Inspections and consultant

Hi everybody. I'm new here and a new member to our HOA in Texas. I wanted to ask a question and get some feedback from it. We had a HO in our neighborhood inquire about a service he offers to home owners inspecting the condition and safety of your home. Now at first I was a little turned off about it but as he continued it made some sense. Let me explain. He said how about the new home buyer that wants to care for there home properly but am not sure how to or if they are properly now. What about the single mom of two children that's not sure about the safety of there home.Or the HO who's 1 year warranty is about to expire.What about the retired couple that has lived in there home for many years. The new safety codes and changes since then. He mentioned how many lives it could save if all homes in this country had to have there home inspected every three years, kinda like most cars and trucks have to be inspected yearly.When I think about some of the safety codes and changes that have taken place I think that maybe it could and would save lives. What if this was mandatory by your HOA, or even your insurance company.Let me have some feedback on this please. I'm thinking about introducing this man/company to our board.

Frank,

Making this a mandatory requirement would involve amending the CCRs. Why would you want to consider undertaking such an action? But, more importantly, what right does the HOA have to require all property owners to have their homes inspected? I don't even know of an insurance co that requires such a thing! IMO, the board and the assn should be left out of this. If this guy wants to solicit business through out the neighborhood that's one thing, but for the board to get involved in promoting his business is, IMO, totally out of the realm of their resp. to the assn. I see nothing wrong in introducing him to your fellow board members, your neighbors and all your friends, but I don't believe it should be done at a board meeting.

I'm not saying to make it mandatory through your HOA. We are not God.I was thinking though how many lives it could save or would save if it was done like your car and truck inspections are done.I was also thinking this could be a service that a HOA could/would support, surely not mandatory. This would not be shared with nobody but the inspection company and the HO.For there own piece of mind.

He seems to have a very reputable business.I know there is Real Estate Inspectors but he does this for any home owner. I'm just wondering if this would be of any interest to home owners.

Man, The people in this discussion sure are quick to jump you S*&T. I merely asked if that seems to be a good idea to have a home inspected every few years or so for your own peace of mind.I never said to have a HOA pay for it. I wasn't looking for a Fight, just some feedback. Thanks anyway.

If any of you read my first post and replied to that then I would say this was a good site for people to come to. But not one of you gave me any feedback on my question. I still think it was a good question and will inquire elsewhere. To many lawyers here. Next time folks just answer the simple question people ask. You'll have alot more people stay.

Thanks for the reply to the question Glen.

I think it would be a good service to OFFER - but the HOA should not get involved in it in any way, not even to make a recommendation.

Sounds like someone wants to start up a business and is seeking feedback on whether it would be a good idea.

Many of my friends (widows) have signed up for the Consumers Power service on their waterheaters, etc. Some have even gotten free repairs.

Frank:

As others have said I think your HOA needs to stay completely away from this. Would this be a good service to offer, sure it would. I seriously doubt very many people would take on this, depending on the price. Honestly building codes and processes don't change that dramatically in 2-3 years. To me it just sounds like he is doing a good job of trying to sell his product, people react when safety and saving lives is brought up.

Is it a good idea, inspections on anything are good...however, I really don't see a market for it. Personally I wouldn't invest in it.

Total agreeance, Mary.

(Yes I know that is not really a word.)

But I think he's a little sensitive to the negative, albeit constructive, criticism, because I have a strong suspicion that the "homeowner" who "talked him into" this neat idea is actually himself. And his intent was probably to run it by a bunch of HOA "leaders" to see how well the boat floats.

Or flag flaps.

Or whatever.

MaryA,
I am sure this has crossed the mind of more than one after reading the first post.

But, with reflection I think we didn't consider how this kind of thing goes on, albeit hidden in the small print, or practiced because no one pays attention. I am convinced that somewhere down the line the practice of renting units in a condo is going to be challenged as operating a private business and as such will have to conform to business laws. This could mean a bunch of changes for condos, good and bad. The government agencies will get a cut and the association will get a cut or not allow the practice. As a condo you are a non/not for profit or whatever business and as such are excempt from certain taxes. The association is listed by the states as a business and in effect, commerce is conducted on that property. The Feds and the states have tax laws on income derived from a business. It may not be the associations business but most documents state no personal business will be conducted on the regime property. In SC the AG has a position that HOA's or any private association are expected to govern themselve more like a town that anything else. Legal questions are adjudicated by the SC courts, but Regimes have an organization that requires a governing body (Board) or city fthers or council or whatever you call it. We tax our members, disperse the money just like a city does, and if you operate a business in a county or city, you pay taxes for that priveledge.

