Home Ownership Is Mayhem
#31
Re: Home Ownership Is Mayhem
#32
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Home Ownership Is Mayhem
Some rules are fine, but goodness I think those who want control over others but can't have it in their work life get on strata boards and go wild sometimes...lol
If owning was an option for us, we would never own in a strata, I would go bonkers having to deal with it all, would still fee like renting to be honest. The biggest reason I wanted to own a house was to not have so many rules, and of course stability, and not having to live in such close proximity to others...Oh well, another life maybe I can own, wont happen in this one.
Oh I would like to own so I can have a bike and yard so I can spend time outside with privacy.
Oh and have a real Christmas tree, thus far they have been banned in every building I have lived in, although that could be a government imposed rule, not sure.
My sister is looking to sell her house, they have decided HOA living isn't for them.
If owning was an option for us, we would never own in a strata, I would go bonkers having to deal with it all, would still fee like renting to be honest. The biggest reason I wanted to own a house was to not have so many rules, and of course stability, and not having to live in such close proximity to others...Oh well, another life maybe I can own, wont happen in this one.
Oh I would like to own so I can have a bike and yard so I can spend time outside with privacy.
Oh and have a real Christmas tree, thus far they have been banned in every building I have lived in, although that could be a government imposed rule, not sure.
My sister is looking to sell her house, they have decided HOA living isn't for them.
I agree that this is ridiculous, as is your example of your sister having to leave for work half an hour earlier than the allowed time for putting out the trash can. Yes, HOA and strata rules are essential to keep an area safe, clean and pleasant for all residents but for god's sake, a bit of common sense wouldn't go astray
Last edited by scrubbedexpat091; Nov 27th 2019 at 4:02 am.
#33
Re: Home Ownership Is Mayhem
The houses are twice the size of ours, with half the plot of land. You can literally reach out and touch the neighbors house.
They will have some work to do though, the internal paint job was a little 'slap dash' About 3200 sq ft total when including the basement. Plenty enough for me, wife and cat
#34
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Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Home Ownership Is Mayhem
Looks good and plenty of separation from neighbors. I could never tolerate those densely packed subdivisions.
#35
Re: Home Ownership Is Mayhem
.... then you are not the kind of person to buy into a community that has an HOA. Get tired of folks who move into our development (because as they say it looks so lovely and well cared for) and then get upset when they are asked to move their dilapidated trucks off the driveway or take in their trashcans after they have been out for days after the trash has been collected - and let us not forget the kids toys scattered around the cul de sacs so other folks are complaining about the place being used as a playground !!
Some posters on this forum have the luxury of living in areas where land is relatively inexpensive, and thus, they can own a fair amount of land and with that, get a good deal of separation from their neighbors. But I've chosen to live in an area where land is expensive and thus - I live close to my neighbors. Having rules that keep things in line is not such a bad thing.
#36
Re: Home Ownership Is Mayhem
See if you can find out which shingles the builder used, basically speaking they come in 3 grades and builders being what they are tend to opt for the cheapest option, ie the ones with the shortest lifespan.
Starting a maintenance slush fund is a good idea, even a minor service call can be bloody extortionate.
Starting a maintenance slush fund is a good idea, even a minor service call can be bloody extortionate.
#37
Re: Home Ownership Is Mayhem
See if you can find out which shingles the builder used, basically speaking they come in 3 grades and builders being what they are tend to opt for the cheapest option, ie the ones with the shortest lifespan.
Starting a maintenance slush fund is a good idea, even a minor service call can be bloody extortionate.
Starting a maintenance slush fund is a good idea, even a minor service call can be bloody extortionate.
#38
Re: Home Ownership Is Mayhem
In the HoA that I live in you can summarize the whole document as "Keep it looking nice" or "common sense". They have a relaxed attitude and try to work with violations. In 6 years I have never had an issue, and I don't even try as my wife complains way before the HoA.
I do like the neighborhood BBQ and other events, it helps feel like a community, and if anything happens they are there to help.
I do like the neighborhood BBQ and other events, it helps feel like a community, and if anything happens they are there to help.
#39
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Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Home Ownership Is Mayhem
I have an interest in roofing replacement, as my asphalt shingles are close to knackered at 26 years old. I replaced the curling ridge tiles and patched things up a bit a few years ago, but there are areas where the gritty stuff has washed away completely, especially on the Southern side. So, any recommendations on choice of shingle - I was unaware there are different grades of shingle - and does colour affect shingle life? Also I recall reading a choice of putting down a new shingle layer over the top of existing layer, but it seems to me to make sense to remove the existing layer down to the plywood. And is it practical to DIY?
#40
Re: Home Ownership Is Mayhem
See if you can find out which shingles the builder used, basically speaking they come in 3 grades and builders being what they are tend to opt for the cheapest option, ie the ones with the shortest lifespan.
Starting a maintenance slush fund is a good idea, even a minor service call can be bloody extortionate.
Starting a maintenance slush fund is a good idea, even a minor service call can be bloody extortionate.
I hear you on the slush fund too, that's something I'll have to put into practice.
#41
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Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Home Ownership Is Mayhem
morgage?
When you run the numbers the saving in total costs is substantial.
#43
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Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
#45
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Joined: Mar 2017
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 455
Re: Home Ownership Is Mayhem
If you're looking to overpay and clear it off early, it's worth looking into your lender requirements for a "recast".
Basically you can pay them a lump sum in advance and in return, they will recalculate your amortization table based on your new (and lower) outstanding principle, reducing the interest your pay each month.
Unfortunately my own lender wants a lump sum of $30k before they are willing to perform a recast, but some are significantly more flexible than that.
Basically you can pay them a lump sum in advance and in return, they will recalculate your amortization table based on your new (and lower) outstanding principle, reducing the interest your pay each month.
Unfortunately my own lender wants a lump sum of $30k before they are willing to perform a recast, but some are significantly more flexible than that.