Comments on: Why I *like* my HOA http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/why-i-like-hoas/70 Phoenix Real Estate -- Anything and everything about it. Plus random musings... Now with Phoenix area MLS Listings Search! Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:31:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jger http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/why-i-like-hoas/70#comment-29582 Jger Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:01:57 +0000 http://www.buygilberthomes.com/?p=70#comment-29582 It's funny that everyone talks about the HOA making life "miserable" for the owners. What about the owners who don't keep up their homes and make life miserable for those of us who do? HOAs would not be necessary if there weren't a bunch of assholes around who leave their garbage out in the street, have loud parties at 2AM and don't give a shit about how their neighborhood looks. My association actually sued my neighbor for damanging our property values by not maintaining the exterior of their home...and they won! For that reason alone I LOVE MY HOA. I live in a very new development and don't expect it to look like trash. If that how you want to live don't move into an association. And don't tell me there are no homes without them....I've owned three homes with no HOA in recnetly years. As for those whiners who don't like the rules....can you not read english? In most states you are given the rules upfront and even given the chance to back out of the purchase if you don't agree with them. Grow up, follow the rules, pay your dues...and your mortgage...and stop being a bad neighbor! It’s funny that everyone talks about the HOA making life “miserable” for the owners. What about the owners who don’t keep up their homes and make life miserable for those of us who do? HOAs would not be necessary if there weren’t a bunch of assholes around who leave their garbage out in the street, have loud parties at 2AM and don’t give a shit about how their neighborhood looks. My association actually sued my neighbor for damanging our property values by not maintaining the exterior of their home…and they won! For that reason alone I LOVE MY HOA. I live in a very new development and don’t expect it to look like trash. If that how you want to live don’t move into an association. And don’t tell me there are no homes without them….I’ve owned three homes with no HOA in recnetly years. As for those whiners who don’t like the rules….can you not read english? In most states you are given the rules upfront and even given the chance to back out of the purchase if you don’t agree with them. Grow up, follow the rules, pay your dues…and your mortgage…and stop being a bad neighbor!

]]> By: Chantal http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/why-i-like-hoas/70#comment-22991 Chantal Sun, 06 Jan 2008 00:40:24 +0000 http://www.buygilberthomes.com/?p=70#comment-22991 Jay, good post. To be honest with you, I have never heard anyone praising their HOA. But I'm with you, I actually like mine. I live in a little condo complex and the place is kept immaculate. There is a full time cleaner here that keeps the property updated and everything is painted and fresh. My HOA fees are only $200 a month and this includes free cable. I'm a believer too! Jay, good post. To be honest with you, I have never heard anyone praising their HOA. But I’m with you, I actually like mine. I live in a little condo complex and the place is kept immaculate. There is a full time cleaner here that keeps the property updated and everything is painted and fresh.

My HOA fees are only $200 a month and this includes free cable. I’m a believer too!

]]> By: Finley Farms Boots HOA Leadership at The Phoenix Real Estate Guy http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/why-i-like-hoas/70#comment-21669 Finley Farms Boots HOA Leadership at The Phoenix Real Estate Guy Sat, 27 Oct 2007 18:28:00 +0000 http://www.buygilberthomes.com/?p=70#comment-21669 [...] the time they require. The rest of my fellow board members, some *outstanding* people who ran one of the best HOA's I've ever seen, all chose to run again. And all were defeated, giving our HOA an entirely new [...] [...] the time they require. The rest of my fellow board members, some *outstanding* people who ran one of the best HOA's I've ever seen, all chose to run again. And all were defeated, giving our HOA an entirely new [...]

]]> By: Mike http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/why-i-like-hoas/70#comment-15412 Mike Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:38:53 +0000 http://www.buygilberthomes.com/?p=70#comment-15412 HOA's are not bad instruments. In fact if run properly they enhance and improve property values. Most developers turn over control to the Homeowners thenselves once the community is sold out. This is rarely used as a profit center. The problem with HOA's is their Boards! No training, no concept of what the HOA is for. I purchased in my community specifically because of the Deed restrictions that prohibit things like: commercial vehicles, junk cars, etc. I also wanted to know that my neighbor cannot paint their house purple and grow weeds in their yard. Search “curb appeal” in Google and you will see a plethora of articles that directly attach “curb appeal” to the value of your house and community. Fact of the matter if you do not like your HOA there are two possible reasons. 1. You have a bad Board. (unfortunately most are) 2. You did not read the Deed restrictions when you purchased your home and now don’t like the rules of the game. The Declarative Covenants list exactly what is and is not allowed in the community. If you did not like the restrictions it spells out, you should have bought somewhere else. Ignorance is no excuse for a purchase of that size. Mike HOA’s are not bad instruments. In fact if run properly they enhance and improve property values. Most developers turn over control to the Homeowners thenselves once the community is sold out. This is rarely used as a profit center. The problem with HOA’s is their Boards! No training, no concept of what the HOA is for. I purchased in my community specifically because of the Deed restrictions that prohibit things like: commercial vehicles, junk cars, etc. I also wanted to know that my neighbor cannot paint their house purple and grow weeds in their yard. Search “curb appeal” in Google and you will see a plethora of articles that directly attach “curb appeal” to the value of your house and community. Fact of the matter if you do not like your HOA there are two possible reasons.
1. You have a bad Board. (unfortunately most are)
2. You did not read the Deed restrictions when you purchased your home and now don’t like the rules of the game. The Declarative Covenants list exactly what is and is not allowed in the community. If you did not like the restrictions it spells out, you should have bought somewhere else. Ignorance is no excuse for a purchase of that size.
Mike

