We're gonna have to move out of our HOA

[LinuxJon]

Chit has gotten crazy fast.

Five year old community. There were basically no violations issued and no problems for anyone until this year. Super laid back.

This year, they suddenly are projected to have a major budget shortfall. I'm sure in completely unrelated news, they suddenly are obsessed with fining every single resident.

I checked the financial statements from last month and compared them to 2023.

The HOA collected a total of $21,000 in violation revenue during all of 2023.

In April of this year, they issued $30,000 in violations. That was a rare of almost one fine per home last month. They are on pace for almost $340,000 for the year.

I don't want to give up our 3% mortgage, but holy crap.

[MajorTendonitis]

This is interesting because somehow YouTube’s algorithms have been bringing up this subject a lot . Can’t believe the horror stories , and would never live in an HOA . Basically just a bunch of Karen’s being given authority.
One guy got in chit because a storm hit , so he didn’t put his BBQ cover on . Had intentions of putting back on the next day but was too late .
Funny thing is no one could actually see the BBQ cover was off , as they had to go through his back gate to inspect his back yards deck .
These HOA’s need to be abolished, just pissening

[LargePeter]

Chit has gotten crazy fast.

Five year old community. There were basically no violations issued and no problems for anyone until this year. Super laid back.

This year, they suddenly are projected to have a major budget shortfall. I'm sure in completely unrelated news, they suddenly are obsessed with fining every single resident.

I checked the financial statements from last month and compared them to 2023.

The HOA collected a total of $21,000 in violation revenue during all of 2023.

In April of this year, they issued $30,000 in violations. That was a rare of almost one fine per home last month. They are on pace for almost $340,000 for the year.

I don't want to give up our 3% mortgage, but holy crap.

How much have you and your travelling zoo been fined?

[LinuxJon]

This is interesting because somehow YouTube’s algorithms have been bringing up this subject a lot . Can’t believe the horror stories , and would never live in an HOA . Basically just a bunch of Karen’s being given authority.
One guy got in chit because a storm hit , so he didn’t put his BBQ cover on . Had intentions of putting back on the next day but was too late .
Funny thing is no one could actually see the BBQ cover was off , as they had to go through his back gate to inspect his back yards deck .
These HOA’s need to be abolished, just pissening

The "Karen" thing tends not to be as bad with newer developments. Most planned communities keep the HOA under the developer control for other 10 years or until the last home is sold. That means the HOA board is comprised of paid property managers who aren't just bored residents. And who can be simply fired if they create a headache for the developer trying to make people want to buy there.

The older HOA's with elected boards can be a nightmare. It always ends up being old, bored, angry people.

My sister's condo association elected a new president a few years back. He decided to demand a front door key from every unit for "impromptu interior inspections."

[ParsleyTea]

My HOA paid me to leave last year.

Sounds like if you can not leave the neighborhood, you should run for the HOA board, win election, and then set your own agenda.

[LinuxJon]

How much have you and your travelling zoo been fined?

$930 last month.

[JayJ350]

Sounds like whoever is running it is corrupt and trying to profit off their position.

[Redfish225]

Light them on fire.

[8pieces]

30k in violations for an entire neighborhood is pennies. just remember you are a reason why hoa even exists op

[r32gojirra]

And this is why you always retain the majority of units in the complex until you’re ready to sell your own unit

[Uhyeahokay]

Finally you get a chance to use your guns.

[PaulJerome]

Not everyone is aware that in Florida an HOA can file foreclosure and get a Certificate of Title owning the property which is still subject to the mortgage(s) originated by the previous owner. Then, immediately get a Writ of Possession to kick the foreclosed owner out and then collect rent until the mortgage finishes their foreclosure. There is a cottage industry of private investors who buy these at auction to rent particularly with De minimis PUDs.

You might have a community of $1mm homes and the HOA is only $300 a quarter. Miss one payment or do not timely correct a citation they gave you for a violation and they file foreclosure. Now what was a $300 fee has added to it Court costs $2,100, attorney fees $5,000 so to buy it out would now be $7,400. The HOA insists on every penny because when it goes through foreclosure then the property will be bid on at auction by private investors and the property will sell for more than the HOA is owed, so the HOA always gets their money back.

