Easements and HOA (HOA's) Home Onwers Assocaition's STAY AWAY!!

[widefat]

We lived for years under an HOA. It was a generally good HOA. There were a couple of busybodies that would walk around looking for things to complain about, and they 'got' us a couple of times.
But overall, not a horrible experinece.
I hated the idea of an HOA though, and made it a point when we were shopping to not look at any property with an HOA or covenant.
But, when it was time to sell - in our market - I sure was glad we had an HOA. The HOA made sure our neighborhood was pretty, well kept, and presented well.
When we tried to sell my moms place, the abandoned trailer and junk cars across the road made it more difficult.
So there you have it. I am a hypocrite.

 

[ultrarunner]

Owning HOA, City, County and Rural... I would have to say Rural is where my heart is...

Doesn't bother me in the least my neighbor has a scrap yard or keeps cows or has a roof covered with tarps... it just adds to the character and gives my guests something to talk about

Plus I can't see or hear any of it from my place...

 

[Oaktree]

As I mentioned, the question becomes if you want to fight it or not. They're retired and for the most part, happy where they live and I don't see them moving after this move from Pittsburgh. Probably easier to hide the wire than take it "to the board" and tell them they're wrong causing waves. Even when your right, the question becomes if it's worth winning a battle but possibly losing the war.

Point being, no HOA, no hassel.

To be fair, the board members of the HOA may not even know that these restrictions are no longer permitted. Personally, I'm with you...I wouldn't want to have to deal with that either, but some people seem to think all these rules somehow help their property value.

Keep in mind that being on the board of an HOA is no picnic either...no matter what you do you're sure to get someone angry with you. My wife learned that the hard way, before we were married she had a condo and for a while served on the board of the condo association. Some HOA's bylaws require a unanimous vote to make any changes in the rules...like town meetings or anything similar it's like pulling teeth to get members to even show up, let alone all agree on something.

 

[Oaktree]

Owning HOA, City, County and Rural... I would have to say Rural is where my heart is...

Doesn't bother me in the least my neighbor has a scrap yard or keeps cows or has a roof covered with tarps... it just adds to the character and gives my guests something to talk about

Plus I can't see or hear any of it from my place...

From what I've been able to tell from your various tales of woe, you couldn't pay me enough to live in the San Francisco area.
Then again, I've lived most of my life in a state whose motto is "Live Free or Die".

 

[MossRoad]

My in-laws are in a subdivision that had an HOA. They had a little yard barn next to their garage, about 10' away, so that they could walk out the side service door and straight into the yard barn. Kept their lawn and show equipment in there. It's real cute, painted to match the house with a flower box and flagpole.

They get a nast letter from a neighbor telling them the yard barn doesn't conform to the HOA agreement, it has to be behind the rear setback, they need to move it, or they'll face legal proceedings.

My in-laws were quite upset.

So I look at the HOA agreement, it specifies yard barns. I read up.

Then I drive over to that neighbor's house, show him the agreement, and point out that HIS yardbard is 2X larger than the limit specified by the HOA.....

I tell him as soon as he tears down half of his yard barn, I'd move my in-laws shed to the back.

That's the last we heard from him.

 

[sdquick]

Although I also tend to hate and avoid HOAs and easements, My current property has both.
The HOA is not really an HOA it is a road association that has a liability policy and doe maintenance on the road that all 7 homes share. It is obviously needed an I like that it is specifically a road association to avoid any ideas that impact the homes.
The easement is for my access to my property across the very edge of the neighbors property. It goes way back to when the property was split and is recorded and also marked on all county maps. The other thing that helps is the neighbors property is fenced and it is fenced on the inside of the easement. The neighbor is a great person and I have gone out of my way to help with a few projects and we have a great relationship so I have no worries, except about her selling and what a new owner might think or try to do.
I do think that in close properties or even out where we don't like to see other people, many problems can be avoided by being "neighborly". If we just introduce ourselves to our neighbors, wave or talk to them occasionally across the fence line, take a plate of Christmas goodies, and call and check if there is relay bad weather I think that ~1 hour of time each year can really pay off to avoid and deal with problems.

 

[k0ua]

If we just introduce ourselves to our neighbors, wave or talk to them occasionally across the fence line, take a plate of Christmas goodies, and call and check if there is relay bad weather I think that ~1 hour of time each year can really pay off to avoid and deal with problems.

100% right. "Don't start no "stuff", and there won't be no "stuff""

Keep yard barn ****'s from forming in the first place.
Like in Moss's example some people have to have their noses rubbed into their own faults to learn to leave other people alone. But if they remember that you treated them well in the past, they may think twice before starting a war with you. But some have a greatly elevated sense of their own self worth and importance to the world.

 

[ultrarunner]

From what I've been able to tell from your various tales of woe, you couldn't pay me enough to live in the San Francisco area.
Then again, I've lived most of my life in a state whose motto is "Live Free or Die".

It is more of a cautionary tale...

Let me give a few examples:

Back in the 70's California initiated Unleaded Gas and Catalytic Convertors... 49 other states did not and many said it would never happen... now we all know Never can be measured in years.

Same for Low Flush Toilets, Water Saving Fixtures, Lead Free Faucets, Recycling, etc...n with new ones being added all the time... plastic grocery bag restrictions, straws, disposable cups...

One of California's biggest exports are politicians and once in Washington they tend to stay in positions of power for a long time... very long time.

 

[ultrarunner]

Although I also tend to hate and avoid HOAs and easements, My current property has both.
The HOA is not really an HOA it is a road association that has a liability policy and doe maintenance on the road that all 7 homes share. It is obviously needed an I like that it is specifically a road association to avoid any ideas that impact the homes.
The easement is for my access to my property across the very edge of the neighbors property. It goes way back to when the property was split and is recorded and also marked on all county maps. The other thing that helps is the neighbors property is fenced and it is fenced on the inside of the easement. The neighbor is a great person and I have gone out of my way to help with a few projects and we have a great relationship so I have no worries, except about her selling and what a new owner might think or try to do.
I do think that in close properties or even out where we don't like to see other people, many problems can be avoided by being "neighborly". If we just introduce ourselves to our neighbors, wave or talk to them occasionally across the fence line, take a plate of Christmas goodies, and call and check if there is relay bad weather I think that ~1 hour of time each year can really pay off to avoid and deal with problems.

My one and only association started out as a Common Road Maintenance Agreement with a one page CC&R's and this was in 1948... in the 80's things got complicated... all of the sudden special assessments demanded to pay lawyers because the board was being challenged left and right...

Over the years the CC&R have expanded to the size of a small booklet... I had storm damage and needed to replace my roof... the process for material selection takes a minimum of 45 days...

I went to my neighbors and showed them what I planned to do and why it couldn't wait... also had city permit in hand... they all gave their blessing... didn't hurt that one was Board President and the other was on the Road Committee... two weeks my roof was done which included shake tear off, all new sheeting, etc...

Kept it civil and respectful... plus I am always helping someone... goodwill goes a long way... Dad always said don't go around making enemies!

 

[CobyRupert]

... I had storm damage and needed to replace my roof... the process for material selection takes a minimum of 45 days...

....and that is why you should never live in a place that has an HOA.

INSANE!