Quote:
Originally Posted by luv4horses
Two problems. One there is no way to know the culture of the board before you buy. You can find all the docs even talk to a couple residents but no one will cue you to the way the board thinks. Only when you get under their thumb do their prejudices come out Two there is no ombudsman process for disputing their decisions. None. This puts the board in charge of your critical decisions. If the members have an agenda then you are stuck with it.
Now not all boards are narrow minded. Some work with changing times and culture of the rest of the homeowners. They made be knowledgeable of budgeting and community needs. But often members are just people who want to be in charge with no oversight and that is where the problems arise. What is needed is a higher level of professionals to whom individual homeowners can take their concerns and complaints
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Absolutely.
My Condo association rules and regs date from the time of construction of the property, 40 years ago. They have not been reviewed or updated since.
The board consists of 3 to 5 persons, owners or tenants, (yes, renters) , who have sole power of decision and initiative. That means they think up plans, things to do, and budgets among themselves. They are elected periodically but there is no obligation to provide information regarding their plans or past record, they are elected based on the familianess of their name on the ballot.
Homeowners receive meeting notices in the postal mail. A proxy vote ballot on meeting items is included which should be voted, signed and returned prior to the meeting, ostensibly to ensure a quorum for voting at the meeting.
The homeowners get to vote one time at yearly meetings. They vote to forego reading last year's minutes, accept the new budget, and to waive required yearly HOA financial audits. Aside from that, board proposals are presented and discussed at the annual homeowner meeting In front of the owners present for information purposes, the board then discusses among themselves, and motions to vote to go forward / allow a homeowner to complete an window upgrade project on his unit or some such. In short, 3- 5 people decide for more than a 100 homeowners. They hire their buddies as neede. Homeowners can override or initiate something only with a two third ownersssigned petition.
It is easy to criticize people for purchasing a home in such a rigid HOA environment, but one purchases a home on its own merits. Multiple factors, one of which being Rules and Regs, are considered in home buying decisions. All factors cannot be satisfied, so sometimes it's the HOA that is discounted.