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FrankB3
(Texas)

Posts:6

06/14/2008 3:08 PM
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.

RobertR1
(South Carolina)

Posts:2008

06/14/2008 3:43 PM
FrankB3, Welcome aboard Frank. First I say your interest in your assoociation is commendable. I also assume you would like to hang around a while and maybe contribute to your community. That is hard as it requires knowing how and why things came to be and what they are now, So unless you are plain lucky your contribution is going to come from knowledge and understanding. On the critical side of your proposal it has to be said that the Association management is not tasked to be all things to all people. You are in effect a small city and woe be gone to the city fathers that starts telling people in the town their house is unsafe or more to the point; hearing the city fathers tell them they have anything to do with what goes on beyond or inside the property line. The association is responsible for the whole of the community, if that part of the whole is common property. You have police to keep order, firemen to protect our homes and enforce laws, but no big brothers have been crowned yet. If this man wants to go around distributing sales flyers or whatever, as log as it is allowed, God Bless him. He wants to buy TV ads or Radio spots to sell his product, good luck, but don't expect owners to stand still for some group getting together and starts directing their lives. You need to get all the Documents about your association, read the state statutes, read ten years of minutes and slowly it will become clear, that maybe, just maybe, this whole thing of community living makes some sense.

MaryA1
(Arizona)

Posts:1892

06/14/2008 4:00 PM
Posted By FrankB3 on 06/14/2008 3:08 PM 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.

MaryA1
(Arizona)

Posts:1892

06/14/2008 4:00 PM
Posted By FrankB3 on 06/14/2008 3:08 PM 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.

FrankB3
(Texas)

Posts:6

06/14/2008 4:14 PM
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.

SidneyP
(Florida)

Posts:274

06/14/2008 4:25 PM
(quote Frank)"We had a HO in our neighborhood inquire about a service he offers to home owners inspecting the condition and safety of your home." You say a HO, does this HO have a licensed business, is he insured, bonded?....It seems the HOA would need to know this before he was allowed to canvas the community.

FrankB3
(Texas)

Posts:6

06/14/2008 4:38 PM
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.

BrianB
(California)

Posts:1646

06/14/2008 4:58 PM
as a home owner, you better be careful what you spend MY money on supporting. Pay for the pool, the common area landscape, perhaps even a BBQ once a year for everyone, but I don't pay my assessments for the HOA to support some consulting business run by a friend of the board, no matter how "important" that business might be. If you do that, then let me tell the board about my Radon sniffing tester, because you know Radon is a huge killer... and I can test for toxic molds too, at the same time, for just a little more per house. Second thought, does your HOA have a rule about home businesses?

FrankB3
(Texas)

Posts:6

06/14/2008 5:12 PM
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.

RobertR1
(South Carolina)

Posts:2008

06/14/2008 6:06 PM
Franl, It was your dime Frank so don't get all defensive on good advice. I am glad you got the message and hope you can move on to HOA business. To accuse someone of jumping your s**t is unfair and not accurate. May I suggest you study the subject matter a little more and submit a reasoned question. To be friendly about it all Frank, the folks on this site posting advice and spending hours and hours of time to get where they can feel free to offer advice speaks of a noble undertaking. These kinds of sites, the good ones, and this is a good one, save these unknown people communities lots of cash. I am also confussed as to why, if you had taken the time to read some of our posts, you would expect anything but the truth.

FrankB3
(Texas)

Posts:6

06/14/2008 6:23 PM
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.

GlenL
(Ohio)

Posts:1304

06/14/2008 6:35 PM
Frank yes it would be a good idea to have it done. Just as it's a good idea to see the dentist twice a year, eat well and exercise regularly. No it wouldn't be a good idea for the HOA to recommend this person no matter how good he "seems". If there is ever a problem with his service you can expect the injured party to look to the HOA to remedy the problem. It doesn't matter if the HOA didn't actually say use this person; it's what the homeowner perceives. Will the homeowner prevail? Probably not. Will it cost the HOA money to defend itself? Most definitely.

FrankB3
(Texas)

Posts:6

06/14/2008 6:46 PM
Thanks for the reply to the question Glen.

BrianB
(California)

Posts:1646

06/14/2008 7:38 PM
Posted By FrankB3 on 06/14/2008 3:08 PM 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. Technically Frank, you didn't ask a question in your first post. In the English language, questions are indicated by the use of a question mark at the end, a form of punctuation often found on your keyboard to the left of the right shift key. Grammar aside, there were several "question-like" statements in your post, including one in which you asked WHAT IF THIS WAS MANDATORY BY YOUR HOA, which i feel a LOT of the respondents provided you a solid answer to. None of the folks here seemed to like the idea of an HOA making it mandatory to be inspected by a home based, self proclaimed expert on safety.

SusanW1
(Michigan)

Posts:1812

06/14/2008 8:07 PM
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.

MicheleD
(Kentucky)

Posts:1575

06/14/2008 8:10 PM
I think you did ask the question (somewhat round'about) on whether we thought it would be a good idea for the HOA to make it a mandatory to have the inspection. So, to answer that question: No. I don't think it would be a good idea for the HOA to make it mandatory. Good luck on your business, though.

BradP
(Kansas)

Posts:1742

06/14/2008 9:28 PM
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.

