HOA Nightmare (Affecting sale of home)

Wow, this is such a huge mess. I will try and keep this to a minimal; these issues could have a book written on them. To begin with, our neighborhood is about 3 years old. Once construction was finished the HOA was then turned over to the Homeowners. There are set rules and regulations (sorry I don’t know the entire HOA lingo). And for the first couple months things were peachy.

Then things went down hill, our HOA pres is the community drunk that hasn’t enforced one rule almost since it has been turned over to him (via a vote). He was voted in because he was the first one to have a home built in the neighborhood.

The problems, Renters weren’t allowed to buy investment properties. This has been broken, there are 3 empty homes in a row that have sat there for 3 years with no one living in them and nothing has been done. The owner only comes once a month to take care of the yard. (Nice homes) but the yard are horrible.

Secondly, ATV’s Dirtbikes, speedy drivers, go-karts etc drive up and down our neighborhood with nothing done. Cops have to be called in order to have them stopped After which point it will start again in a month or so after.

Thirdly, HOA has never provided a document informing us of what our dues have paid for. I even think that taxes went unpaid for 2 years.

Fourthly, Lawns will grow as high as a foot and nothing get said to the homeowner. Common area doesn’t get mowed in a timely manner.

To sum it all up any rule or standard that we have gets broken. There are only a handful of bad apples that destroy the look of the neighborhood. And that’s all it take and other will follow suite.

My dilemma, I have my home on the market and we have one of the nicer lots in the community. But we will have people come look at the home and fall in love with our home and our yard, but will hit the ground running once they see the rest of the neighbor hood. I place sole responsibility of this on our HOA and pres. I understand the homeowners are responsible for their yard. But if they do nothing and they are never warned or any action taken against those that don’t follow the rules then this all comes back on the Pres.

It is too late for me to try and start a revolt. Is there anyway the state can take action or anything else that can be done in this? Cause like I said this issue has caused people to pass placing a contract on my home due to the neighbor hood. Any help would be most gratefully appreciated. Sorry for such a long post.

Josh:

I don't know if the state can do anything, but my suggestion if you honestly feel and can prove that the association's lack of oversight has adversely affected your home's value is to consult with an attorney.

Have you met with the board to discuss these issues and the impact it is having on the neighborhood and their homes as well? I would meet with them...bring anyone else who feels the way you do also. The board has a responsibility and they are not holding up their end of the deal. I would get other residents involved and look into possibly removing the current board members since they are not performing.