gravid
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posted on May 8, 2001 07:10:48 PM
That seems to be the attitude of a lot of people. The comic strip Doonesbury today pointed out how it hurts us when for example there is an energy problem in California - which there is even if it is contrived - but for example you can't choose to hang your laundry on a line instead of use the dryer because your homeowner's association thinks it looks tacky.
http://www2.uclick.com/client/det/db/
Here in Michigan there are constant battles about putting a basketball hoop up or what kind of mail box or fence you are allowed.
The crazy thing is I saw a subdivision house that had a huge gated entry like for a big estate and there was no grass - the yard was all white stone with Roman and Greek statues mixed with stone geese and mirrored balls on pedestals, dutch kids kissing and a windmill, and a concrete burro with a serrappe hat pulling a cart. All that was within the association guidelines but a basketball hoop could get you kicked out!!
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Bunnicula
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posted on May 8, 2001 08:56:06 PM
Gravid: Personally, I would never choose to live in that type of community--I had a small taste of those kinds of restrictions years ago when I owned a townhome for a while. However, having said that, a person knows *before* moving into one of those housing developments that there are restrictions & rules--once you're in, it is too late to kick about all the niggling little rules. These "controlled communities" have been popping up a lot here in Southern California in recent years.
edited cuz "your" isn't the same as "you're" 
[ edited by Bunnicula on May 8, 2001 09:27 PM ]
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reamond
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posted on May 8, 2001 09:19:09 PM
The reason those "customs" have the force of law in my community is because those "customs" are written into the deed and "run with the land", and I wouldn't have it any other way.
But as Bunni pointed, the rules are staring every potential buyer right in the face before he/she signs on the dotted line.
I knew I couldn't have an above ground pool, clothes lines, outdoor TV/radio antenna, or a satelite dish larger than 30 inches, as well as no chainlink fence, no sheds, no trailers or motor homes parked on the property, etc., etc..
If you don't like or can not follow the rules, buy somewhere else.
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Hjw
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posted on May 8, 2001 09:37:25 PM
Neighborhoods in historical locations are especially restrictive. I have a friend who is told exactly when to have her house painted and
what color can be used. No exterior improvements can be made without
a major federal case.
Reamond is right. It just goes with the territory and must be accepted.
Most of the restrictions are designed to keep the neighborhood attractive so I don't see much to complain about. I'm happy for example, that fences
are not allowed...nothing I dislike more than a fence.
But quibbling over a basketball set up is silly.
Helen
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victoria
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posted on May 8, 2001 10:20:33 PM
And that explains why I live in the middle of nowhere, where I can paint MY house, the payments for which I make, any color I please. And I don't have neighbors poking their nose into my business, and I don't worry about what they might be up to.
I don't even live in a city, so I have the absolute minimum of outside interference in my home life.
Hooray for county lawlessness.
[ edited by victoria on May 9, 2001 04:32 AM ]
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gravid
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posted on May 9, 2001 03:50:08 AM
I have never owned a house in a sub-division myself, but I keep getting reports from a former boss that lives near me.
I am surprised that most people do not take the time to read all these restrictions when they buy. When we bought our condo I sat and read every line of the papers including the by-laws and the history of the deed.
Most of the problems in my friends subdivision arise from the fact that there are 2 or 3 people who seem to make it their hobby to be guardians of the community and there are a few vague passages in their deeds that use expressions like "Shall erect no structure~" that result in arguements over whether you can put those wire things out for your tomatoes to grow on. Their strict interpretation of what is a commercial vehicle means no van or pickup truck if they find out it is registered in a business name.
One of these guardians was constantly at my bosses door with all the gossip she seemed to think he would want to know and it was hard to get rid of her. One day she came over all upset and abuzz because she said " So and so selling his house yesterday was showing it to people of color." My God it wasn't xxxxxx was it? my friend asked? naming HER Mediteranean
ethnic group that are olive skinned but not what she was meaning at all. He said it was wonderful - she was so insulted it took her a whole month to get over it and start dropping by again.
I'd be more specific but I am afraid it would get moderated out.
[ edited by gravid on May 9, 2001 03:52 AM ]
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reamond
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posted on May 9, 2001 08:46:24 AM
I love those "guardians" in my neighborhood. They are a homosexual couple and they keep their property immacualte, and make no bones about going up to someone's door and telling them about any infractions. Leave your xmas lights up all year, they complain, let your pet run loose, they complain, grass and flower beds unkept, they complain.
By all of us following the rules and keeping things appealing to the eye, we all benefit financially. Our subdivision is less than 5 years old and values have risen 30-40%. The realtors even state in their ads "The highly desirable xxxx xxxx subdivision. The way I figure it, those who don't keep their property up and don't follow the rules are no different than a theif coming in my home and stealing money.
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stusi
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posted on May 9, 2001 09:03:56 AM
sometimes people just think that a "custom" has the force of law. for example, we live in a condo townhouse development. there are many residents who think that the dog leash laws do not apply for some reason in our development. they let their dogs loose and they inevitably do their business near other's units. although it is "common ground", it is totally inconsiderate and in fact illegal. by the time the authorities are notified the dogs are inside. some have attacked other pets. these people feel it is almost a custom to let dogs loose in a private development. i was thinking of having a lawn party directly in front of one of the violator's units. after all it's common ground!
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Zazzie
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posted on May 9, 2001 09:54:39 AM
word I hate to hear when sitting on a committee.
Mission Statement
Vision
Outlook
Comply
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gravid
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posted on May 9, 2001 02:03:29 PM
Tell us more Zazzie - are you on a community committee of some sort?
