More HOA goodness

[Ancalagon44]

Because I pay the HOA to handle these things?

You're the root of the problem then. In days gone by, neighbours would actually talk to each other to resolve issues. Now, they rely on HOA's, giving them enormous amounts of power, leading to situations like that mentioned in the OP.

 

[Linflas]

You're the root of the problem then. In days gone by, neighbours would actually talk to each other to resolve issues. Now, they rely on HOA's, giving them enormous amounts of power, leading to situations like that mentioned in the OP.

The problem is not really HOAs, it is the lack of choice to not be part of an HOA. I suspect that what has taken place here in Northern Virginia is pretty typical of most growing suburban communities. HOAs began creeping in here in the late 1970's when there were still plenty of non HOA communities being built. HOA communities became very popular here due to the somewhat transient nature of military/gov types passing through the DC metro area as it made it easier for them to get the maximum value when selling their houses at the end of an assignment. I am not aware of any developments that have been built in the past 30 years that do not come complete with an HOA established by the builder which means it is quite difficult for those desiring not to deal with them as there are a very limited number of options. In the end you are stuck with an HOA because it has become virtually impossible to find a community without one unless you can buy your own acre of land someplace and have a house built on it.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

You're the root of the problem then. In days gone by, neighbours would actually talk to each other to resolve issues. Now, they rely on HOA's, giving them enormous amounts of power, leading to situations like that mentioned in the OP.

As Linflas says, we really don't have a choice regarding being part of an HOA. If I am paying HOA dues, then you better believe I am making them earn the money and handle what I'm paying them to do. Now that I know they won't say anything, I will.

 

[sactoking]

one thing mentioned was that he thought the hoa owned the drive way.

He'd have even more recourse then. If the only want onto his property is through the HOA-owned driveway, he'd have an easement. If the HOA is denying him access to the easement they'd be liable for quite a bit of money (potentially any wages lost, inconvenience, etc)

 

[Gooberlx2]

The only people that think HOA's are good are the nosy people that are in everybody's business. Oh let me take a picture of your back yard. Let me measure the height of your grass.

:hmm: Yeah "good" wasn't the best term. How 'bout "not completely ran as a legalized extortion enterprise".

 

[MtnMan]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/atlanta/1298523-car-stuck-garage-hoa.html

wow, just wow. HOA's can be a good thing if done properly, problem is they almost never are. I thought the bitching about flags was bad but this is just nuts. These guys need to be sued into oblivion.

HOA's are just another layer of government, often run by pin heads. I will never subject my freedoms to these mental midgets as they get their cookies off making others jump through their hoops.

 

[ElFenix]

This sounds liek a lawyer for the HOA just trying to provide services in order to make money, and not doing what is best for the HOA. Pathetic. And why would a lawyer be invovled in anything done (as it seems)? The peopel running the HOA are morons.

the hoa is probably administered by a law firm.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

I understand that, but they could at least say to the guy "Hey, we'd appreciate it if you would pick that stuff up. We've had some complaints." No need to threaten or anything of that nature -- just a friendly request.

Last summer, people were getting pissed because neighbors weren't keeping their lawns up in the dry, hot summer and the HOA wouldn't do anything about it. People started mailing letters to their neighbors and impersonated the HOA. (no, I was not one who did that ). We found out because the HOA mentioned it in the monthly flyer.

You know you could mention it in passing to your neighbour... (about the christmas lights)

 

[PlasmaBomb]

Still can't see the original article.

Anyone care to post some more info?

Thanks

 

[PingSpike]

There's only two types of HOA: The horrible oppressive kind and the kind that has not yet become horribly oppressive.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

You know you could mention it in passing to your neighbour... (about the christmas lights)

I'm still amazed that anyone thinks it is OK to keep Christmas decorations out until spring. Yeah, emergencies happen but year after year? The fact anyone has to say something to this guy is incredible.

 

[Brainonska511]

I'm still amazed that anyone thinks it is OK to keep Christmas decorations out until spring. Yeah, emergencies happen but year after year? The fact anyone has to say something to this guy is incredible.

Sounds like the guy is just an a-hole. Even if you said something to him, you'd probably be blown off.

 

[Dulanic]

There are decent reasons for SOME HOA's. However, they tend to be given too much power. I am on the board of our HOA, however, we don't really do anything. It's a townhome so the HOA just gets the landscaping done, the trash picked up and the parking lot/driveway plowed. That's about it and it's all we ask for.

I would never partake in a HOA /w a home purchase. That is 100% the home owners land and I think HOA's for that are a joke.

 

[MegaVovaN]

BY my estimate, these cubes are no more than 0.5 meters on a side.

Median value of different cement types is 1.1 ton/cubic meter.

So these things each weigh ~550 kg or ~1200 lbs.

Should be easy enough to remove with a pulley system or a lever.

 

[Dulanic]

BY my estimate, these cubes are no more than 0.5 meters on a side.

Median value of different cement types is 1.1 ton/cubic meter.

So these things each weigh ~550 kg or ~1200 lbs.

Should be easy enough to remove with a pulley system or a lever.

