Written By: Felecia Causey
This has been a major issue recently, as evidenced by social media posts, with neighbors arguing over where the land begins and ends. This is something I would absolutely consider when acquiring a property. It could be an elderly couple who have lived in the town since it was established. Who wants to dispute with an elder? I don't, and I'm confident that many others do not either. Before you sign your name on the dotted line, make sure you have purchased a survey or obtained one from your agent. I'm not sure if the realtor will have it, but they should. I would say this: never trust anyone's word. If it is not in black and white, it means nothing. Regardless of whether they "seem" trustworthy, or you know them personally, business is business, and if you don't have the documentation, it means nothing when you need proof in court. I hope none of this happens, but please exercise caution.
One thing I wish I had known about my house is how poorly the property retains water in the backyard. Small details, such as the fact that the house was built on prairie soil, may not mean much for many years. Although the homebuilder may have purchased new sand, like with anything else outside, the weather and rain will eventually wash it away. After the rain, our backyard looks like a swamp pond. It holds water and creates disgusting little ponds. The grass back there is incredibly thick and lush, which is a plus. That is why I would recommend viewing the house several times.
HOAs have advantages and disadvantages. I do believe that some of the regulations can be overly strict at times. If you plan on building or adding things to the outside of your house, simply know that you have to seek approval to put whatever on "YOUR LOT OR HOUSE." Yes, I know it's crazy. I realize nothing insane, but I just watched a couple who own a house in a HOA valued at nearly $800,000 being informed that they must remove a $10,000 gazebo from their backyard. The first thing that struck me was the feeling that someone was violating their personal space.
Did you know that the HOA board can create rules and regulations as they deem fit? I believe my neighborhood's HOA bylaws change every six months. I think people sometimes wake up and say, "Let's add this to the rules because I don't like it." Most of them aren't horrible, but some, in my opinion, are a touch petty.
I hope that after reading this, you will be wary of HOAs, which, as previously stated, have both positive and negative aspects. Do I regret relocating to my neighborhood? Definitely not! Do I believe they are for everyone? I do not.
Is the house or community popular for local rentals and Airbnb? I've dealt with both nice and awful neighbors at the rental home next to us. We are the type of neighbors who prefer to keep to themselves. You may not be as fortunate if you have people who respect other people's property or if you are always dealing with new people and views. Airbnb is becoming a genuine property, and the various unusual individuals going in and out can be intimidating for some. If this is a major turnoff for you, make sure to ask your realtor. I cannot guarantee that this will not become a problem after several years in the house. It's something I can only say that I hope you don't have to deal with later on and regret living where you are, making you unhappy in your own home.
One thing I can tell you about any neighborhood or community is that they tend to try to hide things in order to keep their property values high. I'll tell you that nothing is flawless. Many communities have recently experienced an increase in petty crime. Yes, even in HOA neighborhoods that "supposedly have security." Crime can occur anywhere; however, I would definitely conduct some reconnaissance and research myself. Remember, I told you that you can't rely solely on fake photographs and slick brochures. Just be aware that not everything is as perfect as it appears.
I want you to have an excellent house-buying experience. I want you to choose a Realtor who works for you. Check back for more advice based on my experience and what I wish someone had informed me. You are welcome to email for any advice and realtors recommendations.
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