Visint in Oct to check you out... suggestions on what to do?

[iota20]

Originally Posted by greenie72

How much is too much, to you? What would be the thing that a HOA would say to you that is over the line? I've never dealt with them personally, and can see the value in maintaining the general aesthetics of the neighborhood absolutely.

Over the line behavior by an HOA would be if they started trying to enforce rules that were never listed in the covenant and guidelines documents (although I haven't heard of that occurring).

That's the key -- there is always a well documented list of what's acceptable and what's not. The potential buyer of the home agrees to this list of rules by purchasing a home, therefore they do not have the right to "bend the rules a little" just because they later decided some of the rules shouldn't apply to them. And, likewise, the HOA does not have the right to just make up rules as they go along.

So, as a potential buyer you always have the option of reviewing the expectations of an HOA and finding a neighborhood that has the balance of rules and freedom that you want (or just buying a place that's not in an HOA at all). This is why there's no excuse for moving to a place then acting oblivious to the rules or complaining about the enforcement of them. It's a simple matter of integrity and responsible home ownership.

Nobody should ever feel like an HOA is "telling them what to do". They were told the rules at the time they bought the house. They signed up for those rules. To act surprised that they will be expected to abide by the rules they previously agreed to is not the process that an adult mind goes through, and folks with the mind of a child shouldn't be buying a home at all.

[BoBromhal]

when you start getting to larger lots, my experience is the HOA rules become much less tedious.