47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

In general, I believe in the benefits of HOAs. I wonder if the design review committee approved that fence?

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

Are you going to drop a dime on him?

Paladin48 Loc: Orlando

BRILLIANT!!!

Paladin48 Loc: Orlando

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

When we bought our current home, we signed an agreement to follow the rules of the HOA. Not all of them are ones I would have enacted, but the same is true of our city council, state legislature, and (especially) Congress. Still, I gave my word, and so did my neighbors. I have lived in places where people have junker cars on their driveways or in their yards, where lawns are seldom mowed, and trash cans sit on the curb all week long. No thanks. My neighbors and I are counting on each other and respect each other.

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

While I must admit that I do not do things to get along nor do I do things because the majority of people think it is cool. But I do believe that one has to look at the reality of the situation.
I am not a big believer in HOA's because I believe there are people that jump on just to push their ill conceived ideas on others. It is their likes and they close the doors to understanding. We have a HOA in my area that says no outside clotheslines. I guess someone thought they were unsightly so hence the HOA. But they disregard the fact that clotheslines allow the sun to bleach the whites to make them more white and the environment also softens the clothes. So there is no need for bleach or those fabric softeners. I had a daughter that lived in an area that had HOA that prevent people from planting fruit trees and a vegetable garden anywhere in the yard. You might as well put in cement. And some people are happy with that but they disregard the benefits. Like keeping one independent, self-sufficient, reducing food costs, increasing health, better flavor, and more. Even helping to fight cancers.
Nor am I totally against HOA because are others who will abuse the places they live in. Some people think it is OK to live in a cesspool but I am not one of those.
We had a neighbor who loved dogs and I am not against dogs but even though they we allowed 2 dogs (HOAs) that was not enough so she decided for 4 more. Then she decided to open a kennel and forged all of the neighbors signature on the form so she could get her kennel.
1.) the person the bought the house should have known the HOAs when they bought the house and when they signed the contract admitted they were willing to comply.
2.) If they do not like the HOAs get on the board and get them changed. But don't belittle yourself and your neighborhood just because you do not agree. There are other ways.
I believe the person and many others who agree think that they were forced to comply but in reality that is not the case. I am not for forcing others either but to become defiant when you had agreed seems illogical to me.
Many HOAs are good and help to keep up the neighborhood. But some are not but they can all be changed. But I feel that is not the way.
Now you have a fantastic day. I am really not a bad guy. But we must keep our dignity, our values, our morals, and ethics.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

My theory on HOAs is that after WWII some of the Gestapo snuck out of Germany and into the U.S. They reformed and foisted the HOA concept. It took a while to catch on, but once it did, there was no stopping it.

Though I've never lived in an HOA governed neighborhood, currently the burg in which I do live, has ordinances enacted by those who can't stand not having authority over others. Thanks for posting this, as it has given me an idea.
--Bob

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

dpfoto Loc: Cape Coral, FL

There was a veteran on Florida East coast a few years ago who put up a flag pole in his front yard to fly the American flag. HOA made him remove it. He researched the HOA rules, and found there was no rule regarding house paint color. He then had his entire house painted like the American flag. The HOA quickly passed a rule against it, but the court sided with him, saying he is grandfathered in, and the HOA cannot make him repaint the house. Sometimes the good guy wins.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

That's fantastic.
--Bob

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

How's are intended to maintain your home's value. Just think of a neighborhood with a house painted deep pink, trash cans left on the street for days, cats parked on lawns and weeds in the flower beds. Usually, the HOA serves a very necessary service.

GeorgeH Loc: Jonesboro, GA

There was a case in Gwinnett County in the Atlanta GA a few years ago which exemplifies what can happen when HOAs run amok. While I don't recall all the details, it went something like this: A homeowner put a pink plastic flamingo in his front yard, for what reason who knows. After a week or so the HOA told him to take it down. He said no. They slapped a fine on him. They kept fining him, IIRC eventually totaling perhaps $15,000 and filed a lien on the house. Eventually the homeowner sold and moved away. I don't know how the purchaser handled the lien. I suppose the HOA felt that to ignore the bird would be starting down a slippery slope.... When my sister and her husband had some serious remodeling done their contractor put a pink flamingo in their front hard, said it was for good luck. He did a lovely job, so perhaps a pink bird is what is needed....

GeorgeH Loc: Jonesboro, GA

Some forty years ago my then-brother in law and his family lived in a "planned community" - Brandermill - in the Richmond VA area. IIRC the "rules" forbade storm windows on front exposure windows (the primary windows were single pane), all houses had to be the same color, have identical mailboxes, etc. One's boat had to be kept in a fenced compound, rented out by the "community." No car washing in your driveway. Probably there were "standards" for foundation plantings and flower gardens. No auto repair of ANY sort in your driveway. And on and on. Google Malvina Reynolds' song "Little Boxes."

wkillham

I guess he showed them! The HOA was right. It’s call setting a precedent. If they let that slide, then something else and next thing you know, they’ve lost their ability to enforce anything. If you don’t like a rule, lobby to have it changed but like it or not, those HOA covenants are tied to the deed of your home.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

perfect!