$365 We have a nice little dog park and a nearby jogging trail. I think there is a pool somewhere. Most of that $$ is spent on having a constable patrol the neighborhood to keep all the riff-raff out, although its a pretty safe hood anyways.
Yeah they really only slow down people long enough for the next car to come along they can follow in.
When we were doing the paperwork for our house, we were told there was an HOA, but the fee was uncommonly low, something like $25 a year, IIRC. We were also told we'd get a copy of the HOA rules. We've been here almost three years and never received any copy of the rules. We've let our lawn go a few times and not received any kind of note from the HOA and others have been worse than us and, as far as I know, received no HOA notice. As for what we get for the $25/year. There's no amenities in my neighborhood, but there is a brick sign thing on a small patch of grassy median as you enter the neighborhood. Presumably, the $25/year from everyone got that built and keeps it mowed, etc.
Not to derail the thread, but I have been looking into purchasing a condo near Memorial Park. The maintenance fee of some of those places are ridiculous, they are charging something like $450 a month. Is that normal for inner loop?
people in NYC, San Fran and LA are rich. there's no other explanation. I was at a buddy's place in Hollywood. it was like $1500 month for a 1 bedroom/bath. It was ghetto compared to what you can get in Texas. New York was worse. $2000 for 1 bedroom in Manhattan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeowner's_association Hmm, this is interesting. In Texas, an HOA can foreclose on your house without a court order to collect fines and fees. "So, Mr. Smith...you say you didn't get that letter about your Christmas lights being up one day past the deadline? HA! Likely story. I'll be expecting that $500 check by the end of the day today, or we're changing the locks. Oh, and one of my associates talked with your daughter on the playground at school today. She's such a lovely young girl. It would be a shame if she happened to "miss her bus" after school. Well, talk to you later!"
Where did anyone mention food? I think he just multiplied his HOA fees by 12 months to get the yearly cost.
My buddy here in Houston just bought a new Condo on Kirby 3/2, Not new building but he pays $750 / Month on HOA fees $9000 / year Granted all bills are paid - water/electric/cable but dam paying 750 / month for HOA fees just sounds crazy
There was a story a few years ago that we discussed on this Board about a little old lady in the Houston area who had her home foreclosed on and sold out from under her at auction over some past-due HOA fees (totalling less than $1,000).
I have a townhome in the Galleria area, and my HOA dues are $194 a month ($2328 yearly). The fee covers TVMAX basic cable, water, trash pickup, lawn/grounds care, and building maintenance.
Seems like every single one of our cases is a money grab. HOA fees are a joke. Our money should be going towards are community. It almost never does! I am pissed.
$500/year for the past 10-11 years. No idea where the money is being spent. Every year the same "improvements" are proposed and nothing new is ever built. I sure would love a basketball court right down the street. You make it sound like you want them to care, trust me you don't. When my lawn gets a little fuzzy, I get 2-3 letters informing me I need to take care of it. Very annoying.
Why the heck are condo HOA fees so damn expensive? Are these high-rise type condos or townhome/apartment type condos that actually have lawns/green areas that require upkeep? FYI : I'm paying $425 a year for my house... basically for pools. But then again, at least it keeps me from having to live next to somebody that parks their big-rig on their lawn or paints their house pink, green, and purple. lol.
$700 a year, we have a nice lake, baskbetball courts, splash pad, lap pool, small gym, and an elementary school on-site. Not too bad...
