How to Handle Homeowner Association Disputes

June 30, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing advice on how to handle homeowner association disputes.  If you decided to buy a house in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association, it is very possible that at some point you and the HOA will end up butting heads. However, using these tips will help you handle these disputes and return to living your everyday life.

 

home owner association disputes

 

 

 

Tips to handle homeowner association disputes:

 

Think about the Dispute

The majority of HOA disputes arise from not paying HOA fees.  But, if the complaint comes from elsewhere you should carefully consider the nature of the dispute. Is it a noise complaint?  And, therefore likely originating from one of your neighbors? Is it a complaint about your yard or other cosmetic complaint?  This type of complaint is likely to originate from the HOA itself?

There are many different kinds of disputes that can cause your homeowner’s association to issue warnings or fines. The most common is for nonpayment of fees or nonpayment of a fine.  When those aren’t the case the dispute can become less clear cut and more muddled. Thinking about the dispute and its origin will help you decide how to handle homeowner’s association disputes.

 

Talk to the HOA

Often your homeowner’s association will be happy to talk to you about the dispute. This can help clarify whether it was one of your neighbors who made the complaint or if it was the HOA itself that decided to take action. In addition, you can often have them clarify the steps that could be taken beyond official reprimand or fines. Talking with your HOA is one of the first things you should do.  Having a conversation can easily stop the entire situation from escalating into legal action.

 

Learn your Rights

If talking with your homeowner’s association doesn’t result in clearing up the misunderstanding, you may have grounds for legal action. Therefore, the next step is to learn your rights under your jurisdiction. The majority of states have laws on the books that can protect homeowners if their HOA is going against their contract. Look up the laws in your state.  And, if further clarification is needed seek legal help.  Seeking legal help will you understand what your rights are and whether legal action is advisable for your circumstances.

 

 

 

File a Dispute

Essentially, a more official version of step number one is to file a dispute.  This will help to establish both a  paper trail and to give your HOA one last chance to resolve the issue without outside help. Your homeowner’s association will have a way to officially file a dispute. If you are lucky, they will address your concerns through the dispute.  And, if you aren’t so lucky you will have a paper trail that will help in any future actions you feel necessary.

 

Find Legal Representation

According to the Attorney Referral Service, an HOA attorney in Los Angeles, “If you feel your HOA is applying inappropriate restrictions or failing to act in the best interest of your community, it may be time to seek legal help from a real estate attorney.” When you find the right legal representative, you will be able to make a legal claim against the HOA. Hopefully, they will make them take notice and possibly comply. If they do not comply, your lawyer will be able to guide you through the court system.  This option can become expensive, but if you are in a dispute with your homeowner’s association that involves repeated or expensive fines it can be worth the money.

If you are in the middle of a dispute with your homeowner’s association, the bureaucratic process can be stressful and unclear. If you follow these tips, however, you should be able to resolve your dispute with the HOA satisfactorily and with a minimum of fuss.

Filed Under: Life-Thoughts Tagged With: , ,

Tips on Searching for a New Home

June 16, 2020 by 1 Comment

Today, I’m sharing advice on searching for a new home.  Whenever you develop the need to invest in a new property, whether this is due to relocation for work, school, or the need to increase space, it can be a very stressful.  Searching for the right place takes time.  And, the potential to lose money throughout your project can increase anxiety levels even further.

Fortunately, there are several simple steps that you can take when purchasing a new home.  Find out more about how you can uncover the perfect property in no time.  Furthermore, you can uncover the best tips and tricks that can bring balance and efficiency to your search.

 

searching for a new home

 

 

Tips on searching for a new home:

 

Make A Plan

Planning your move in advance is a great way to reduce your stress levels.  Having a clear schedule in place makes it much easier to head in the right direction. Simply jot down what you would like to achieve and by which date.  For example, finding the perfect property within a 3 month period. Making a plan is a great motivator to inspire you to move forward. 

 

 

Enlist Professional Help 

One of the best things that you can do to reduce stress when searching for a new home is to enlist professional help. There are so many different specialists that can support you through every aspect of your journey.  Many likely have years of experience to make the process as simple as possible. From trusted estate agents that you can approach for help to essential mortgage teams such as those over at https://altrua.ca who can cover the legal side of things.  There are so many unique and talented companies that are ready and waiting for your call.  So, don’t try to battle such a huge task on your own.  

 

 

searching for a new home

 

Take Time Out 

Although you may feel it necessary to completely throw yourself into your new home search, it’s a good idea to take some time out to focus on something fun and unrelated.  Having unrealistic expectations can cause extreme upset and disappointment if things go wrong.  This could potentially cause you to put off making your move. Doing something such as indulging in self care will be the perfect break from searching for a new home. It can help you gain clarity and focus whenever you do decide to channel your efforts into your new property search. 

Reducing stress while searching for your new home has never been so simple.  So, make the most of the tips detailed above!  And, remember to make a plan that will motivate you to carry on, while enlisting professional help to support your goals. 

Filed Under: Financial Tips, Shopping Tips Tagged With: , ,

Tips for Buying the Perfect Family Home

February 14, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing shopping tips on buying the perfect family home can be exciting, but it can also be daunting task.  It’s a huge investment, so you will want to get right. Searching for the right home for you and your family requires research and a lot of compromises. Be prepared for your budget not to fulfill all of your hopes and dreams.

 

 

home buying tips

 

 

You should spend some time with your husband or significant other and decide what’s a deal-breaker for your family when viewing properties.  You can eliminate wasting time on visiting properties that aren’t the right fit for your family.  Maybe you’re a family that enjoys the outdoors instead of a large living room area.  Or, perhaps you enjoy watching your children play while cooking.  So, you would like to have an open floor plan.  Put your thoughts down on paper.  You can check off your priority checklist when buying the perfect family home.