There was a hilarious Sienfeld awaile back where his dad was running for the condo committee and they were politicing to get office. They would accuse the other of stealing community funds if they had a new car for example.
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spazmodeus
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posted on May 9, 2001 02:35:20 PM
The crazy thing is I saw a subdivision house that had a huge gated entry like for a big estate and there was no grass - the yard was all white stone with Roman and Greek statues mixed with stone geese and mirrored balls on pedestals, dutch kids kissing and a windmill, and a concrete burro with a serrappe hat pulling a cart. All that was within the association guidelines but a basketball hoop could get you kicked out!!
Statuary, regardless of how tacky, does not create a disturbance. Basketball hoop restrictions are often created to eliminate a source of noise pollution. Ever had to live next door to a basketball-crazy teenager who stands in his or her driveway shooting hoops for hours on end? Or who has a few friends over and they each have a basketball and they're all shooting hoops? The bouncing of the ball, the thump-thump-thump-thump-thump can drive you crazy after awhile. It's like mental torture. You can hear it in your house even with the windows closed. Pretty soon you're hearing it in your sleep. Yup, I'm all for basketball hoop bans.
reamond,
Is the fact that your neighbors are homosexual relevant to how immaculate their yard is or how often they complain?
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spazmodeus
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posted on May 9, 2001 02:40:45 PM
One of the tightest set of restrictions you're likely to find is if you move into what is considered a local "historic district." Be very careful and have a lawyer read all of the fine print.
Historic district committees are notorious for enforcing restrictions that even go so far as to tell you what color you're allowed to paint your house, what sort of plantings are allowed outside, and to what degree you can remodel or add on.
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Shadowcat
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posted on May 9, 2001 05:14:53 PM
Spaz: Shooting hoops outside is far preferable to them bouncing the ball against the common wall inside the house. Trust me on this.
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spazmodeus
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posted on May 9, 2001 05:26:42 PM
Shadowcat,
I have no doubts. I have shared common walls and floors with some very inconsiderate people.
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gravid
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posted on May 9, 2001 06:03:15 PM
After starting this thread I have learned quite a bit from it. I would never have thought about the noise of basketball because I am so hard of hearing they could not bother me.
On the national news on TV tonight they had a piece about a man who refused to put in a bunch of trees and bushes that he HAD agreed to add on his property and after 3 court orders he has been put in jail and has served almost 3 months already. They did not say how long he has to go.
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Shadowcat
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posted on May 9, 2001 06:54:53 PM
Then the there's the moron who lives downstairs from us...
After one particularly rousing intimate liason with his wife, he broke into a cheerful chorus of Tom Jone's "Sex Bomb".
It was bad enough hearing them go at it, but the singing...I may be scarred for life.
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spazmodeus
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posted on May 9, 2001 07:07:49 PM
LOL, Shadowcat, is he German? That would make "Sex Bomb" even more hilarious.
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Shadowcat
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posted on May 9, 2001 07:24:59 PM
Spaz: No, he's an American married to a German. He's been here for a long time, though, and holds down a job on the economy.
We've had some interesting neighbors...
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gravid
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posted on May 9, 2001 10:42:20 PM
That's so funny. When I was in High School we lived in an apartment and the lady over us was a hooker who would turn up her CB radio and give guys directions to get to the building. One night she guided this guy in and it was this big blond teacher from my school. Well not only did we think the ceiling was coming down he turned into a regular every week.
Then at school I was falsely accused of passing answers to a couple kids and this was one of two teachers called in to the councelors office. He made the mistake of saying I had no morals and I blasted him with what I thought of him tom cating with the whore upstairs every week in graphic terms and not only did they hustle us 3 students back to class but I never heard anymore about it again.
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reamond
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posted on May 10, 2001 11:23:09 AM
Spaz- I mentioned their sexuality least anyone think we live in an ultra uptight conservative enclave. Also mentioned their sexuality so no one muses "who has time to complain about this stuff". No kids - plenty of time.
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Hjw
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posted on May 10, 2001 12:13:03 PM
Spaz,
I don't understand your selective sensitivity on this topic. Why do you question the appropriate mention of the homosexual neighbors and their interest in the community and then have no hesitation to refer to neighbors who are hilarious German Sex Bombs of the heterosexual persuasion.
Isn't this a little silly?
Helen
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gravid
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posted on May 10, 2001 01:22:18 PM
Actually reamond said he was happy with the gay watchdogs. Did not seem sarcastic to me...talking about money is serious.
Adding irrelavant details helps flesh out the story. I am writing a book right now and add all sorts of silly details to try to make a mental scene for the reader. I can usually get alone (mental slip??) ALONG!! Ok with gay people unless they start in on my fashion disability. I don't CARE if I look like a pastel turnip with gold trim.
[ edited by gravid on May 10, 2001 01:24 PM ]
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Shadowcat
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posted on May 10, 2001 01:34:14 PM
Shucks, I just assumed he was with his wife. They don't live together, so it could have been anyone or no one who caused him to break into song...although comparing the noise generated by the moron with the neighborhood homosexual busybodies strikes me as an apples-oranges sort of thing.
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spazmodeus
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posted on May 10, 2001 01:55:25 PM
Spaz,
I don't understand your selective sensitivity on this topic. Why do you question the appropriate mention of the homosexual neighbors and their interest in the community and then have no hesitation to refer to neighbors who are hilarious German Sex Bombs of the heterosexual persuasion.
Isn't this a little silly?
Helen
What's silly, Helen, is the way you constantly attempt to goad a certain few posters such as Hepburn and myself. This latest attempt is painfully transparent.
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