]]> By: Another Bonehead HOA Move… at The Phoenix Real Estate Guy http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/why-i-like-hoas/70#comment-11788 Another Bonehead HOA Move… at The Phoenix Real Estate Guy Thu, 11 Jan 2007 21:18:03 +0000 http://www.buygilberthomes.com/?p=70#comment-11788 [...] First, I must say (and I have) that I am not an HOA basher. I love my HOA. Our board does the right thing the vast majority of the time (disclosure: I am a Director on our HOA board, but it was well managed long before I arrived). [...] [...] First, I must say (and I have) that I am not an HOA basher. I love my HOA. Our board does the right thing the vast majority of the time (disclosure: I am a Director on our HOA board, but it was well managed long before I arrived). [...]

]]> By: The Phoenix Real Estate Guy » Blog Archive » Incredibly inept HOA action! http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/why-i-like-hoas/70#comment-4241 The Phoenix Real Estate Guy » Blog Archive » Incredibly inept HOA action! Sun, 06 Aug 2006 21:10:37 +0000 http://www.buygilberthomes.com/?p=70#comment-4241 [...] out Home Owners Associations abusing their power and acting like fools. Not too long ago, I blogged here that I actually LIKE my HOA. And I do. Everything I said in that blog is true. But I’d be [...] [...] out Home Owners Associations abusing their power and acting like fools. Not too long ago, I blogged here that I actually LIKE my HOA. And I do. Everything I said in that blog is true. But I’d be [...]

]]> By: The AZ Real Estate Guy http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/why-i-like-hoas/70#comment-4150 The AZ Real Estate Guy Sun, 06 Aug 2006 07:34:47 +0000 http://www.buygilberthomes.com/?p=70#comment-4150 Kelly - WOW! That is unbelieveable. "Abuse of power" is an understatement! It's idiots and actions like these that give HOAs across the country a bad name. With your permission, I'd LOVE to post a story about this on my blog. I think my readers would like to see a real life example of an HOA gone bonkers. I'm sure it would royally irritate the President of your association as well as Mr. Sellers and Ms. Baxter. But I don't care. What they did to you is rediculous. Can I write up a blog entry and email it to you? Keep your chin up and don't let these dolts bring you down! Jay Kelly -

WOW! That is unbelieveable. “Abuse of power” is an understatement! It’s idiots and actions like these that give HOAs across the country a bad name.

With your permission, I’d LOVE to post a story about this on my blog. I think my readers would like to see a real life example of an HOA gone bonkers. I’m sure it would royally irritate the President of your association as well as Mr. Sellers and Ms. Baxter. But I don’t care.

What they did to you is rediculous. Can I write up a blog entry and email it to you?

Keep your chin up and don’t let these dolts bring you down!

Jay

]]> By: Kelly J http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/why-i-like-hoas/70#comment-4142 Kelly J Sun, 06 Aug 2006 02:25:08 +0000 http://www.buygilberthomes.com/?p=70#comment-4142 Can I live there? The other day I received a letter out of the blue from our HOA lawyer telling me that the content on the website that I created over a year and a half ago was not posted with the approval or knowledge of my HOA board members and it should be removed or else. Here are some interesting facts, which I sent to the lawyer: * The HOA PAYS me to maintain the website * The HOA board members send me content to put on the website * The HOA board members approved to have a magnet sent out promoting said website. * My husband is on the HOA board and was not informed of any of this I called our HOA President, as did my husband, and we were both told that the board wanted control over the website so they sent the letter. I know the President of the board and normally talk to him often. In fact, he asked me to shoot pool with him during that same conversation (moron). The board didn't think twice about sending a letter to me threatening legal action if I did not remove content from the website. Boy, talk about abuse of power. Can I live there? The other day I received a letter out of the blue from our HOA lawyer telling me that the content on the website that I created over a year and a half ago was not posted with the approval or knowledge of my HOA board members and it should be removed or else.