This is particularly a problem when the homeowner, or myself on a short sale, are trying to negotiate a settlement because they often insist on every penny. We call them condo commandos. If someone is in trouble with their HOA, I avoid shorting those like the plague.

HOA budgets are for the most part all underfunded in Florida because of rising insurance costs. Would almost never buy a property with an HOA.

[MrSchons]

Can they come inside the house and charge you for the filth?

[OliverHeldens]

Lol, you really didn't think there would be issues giving control of your property over to some group of Karens?

[OliverHeldens]

Not everyone is aware that in Florida an HOA can file foreclosure and get a Certificate of Title owning the property which is still subject to the mortgage(s) originated by the previous owner. Then, immediately get a Writ of Possession to kick the foreclosed owner out and then collect rent until the mortgage finishes their foreclosure. There is a cottage industry of private investors who buy these at auction to rent particularly with De minimis PUDs.

You might have a community of $1mm homes and the HOA is only $300 a quarter. Miss one payment or do not timely correct a citation they gave you for a violation and they file foreclosure. Now what was a $300 fee has added to it Court costs $2,100, attorney fees $5,000 so to buy it out would now be $7,400. The HOA insists on every penny because when it goes through foreclosure then the property will be bid on at auction by private investors and the property will sell for more than the HOA is owed, so the HOA always gets their money back.

This is particularly a problem when the homeowner, or myself on a short sale, are trying to negotiate a settlement because they often insist on every penny. We call them condo commandos. If someone is in trouble with their HOA, I avoid shorting those like the plague.

HOA budgets are for the most part all underfunded in Florida because of rising insurance costs. Would almost never buy a property with an HOA.

This is the tactic currently being used by developers to get some of the failing Condo buildings so they can get control and demolish them. Massive Special Assessments and when the tenant obviously can't pay a $25k bill, they move to foreclose.

[xxAchillesxx]

Pretty good timing as I'm currently reading Strong Towns by Charles Marohn. Spoiler alert... it ain't going to get better.

[LateShow]

How does an HOA have a budget shortfall? wtf are they spending money on that allows them to go into debt?

Would never buy in an HOA. It was our #1 priority in looking at houses. Not about to have someone try and tell me how to live or take my home away

[chalup]

Chit has gotten crazy fast.

Five year old community. There were basically no violations issued and no problems for anyone until this year. Super laid back.

This year, they suddenly are projected to have a major budget shortfall. I'm sure in completely unrelated news, they suddenly are obsessed with fining every single resident.

I checked the financial statements from last month and compared them to 2023.

The HOA collected a total of $21,000 in violation revenue during all of 2023.

In April of this year, they issued $30,000 in violations. That was a rare of almost one fine per home last month. They are on pace for almost $340,000 for the year.

I don't want to give up our 3% mortgage, but holy crap.

THIRTY THOUSAND in fines? Are they legitimate fines? Give us some examples. Holy fk tho, this is why I avoided any houses when buying back in 2016 WITH HOA's like the plague.

[gbullock32]

I made damn sure to not move into an HOA.

I'd be lawyering up on that sht, there is not way all those fines are legit.

[PaulJerome]

How does an HOA have a budget shortfall? wtf are they spending money on that allows them to go into debt?

Would never buy in an HOA. It was our #1 priority in looking at houses. Not about to have someone try and tell me how to live or take my home away

Very easy to have a shortfall. They have to put a new roof on. The insurance costs double. I had a sister who was special needs and a life estate was created for her so that her and her 24 hr caretaker would always have a place to live. The association has the worst reputation and are basically bullies. The HOA filed a civil suit in state court basically attempting to evict her caretaker.

I then filed a federal lawsuit under the Fair Housing Act. The attorney in the state case had no expertise with federal cases, so the HOA hired another attorney with expertise in these types of federal lawsuits and they wanted him to file a motion to dismiss. The federal attorney took one look at the complaint and told the HOA this is a losing case.

Got $17,000 in attorney fees on the settlement. Doesn't sound like a huge sum but this was basically a poverty HOA.

This also creates a huge problem because mortgage lenders want to see that budget before making a loan. As a result a lot of them won't qualify for financing. Condo values then plummet. I'd stay far away from HOA's until the prices drop sufficiently for you to buy the entire community.

