Homeowners Associations

I was on my HOA board for 4 years and unfortunately it takes a lot more money than you think to maintain your common grounds and pond, etc. HOA's are 100% volunteer so if you care about your neighborhood, and you want fun social events that people will go to, then I suggest you get involved. The problem is everyone is busy and no one wants to help, they just want to complain when they don't like how things are going. It was so frustrating that I finally had to step down from my HOA board.

I am sure you have at least one annual meeting if not meetings once a month or so. I would suggest going to one of them and hear what goes on. Or call the president or someone on the board and have a civil conversation. In my experience, most of the problems come from people not being informed of what is happening and why it is happening. You might feel better about things if you get some questions answered.

And maybe the board is a bunch of incompetant fools who are mismanaging your HOA's money, but if they are the only people willing to do it, then you either need to recruit some of your neighbors and get yourselves on the board, or just put up with it.

I hope that didn't come across too harsh, I just have personal experience! Good luck!

Most subdivisions hold annual meetings where the homeowners can attend and they discuss budget and what the monies are being spent on. Having been on both sides (homeowner, on a committee & husband on the board), I know the dilemna's. Our subdivision has lots of green space that needs to be mowed and maintained as well as a pool. Our subdivision hired a company to handle the fees, problems, repairs, etc. and it is nice because most of the time, the average working person doesn't have lots of extra time to devote to these things. And, only the board at that time voted and approved it. Also, when they do hold annual meetings, the attendance is very minimal and they've tried different nights, weekends, etc. I believe at that meeting, they do pass out info on where the monies have/are going to be spent. I've also been on the social committee trying to plan things and again, it's always a handful of people that come so after a few years, our subdivision at this time, no longer does any social activities. In our subdivision, everyone likes to offer their opinions and complaints but then don't want to do anything about it. It gets frustrating. But, if you think the money is being spent poorly, I would definitely request a copy of the expenses and see where the money is going.

If I were you I would demand copies of all money spent and tell them you will pay your share directly to some company providing a service you can see with your own eyes. It's unorthodox. But you aren't saying you won't pay. You are only saying you won't allow your money to be wasted on something you don't agree with. If they have mowing of common areas or pest/weed control to pay or a plumbing bill on some community water fountain in a little park...something you can call a neighborhood expense then at least you would know how it's being used.

Then again...Maybe you could volunteer to be on some sort of committee and do know more of what's going on.

Suzi

You will need to read the by-laws you received when you purchased the home. This will give you more of an idea of what they expect and how you should proceed. You will also need to get involved yourself if you really want changes. You need to attend the board meetings, and especially get ppl involved in the budget meetings, and as far as the management company is I'm surprised this wasn't how they were organized before especially since the developer still owns some of the land.

I will never again live with an HOA...they are good for keeping the neighborhood clean and organized however that is about it and a pain in the rear!
We paid $75 a month...

Our Association fees are $75 a year and thats to cut common ground areas, which there isnt much of any, it does have a very nice entrance though and they always plant really pretty flowers every year. We have pretty trees too! But the neighborhood we were going to move into before this one was $500 a year because they have a pool. So maybe they "think" the pond is a big deal....haha! But unfortunately you have to pay it or they can put a lien on your house, which Im sure you already know.

I was the vice president of our subdivision and the President and Treasurer made the same decision for us.?? Go figure now some of the money goes to a washed up attorney who I guess can't get real work. We only have a couple of folks who owe so not sure what it's all about. The treasurer said she was tired of doing it. With our luck the attorney will be a crook and in this economy steal our money. If the neighbors won't get involved then they can do what they want.

We have a HOA also and we hate it. We pay dues to basically pay for the lawn maintenance (which we are okay with) and for the quarterly newsletter that we never see. We don't even have a pool and have plenty of room for one, but the HOA won't fight for it. And our HOA won't let us have a storage area for our lawnmower and yard supplies even though our two car garage isn't big enough for all that stuff. If we ever move we will find a subdivision with out a HOA. No one goes to our events either. My husband was on the board for two years and said he'd never do it again. Good luck with yours but don't hold your breath. Good luck and God Bless.