Seriously? What was the point of that lol. Either way they are fucking heavy. Did you work for rockwell automation? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVZ8Ko-nss4&feature=related

 

[PlasmaBomb]

I'm still amazed that anyone thinks it is OK to keep Christmas decorations out until spring. Yeah, emergencies happen but year after year? The fact anyone has to say something to this guy is incredible.

Yes, people should realise that their Christmas decorations should come down promptly after Christmas... but you shouldn't feel the need to run the the HOA before talking to him. If you still had problems after that, then go to the HOA. Or am I just being crazy?

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Yes, people should realise that their Christmas decorations should come down promptly after Christmas... but you shouldn't feel the need to run the the HOA before talking to him. If you still had problems after that, then go to the HOA. Or am I just being crazy?

My philosophy is that I pay the HOA to do that sort of thing and that is their responsibility, so why shouldn't I ask them to say something? I have no authority, so me asking them to take them down probably won't do any good -- I guess we'll see next February and March when I have to ask him.

 

[waffleironhead]

I'm still amazed that anyone thinks it is OK to keep Christmas decorations out until spring. Yeah, emergencies happen but year after year? The fact anyone has to say something to this guy is incredible.

I dont see anything wrong with someone leaving lights up all year. What I do have a problem with is people telling me what I can and can not do on my own property.
I will never, ever live in a HOA.

 

[McWatt]

BY my estimate, these cubes are no more than 0.5 meters on a side.

Median value of different cement types is 1.1 ton/cubic meter.

So these things each weigh ~550 kg or ~1200 lbs.

Should be easy enough to remove with a pulley system or a lever.

You made an error in your arithmetic. When you estimated that the blocks were 0.5 meters per side, you thought that meant the volume was 0.5 cubic meters. In reality, it's 0.125 cubic meters, giving a weight of 137.5 kg or 302.5 pounds. Even if they're 2/3 of a meter per side, which looks to me like a good upper estimate, that's only 325 kg or 715 pounds. A lever should probably do the trick, though he'd want to put down some carpet to avoid damaging the driveway and (lol) getting in trouble with his HOA.

 

[Dulanic]

My philosophy is that I pay the HOA to do that sort of thing and that is their responsibility, so why shouldn't I ask them to say something? I have no authority, so me asking them to take them down probably won't do any good -- I guess we'll see next February and March when I have to ask him.

It's called being kind to your neighbors. If you were my neighbor and you just went running to the HOA over something I did, I would do everything I could to make your life hell. Why not just be decent and TALK? That is something our society has lost track of. Instead, you run to the HOA to try to get him fined and/or in trouble. You were one of "those" kids weren't you? Teachers pet.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I dont see anything wrong with someone leaving lights up all year. What I do have a problem with is people telling me what I can and can not do on my own property.
I will never, ever live in a HOA.

For one, these were not just lights. These were dozens of things littering the yard. For two, good luck if you get an asshole neighbor who won't mow his lawn or has 3 or 4 rusting cars littering his yard.

 

[Anubis]

I'm still amazed that anyone thinks it is OK to keep Christmas decorations out until spring. Yeah, emergencies happen but year after year? The fact anyone has to say something to this guy is incredible.

my neignbour leaves some of his up all year because they are stapled to his house (i helped him put them up) hes the town judge, and i dont care, his house looks nice anyway

 

[bignateyk]

It's called being kind to your neighbors. If you were my neighbor and you just went running to the HOA over something I did, I would do everything I could to make your life hell. Why not just be decent and TALK? That is something our society has lost track of. Instead, you run to the HOA to try to get him fined and/or in trouble. You were one of "those" kids weren't you? Teachers pet.

Yeah. Someone called the cops about my dogs barking one time. I literally had no idea this was going on because they never bark when we're at home, so I didn't know they were barking when we left.

Had they come and talked to me I would have gladly done something about it, but they just up and called the cops. I didn't do anything about it. It's just a $15 fine if we get called for barking dogs. I'll gladly take the $15 fine to piss my neighbors off for not having the courtesy to come talk to me first.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Why not just be decent and TALK? That is something our society has lost track of. Instead, you run to the HOA to try to get him fined and/or in trouble.

Why not just be decent and use common sense and keep your freaking property up?

I pay a fee to the HOA to handle these kinds of matters. I don't give a crap if you understand or like it -- that is what they are there for. If someone is so dense and lazy that they can't figure out that it is a bad idea to celebrate St. Patty's Day with Santa, the reindeer, and Frosty in their front yard, they aren't going to listen to their neighbor. If the hundreds of stares and pointing and laughing at their house isn't a big enough clue, well, I don't know what is short of having someone in authority talk to them.

I can just imagine the conversation:

ICF: "Excuse me neighbor, can we talk for a second?"
Guy: "Sure, what's up?"
ICF: "I noticed you still have your Christmas decorations out and last week was St. Patty's Day. Is there something I can do to help you pick them up?"
Guy: "Mind your own business!"
ICF: ...

This is also the same Einstein who bought 20+ bags of mulch and stacked them next to his house -- last summer. They actually just started spreading the mulch last week -- after whacking through a bunch of weeds to get to the bags.

 

[sactoking]

I leave my lights up all year.

A) They were up when I bought the house in a September.
B) I have really bad vertigo and can't do ladders above the 3rd step or so.

I use the tiny LED lights, so you really can't even see them from the street in the summer.