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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

HOA Drama

Decided to attend an HOA meeting tonight... I went because we got a flyer that there would be a lawyer there to talk about all the empty homes in our development. We currently have 40 foreclosures in our community of 225 homes, and we're all wondering who's responsible for things such as landscaping or emergencies. I knew better than to go, but was hoping to get some information.

It was pretty much a bitch-fest - people are angry about some of the strangest things, and to the one lady who talked about all the fines she paid in violations last year - you've got some problems, lady. I really thought she was going to get up and strike one of the board members. Most of the complaints should have been issues discussed between the HOA and the homeowner only - it was not forum material and it was a definite waste of time. The HOA president is not assertive enough and his presence was definitely not respected - it was kinda sad to watch. I have some real bullies for neighbors I found out, too. If nothing else the people watching was priceless.

I have a love/hate relationship with the concept of HOAs. Yeah, I'm glad my neighbor can't paint his house purple and the guy across the street can't park 10 non-moving vehicles in the front of his house... but so many rules - sheesh, I think they might ask for blood tests next. The meeting actually took 30 minutes just to address effing parking issues. Sigh. I was there for an hour and a half, and couldn't take it anymore - they hadn't gotten past the second item on the agenda. I have way better things to do.

Well, I re-learned a valuable lesson: Stay AWAY from the HOA meetings. Unless they completely overhaul how this whole process works (I won't hold my breath).

8 comments:

Randy said...

Just think...that's 90 minutes of your life you'll never get back.

Other than that drama, I hope your night was awesome!

Nik said...

Kinda puts your neighbors in a new light, huh? Sounds pretty brutal, glad you made it out alive. So, if you ever mention heading to an HOA meeting again, we get to smack you in the forehead, right?

Anonymous said...

I have the same thing with HOA's... While I appreciate that it keeps the community look somewhat orderly, I'm not even allowed to plant a new shrub in my yard without getting it approved and if I have visitors I have to get all kinds of permits so they can park overnight.

I'm working on my 'L' list... it's kind of tough! :-)

jiggins said...

I don't have a lot of experience with things like that.. but it makes me cringe thinking of all of the negative energy in that setting.

That many people in one place focused on the same negative things.. not that I go to Church, but that HOA meeting is the complete opposite! At least in the Church, people are quiet and focused rather than yelling.. at least he ones I have been to.. (no speaking in tongues and arguing like at your meeting! haha)

I have to stick to my version of domesticity for now, but it is always great hearing about other stories! See you on the next post!

JoeinVegas said...

We lived in a new home in a development with an HOA once. After that experience I would never do it again. In our older neighborhood in SD we did have one guy paint his house pepto bismol pink, here in Vegas we have big lots but none of the neighbors do anything too strange. Eight cars next door is OK, as long as I can do what I want and don't have to put up with idiots telling me I put my trash barrel out a half hour too early.

afterdark said...

This sounds like a potentially good reality show pitch. ^_^

Gini said...

There is no love-hate relationship between us and our HOA. It is all hate-hate. I am actually getting ready to file a complaint against them. I had less to worry about when I paid $110 year as opposed to $110 a month, like I do now. It just ups the ante for these power tripping board members. (ok, I feel better now) grrrrr...

Cupcake Blonde said...

I can't stand HOA's. I think they are power hungry bastards who want to run people's lives with their impossible rules. And then the rules that matter, like noise, parking etc. are the ones not enforced. But goodness gracious if I want to put up an umbrella in my back yard.