Good Morning S., We don't have a HOA here but your letter gives me pause. Have you spoken to any of your neighbors about these changes? I would think any changes in leadership or finances needs to have a meeting held, explanations given for the change and voted on.
I wouldn't walk blindly into anything like handing my money over to someone you don't know. Also I would want a Definite agenda of what these monies will be used for. Updating or upgrading play area, trees planted, painting of commons buildings, decorating for holidays etc..

We did have a HOA in TX when we lived in Bayou Vista. Mainland side of Galveston. All of the houses were on a canal, they had Boat parades at Christmas, 4th of july, etc.. We voted on if the community funds would be used to decorate our streets leading in the community.
We had meetings to listen and hear plans for our area. We voted on leadership changes etc. So in my mind with them changing things in Mid Stream is not something I would feel comfortable with either.

See if you can get your neighbors together some evening and talk about it. Get their feed back, thoughts and idea's, maybe hand out fliers with the concerns you have and see if you get more responses. Then take it to the board of directors.

I wish you the best
K. Nana of 5

I wasn't pleased with our association so I did the only thing you can do. Go door to door and stir it up. Our bylaws allowed for anyone to call a meeting and you could vote even if no trustees were in attendence as long as you had more than 50% of the homeowners. There were a lot a changes including me being made one of the trustees.(one of the unfortunate side effects)

Since I quit the board it has gone from bad to worse. I may go stirring it up again since they want to raise the dues again. We don't even need the 100 a year we are paying now. As it is 3,000 a year goes into a savings account. The current trustees claim they need that savings for special projects. The last project was an entrance marker that is nothing more that a three ft retaining wall box with our name in the middle of it. That mess cost 10,000. I don't think they need more money.

My advice, take them on, you would be amazed how many of your neighbors are just as upset as you are. They will show up if they know you will take a stand.

I am a trustee for a homeowners' association. I can understand yyour frustration but the first thing you need to do is see if there is a deed of restrictions and if there is it should state what the duties of trustees are. I know in ours we the trustees have the power to do what it takes to maintain the subdivision. Our dues are 580 per year but we have to maintain close to 3 miles of roads. My next suggestion is to conntact one of the officers and talk to them. I know we aren't required to inform residents but we do as common courtesy.
I hope this has answered some of your questions.
V.

They are suppose to have monthly meetings to discuss things. If this is not occuring then you need to get hold of the chaorperson and demand a meeting for the neiborhood and i they are suppose to post it at the frotof the subdivision to notify all of the date and place. Ours is held in a church on the corner.
Dont let them fall to far in control get your neibors together on this.

Our HOA dues were bumped to $300 last year, from $200, to cover all these grand plans that never materialized. This year, "in light of the country's economic difficulties" they lowered it to *drumroll* $275. Ooh, a whopping $25 cut, gee, that'll help a lot. The board always talks about plans to expand the pool, put in a tennis court, a walking path around the pond, maybe build a clubhouse like the neighborhood right next to us, but I've lived here for 6 years, and nothing has been done. It feels like they've just been stealing our money. I've spoken up, several other residents have spoken up, but nothing ever changes. I'll be moving soon, or as soon as I can sell the house, and I will do my darndest not to live in a HOA-run 'hood again. It's been headache after headache, the rules pile on, and a lot of hot air is blown up our ****.
So, I have no advice for you, but just doing a little venting myself, heh. Sorry 'bout that. Good luck, tho, and I hope your situation eases a bit.

Each HOA is different. The bylaws state how many meetings per year are required and how the affairs are to be handled. Each set of bylaws is different. No one of this board can tell you what your HOA is supposed to be doing, other than following the guidelines set up by the bylaws.

With that said, you are responsilbe for knowing what is going on, attending the meetings and getting involved. You should know the officers and have their phone numbers. It is not up to them to hunt down every resident and introduce themselves. The job they do is not easy and it is even harder when no one helps but is ready to get upset when a deicision is made. Believe me the $200 a year you pay is small compared to some rates.

The ball is in your court!

Find out when the board meetings are held and attend them, get involved (or more involved) is the best thing.