 

 

Buying the perfect family home:

 

Location 

Location is one of the first things you need to decide on when buying any home.  A family home should not only be close to high standard schools, but also be in an area where you can access local amenities.

Shops, doctors, dentists, hairdressers, and family activities should all be on the top of your location scout.  If you’re a family that enjoys the outdoors, then a compromise needs to be made to find the perfect location near open spaces.  But, one that’s also accessible to local amenities.

Do a quick internet search about the local area you’re interested in moving to. The majority of real estate agents in the area will produce a rundown of what the area has to offer for potential buyers. For example, Msyorkville.com mentions the importance of properties that are only 45 minutes from downtown Toronto and 20 minutes from the airport.

 

Size and Layout 

The next step to finding your perfect property is deciding what size is suitable for your family.  The number of bedrooms will be determined by how many children you have or plan to have and if you have frequent visitors. Whereas the size of your kitchen will depend on how much time you spend in there cooking.

The layout is also another crucial aspect to decide on. A closed plan property gives your rooms privacy and allows you to shut doors on mess and keep pets out of certain areas of the home. On the other hand, a popular option for families is an open plan concept where you can see different areas of the house from the kitchen or living room, for example.

An open plan allows you to keep an eye on your children as they play, and you can easily communicate between spaces. The concept you choose may depend greatly on the age of your children.

 

 

home buying tips

 

Outdoor Space 

Outdoor space is often a budget breaker. For most, it’s crucial to have some outdoor space attached to your property.  It gives your children a secure area to play in. Your garden is an extension of your property.  And, it’s a great place to spend time with your family and friends.

How much outdoor space you need is your preference. A large grass lawn, for example, is perfect for hours of endless fun and space for all sorts of play equipment but is a nightmare to maintain. In comparison, a smaller paved yard is simple to keep tidy, but it can be challenging to spend time with young children in a tight area.

The perfect garden for the average family is often one that’s comprised of sections. A sectioned garden gives children a place to play, but also an area for adult relaxation.

 

Security 

Security should also be considered.  Your potential home should have secure windows and doors.  A  fenced-in outdoor space is desirable as well as a safe neighborhood.

Make sure when you view any property that you check the locking systems and bonus points if it already has an alarm or CCTV system in place. Remember, once you have bought the property change the locks for added peace of mind.

 

Find a House You Can Call a Home 

By following these tips you will be on your way to buying the perfect home.  Most importantly, you will cut down on the worries and stress during your home buying experience.  Don’t be disheartened if you view a property and it isn’t right for you.  So, try not to rush the process and make the wrong decision.  Doing so will lead you to the house that fits your family!

 

You may also like How to Make Your House a Home.

 

Filed Under: Financial Tips, Shopping Tips Tagged With: , ,

How to Live the Life of a Snowbird

August 26, 2018 by 2 Comments

 

life of a snowbird

 

It’s a common dream among retirees: living the life of a “snowbird.”  Living the life of a snowbird is when you have another home in a place that’s warmer than where they are now.  For example, maybe in Florida, Arizona, or California where they escape the winter and enjoy a few months in the sun.  However, as David Hughes states in U.S. News & World Report, having a vacation home is more than an extended vacation.  You need to consider whether you want to buy a place or rent one.  Furthermore, determine who is going to maintain it while you’re away.  Also, plan how and when the utilities will be turned on and off, and more.

Keep in mind that this is different from buying or building a place where you will move to after you retire. Your vacation home is a temporary residence that you buy or rent.  You look after it as if it is a normal house. That means finding a place and getting it inspected.  If you’re renting you can check it out yourself.  However, if you’re purchasing find out what needs to be fixed.  After closing, you can have fun decorating and furnishing it.

If you want the life of a snowbird, take a look at these three tips.

Make Sure You Can Afford It

Certified Financial Planner Dana Sippel states you do not want to move into a place you can’t afford. Do some research on available properties in the areas where you want to have a vacation home. Figure out how much it would cost per month to have it. You should factor in all utilities (including Internet, cable, or satellite costs), neighborhood or condominium association fees, property taxes, estimated repair costs for any ongoing maintenance, and property management fees.

Keep in mind that taxes and services as well as the cost of living may be more expensive in the area where you want to move.  Also, figure out where you can save money.  Bundling insurance with your current homeowners policy may help reduce expenses.  All in all, make sure you can afford this second home before make an offer.

Make Sure You Can Get To It

Before you enter the life of a snowbird, consider whether you’re purchasing or renting the property.  According to Money, the typical vacation home is about 180 miles from the primary residence.  Unless you plan to cut yourself off from everyone, you’ll want your family to be able to join you.  So, follow this rule: if it takes two hours to get to it, yes.  If it takes two days and several plane changes, no.

Make Sure It Fits Your Lifestyle

It is essential to consider whether it actually fits into your lifestyle.  If you’re used to an active social scene with a diverse group of people, will you find something like that around your vacation home?  Likewise, if you actively volunteer for social agencies, a church, or events around your home, will you find the same opportunities at your second residence?  According to Mike Lewis of Forbes, the average person has about 20 years of life remaining after retirement. Are you positive you’ll enjoy spending half the year in a different location? If you’re unsure, it might be best to rent a vacation home at first to see if you’ll actually like spending time there.

If you decide that a vacation home comfortably fits into your finances get your wings as a snowbird.

Filed Under: Life-Thoughts, Vacation Destinations Tagged With: , ,