Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Home Owner's Associations and Management Companies
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
HOA Rules
Home Owners Association rules are created for the best interest of the community and vary from HOA to HOA. Failure to follow these rules can result in serious fines or legal action, so it is not to be taken lightly.
Before you plan to purchase a house in an HOA community, be sure to read through the rules and guidelines (CC&R) thoroughly. If you have an opportunity, have a chat with the neighbors regarding their experience living in the development abiding by these rules. Although some of the rules are pretty standard, different HOAs will have their own set of unique guidelines pertaining to their community and their specific common areas and "personality."
If you have never lived in an HOA community before, you might find that some of the policies are rather restricting, or even bizarre, (I remember reading through mine the first time and seeing that the HOA specifically restricted swine from residing in the homes... which made me think that at some point, someone HAD to have had a pig in the neighborhood that had caused a bit of a ruckus!)
The usual HOA guidelines include what kind of maintenance to the common will be done including the landscapes, swimming pools and play areas, and the courts or courses if they apply.
Garbage removal may be included in the HOA fees, or may not, but there will likely be a policy about keeping your trash cans out for a limited amount of time, and where they can be stored. (Garbage tends to be a big deal with neighbors). You may also be restricted to where you can park and for how long, and how late an loudly you can party outside the house.
Most of the common place regulations involve general discipline in the daily activities like throwing out garbage, mowing the lawn, keeping the premises clean, and maintaining low noise level so that one will not get the feel of living in a college apartment. This is for the general happiness and well-being of all, despite the occasional inconvenience to the individual.
Attendance at the regular HOA meetings, will give you a feel for not only why the rules are in place, but also for how to change rules too. HOAs will welcome participation from the residents and on the committees and if there is a policy you are not happy with, as a member of the community, you have the opportunity to try to get it changed!
If you have any questions about the HOAs in the Charlotte area, please give us a call at 888.600.5044.
Kuester Property Management
HOA Community Management
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Why Live in an HOA Community?
Well, here is the truth... it is not for everyone! Some people like the freedom of not having to abide by a set of rules governed by a neighborhood board -- and there is nothing wrong with that. But for others, an HOA offers security, value, organization, and support that they do want and need.
Ultimately, the purpose of a Homeowners Association is to protect the value of homes and neighborhoods within a development. This is done by maintaining common areas and holding the residents accountable for following the rules of the Association. The Association has the right to enforce maintenance and design standards like the color houses are painted and where vehicles can be parked. The point of these rules is to keep people from doing things like park cars on blocks in their front yards, or paint their front doors in polka-dots... or keep a pen of pigs in the side yard... or decide to put in a moat! Some people find this restricting, and others feel secure that a set of policies are always followed the same way by everyone!
Charlotte, NC
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Pros and Cons of an HOA
Below are five ways that an HOA is seen as a positive:
2) Some HOAs provide services such as driveway snow removal or lawn maintenance for each residence. Perfect for busy families or retirees -- and it ensures a uniform and well-kept look throughout the neighborhood.
3) An HOA will have a mechanism to mediates disputes and quickly resolve grievances between residents.
4) An HOA will help property values to stay high by regulating the things that help keep a neighborhood looking good, (keeping garage doors closed, no cars left in driveways over night or on the street, no signs in yards, holiday decorations only left up for a month, etc.)
5) An HOA may plan annual parties, family nights, pool parties, neighborhood clean-up days, etc.
Below are five ways that an HOA may be seen as a negative:
1) Some people don't like being restricted by neighborhood rules, such as how high your grass can get before it is mowed or how many pets you can have.
2) HOAs will often have regulations about renting out the property, and may need to approve the renters.
3) Neighborhood Association dues that help maintain the common area and which go to the special events add an additional expense to home ownership.
4) If you do not pay your dues on time, an HOA can put a lien on your home or force a foreclosure on your property.
5) Some HOAs are poorly managed and a lot of times the board has a lot of turn-over. This is in part because board members tend to be volunteers with a paying day jobs and busy families. (This is why many HOAs turn to a professional HOA management company to help set and guide the rules).
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Making Money in Commercial Real Estate
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Is Now A Good Time To Buy Residential Income Property?
With so many people falling victim to homes foreclosures, there has been--and will soon be more of an influx of people who need a place to rent, and still have a decent income. These people will need to be carefully screened, and their credit may be hurt, but they may make very good tenants still. Be sure to vet these people fairly, taking into account that they many have filed bankruptcy, (wiping out most of their unpaid debt), which would give them the ability to pay rent and start over rebuilding their credit. These people may be not your typical renters and a good tenant screening process will pay off here!
As you know - there are risks with any investment, and buying rental properties is no different. However, there are still good reasons to take that risk. With a well managed property purchased conservatively, rental income will help pay the monthly mortgage on the property, and temporary short-falls due to maintenance or occupancy, can be make up with good management. Property investment is not for the weak of heart, but it can, and has produced positive results time and time again.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Is Now a Good Time to Buy Commercial Property?
Many business owners will be remiss in a few years that they did not take advantage of one this moment in time -- one of the best to purchase commercial real estate since the Great Depression.