I spent the latter half of my afternoon driving around and taking photos for some BPOs in an older SFH community.  It was a lovely spring day, and a great day to be out and about.

For all the conflict an Home Owners Association can bring to the surface with some home owners, I could not have appreciated mine more after my tour through a large HOA-free nieghborhood this afternoon.  I kid you not, every fifth or sixth house still had Christimas lights (icicles) hanging from the gutters.  I couldn't believe that these peole still had their decorations up in APRIL.  And that was not the only "eye sore" that made me cringe.

Being an HOA President, I know all too well that HOA controlled communities are not for everyone.  If you don't take well to being told what you can and can't do, you may not like living under the umbrella of an HOA.  There is always one resident that does not see that the HOA has any authority to tell them what vehicles they can park in front of their house, why they can't paint their front door any color they want, and so on.  These folks are always sad to see what power the HOA actually yields, taking those fines and placing a lien on the "violating" property. 

If you like the look of conformity, hidden trash cans, manicured lawns and no Christmas decorations after January 31st, then you would truly appreciate the rules and regulations of a Home Owners Association.   I know I do.

Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker- Licensed in Virginia, GRI, SFR, Northern Virginia Short Sale Specialist. Affiliated with Long & Foster, 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155.  To contact Chris Ann, call 703-402-0037 or email chrisann@LNF.com.  Or you can visit her website:  www.nvarealestate.net.

Header photos taken by Chris Ann Cleland.

The opinions expressed in this post are those of Chris Ann Cleland, not those of Long & Foster REALTORS®.

 
This post has been included in Virginia Real Estate News Prince William County, VA Real Estate News
Post is included in group: REALTOR LIFE

5 Comments on Christmas in April?: Seeing the Value in a Home Owners Association

APR
15
2008
339,635 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
OH the power of HOAs in this area of GA they have gotten so powerful.. everyone loves them till they try and move out of a community and get hit with a dozen move in move out fees..
9:17pm • #1
258,143 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
YES! I think a lot of people don't realize the value it ultimatley ADDS to your investment. Thanks for your post.
9:20pm • #2
1,516,501 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Eric:  I'll take the power over the hit-or-miss/disjointed looking communities any day.  :)

Mara:  I absolutely think that HOAs add value.  And I'm happy (most days) to be a board member of mine.
9:22pm • #3
310,127 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
I tried starting once a few years back in my neighborhood and one of my neighbors told me he didn't want to see us have one because it was one of the questions on his equity loan app. He said he would not have gotten as good a rate if there were a homeowners association?? I also notice that questions is always asked on BPO's. What are your thoughts?
9:40pm • #4
1,516,501 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Karen:  I'm sure the HELOC just wanted to know who might be able to attach liens to the property.  Shouldn't affect his rate at all.  HOAs are hard to put in place after the fact.  I remember my parents trying when I was a kid and the neighbors were just not going to have it.
9:43pm • #5


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Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker, Northern VA

Bristow, VA

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Long & Foster REALTORS®, Gainesville, VA

Address: 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA, 20155

Office Phone: (703) 402-0037

Cell Phone: (703) 402-0037

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