Town House Newsletters

Yes, I like to read newsletters from any townhome or condo community. I learn things that I would not know otherwise. When communities are having trouble with vandalism, stray shopping carts or property maintanance issues, it's usually in the newsletter. But, more importantly when good things happen like new roofs or building painting get done, I know about it.

I also find contact information in newsletters that make it easier to reach the HOA or people of importance inside the community.

Here's my request. Send me your community newsletter if you live in Maricopa County (arizona), live in either a town house, condo or any community with shared home walls. You'll get a Dairy Queen gift card for the 1st one you send me and another DQ card every fifth original news letter.

I'll comment on items of interest in this blog.

PUEBLO SECO NEWSLETTER

I just read the March newsletter. It's easy to forget the cost of maintaining the common elements of a community. They just did a pebble tec resurface on the pool for $14,000. The management company also just finished repairing the sprinkler system. Fixing 46 sprinkler heads cost $621.00. Does your HOA set aside money for major projects like a pool resurface?

I, often have to explain to buyers in HOA communities, why a low monthly fee may not be a good thing. If the fee is too low, you might see more assessments over time. So, when buying read all the documents from the HOA carefully.

HOAs, Flags, and Signs

The AZ State Legislature passed SB 1062 which went into effect on September 19, 2007. This law affects people living in condominium and planned community HOA's. Here is a summary:

• The association may not prohibit the outdoor display of the American Flag. An HOA may adopt reasonable rules regarding the placement and manner of display of the American Flag. It may not prohibit the installation of a flagpole but may regulate the placement and size of the flagpole.



• The association may not prohibit the indoor or outdoor display of political signs by a home owner on his or her property. They may create some rules regarding the size and number of signs. There may be date restrictions in that signs may only be displayed prior to an election.



• The association may not prohibit the indoor or outdoor display of a for sale sign and a sign rider if the home owner is offering the property for sale. The sign shall not exceed 18 by 24 inches, the industry standard.

Complete language of SB 1062

Please note this information is indended to provided general information and not legal advice. We recommend that you consult an attorney if you want details of SB 1062 or need legal advice regarding this or other HOA regulations.

Will the HOA allow that?

I came across a paragraph on an HOA website. It reads:

RV’s, Boats, etc. Many associations do not allow RV’s, boats, etc. to be parked where visible. This includes behind “RV gates”. Just because the house is listed with an RV gate does not mean that you can park an RV behind it. Make sure that you read your associations CC&R’s prior to purchasing.

This shows you the importance of reading the HOA documents. The title company can't read it for you. The lender can't read it for you. The real estate agent can't read it for you. You, the buyer need to read it. I know it's 30, 40, 50 or more pages long and can be quite boring. We can't summarize it for you because, we don't know which points in the HOA rules and regulations are important to you.

Don't let this happen to you. Sam didn't read the HOA rules & regulations. He moved in and parked his RV that was 2 feet higher than the fence and was told he couldn't park his RV there. His neighbor has a pop up trailer and it can't be seen from the street, even though it's 10 feet from Sam's RV and it can stay. Who's to blame? Sam's to blame for not reading the HOA documents himself. (Please note Sam is a fictitious character used for this example.)

Another thing you might read in the HOA documents when purchasing a home is that you cannot leave your garage door up. Yeah, some HOA's won't allow you to leave the door up, unless you are doing yard work in the front. And where can you park your car? Not on the street, not on the driveway, but in the garage with the door closed.

And if your neighbors garage is this messy, you might appreciate the rule.

This is why it's important to read all the documents at closing time.