Question for construction expert in CO
- Thread starter Jar*Head
- Start date
. Why are they so powerful anyway? Are they belong to the Fed, State, County or City?usually city, but they can also override City and county codes, and make their own rules. They are very dicey, my HOA when I moved in, was being fought because of several different reasons. In a very rare case our HOA was deemed illigamate and made voluntary, but that was one of the only cases in Colorado History that turned out that was. The judges are very HOA frendly here and usually side with the HOA's no matter what the fight is. Check and then double check the bilaws and read everything, including rate increases, what they do and don't cover, HOA surcharges IE new roof because of hail, new paint, new stucco, etc. most times they are excluded and hit each homeowner with a huge surcharge to get stuff done. Another example that I have is of a friend that was hit with 5500 worth of new roofing because the old one had been on for 10yrs. She had lived in her place 6 months, and had to pay it, and then to make matters worse it leaked and destroyed her new hardwood floor, and the HOA refused to do anything for it because it was damage to the inside of the house. Her Insurance had to cover it and then her rates went up, because of the claim, and none of it was her fault that battle was also lost in court, they sided with the HOA. Can you tell that I hate the HOA's? also check the tom martino www site for tons of info on HOA's People fight them everyday and lose here in this state....as close to modern day Nazi's as it gets!
Zooid
New member
I was in a HOA ONCE. Every place that I bought since, I make sure there is no HOA. Too much power in the hands of a few power mad people. The city of Arvada has city ordinances that keep the Clampitts from parking jelopies on yards etc. That's as close to an HOA as I want to get.
reefkoi
Premium Member
Another thing is lets say the complex has a failing water, sewer system and it needs a couple hundred thousand dollars to fix it. Guess who pays that! You do, they jack up the rates.
I really am a fan of owning your own place. I mean if you are paying $1,500 a month for something you should have the right to do things without having to ask Hitler if it's ok.
I own a house and I made sure to read the covenants and make sure there are no dues or anything wrote into them.
It's a buyers market out here Steve so don't jump into anything too fast, theres tons of good places out there, you just need a good realtor and shop online yourself a lot.
C
I really am a fan of owning your own place. I mean if you are paying $1,500 a month for something you should have the right to do things without having to ask Hitler if it's ok.
I own a house and I made sure to read the covenants and make sure there are no dues or anything wrote into them.
It's a buyers market out here Steve so don't jump into anything too fast, theres tons of good places out there, you just need a good realtor and shop online yourself a lot.
C
stugray
Premium Member
Sorry to add a horror story about a HOA, but my brother lives in a condo in Aurora.
His roof/outsidewall leaked during a heavy rainstorm. It destroyed the drywall in his bedroom, all of the parkay wood flooring in the entire house, and the kitchen counter.
He contacted the HOA ( they are responsible for the insurance if the exterior of the house is at fault ) and they looked into it, and said that they were not responsible, the recent siding installer was ( which the HOA couldnt even say WHAT contractor - they werent the management company at the time of the siding install). So the HOA said that the damage to the interior will have to be paid for by the Homowners insurance company.
He had the Homeowners ins. company come and look, and they say they are not responsible since it was water damage from the outside.
After my brother complained to the HOA, they just said "Oh well, we are bankrupt so we cant pay for anything... Sorry!". So my brother has to repair the house himself and THEN take the HOA to court ( whose management company has probably changed three times in 5 years ), so he's probably just screwed.
Stu
His roof/outsidewall leaked during a heavy rainstorm. It destroyed the drywall in his bedroom, all of the parkay wood flooring in the entire house, and the kitchen counter.
He contacted the HOA ( they are responsible for the insurance if the exterior of the house is at fault ) and they looked into it, and said that they were not responsible, the recent siding installer was ( which the HOA couldnt even say WHAT contractor - they werent the management company at the time of the siding install). So the HOA said that the damage to the interior will have to be paid for by the Homowners insurance company.
He had the Homeowners ins. company come and look, and they say they are not responsible since it was water damage from the outside.
After my brother complained to the HOA, they just said "Oh well, we are bankrupt so we cant pay for anything... Sorry!". So my brother has to repair the house himself and THEN take the HOA to court ( whose management company has probably changed three times in 5 years ), so he's probably just screwed.
Stu
I know there are houses in my area, Hampten and Chambers area, central aurora, for 170's. Take your 15 and add a HOA payment and youd actually save money on the monthly payment, not to mention if you are a good fix it guy, Colorado almost leads the way in Forclosures, I know you can get a great deal on a house that needs a little TLC
The Grim Reefer
Ready for some NOBALL!!!
This is a good site to search with JH
http://gerry.milehighrealestate.com/
You can search a list of homes that are Fixer uppers or a list of Bank Owned houses. If you find something you like just give the MLS number to your agent and they can get you details.
http://gerry.milehighrealestate.com/
You can search a list of homes that are Fixer uppers or a list of Bank Owned houses. If you find something you like just give the MLS number to your agent and they can get you details.
