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[TexasHusker]

If the houses predate the HOA then would the properties not be "grandfathered" in ?

The other thing is that people are going to do what they want to do do - HOA or not, except that, as part of the HOA, you now are a part of the dispute whether you care or not just by living in the neighborhood. I don't care where my neighbors park or if they are not keeping up their lawns as long as they don't bother me. To me, most HOAs are trouble that I avoid like the plague.

When a neighborhood becomes unkept, my property value declines. Ask your local realtor. Hence I am not only bothered, but economically damaged.

You would be precisely the neighbor that HOAs are created for. When you've invested half a $ million in your home and your neighbor has this attitude and let's his place go, it is an insult to the rest of the neighbors. Thankfully, HOAs do in fact work.

[TexasHusker]

We very deliberately sought out a neighborhood with no HOA when we bought our house. I did not want the expense or the headaches that come from having one. If someone is doing something that creates a hazard, report them to the city. Otherwise, let people do their thing. I've heard so many insane HOA stories over the years. If and when we move to Florida, we'll probably have no choice but to go with an HOA as most areas have them, so I just hope it isn't over the top insanity.

As long as a city is committed to enforcing code, I couldn't agree more. I am quite certain you are not willing to just let people "do their thing" in your neighborhood.

[Scallywag]

You would be precisely the neighbor that HOAs are created for.

How so ?

I keep my home clean (and will tend my yard when I have one) and mind my own business. I have much bigger problems than a punk neighbor who lets his front yard go brown and installs a tin roof over his home. The only time I complain is when people block my drive or otherwise harass me but aside from that i mind my own business.

[disneysteve]

I am quite certain you are not willing to just let people "do their thing" in your neighborhood.

Obviously, when I say "do their thing" I mean in a way that doesn't impact others. If you want to hang purple curtains in your living room, go right ahead, but lots of HOAs won't allow it. If you're a car guy and want to change your oil this weekend in the driveway, enjoy yourself, but lots of HOAs won't allow it. If you want to get solar panels on your roof that's great, but lots of HOAs won't allow it. That's the kind of stuff I'm talking about.

[Singuy]

Everyone has a different standard of what should be done. HOA is there to standardized the quality to prevent from people painting polka dots on their houses.

I have an anecdotal example of a friend of mine who bought where there's no HOA. She doesn't care too much about her lawn. Next door neighbor is trying to sell their house for a good amount of money. The neighbor posted a notice on her door to get her to cut her grass. She didn't respond, so the neighbor actually PAID for her lawn to be mowed up until the house was sold.

This is the type of nonsense you don't get from a HOA community.

[disneysteve]

Everyone has a different standard of what should be done. HOA is there to standardized the quality to prevent from people painting polka dots on their houses.

The problems arise when the HOA committee is populated by a bunch of control freaks who want everything done their way. I'm fine with saying folks shouldn't paint their house with polka dots but that often quickly devolves into "All house painting must be approved at least 60 days before the start of work. Paint sample must be submitted on 12x12 inch panel at the time of application. No more than 2 houses on each block may be painted the same color and those houses may not be next to each other" etc.

[Scallywag]

People buying homes are - I hope - adults. They don't need to be treated like high schoolers who need to be micromanaged by Teacher or have to go to the Principal's office because the neighbor doesn't like that you want to paint your home dark brown with purple trim (although I will admit that that is one ugly color combo !)

If my house poses a safety hazard or violates municipal codes then talk to me and I will remediate it because I care about my family's safety, too ! If I act unreasonable then please - by all means - report me to the City or Town. BUT, I don't need a bunch of control freaks breathing down my neck because I have unapproved "flowers" on my yard or want to put solar on my roof.

(That was a real life horror story - a family had to uproot all their sun flower plants because sun flowers were not an "approved flower") !

[Singuy]

"Adults" in the U.S needs to be in quotations. Many things these "Adults" end up doing are not very adultish. 76% of these "Adults" live paycheck to paycheck while 40% of marriages with children ends up in a divorce. I'm not even sure if we have an "adult" as our president so I don't exactly put too much faith in the adults here as upstanding responsible people. I rather have an association point a gun at them forcing them to comply.

