I have been looking at houses for a few months now and will not buy anything in a HOA neighborhood for many of the same reasons. I refuse to let anybody tell me what I can and can't do with my own property
I live in a condo, before this I was in a Single Family Home in Arizona under an HOA. It is amazing how much power these organizations have. Once they got you in their sites.. its over.
HOA's are the most socialistic, anti american organizations I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with. They justify their existence by preventing some douchebag from keeping a front yard full of cars on blocks, etc etc. But really, how common is that anyway?
What HOA's really are after? Control! Thats all they want. If you are young you are automatically a target. If you have nice stuff or the largest model you are a target. If you got a good deal on your place you are a target. If you drive a fancy sports car that they could only dream of you are a huge target.
I found out the hard way just how powerful they can be when they feel like coming after you. All you can do is complain about others which the HOA actually likes - it increases revenue for them. In fact they thrive on these types of complains. Everyone loses - except them. Even with evidence this is not a court of law - and many CCR's have rules against taking them to court. It can take YEARS to effectively fight and eventually win against an HOA. The only answer is to give in to whatever they want... QUICKLY or those fees become liens, and they can foreclose on your property even if you are current on your mortgage.
Furthermore, look at the disturbing trend. HOA's fining residents for flying the American flag on their home! There is one that actually enforces rules forbidding children from playing outside. How did we all manage without HOA's all these years? Now, its hard to find any newly built property not under some sort of CCR's.
Then look at who is on the board. Usually its school teachers or librarians, artists, etc. I don't want this to get to be too political, but liberals love these positions... they flock to it. And they love sticking it to people like us who have nice things. I got busted for blasting my stereo the same day I had it delivered despite the fact that it wasnt even hooked up yet. I actually saw my HOA president write down the model number of my receiver when I buzzed the delivery guys in (on the security camera in the lobby). She saw it was a 2500 dollar reciever and slid a note under my door telling me "anonymously" that its foolish to own such equipment in a condo... then I got dinged for a weeks worth of HOA fees (50 bucks each) for noise.
Go prove that it wasn't hooked up! Go prove anything. HOA's don't practice fairness. In fact, many of them are quite open about their favoritism and kickbacks from vendors. Its a horrible entity, and wish to god we could find a newer home not covered by an HOA. Neighbors don't act like neighbors should, they hide in shadows and watch your every move and taddle tail on you. Almost every HOA has a "cop" on each block. Not a police officer, but a hall monitor type of cop watching everything you do. They are usually retired and have nothing else better to do.
In my current home, the "HALL COP" lives right next door. DAMN IT!!!!!! she monitors the whole damn building. She files violations on all residents and there is nothing we can do to stop it. She literally counts the number of visitors, when they come, when they go, she measures the decibels... but if she doesn't like you she'll lie about it. Go prove it isnt true. Its guilty until proven innocent. So of course we try to be nice to her and bring her cookies and bring her packages upstairs for her... but until she moves we will always be terrorized by her and others like her.
I wish America got its head out of its A** and people stood up against these organizations. But it seems the US is headed down a dark path of socialism and regulations rather than common sense. And my examples aren't even the worst part.
A friend of mine purchased a custom home in a NON-HOA area. Each home was 1+ million, a few celebs... a few corporate CEO's etc etc. Then all of a sudden years after they moved in CCR's were passed out to all residents in the area. WHAT?????? where did this come from? These homes which never voted for an HOA, one was never there when they purchased their homes, all of a sudden POOF, they have to comply with CCR's. Many in the area were lawyers and they are still fighting till today. its been over 3 years since this happened and one house was foreclosed on by the illegal HOA - they are confident that someday it will be rectified but in the mean time that homeowner is SOL.
Its a crime, and I feel bad for everyone who has to deal with one. I have never gone after others that came after me... it just escalates the situation. What I like to do is write a letter and slide it under all the unit owners doors informing them of all the injustices building wide. That has done more to stop the BULLS*it than anything else. These organizations thrive on silence... by torturing you and you suffer in silence. When you get the rest of the neighbors involved they will rally to your side and show up to your meeting and get that violation removed. After a while the taddle tale realizes that its not working and will leave you alone and go after someone else who will just be their victim quietly.
sorry for the long post - but I HATE HOA's with a passion
good luck!
:smile:
