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Old 07-24-2017, 07:19 PM
 
47 posts, read 99,068 times
Reputation: 53

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Hey all,

We recently visited Scottsdale to do a little house hunting and as has been discussed here a lot are the infamous HOAs...

I've heard a zillion horror stories with HOAs, but does anyone have any positive experiences they can share? Specifically as it relates to build/approval processes for backyard improvements, building a gazebo/pergola, planting plants, etc.

Reassure me please - give me some hope.

Thanks,
J
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Old 07-24-2017, 07:26 PM
 
8,081 posts, read 6,965,605 times
Reputation: 7983
It varies so heavily that it's hard to generalize. I lived in one full of busy body retirees and that was terrible.
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Old 07-24-2017, 08:23 PM
 
656 posts, read 814,300 times
Reputation: 1421
Yeah, and I have some positive ex-girlfriend stories, too.
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Old 07-24-2017, 08:41 PM
 
Location: Arizona
8,274 posts, read 8,664,411 times
Reputation: 27690
Quote:
Originally Posted by lylelovett View Post
Hey all,

We recently visited Scottsdale to do a little house hunting and as has been discussed here a lot are the infamous HOAs...

I've heard a zillion horror stories with HOAs, but does anyone have any positive experiences they can share? Specifically as it relates to build/approval processes for backyard improvements, building a gazebo/pergola, planting plants, etc.

Reassure me please - give me some hope.

Thanks,
J
Just read the documents before you buy to see what is allowed. It's not rocket science. You will sign at closing that you received, read, and understood the documents. Read them.
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:01 PM
 
47 posts, read 99,068 times
Reputation: 53
I've been reading them - I was just hoping to hear it's not all power-hungry busy-bodies saying "NO" to requests to prove they can wield "supreme and ultimate power".

You know, some uplifting feel-good HOA stories.
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:15 PM
 
1,781 posts, read 1,210,464 times
Reputation: 4060
No good stories but some advice. Make sure your HOA is financially healthy AND make sure you know what your dues are covering. Some streets are not city owned which means you are paying to repave them and more. There should be reasonable reserve fund set aside for this already.
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Old 07-24-2017, 09:30 PM
 
197 posts, read 271,523 times
Reputation: 329
No bad stories, just idiot neighbors who don't obey the rules. HOA's are great if you know what you sign up for.
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Old 07-24-2017, 11:47 PM
 
8,081 posts, read 6,965,605 times
Reputation: 7983
Quote:
Originally Posted by thinkalot View Post
Just read the documents before you buy to see what is allowed. It's not rocket science. You will sign at closing that you received, read, and understood the documents. Read them.
It's important to know what the board is comprised of and it's financial condition. A busy body can turn CCRs into a real hassle.
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Old 07-25-2017, 03:03 AM
 
2,774 posts, read 5,729,479 times
Reputation: 5095
Quote:
Originally Posted by lylelovett View Post
Hey all,

We recently visited Scottsdale to do a little house hunting and as has been discussed here a lot are the infamous HOAs...

I've heard a zillion horror stories with HOAs, but does anyone have any positive experiences they can share? Specifically as it relates to build/approval processes for backyard improvements, building a gazebo/pergola, planting plants, etc.

Reassure me please - give me some hope.

Thanks,
J
Been stuck on my board for about 5/6 years now.

We've streamlined the architectural process by doing it online and try to approve things in days not weeks.

We've eliminated the need to approve certain things, e.g. solar because that's none on my/our business and you need a permit.

Kept assessments flat 4 years, lowered once and raised once.

Tried to make common sense money saving decisions with people's input. (water use, plants, etc..)

Constantly try to teach people that the board is made up of homeowners and the community manager (CM) works for us all so don't hesitate to tell us you've had a bad experience with the CM because we need to hear it. Otherwise we'll never know what's gone on between you and the CM.

Advice: Go to 4 meetings a year (8 hours total). If you are so wealthy that your house and immediate neighborhood are not your biggest investment, then good for you. But if it is, you have to stand up for your money! Read the cc&rs and print out your design guidelines if you plan on doing lots of work.
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Old 07-25-2017, 04:00 AM
 
113 posts, read 160,097 times
Reputation: 245
Advice that helped me when home-hunting - Check online for HOA documents. Simply google the name of the community and add "budget". You will find that most HOA management companies keep websites with access to current and past budgets, as well as the minutes of the past few board meetings. A lot of knowledge can be gained from a half hour of scanning through those documents.
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