Many people these days are moving to condo complexes, or a housing communities where everything is taking care of for you.
It makes life so much easier. But make sure you know the pros and cons of that little thing called a homeowners association.
Nordelle Wainz is among the thousands of condo owners who have run into a brick wall with their HOA.
In her case, after the association refused to help her fix her collapsing deck.
"I was told if i didn't like it here, that i should sell my condo."
A report in Cheapism.com calls HOA's "paradise at a price."
It found hundreds of reports of homeowners being fined or sued for having:
--A pink playhouse for a little girl.
--A kids' lemonade stand.
--Sidewalk chalking.
--Pickup trucks on driveways, even when they are too big for the garage.
--Eco-friendly clothesline.
--And even support our troops signs
And from the doesn't that stink file... when an HOA gets so restrictive, its rules spark national outrage.
A couple of years ago , a northern Ohio Vietnam vet put up an American flag on a 15 foot flagpole.
But the HOA said “take it down,” and threatened a lawsuit. Doesn't that stink?
But before he put his condo up for sale, veterans across the country made a stink, the HOA dropped its challenge, and the flag and the veteran stayed.
There is nothing wrong with most HOA's: They can keep your neighbor from parking a junk hauling dump truck outside your front door.
But know the downsides, so you don’t waste your money
______________________
Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").
Like" John Matarese Money on Facebook
Follow John on Twitter (@JohnMatarese)
For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=www.dontwasteyourmoney.com&data=02%7C01%7CDZar%40fox17online.com%7C8ed10385d295438cf52b08d6eebb12ea%7C06f39b5377cb4acdac486afb0d71099d%7C1%7C0%7C636958884593521627&sdata=8%2FMOQ16RhRT6bvWeb2PKIYudYw2aya3p85MPnLG6TRE%3D&reserved=0.
