which is the number one reason I would never in a billion years live in a HOA, is because I have a clothesline, and will always have a clothesline, always and forever until the day i die !
Which is why its your right NOT to live in a HOA, while the rest of us happily live in one relieved to know we won't have to look at the underwear hanging on clotheslines of radical, militant neighbors.
You can always fight dirty and PUBLICIZE, PUBLICIZE, PUBLICIZE. Squawk how unfair it is to your local newspaper and TV stations. They love human interest stories like this where it seems the "communist" fat cats get away with what the rank and file aren't allowed to.
You can always fight dirty and PUBLICIZE, PUBLICIZE, PUBLICIZE. Squawk how unfair it is to your local newspaper and TV stations. They love human interest stories like this where it seems the "communist" fat cats get away with what the rank and file aren't allowed to.
Hey why don't you make up a real great story about how you forced the HOA into submission and didn't have to take it down. Then you could put it on eBay and sell it as a tribute to the workers seizing power from the dictatorial government..
Is there a link to the HOA bylaws - I pinched the FS out of my back and have time to read them.. I am always curious about all the different ways people come up with on how to word a rule or law.
Last edited by Treenoid; 04-10-2010 at 07:59 PM..
Reason: i before e but not after s
Those 5 defenders of communist HOAs left in America, 1 of them here, always hide under the old "they prevent my neighbor from parking junk cars in their lawn". What a crock of sheet that is. When was the last time you drove through any NON communist HOA neighborhood and seen any junk cars in anyone's lawn? Never, exactly. And if your neighbor did park his junk in the lawn, well by golly that is what you pay taxes to your local code enforcement official for. One call and they take care of that bad neighbor.
Do you seriously think there are no such places where people park cars on lawns?
Hmm...well first off HOA's were developed to basically act as a code enforcement for a neighborhood. I will agree that some HOA's are completely over the top and any potential buyer should carefully look at the HOA rules. If an HOA does not allow a veteran to fly a flag that is just un-american and shame on the people that buy into that development. It starts with people opposing such obnoxious rules. Okay that being said...I have owned 4 homes in my lifetime so far and out of the 3, yes I have had crazy neighbors park their junk cars and what not on their lawn.
My first home was in a neighborhood with tiny lots, between 30-35 feet wide. I had a driveway. My neighbor did not. The older man that lived next door with much respect for others passed away and the house was sold. The new guy decided that he would make his own driveway, on the lawn. His car was so close to my house, I could literally open my bedroom window, reach through and touch his car. When he decided to work on his car, he stored his beer cans on top of my window A/C. Then of course the car wouldn't start one day and it remained on the lawn. I called the city and was passed to someone else and this went on for weeks. They were annoyed I called in the first place. EVENTUALLY the city came out, gave him a warning, then another. It was a very long process (several months) and after awhile he knew it was me calling. This was not good neighbor relations but I got sick of asking the guy to get his car off the lawn. He thought I was uptight because I didnt want to look at his 84 escort through my bedroom window. The car was towed away and guess what? He parked another in the same spot out of spite. My second house, same situation, 3rd house..again same situation. Honestly, each time I moved was because of the neighbors.
My final house is in an HOA with very relaxed rules. Basically be clean. I can paint my house whatever I want, put out lawn decor etc. I just wanted those basic rules of being respectful and responsible. I kindly ask you to watch Hoarders on A&E. It will give you insight on such behaviors. If you really think there are no people out there that park on lawns, then you live in a bubble. Dealing with any city government whether you pay taxes or not can be a painful process. Some places are good about these sort of things and many are not, obviously, since HOA's have gained so much popularity over the years. Do not be so hasty to make comments on such matters if you are not facing reality. There are people that park on lawns and people who do not like it.
OOHHHH Fallingwater you just burst my bubble this morning.. after reading what desertsun41 and some others said about junk cars never parked in the yard - I thought I had a business opportunity. I could get a double decker bus and drive people around who haven't seen such a thing as a "personal salvage yard" or the newest concept in storage - buy an old heap and fill it full of crap that you will hardly ever, if at all use. The true selling point is that you can just walk around it and look in the windows when you are trying to find something...
Hoarders on A&E - I do not need cable I have one next door.. I am considering erecting some bleachers and charging admission to include an ice cold beer... Of course if I did that the alcohol board would be all over my azz... I complained and called the sheriff's office so many times I had the deputies cell phone memorized and one of the neighbors asked if I was trying to adopt him...
Last edited by Treenoid; 04-11-2010 at 05:16 AM..
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There are people that park on lawns and people who do not like it. 
