All,
In a conversation with neighbors over the past couple of weeks I've found a strong opposition to the increase in HOA fees. The new security folks (to give parking tickets... another topic for another time), the basic cable, this website, all were questioned as necessities, or even desirables.

Couple that with the new rules of "no parking on the street" and we have some very discontented home owners. If you have a thought on this, post on this board.

My first post was deleted by the people who run the site we pay for. I would suggest that if this site is really here to sell houses, then the Realtor who advertises and DR Horton should be paying for this.

Let me know how you feel about this!

You need to get the facts before you start pointing fingers. I do pay for this site. Not one dime comes out of any homeowners pocket. So in the future you can remove this site from your list of complaints and concerns.

This site is here for homeowners and potential homeowners to use. It contains amenity information, recent sales, homeowners info, a blog, a forum, etc. Not to mention if you list your property with me it gets featured on here. The site ranks #1 for The Farm at Carolina Forest and #2 for Carolina Forest Real Estate on Google. That is pretty powerful which means over 1000 new visitors each month are seeing your property. I would think you as a homeowner would appreciate this site and recognize it as a great resource for homeowners. I am sorry you feel differently.

Post edited by: Jeff Casterline, at: 2008/01/16 06:15

Yes, our HOA dues went up by $12 per month starting Jan. 1, $8 of that increase goes directly to Security which was never in the budget or plans to begin with. I, for one, welcome having the Security patrolling here. I think it's great for our peace of mind and enhances our property values, and might keep some "offenders" in line with the enforcement of some of our rules, like no parking on the street or lawns.
People who chose to live here, and understood the HOA rules.... are people who do not want to live in a "trailer park" environment with neighbors doing "as they wish" with no regard to simple community decency forms of behavior in regards to parking, noise, animals on leashes, etc.
If you don't like these basic types of controls, it's simple, move.
So far, The Farm has lived up to much of the good billing that was expected and sold to us during the Sales Process. Other local HOA's are even tougher, stricter on the rules with the HOA Managing Agent doing much more in the way of enforcing the rules and regs thru regular inspections. That is a good thing. It keeps the community nice and behavior that is tolerable. Again, if you don't like those kind of basic responsibilities of being a good citizen/neighbor, it's simple===MOVE!!
Read your Rules and Regs each Homeowner received.

I did understand the rules and regs when I moved here. Many of which are not enforced. I'm not entirely certain how, when I have a few people over for dinner and they park on the street, that contributes to "trailer park" settings.

When I called to ask where these folks were to park, they suggested the pool. Lovely. I live and a home I built so I could entertain, and my guests are supposed to park a 1/2 mile away.

I'm all for no parking overnight. But during the early days and evenings. No.

And as for the security. I also am not certain exactly how and why having a rent-a-cop drive around makes the neighborhood less of a trailer park. In fact, I would argue it makes it more of one.

Finally, when I signed on for an HOA, I was hoping to have a voice. I won't really get that until DR Horton finishes the subdivision and gives us (homeowners) control of the subdivision. I read the rules and regs. I watched as everyone put up ridiculous things for Halloween and Christmas, I watched as my neighbor put in a small shed and parked his tailer next to his house. Nothing has changed in the months since then. I'd like the rules we have, enforced. I signed on for that. I don't want new rules placed on us that have no real community enhancement at their heart.

And no, I won't move. I will use my voice, and my vote - when I finally get one. Hope that is soon.

If you do have a complaint get in touch with the association, you may have to do this numerous times.

We will not be having security starting the end of this month - do you think our dues will go down? I am sure they won't.

Trust me I would rather see cars on the street instead of people parking on their lawns. I think that makes it look horrible. I wish the rules were enforced a little more, some people seem to get away with alot.

With all the money that is outstanding in dues, I think it is pretty sad for the people that do follow the rules and that do pay their dues.