Homeowner Associations

[matrixone05]

I was wondering how many members own or live in a home that is part of a homeowners association. I have been managing associations for 20 years and have done this in 3 different states. I've noticed that most people don't understand what this really means when they move into them, (I didn't before I got into this business). I am asking because I know a lot of people have problems with them and I am willing to try to answer general questions and/or give some guidance on how to resolve problems with your association, how to determine what your association can or cannot do, or what to look for before you move into one.

[sephari]

the first time i ever heard of a home owners association was a story about a family who fell on hard times and could barely pay their bills. their chimney needed to be repainted because the paint was peeling. because they couldn't afford to paint the chimney the hoa sold their house.
needless to say you won't be my favorite poster here on the chat.

[matrixone05]

I would never recommend an association foreclose on someone's house for that reason. There is usually more to a story than what most people hear. This is the reason I offered, so if there is someone with a potential problem I might be able to make recommendations to get it resolved. I try to help my homeowners, but I can't if they don't make contact and say I've got a problem, which most of them don't. There are some arrogant board members on some associations but I try to but most are not like that.

[sephari]

Originally Posted by matrixone05

I would never recommend an association foreclose on someone's house for that reason. There is usually more to a story than what most people hear. This is the reason I offered, so if there is someone with a potential problem I might be able to make recommendations to get it resolved. I try to help my homeowners, but I can't if they don't make contact and say I've got a problem, which most of them don't. There are some arrogant board members on some associations but I try to but most are not like that.

granted, that foreclosure incident was perhaps the worse i have ever heard of but the idea that other people can dictate what color i paint MY house or the kind of bushes i can plant in MY yard or what i can park in MY driveway is asinine. when i was in college i did some landscaping. when the job was done the owner literally had THE best looking yard in the whole neighborhood. the hoa had the nerve to complain about the COLOR of dirt we used. the rule was set after the job was done so they couldn't do anything about it though, but...

[matrixone05]

I think some of the rules are asinine as well. But I also think most of them make sense and they are there to protect property values. The authority an association has and the rules that restrictions that are set upon those properties are usually set when the subdivisions are platted, before the first house is built and they are tied to the title/deed to the property. Which means that when you sign that legal document, you agree to those restrictions and rules. Which is why it is crucial that people ask for and read the documentation prior to buying any property. Most people don't understand the significance of the Covenants and Restrictions and do not read them until there is an issue.

The first house I bought in VA, years ago, I got fined and almost sued because my brother-in-law abandoned a car in the townhouse lot and it was registered to my address. I had no clue what it meant to belong to an Association then. I didn't read my documents either. I've bought 3 other houses since then and have read every one. Only because I know that I don't want to purchase a home in a community that has too little rules or rules that I don't want to follow.

Truth is, whether people like association's or not, (and there are people that would not live in a community without one), most subdivisions have one. My goal (and I do this for my family, friends and members in my church as well), is not to change anyone's opinion or to advocate for or against associations. I am just offering to help educate and share my knowledge of what to look for and how to resolve issues with them with someone that might need help. I'd like to help someone before they wind up with a lot of legal fees, in court or in foreclosure.

There are not many of us in this business, but a lot of us live in associations.
I'm not offering legal advice because I am not an attorney. I also may not be able to answer specific questions because I would have to look at someone's legal documents to be able to answer certain questions. Also, each state has its own laws which might take precedent over the association's legal documents.

[DBlack]

From an appraiser's point of view, I can tell you that a community is more likely to retain and appreciate value with an HOA than without.

Yes, a HOA can be restrictive, but that's the essential function of it. If you don't want to be governed by rules of a community, then you can always move to a community without them. But don't be surprised or upset, when 5 years down the road, your community is incohesive, divisive, unkept, with homes that have depreciated or stagnant home values.

Almost Everytime an appraiser appraises a property, they have to disclose whether or not the home is in a community with a HOA. It is very important.

[charliekilothree]

I don't have a HOA in my subdivision but it might not be a bad idea because some people moved in recently and have this big as* boat parked on the front law. Looks straight up redneck to me. I could live with some rules but others would be too restrictive for me. I'm a reasonable person but some HOA go overboard.

[matrixone05]

Originally Posted by charliekilothree

I'm a reasonable person but some HOA go overboard.

Yes they do. I'm an advocate of "fair and reasonable", but unfortunately, not all are. One of the problems is, that some people only exist in black/white and gray is not an option.