HOA rules

[jmb]

We may have no choice on moving to Houston, and I have been appalled at this HOA situation. We are now in a subdivision with 5-10 acre lots and NO HOA. The builder actually forgot to set it up until after many houses were built, so it is essentially ineffective.
Anyway, I have seen nothing around Houston on unrestricted land that would fit our needs. And, like you, we don't want an hour drive. I spoke to a builder who developed around Magnolia, and asked him why in the world, you could have a horse, and not a chicken!? Since he's having problems now selling lots and spec houses, he seemed regretful. In fact, he said, well, you could say it was 4-H, and see if anyone complains. Still, if I'm gonna buy this land, excuuuuse meee...you're gonna tell me what to do with it? Where I live, we don't need a thought police to tell us to mow our yards. And, I'd rather risk having the guy down the street who doesn't mow, or paints his trim aqua, than to have to sacrifice so many of my rights as to the use of MY Land. We'll probably end up having to build, and having to drive far, and due to the time it takes to build....I won't be able to keep my chickens.

I've only had these chickens 4 months, but this is REALLY bothering me. Sorry if this is so negative, but the idea of this Houston move is really frustrating to me.

 

[stacym]

I don't live in a HOA. Just in a village with all the other idiots.

SO, in the Houston area it is HOA in the affordable areas?
There is a HOA gated community 4 miles from us where some of our friends live. We could afford a nicer house there, but no chickens and forget about letting your laundry flap in the wind!!
I'm hearing what you're saying. If you want a place to keep your chickens and live free then you have to be prepared to pay the cash or drive an hour.
One of our neighbors(we get along great) found me the perfect acreage. Five bedroom house, two ponds, on 4 acres of land. Within driving distance to Omaha NE where my husband works and the cost.......$450,000. And let me tell you it won't be on the market long!!
Problem is, I don't want to spend the rest of my life paying for it!! We are trying to live as debt free as possible, grow our own food and raise 5 chickens (rabbits to one neighbor, HE,HE)
Wishing you the best in Houston!
Right on with the Sam Houston Quote Clarktx!!

 

[averytds]

Not having a HOAs doesn't solve everything. My other house is in an unincorporated township. We were told they incorporated once for a couple of days and then found out they couldn't keep livestock on Main st, so the incorporation had to go. LOL No laws or restrictions regarding most anything, and certainly no HOA.

Maybe 35 residents if you count the dogs. That being said, we have lawn Nazis. They complain about everything from height of your grass, the color of your shed and where you park. The towns about 50/50 vacant properties. The only difference is they don't call HOA, they call sheriff or county. Then they have to come out and referee and basically say "None of this applies here. Can't you all just get along?" It's a royal pain.

They actually managed to get one of their own as the county inspector. Had to go through all kinds of stuff to get him barred from inspecting locals.

While I have no love for HOAs, at least you know what you're getting into. While our lawn Nazis have no real power, they can sure be one heck of a nuissance. Heck, ours is one of the now vacant properties and I'm still dealing with constant probs from them.

 

[luvzmybabz]

Well funny thing her we live in the county in a smallish sub division I think there are about 75-100 plots 2.5 acres and up HOA fees are only 60 per year however I have refused to pay mine.
1. The covenant has never been renewed (25 year old) however the original says it has to be every 10 years.
2. No HOA board member is allowed to receive monies for being on the board the presidents husband acts like he grates our roads and gets paid 300 per month to do this our road never gets done and is more like a washboard then a road. There is a retired guy that says he will do it for free if they use the money to buy gravel.
3. The treasurer sent out a letter at the first of the year to make the HOA dues payable to her (nope not gonna do it). An HOA is a non profit orgganization and should have its own account.
4. They are trying to use HOA dues to correct their drainage problems what about my drainage problems I am responible since it is on my property.

They HOA NAZI's hold metting without notifiying anyone here 1/2 of the 10 people I talked to before buying didn't even realize there was a HOA. If I coulkd afford a lawyer to abloshish it I would try I will pay my dues in full when they set up a seperate account for it and when MS president husband stops getting paid.