Food for though, some of this can be rebutted for all kinds of reason, but buttom line, there is a service being provided, a fee charged, and in effect or even more, our documents tell us when you rent or allow anyone to stay in your unit for any period, this is in effect a rental under our covenants and the owner gives up all his rights to the common property over to his renter. Ours further state the owner does not give up the right to vote, but he cannot use the common property when his renter is occupying (paying) the property.

Convoluted..........certainly. But keep in mind there are more people living in private communities than not. More taxes are made, more votes are cast, more volunteers, more members of the armed forces, etc, etc, etc.

Food for thought.

FrankB3,

I'm certain that anyone who wants an inspection of their own home is capable of handling that on their own. the HOA should have absolutely nothing to do with this.

I think that most often when I hear the phrase "a single mom with kids," it is intended to invoke one or more of the following images:
- a person who is overloaded with things to do
- a person who is often financially strapped to make ends meet
- a person who often finds childcare more of an issue

Based on that, I would wonder why anyone would want to cause a person who is assumed to be financially strapped to spend money on an inspection. Or why they would want a person with a hectic life to have to schedule an outside inspector to come through their house.

But there are so many problems with the phrase since dads can be single with kids and face the very same challenges. And couples that have both working often also find themselves on similar ground.

While I doubt the original poster is still following, I don't see why my HOA should become involved inside my house. Now if they wanted to tell me about a FREE safety inspection... (assuming it isn't a ruse to sell stuff)

Basically this is a scam...they are trying to target what they view as easy targets and throw gloom and doom at them. Your warranty is about to expire, or this is your dream home, or since there is not man in the house we don't think you know what you are doing, or you are first time home buyers watch out!

All crap, if someone is that concerned about their home there are plenty of quality inspectors in every area that can do this for us. Most of us are savvy enough to notice when something is out of whack.

Well put KirkW, and I agree 100%.
You may note I was the first to answer this thread and although I ran around the bush a little, my conclusion was the HOA should stay of of it.
Clearly not a Board function or a Regime concern. Lord knows some boards do indeed seem convinced that their job is to mother the flock. Better to try and drive a bunch of cats from one place to another. I have the exception to this cat rule, my Lady Ashley will do anything I tell her.....if she wants to.

Ellen,

IMO, the phrase "single mom" was used in the context of a woman alone w/o a man in the house. It's human nature to put people into categories. Men are generally thought of as being the ones who do the household repairs and are up on knowing when something is amiss and needs attention. Women cook, clean and take care of the children. Therefore, a single mom might not know that the roof might need repaired -- that's "men's work"!

Hey, my little Teddy Bear,

Why so defensive? I didn't say that's the way it is I said it's human nature to put people into categories. What I stated is how many people feel -- even in this day and age! I didn't say I think that way. I know a lot of men who wouldn't know what end of a hammer to use and I know women who should never have been mothers. It takes all kinds to make the world go round. I was just trying to put some logic into the "single mom" moniker used in this thread. Perhaps you should read my response again, this time more objectively!

Mary,

This may be your thinking but you are off base. Tho as I said I hate generalizations and you do say "generally". I have been a widow for 30 years without a man in my life and have been a homeowner all that time but I have never needed a man to tell me when something was amiss and needed attention. It's really pretty basic..if a faucet leaks, fix it; if a roof leaks, get it repaired or replaced after getting at least 3 bids,etc. Do general maintenance like changing ac filters, keep dryer vents clear and I could go on. Amazing I've been doing this for a long time all by myself without the help of a man or an inspection every three years.

MaryA,
Damn MaryA, as long as I can come out of one of these threads being some one's Teddy Bear, I don't care what the subject is, or if it gets solved. Being someone's brand new Teddy Bear ranks up there way beynd being Billy Ray Cyrus's AckyBreaky Heart. Just came back from the Gym and I think those endorphins are kicking from watching too many hard bodies lifting weights. A hetrosexual view, of course.

I agree with Mary. I'm quite independent but "it's so nice to have a man around the house" (sometimes). There are many who don't care for independent women but Robert sounds like a new breed. Acts of kindness regardless of the sex who performs them never offends me either.

Guess we got a bit off track but I hope Frank realizes that 3 year inspections for the "helpless" are not necessary.

Thx, Ellen. I was starting to think perhaps you didn't understand what I was really saying. BTW, my husband just retired so I'm not sure about the "it's so nice to have a man around the house"! LOL

Perhaps the key to being a "successful" independant woman is to not let your man know it!

To all,
Let's think for a short moment. I responded to the "single Mom connotation because I wanted to point out the obvious, there are hosts and numbers of single moms meeting the challenges presented and are to be admired. At the same time comment on this fairly recent society eversion that created a brand new kind of a member of society. Sure they have been in society since we decided to live in caves, but bottom line:, "It's a tough road out there "Charlie". as we know, and these kids are standing up to the plate and swinging with the best of us.
You all got my blessing and my best.

Robert,

I'm sure all of us single women, young and old, thank you.