HOAs from Hell

[pb4uski]

I disagree. While it isn't outrageous for a homeowner to inquire whether any board members are related to vendors the HOA uses and that there are not any conflicts of interest or any conflicts are fully disclosed.... it is outrageous for a homeowner to demand that the Board sign a statement to that effect... the homeowner had no right to make such a demand.

[Al in Ohio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Hitter I'm so glad I don't have a HOA

I am also glad my neighbors are not some of the respondents on this thread! Proof why deed restrictions are a necessity.


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[Al in Ohio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aggie76 I will add in another. When the management company attempts to enforce a rule that is counter to local LAW or proper procedures. EXAMPLE: We have the usual rules about yard signs. Most are prohibited and political one not allowed. Texas has a statute the EXPRESSLY allows political sign of a certain size and number 90 dos out from an election. This overrides any little deed restriction and even local ords. I had the management company get all worked up over my LEGAL political signs and even continued to harass and threaten me .....

I never understood the obsession some folks have with sticking a political sign on their lawn. In some areas it gets to be quite a blight of political sign pollution. Do you actually think someone will drive by and see your sign and think "gee I really hadn't made my mind up on who I will vote for, but that sign has just convinced me to vote for blah blah (fill in the shmucks name)?

You really display your political sign out of vanity. To claim "my choice is superior". "You should vote like me." No one really cares about the sign. Get over it and make lawn mowing easier. Ditch the sign obsession.



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[RobbieB]

If they want to support the candidate of their choice and it is allowed by state law which is written to override HOA law then by all means, post up the sign.

Be proud to be a part of the political process in a country that has at best a 50% turnout.

Be proud of your sign and send a copy of the state law to the HOA!

Eat 'em & smile -

[aggie76]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al in Ohio I never understood the obsession some folks have with sticking a political sign on their lawn. In some areas it gets to be quite a blight of political sign pollution. Do you actually think someone will drive by and see your sign and think "gee I really hadn't made my mind up on who I will vote for, but that sign has just convinced me to vote for blah blah (fill in the shmucks name)? You really display your political sign out of vanity. To claim "my choice is superior". "You should vote like me." No one really cares about the sign. Get over it and make lawn mowing easier. Ditch the sign obsession. Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum

I really don't want to jihack the thread but just a response.
There are a lot of studies that show that for "DOWN BALLOT" candidates yard signs do work. Folks go into the booth and after voting for Gov or Senator they hit the lesser known guys. It is natural that many folks simply click a name thatchy may have seen in yards of neighbors and friends.
The yard signs in my yard are worth several dozen votes in my hood alone since many of my peeps know that I am all involved and engaged, they tend to see my signs as well researched endorsements and vote that way.

You may not like it but it works and it only is an eyesore for a few months every few years. When the hell did this country become so busybody with everybody all worked up over what other do and what they are " offended" or put out by ?

[Aerides]

Re political sign - aggie the benefit while there, is probably less specific than you think. It's name-recognition bias pure and simple. Not so much "if so and so has a sign they must be good" more "i know that name". That's why grandkids get elected in landslides when share the name of elder politicians.

Signage, however, isn't just a few months every few years if it's permitted. If you can support your candidate now, I can support every local and state election, and I can also put up a "save the whales" or other sign supporting any cause any time (including really terrible ones). We have a neighbor who wants to put a sign out front threatening to set her dogs loose on anyone who leaves other dog poop in her yard.

Let one sign in, you let them all in, all the time.

[MichaelB]

It is a thread hijack. How about let's stay on topic, which is hellish HOA's and how they impact humanity.

[Ready]

I've lived in a few homes with HOAs and never really had much of a problem, but I never liked the idea of spending so much money every month to maintain a large common area. The house we live in now is not part of an HOA, and aside from spending about $55/month for lawn care, and occasionally repainting the house every 8 years or so, we don't have much in the way of maintenance expenses that an HOA fee would normally cover.

My family has lived in condos in Florida for many years though, and I hear terrible stories about their experiences. I think Florida condos are notorious for having very difficult HOA boards. Maybe it's because Florida has so many retired people with a lot of time on their hands.

[MRG]

The last place we lived that had an HOA drove us batty. We quit going to meetings and the problems lessened. Then we quit paying attention to the one neighbor who seemed to be the biggest PIA. Problem solved. Wasn't the HOA just a real work of art.

[Al in Ohio]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aggie76 When the hell did this country become so busybody with everybody all worked up over what other do and what they are " offended" or put out by ?

It started that way when the first Puritans stepped foot on Plymouth rock. It's our Heritage. You don't want things kept in check and orderly, you probably want to head south to Mexico.



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[JoeWras]

An interesting article of a recent HOA vs. homeowner fight. Legal fees approaching $1M overall. Yikes! And I don't want to pick sides, but I like his landscaping....

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-1-m...ts-11553006590

Quote:

After he installed a decorative, shin-high wall around a plant bed on the side of his house, saying it would enhance the curb appeal, the HOA ordered him to remove it because it hadn’t been approved by an architectural review committee. Mr. Hildenbrand said he actually had the needed approval. Seven years after he moved in, the HOA and Mr. Hildenbrand are still fighting over the decorative wall in court, with no end in sight. The dispute has consumed nearly $1 million in legal fees—the most expensive active HOA case of this type in the country, according to experts keeping track of such things.

[Big_Hitter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeWras An interesting article of a recent HOA vs. homeowner fight. Legal fees approaching $1M overall. Yikes! And I don't want to pick sides, but I like his landscaping.... https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-1-m...ts-11553006590

damn, it's like waking up to weighing 5 bills....how did it get that far?

[imoldernu]

Maybe this doesn't qualify... on the "from Hell" part... But...

Our HOA is great because the board members live in the Villas, just as we do... Together 89 units. We bought in 2004 and the HOA Dues were $125/mo... In 2014, with apologies, the board increased the dues to $150/mo or $1800 year.

Here's what we get... no exaggerations...

Free meal at the annual meeting in the best restaurant in the area, and an outdoor catered summer HOA party cookout in a local park.

Lawn, tree, shrub care. this past summer , many times when lawns were cut twice a week.
Snow removal... always starts at 7:30 AM, and if it continues to snow, the crews will work all day if necessary.

Exterior house trim. The original builder used wood that didn't keep paint... the HOA took care of that by putting aluminum overlays over the doorways and garage entrances. Now, zero exterior care.

And... the main streets of our Liberty Village complex is lit by garage and post lamps. Board members, as part of their responsibility (no salary) replace any light that goes out.

We really like where we live.

[JoeWras]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Hitter damn, it's like waking up to weighing 5 bills....how did it get that far?

Clearly, both sides are dug in over principle. In an extreme way.