MaryA1
(Arizona)

Posts:1892

06/15/2008 8:14 AM
Posted By FrankB3 on 06/14/2008 6:23 PM 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. Frank, I thought I gave you feedback and did "answer the simple question people ask". My response to your question: "What if this was mandatory by your HOA," was that I didn't think the HOA should get involved. Note the word you used was "mandatory" -- meaning the HOA would require this inspection. Perhaps you didn't mean to use the term "mandatory", but you did, and that is what we based our opinions on. I'm sorry you've taken offense to some of the replies posted. I, for one, meant no disrespect to you. I'm sure you mean well. I just don't think this is something the HOA should be involved in. BTW, I'm not an attorney and have never set myself up to be taken as one. Any information I offer is based upon my opinion and/or my experience in dealing with HOA issues over the past 10+ years.

MicheleD
(Kentucky)

Posts:1575

06/15/2008 4:01 PM
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.

MaryA1
(Arizona)

Posts:1892

06/16/2008 4:57 PM
Michele, How about "the board walks"? LOL I didn't think of that angle. Perhaps you're even more of a suspicious person than I am.

RobertR1
(South Carolina)

Posts:2008

06/17/2008 5:42 AM
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.

EllenS1
(Florida)

Posts:328

06/17/2008 3:17 PM
FrankB3, HOAS are not our mothers or fathers. Adults purchase homes either in an HOA or otherwise. I'm certain they are competent enough to look out for their own properties. What is even more insulting is "the single mom with two children". Being a single mom with kids does not mean that person is brain dead. This is a scam and there is no way I would ever live in an HOA with this provision.

EllenS1
(Florida)

Posts:328

06/17/2008 3:22 PM
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.

RobertR1
(South Carolina)

Posts:2008

06/17/2008 5:08 PM
EllenS1, Out of the mouths of babes. etc. No disrespect here just a thank you for pointing out this Phrase "A single mom with kids', does indeed conjure up a negative picture somehow. Of course it is the sign of the times but that is sure no excuse for insensitivity, and I am not accusing anyone. It just that it turned a light on in my head and I am happy to feel I will never use that expression with out some deep thought. We should be ashamed we let things like this gather notice and become totally distorted. Funny I was going to write that you Ellen may be a little hypersenitive and it turns into me being callous and unthinking. You are right Ellen and if the rest of us can't see it, woe be unto them.

KirkW1
(Texas)

Posts:917

06/17/2008 10:51 PM
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)

RobertR1
(South Carolina)

Posts:2008

06/18/2008 5:10 AM
Kirk, I am afraid you are icing the cake Kirk. Lots going on underneath the icing when it comes to single mom's. They are not single Dad's for one. But to look again at the big picture, you are seeing single mon's making the news more and more often, and evidence this site is a good example. None can dispute the valuable input these ladies make to the site. But watch the news and note the progress of these single mom's. Not uncommon to find single Mom's in every level of Politics throughout the world, not just the USA. I will admit, in total maybe the single Dads outnumber the single women in the higher levels of government and business, but there are tons more males than females in these pools. It's a personal think for me I guess, but frequently as I get older, I am being confronted with single moms who hold my destiny. Banking, doctors, polictics, the automotive service and sales, and those visions we deal with over the phone every day. I am sure a lot of them might be fixing the Baby's pap with one hand and closing out your mortgage with the other. Great surprises for me. And while on the subject and I speak from some baggage of years on this earth, I submit an anecdote. Watching a ETV program and a young lady that had a terrible malformation of her skull and had been mentally repressed for years. Story goes on that she goes to this clinic and has contact with a surgeon who says they can help her. The two develop a friendship and the operation is going to entail some cosmetic surgery along with the removal of nearly half her brain (selectively) Surgery happens and soon after the young lady is recovering fantastically. Then for the first time you see her surgeon, ahe is black and young. This snip of a Black Lady had taken out half of this girls brain. I am still not over that one. Not because of what happened but of my acceptance that this surgeon would turn out to be a older white male with years of erperience and compassion on his face.

BradP
(Kansas)

Posts:1742

06/18/2008 6:27 AM
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.

KirkW1
(Texas)

Posts:917

06/18/2008 8:27 AM
Robert, First, I realize a single mom is not a single dad. But they do share a lot of common issues. And if you want to protect single moms, then you should also look to protect single dads. Second, I stand by what I said concerning the image of a single mom. I said it is a common image, not what is real. I don't have recent statistics, but while the divide is shrinking, the last I saw women still make less on average then men. (There are always exceptions that throw the average.) And it would only stand to reason that single mothers MIGHT have less disposable income then other family units. It is simply a statistical probability. The thing is that I happen to agree with the sentiment that the HOA should NOT try to be a parent to its residents. Rules should be designed to help residents live in harmony, not to protect themselves. And when any organization adds a layer of trying to protect its people from themselves they contribute to victim mentality.

RobertR1
(South Carolina)

Posts:2008

06/18/2008 9:30 AM
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.

EllenS1
(Florida)

Posts:328

06/18/2008 6:11 PM
Robert and Kirk, Thanks for your input. It's just that I detest generalizations of any sort. Whether it is about age, race, religion or whatever. I am the mother of a single mom who is doing a fantastic job raising her children. They are being raised with good values, attending a private school with the costs that involves and taking part in church and school activitie and being responsible for their actions. I'm sure many fathers are doing this as well. I hope we all think long and hard before we label (sp?) people. It is too easy to do that. Judge the person and not the label. Frank seems to be using scare tactics to get an ok for home inspections which is the responsibility of the homeowners.

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