FishnWishn
Premium Member
Cherry Creek area could mean either the townhouse is in the Cherry Creek Reservoir area or the Cherry Creek School District. Both are good places to be. The latter being the best for your kid to grow up in. Both are located in South/SE Aurora.
Give your agent some parameters on a wish list and let him look for the house. It is hard for you to know what area you are looking at with most websites since you are not from Colorado. Besides, that is what he is being paid to do.
I just did a quick search on homes in South Aurora with min. 3 bedroom 2 bath, from $150K-$160K and came up with 88 homes. for instance you can get a 4 bed,3 bath, corner lot that backs to open space, 2100 S.Ft. tri-level home for $155k. It even gets better, NO HOA, in the Cherry Creek school District. Another home I saw listed was $200K when it went on the market in Aug. and has been dropped every mth to $155K in Dec. It is a 2400 S.Ft. home 5 bed 3 baths/680 s. ft. basement. So put that agent to work. Have a few homes ready to show you when you do come out in march.
Give your agent some parameters on a wish list and let him look for the house. It is hard for you to know what area you are looking at with most websites since you are not from Colorado. Besides, that is what he is being paid to do.
I just did a quick search on homes in South Aurora with min. 3 bedroom 2 bath, from $150K-$160K and came up with 88 homes. for instance you can get a 4 bed,3 bath, corner lot that backs to open space, 2100 S.Ft. tri-level home for $155k. It even gets better, NO HOA, in the Cherry Creek school District. Another home I saw listed was $200K when it went on the market in Aug. and has been dropped every mth to $155K in Dec. It is a 2400 S.Ft. home 5 bed 3 baths/680 s. ft. basement. So put that agent to work. Have a few homes ready to show you when you do come out in march.
I would look into a stand alone house. There are many that are dirt cheap compared to a couple years ago. It would be worth going over w/ Theresa, the agent I sent you to.
As for HOA's, I was on the board of the HOA at my old townhome, they MAY allow you to install a retractable awning, but they would not allow a shed or addition to the structure of their building. The idea behind an HOA in a townhome community is to keep the buildings uniform, if you build an addition, it makes the building your unit is in different from all the rest and the board won't have it.
As for if the place needs major repairs or improvements, a certain portion of your monthly dues goes into what is called a "reserve fund" which is what covers most of those issues. If your HOA is broke, they can take out loans, do a 1 time assessment, which means every owner in the community pays an equal amount 1 time. Once a year, the HOA has an annual "general meeting" which you NEED TO ATTEND! This is where you vote on board members as well as vote on budgets and whether or not to raise dues.
An HOA is ok if you know what you are getting into, make sure you read the by-laws well and ask lots of questions. If I was planning on setting up a tank of the size you are looking at, I would look at a single family home. You won't be able to do what you want in a townhome.
Bill
As for HOA's, I was on the board of the HOA at my old townhome, they MAY allow you to install a retractable awning, but they would not allow a shed or addition to the structure of their building. The idea behind an HOA in a townhome community is to keep the buildings uniform, if you build an addition, it makes the building your unit is in different from all the rest and the board won't have it.
As for if the place needs major repairs or improvements, a certain portion of your monthly dues goes into what is called a "reserve fund" which is what covers most of those issues. If your HOA is broke, they can take out loans, do a 1 time assessment, which means every owner in the community pays an equal amount 1 time. Once a year, the HOA has an annual "general meeting" which you NEED TO ATTEND! This is where you vote on board members as well as vote on budgets and whether or not to raise dues.
An HOA is ok if you know what you are getting into, make sure you read the by-laws well and ask lots of questions. If I was planning on setting up a tank of the size you are looking at, I would look at a single family home. You won't be able to do what you want in a townhome.
Bill
Bill, thank you. I have been working with Theresa on that matter. She has been very helpful and knowledgeable. Thank you for the tips. I already kiss the thought of building addition sun room good buy yesterday. I am new in town. I want to stay away from all that trouble. I will find room in my own home to fit the tank. Consider the building cost.... My wife will kill me before i even finish the project
Another thought is to build a new house. There are some in the Green Valley Ranch area that are very nice that start in the mid $100's. They are built on a stressed slab and you could put your tank anywhere. We were in the process of building one when I got a job out of state, so we backed out. The website is listed below.
http://oakwoodfindahome.com/webconfigurator/SelectCommunityModel.aspx?ddbdwgrid=567#571
They are nice homes in a brand new area.
Bill
http://oakwoodfindahome.com/webconfigurator/SelectCommunityModel.aspx?ddbdwgrid=567#571
They are nice homes in a brand new area.
Bill
