Off Topic Forum...

[Eric_and_Corinna 0]

One has a right to see the HOA agreement prior to purchasing, and its usually one of the items one puts in the sales contract, so if ya don tlike what ya see, you can back out! Plus when purchasing I'm one of those people that knocks on various houses throughout the neighborhood to get a fee of everything. Would preferably not reside in a HOA area, but those seem to be in the minority out where we are looking. But on the other hand, everything seems to be in nice shape and no purple houses,lol

The problem with some of the HOA's is that you get some psycho who has enough time on her hands to actually run the board, then runs it into the ground. We tried to get our rules changed to allow vehicles to be left overnight in our driveways (imagine that!) and it was almost as compicated as getting the K-3 visa! And with the exception of my POS truck, everyone else in my 'hood has BMWs, Acuras, etc.

But I agree, the covenants regarding colors and yard maintenance are certainly nice and keep everyone's property values in line.

[Flames9_RN 358]

i dont understand why one cant park on a driveway?? isn't that their purpose?? to keep them off the street?

[Eric_and_Corinna 0]

i dont understand why one cant park on a driveway?? isn't that their purpose?? to keep them off the street?

One would think. But the whole intent of the keeping cars out of the driveways was to facilitate snow removal in the winter. But this lunatic was out there trying to tow cars in July!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

HOAs can be good or bad - ours has been both. The fees are about $500 a year and they do a good job on the joint areas, the swimming pool and the club house. There are a number of committees and the Covenant and Landscape committees can go overboard. On the online message board for the community there have been a lot of recent complaints because someone is becoming ridiculous in filing complaints - and issuing fines. Example - our next door neighbours were just fined for not putting mulch around their tree - they have been here 5 years - it is not a requirement in the standards, but a new member of the landscape committee believes it is required - so a notice and a fine was issued. The HOA community had been mowing a right of way and then decided that they were no longer going to mow it and that the home owners adjacent to the right of way were to mow it - but no one told them until they received notices and fines for un-mowed property. Last year, the house next door to us was for sale - it had the for sale sign and the realtor's post with flyers about the house. The Community awarded the homeowner the 'most beautiful yard of the month' and put up its own sign saying so-then sent the homeowner a violation notice for having more than 2 signs up! We got a notice for having our garbage can out instead of hidden from view. I agree - it was out - it was garbage pick up day! Things like this drive you crazy because it is common sense gone mad. So, as long as people are sensible and practical HOAs are good - but get some idiot involved and watch out!

Edited June 10, 2008 by Kathryn41

[MrsCat 6]

Gas is officially the most expensive I have ever seen it in Edmonton this evening - $1.339/L

[Carlawarla 1]

Good morning! Rise and shine!

[Ban Hammer 13,491]

g'morning everyone.

for the record, i despise homeowner's associations.

and now for today's coffee

[MissStacey 1]

g'morning everyone.

for the record, i despise homeowner's associations.

and now for today's coffee

I did go to Expo 86 in Vancouver. I wasn't around yet for Expo 67- but my parents went. It was in Montreal that year and they lived there.

[trailmix 77]

HOAs can be good or bad - ours has been both. The fees are about $500 a year and they do a good job on the joint areas, the swimming pool and the club house. There are a number of committees and the Covenant and Landscape committees can go overboard. On the online message board for the community there have been a lot of recent complaints because someone is becoming ridiculous in filing complaints - and issuing fines. Example - our next door neighbours were just fined for not putting mulch around their tree - they have been here 5 years - it is not a requirement in the standards, but a new member of the landscape committee believes it is required - so a notice and a fine was issued. The HOA community had been mowing a right of way and then decided that they were no longer going to mow it and that the home owners adjacent to the right of way were to mow it - but no one told them until they received notices and fines for un-mowed property. Last year, the house next door to us was for sale - it had the for sale sign and the realtor's post with flyers about the house. The Community awarded the homeowner the 'most beautiful yard of the month' and put up its own sign saying so-then sent the homeowner a violation notice for having more than 2 signs up! We got a notice for having our garbage can out instead of hidden from view. I agree - it was out - it was garbage pick up day! Things like this drive you crazy because it is common sense gone mad. So, as long as people are sensible and practical HOAs are good - but get some idiot involved and watch out!

And there you have it! This reinforces my non-hoa feelings! Since we are just renting here I know I get to escape from the madness in this complex, however if I did own one of these units I know I would be quite ticked that the garbage pick up service had been cancelled with no notice (we just got a flyer one day saying no more garbage pick up effective immediately).

My Sister lives in a suburb of Dallas, last month she got a notice that her red front door colour must be changed as it does not conform to the associations guidelines. It's been red for 8 years

[Cassie 8]

My 10 year green card has finally been approved -- 1 year, 1 month, and 3 days after submitting, 2 years and 3 days since I first became a PR. I'm a little excited! Edited June 10, 2008 by Cassie

[Ontarkie 14,419]

Yay Congrats

[Marilyn. 340]

congrats cassie

************

I am going camping the last weekend in June.. I can't wait I camping!!

[KarenCee 3]

Congratulations Cassie!!!!!!

[Leafgal 3]

My 10 year green card has finally been approved -- 1 year, 1 month, and 3 days after submitting, 2 years and 3 days since I first became a PR. I'm a little excited!

CONGRATS that is fantastic. I see a celebration in your future Cassie.

[Cassie 8]

Thanks guys!! The DH and I have been putting off our special his birthday/ his new job celebration dinner at a ritzy steakhouse place until we had a smidge of extra cash (him being out of work for 2 months was a little scary) but after that news I might just say screw it and let's put it on the credit card!!