HOA's in Texas- General Discussion

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

I'm surprised at the number of people who say all HOA's are evil. Clearly there are lots of differences as there are lots of people living in HOA's that are happy with them.

It also strikes me that a lot of the biggest HOA haters, don't live in one, and many never have.

I wouldn't say that I hate them necessarily. I have never lived in an HOA but what I have heard from friends who do has helped me to come to the conclusion that I would not like it. I also do not like the power (in Texas at least) that they have to foreclose on someone's house for only a few thousand dollars in unpaid HOA association dues. So I made the decision to purchase in a non-HOA area and avoid headaches.

[Melissa78703]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

Fee's are $116/month!!???!!! That is alarming for an HOA, are you sure that doesn't include some grounds maintenance feels as well. I suspect it probably includes maintaining the exterior of your living unit, i.e. walls, siding, roof, etc.

Mine started at a "mere" $239 ... back in the mid-1990s. By the time my ex-H and I rented out the place, it was right around $500. A month. People with larger units paid much more than we did, too--up to $700 a month. A lot of people eventually sold and moved.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by BigDGeek

I wouldn't say that I hate them necessarily. I have never lived in an HOA but what I have heard from friends who do has helped me to come to the conclusion that I would not like it. I also do not like the power (in Texas at least) that they have to foreclose on someone's house for only a few thousand dollars in unpaid HOA association dues. So I made the decision to purchase in a non-HOA area and avoid headaches.

I agree, they should not be allowed to foreclose, unless they have gone through some major mediation and oversight by the courts before hand. Being able to put a lien on a house seems like enough assurance that they will be paid eventually when the house is sold.

[jasmine57]

We have lived in our home for 11 years and have regreted moving to the development because of the HOA. We do not have a management company and the memebers make up the rules and enforce them as they want. Before moving to this HOA we lived in another that we never had a problem with, for 15 years. The members of the board do not return calls and will not discuss anything with you. It is like moving to Russia. Do as you are told, because you are wrong.

[kelly katsus]

I have always lived in a community where there was an HOA. I have no problem with them. Occasionally you might get a person on the board that has some strong ideas, but people usually vote them out and things continue smoothly. I like that there is accountability in a neighborhood like about having a boat or trailer parked on the lawn in the front yard. I like that most people follow the rules and have guidelines about how to take care of their property. Some people do not care about what their home looks like and having an HOA makes them accountable to following the rules that the community approved. The biggest problem with HOA's is that occasionally you get a person on the board that has never held a position of any type in their life and this is a power trip for them, so they get a little powerful for their own good. They want to make changes that the community has not voted on and people get a bad taste in their mouths about HOA's because of it. If an HOA is constructed for the betterment of the community, it is a good thing. Values of homes tend to stay on the higher in, because people take pride in their neighborhood. If you live in a community with an HOA and you do not like the rules, get involved , get on the board and make the changes.

[piyf]

Originally Posted by Melissa78703

Mine started at a "mere" $239 ... back in the mid-1990s. By the time my ex-H and I rented out the place, it was right around $500. A month. People with larger units paid much more than we did, too--up to $700 a month. A lot of people eventually sold and moved.

with larger units? Um it's to be expected when it's a condo or townhome.

[CptnRn]

My HOA fees are very reasonable and most of them go to maintenance which makes the neighborhood a better place.

My home in Legend Oaks was built in 1989.
In 2004 the total annual HOA fee was $330.
In 2010 the total annual HOA fee was $440. <---fees went up to pay for replacing a children's playscape that had rotted out and repointing of mortar joints in the brick walls around the subdivision. The HOA also maintains the community pool, tennis court, mailboxes and landscape maintenance of the common areas and boulevards.