 

[clarktx]

Quote:
Consider Cypress. Some land there without HOAs. Just my .02. PM if you want to discuss it more.

 

[clarktx]

Quote:
Yeah my bro in law is a patrol officer. He said that in that job you are basically a mobile secretary. Get out your paper and just ask "ok, uh-huh, and what did he do then, uh-huh, how do you spell that, yup. Here's your copy."

I'm halfway tempted to ask you where you live in KS and move there. If the town is 50% vacant, maybe I can get a good deal there and jettison the rat race.

 

[jmb]

From what you're saying, they may have already abolished themselves and just don't know it. Though we have no hoa where we now live, there were covenants in the deed. In the covenants, size of house, distance to build from the road, pigs aren't allowed, no used housing or mobiles, etc were included. Oh, and when he got County permisssion to develop, the builder was smart enough to dedicate the roads to the county. So, they take care of all drainage maintenance, road repairs, mowing along the road etc.

In Texas, the last time I checked, any of these issues with covenants can be filed in small claims courts (justice of the peace courts here). I'm not sure if it's the same with issues involving an hoa. It might be worth a call to your jp court, or whatever it is in your state to see. Or better yet, look up 'jurisdiction hoa' under your state law or statutes. Also, you could look up not only the jurisdiction, but the laws regarding hoa's themselves.

What I've seen, looking around Houston for a house on an unrestricted lot, is typically outrageously expensive for the house and land you are getting.

 

[averytds]

Yeah my bro in law is a patrol officer. He said that in that job you are basically a mobile secretary. Get out your paper and just ask "ok, uh-huh, and what did he do then, uh-huh, how do you spell that, yup. Here's your copy."

We've had several break ins and thefts since we're not there all the time. The deputies don't even come out. I just add more dates and items to the list over the phone. Seems pretty pointless, but you never know.

It's such a small town that the 1st theft was common knowledge 2 wks before we knew about it. For the most part the people worth living around have moved or are moving out. You could probably cut the 35 in half for actual people count.

I'm halfway tempted to ask you where you live in KS and move there. If the town is 50% vacant, maybe I can get a good deal there and jettison the rat race.

I know of several really nice properties there dirt cheap. The squabbles get really old really fast however. Plus the 1 business in town took the quiet country out of it. (That's where the lawn Nazis came from and the bulk of the probs started.) Why most are moving. Lots of predators you have to worry about for kids and animals. And with gas being what it is. At gas around $1.65 I was spending $400 a month. It makes me cringe just thinking about moving back temporarily.

Just FYI for those thinking of ditching the HOAs and going rural. Be prepared. HOAs have their place. If your only prob with them is chickens, try to work it out. I'm not saying anyone here is like this, but there are people who go rural for freedom from HOAs/city ordinances and such who really shouldn't. They buy rural to get out of the 1 or 2 restrictions they see as a hindrance to them and then want to assert the rest of those rules out in the sticks. Which just ruins things for everyone. If your neighbor burning trash or having a truck in the yard or painting their shed orange or keeping 3 roosters who crow all night or whatever else is going to bother you, work with your HOA to get your 4 hens. Think long and hard about the tradeoffs before going rural. It may not be the thing for you.

HTHs​

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

At the risk of sounding dumb what actually is HOA.?.?.
I googled it a bit and it sounds like it's people who tell you what you can and can't do with your own property, house...Colors of exterior, lawn decorations, curb appeal, shingle coloring, etc. etc. etc....

Again at the risk of sounding dumb, if that's the case, I didn't even know there was such a thing.
Just asking so I know what the heck I am reading about..

 

[averytds]

Home Owners Association HOA

it's people who tell you what you can and can't do with your own property, house...Colors of exterior, lawn decorations, curb appeal, shingle coloring, etc. etc. etc....

Yep that's them.​