[disneysteve]

The problems with HOAs extend beyond the individual homes too. For example, my cousin lives in a gated community that is only a few years old. This past year, the HOA decided they wanted to put more comfortable seats in the auditorium. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the seats they had but a few people in charge complained, so they got all new seats at a cost approaching 6 figures. They also got upset that some neighboring communities had Christmas lights on the palm trees at the entrance to the development so they wanted that too, so they got it for just $20,000. And they also decided the little snack bar needed real plates instead of paper plates. That cost thousands more. There is story after story like that. The result? His HOA fee has gone up and up and up every year he's been there to pay for a bunch of crap that he couldn't care less about. I don't really want other people spending my money for me like that.

[disneysteve]

(That was a real life horror story - a family had to uproot all their sun flower plants because sun flowers were not an "approved flower") !

My cousin had shrubs that died within a year of his house being built. The builder came and replaced them and they died again. He pointed out that his next door neighbor had different shrubs that were thriving and asked for those. They said he couldn't have them because adjacent houses couldn't have the same plants, so they replaced his again, and they died again. He finally raised hell and got them to give him what his neighbor has and his are thriving just the same and there's been no more trouble. What's the big friggin deal if 2 hours in a row have the same bush? The overall landscaping isn't the same. The houses aren't even the same model. They just happen to have that one shrub in common. But he had to fight the HOA to make that happen.

[Scallywag]

"Adults" in the U.S needs to be in quotations. Many things these "Adults" end up doing are not very adultish. 76% of these "Adults" live paycheck to paycheck while 40% of marriages with children ends up in a divorce. I'm not even sure if we have an "adult" as our president so I don't exactly put too much faith in the adults here as upstanding responsible people. I rather have an association point a gun at them forcing them to comply.

I find this judgmental. It's not always easy to save at the end of the month and if you're one of those leaving an unhappy or abusive marriage that makes you a child ?!

Even an association cannot guarantee that all it takes is force to comply. If anything this makes it a power struggle and I personally would not bow down to threats and intimidation.

[Scallywag]

The problems with HOAs extend beyond the individual homes too. For example, my cousin lives in a gated community that is only a few years old. This past year, the HOA decided they wanted to put more comfortable seats in the auditorium. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the seats they had but a few people in charge complained, so they got all new seats at a cost approaching 6 figures. They also got upset that some neighboring communities had Christmas lights on the palm trees at the entrance to the development so they wanted that too, so they got it for just $20,000. And they also decided the little snack bar needed real plates instead of paper plates. That cost thousands more. There is story after story like that. The result? His HOA fee has gone up and up and up every year he's been there to pay for a bunch of crap that he couldn't care less about. I don't really want other people spending my money for me like that.

Exactly !!!!!!! My point all along !

I don't want to have to pay $$$$$ for other people's wants and gimmes !

[TexasHusker]

Exactly !!!!!!! My point all along !

I don't want to have to pay $$$$$ for other people's wants and gimmes !

Idea: Follow your own advice and avoid neighborhoods with a HOA. You can do that while simultaneously not begrudging those who feel differently.

[Scallywag]

I do not begrudge anyone anything. I am just curious as to how a private organization can police, coerce or force people to behave without there being financial consequences for both parties. What is wrong with reporting people for code violations ? What is the need to absolutely control another family and their right to enjoy their property as long as their rights do not intrude on mine ?
?

[scfr]

Around 1,500 sq ft would be great (1,400-1,600 sq ft range).
2 bedroom would be fine (one would be a shared office space for me & DH).
We eat almost all of our meals at home, so a really functional and decent-sized kitchen is important.

We've looked at some 55+ communities, and many offer shared communal spaces that have the potential to eliminate the need for individual spaces for exercise, crafting, large group meals, etc. Some even have furnished units available for rent for a few days where overnight visitors can stay.

One thing I really do not want to share communally is laundry facilities. I really like having my own washer & dryer!

And because I'm not a fan of yard work at all, a condo, a "lock & leave" situation (very small yard maintained by HOA), or super-low-maintenance yard is at the top of my list of wants.