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Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012 | 2:03 a.m.
Dear Readers,
Thank you! We’ve been wonderfully overwhelmed with response to Monday’s letter to the readers about homeowner associations.
It has been great to read your views. There have been many thoughtful, reasoned and passionate comments.
The Sun will publish several of them this weekend, so please, keep your thoughts on this (and anything else) coming. You can send an email to us by clicking here.
Best,
Matt
Matt Hufman is the assistant managing editor of opinion.
(1/2)I have worked in the HOA managmeent industry for several years and have seen the good, bad and ugly sides of HOA's and the boards that run them. First it is important to understand that there is a big difference between the board and the management company/manager. You dont even want to know how many times I have tried to protect a homeowner from an unruley board...we have to be careful though because if the board does not like what we have to say they can fire us and just get someone else. Cant stay employed long if you loose clients. There have been many times I could not sleep at night because I was troubled by an issue with a board member being unfair, power hungy or just stupid. And yet, I am the one that has to listen to the upset homeowner blindly blaming me or my company for the problems...insulting me and being nasty. But who can blame them. Most owners dont really understand how everything works. Generally your managers hands may be tied...not to say that there are not managers who don't know what they are doing or are just as bad as the board members. A good manager will understand..their title is a "community manager" which to me means that while I take direction form the board, I work for the community as an entity which includes all of the homeowners that live there.
Here are some of the problems I see with HOA's:
First, real estate agents whether independent or working for a home builder usually know very little about HOA's. I am not aware of any training they are required to take that deals whith HOA's and yet they can sell anyone a house in an HOA. So, The agent doesn't know what they are selling and the buyer often doesn't know what they are buying. You are not just buying a home...but buying into a community.
Second, almost every home builder I have worked with is in the business of building and selling homes. They do not put much thought into building a community, and I'm not just talking about the walls and landscape but the rules, governance, and leadership. Do you know that most builders have a boiler plate CC&R's and copy them from community to community, changing very little if anything? They do not take the time to train their real estate agents on the rules of the HOA. To them, the HOA is a necessary evil they must deal with for a short period of time so they can sell homes and make their money. Then they are gone and usually care less about what happens after that.
(2/2)Third, Homeowners, you are about to make one if the biggest long term investments of you life...do your research! most homeowners buy a house while remaining ignorant of the rules that go along with the house. The only way to protect yourself from a crazy HOA is to get educated on what they can and can't do. Boards and even some managers will use the homeowners lack of knowledge to their advantage. I cant tell you how many meetings I've seen where no homeowners show up...How can you complain about your HOA if you are not involved and paying attention to the way it's run. The main cause for crazy/nazi board members is that there are not enough homeowners showing up at meetings holding them accountable for their actions. It's easy to get away with something when no ones watching or caring. It is your right, and your responsibility to be involved with your HOA!
I would like to finish by stating my reasoning for staying in this crazy job and dealing with all the crazy people and their misperceptions...Every now and then, I get the chance to help someone or make a difference, and I know that if I were not here doing this job...someone worse would be!
I'm not the type to complain. So after living in an HOA area for many years and frustrated with perceived the lack of compassion and appropriation of funds, I simply decided to get involved. Since then, I can tell you that the general perception is negative for HOA's. Most people don't seem to care until money is involved. Residents usually feel that they are unjustly accused. While mistakes can happen, it's simply about responding and addressing the HOA's concerns. The increasing presence of renters complicates this even further. Always document the process. If you ignor your legal responsibility to maintain your property and follow the rules, it will just get worse. Our association has gone through some tough times, yet it has moved in a very positive direction. The time and effort to complete a single board approved contract can be a daunting task. However at the end of the day, I can drive through the community looking at the improvements we've done and take great pride in being a part of that process. For a seemingly thankless job, this is where it becomes rewarding. If you are unhappy with your community management, progress, contracts or appropriations, simply get involved and change it. It's your community and you should be involved! Be heard! You would be surprised how few people actually show up to a meeting.
SCA HOA by the Numbers
Named #1 Luxury Living Over 55 Community in the nation " by 55places.com
7144 homes, approximately 13,000 residents.
3 major buildings, 4 pools, 2 spas, 3 paddle tennis courts, 8 pickle ball courts, 12 tennis courts, 1 -- 300 seat theater, 92 hours of fitness classes per week. All buildings maintained to original high quality designed in by Del Webb.
$1100 yearly assessments-- believed to be the lowest in the valley for like communities.
$8.9 million 2012 budget.
2.1% - amount of operating budget decrease 2011 to 2012.
$7 million -- amount of reserves in the bank, 81% of fully funded.
30 -- number of unique complaints via 'blue card' per month, mostly minor issues quickly resolved such as air temp, etc.
2 -- major concerns of residents--1. Alleged $1.3 million tax liability by IRS. 2. Whether of not to have a restaurant in main facility.
7 -- number of active, committed, hard working board members who listen to residents.
SCA is a beautiful well-maintained, well-managed, well-financed community with 13,000 active and caring residents. As in every community there are some day-to-day concerns that are actively worked by the management company and the Board. These concerns are far outweighed by the overall positive aspects of the community. To many residents living here is like 'living in paradise'.
Wade Terry
Ps " all info above obtained from publically available sources.