Here are some interesting facts, which I sent to the lawyer:
* The HOA PAYS me to maintain the website
* The HOA board members send me content to put on the website
* The HOA board members approved to have a magnet sent out promoting said website.
* My husband is on the HOA board and was not informed of any of this

I called our HOA President, as did my husband, and we were both told that the board wanted control over the website so they sent the letter. I know the President of the board and normally talk to him often. In fact, he asked me to shoot pool with him during that same conversation (moron). The board didn’t think twice about sending a letter to me threatening legal action if I did not remove content from the website. Boy, talk about abuse of power.

]]> By: Ralph Pate http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/why-i-like-hoas/70#comment-1248 Ralph Pate Fri, 02 Jun 2006 21:34:39 +0000 http://www.buygilberthomes.com/?p=70#comment-1248 I too am a Realtor that's been a Director on several Boards, usually to get rid of the folks who walk the neighborhood on the weekend making notes of supposed violations to send to the Management Company so that violation letters can be sent. Unfortunately, too many HOA's have too many folks that try and make life miserable for the rest. A little power goes a long way, in some cases. You're right about the purple houses and the neglected yards, though. And you're right about reading the CC&R's prior to purchase. too often the Buyer leaves that up to the Realtor, then is upset when his Realtor isn't sharp enough to have done it. Thanks, Ralph I too am a Realtor that’s been a Director on several Boards, usually to get rid of the folks who walk the neighborhood on the weekend making notes of supposed violations to send to the Management Company so that violation letters can be sent. Unfortunately, too many HOA’s have too many folks that try and make life miserable for the rest. A little power goes a long way, in some cases. You’re right about the purple houses and the neglected yards, though. And you’re right about reading the CC&R’s prior to purchase. too often the Buyer leaves that up to the Realtor, then is upset when his Realtor isn’t sharp enough to have done it.

Thanks,

Ralph

]]> By: The AZ Real Estate Guy http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/why-i-like-hoas/70#comment-1029 The AZ Real Estate Guy Thu, 18 May 2006 03:07:32 +0000 http://www.buygilberthomes.com/?p=70#comment-1029 Thanks for reading and commenting! I know a *lot* of people feel the way you do. And a part of me honestly believes that I should be able to do whatever I want to my house. Paint, landscaping, leaving my trashcan out, a basketball hoop....whatever. On the other hand, I have no desire to live in a technicolor neighborhood. Try selling your home when the guy across the street has a purple house. See what happens to the value of your home when the neighbor's yard looks like an overgrown vacant lot. Fact is, HOAs protect home values. Are they a pain in the a$$? Sometimes. Do they do good things? Sometimes. Are they perfect? No. Fact is, anyone who buys a home gets a copy of the HOAs CC&Rs **before** they close on the home. If you don't like what's in the CC&Rs, don't buy the home. Lots of opinions on HOAs out there. I'm not saying ALL HOAs are great. Mine is. By the way, the developers don't get a penny from HOAs. Developers run HOAs in brand new subdivisions until a property management company and Board of Directors made of homeowners can be established. (or more rarely, a "self-governing" HOA is established). Then developers turn over responsibility for the HOA. Developers can't wait to get out of the HOA management. Again, thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate your opinion! Jay Thanks for reading and commenting!

I know a *lot* of people feel the way you do. And a part of me honestly believes that I should be able to do whatever I want to my house. Paint, landscaping, leaving my trashcan out, a basketball hoop….whatever.

On the other hand, I have no desire to live in a technicolor neighborhood. Try selling your home when the guy across the street has a purple house. See what happens to the value of your home when the neighbor’s yard looks like an overgrown vacant lot.

Fact is, HOAs protect home values. Are they a pain in the a$$? Sometimes. Do they do good things? Sometimes. Are they perfect? No.

Fact is, anyone who buys a home gets a copy of the HOAs CC&Rs **before** they close on the home. If you don’t like what’s in the CC&Rs, don’t buy the home.

Lots of opinions on HOAs out there. I’m not saying ALL HOAs are great. Mine is.

By the way, the developers don’t get a penny from HOAs. Developers run HOAs in brand new subdivisions until a property management company and Board of Directors made of homeowners can be established. (or more rarely, a “self-governing” HOA is established). Then developers turn over responsibility for the HOA. Developers can’t wait to get out of the HOA management.

Again, thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate your opinion!

Jay

]]>