[wasp9166]

Just lol at living somewhere karen is gonna bark and ,or,you get fined

I'd live in my car first

[PaulJerome]

Just lol at living somewhere karen is gonna bark and ,or,you get fined

I'd live in my car first

lulz, maybe get a van though.

[LateShow]

Very easy to have a shortfall. They have to put a new roof on. The insurance costs double. I had a sister who was special needs and a life estate was created for her so that her and her 24 hr caretaker would always have a place to live. The association has the worst reputation and are basically bullies. The HOA filed a civil suit in state court basically attempting to evict her caretaker.

I then filed a federal lawsuit under the Fair Housing Act. The attorney in the state case had no expertise with federal cases, so the HOA hired another attorney with expertise in these types of federal lawsuits and they wanted him to file a motion to dismiss. The federal attorney took one look at the complaint and told the HOA this is a losing case.

Got $17,000 in attorney fees on the settlement. Doesn't sound like a huge sum but this was basically a poverty HOA.

This also creates a huge problem because mortgage lenders want to see that budget before making a loan. As a result a lot of them won't qualify for financing. Condo values then plummet. I'd stay far away from HOA's until the prices drop sufficiently for you to buy the entire community.

If this happens, the HOA should dissolve the bastard leading it should be accountable for those costs.

I guess I’ll never have to worry about it; I won’t cuck to an HOA

[PaulJerome]

If this happens, the HOA should dissolve the bastard leading it should be accountable for those costs.

Funny story. During the pendency of the lawsuit, two friends of mine and I sat on the sidewalk in front of the community with lawn chairs holding signs that said 'Your Condo is Wasting Your Money' and we handed out copies of the federal lawsuit. The association called the police. The cop parked across the street and sat there for a few moments. I motioned to him to come over but he instead drove into the community and 10 minutes later he was exiting out of the same exit we were sitting.

I motioned for him to come over and he rolled his window down and said 'you're good' and drove away. The association I guess wasn't aware of the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

[Scarrdbutsmartr]

I cant stand HOAs but you signed on the dotted line after reviewing the rules.

If you follow the rules, no fines.

It sucks they are using the fines to drive revenue but the reality is that they cant enforce rules and levy fines that you didnt agree to...

Be careful the devil you choose to get into bed with....because you are in bed with them by your own choice.

[Zelensky]

The problem is everyone just assumes the HOA will take care of itself so they pay their monthly fee like good little goyim and do nothing else.

I used to live in a 340-unit condo community and the HOA meetings would have like 5 people there besides the HOA president and co-chairs. NO ONE wants to take an hour out of their day to deal with the HOA, but you could collectively take their power away very quickly if you wanted to.

[PaulJerome]

Smartest move I've ever seen with condos is to have the association pay the water bill. Don't pay the HOA and they shut the water off. Very, very few delinquencies.

[EnderG60]

I hate HOA's with a burning passion! I dont have an HOA but the neighborhood that backs up to my house does.

I have had to kick the HOA president off my property twice. Once when he had planners in my hard to figure out how to make a path to their pool through my property along my creek, Because of course I want a public path along my nice natural creek. Then I had to kick his ass out again when I found him dragging a deer he shot off my yard.

Im now putting a pool in and that shmuck got his HOA asshats to protest my pool during the permit process. Took me a month to deal with all that crap but it ended in with them wasting their time and me threatening to petition the city to no longer allow bow hunting in the area which pissed off his entire neighborhood.

I have added outdoor cameras to my project to make sure those fuks keep out. God I hate them, and god help you if you were dumb enough to buy a home with an HOA.

[kcadrenalin]

The "Karen" thing tends not to be as bad with newer developments. Most planned communities keep the HOA under the developer control for other 10 years or until the last home is sold. That means the HOA board is comprised of paid property managers who aren't just bored residents. And who can be simply fired if they create a headache for the developer trying to make people want to buy there.

This is how my HOA is and it actually works the way an HOA should. They are good at enforcing the rules that keep the riff-raff in line, but don't nitpick the small stuff.
The developer has several additions already platted but is building very slowly, (a few houses a year) so it's going to be a LONG time before the decision making ever gets turned over to the residents.

[300Lane1]

$930 last month.

Jeesus, that's more than the average miscer makes a month.

What were you fined for?