I am dumbfounded. I am representing a wonderful young couple who are searching for the perfect first home. Their needs are simple and reasonable. They want at least three bedrooms and a basement. They are hoping to get more than one bathroom and would love to have a two car garage.
We recently went to look at a HUD foreclosure. Typically, one might think nasty and trashy when a HUD foreclosure comes to mind. Well, this one was real beauty - truly. It needs little work. The house is in a new subdivision. It is perfect for my buyers. It has everything they are looking for. The homes are well kept, the neighborhood looks nice and clean, and one can understand the desire (and need?) to have a Home Owner's Association to keep it that way.
What is particularly aggravating to me is why my clients can not bid on this house. The husband is a very hard working, licensed electrician who happens to drive a work van with two ladders on top. He and his wife would make ideal neighbors. They are friendly and fun. They are clean cut and will take good care of their house. I would be proud to have them as my neighbors.
This particular HOA will not allow work vans to be parked in the driveway. And the work van is too large for the garage. This is going to keep my clients from bidding on this HUD foreclosure. The fact that my clients will be taking a HUD foreclosure off their street, the fact that they are great people and will make great neighbors - all of that is negated by his work truck.
The HOA association would be much better off to take my clients (and their truck) in as homeowners than to continue to have a HUD foreclosure on their street. However, the board has decided to stick with their rules and has rejected our request. I can only wonder if this HOA realizes that the stigma of a HUD foreclosure in their neighborhood is bringing everyone's property value down?
Unfortunately, my clients will have to look in neighborhoods that do not have an HOA because he is an electrician. Do you find that to be discriminatory??? Would it bother you to have a great neighbor who happens to drive a clean work truck??? I just don't get it...
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