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Stories from the Sales Frontlines

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Comments

  • mako1amako1a Member Posts: 1,855
    Driver, your situation is much different than mine. You're a city dweller, sort of according to what I've read. We're on a flat topped mountain on 6 acres. Our neighbors (we're friendly with both of them) own 10 and 5 acre lots, the latter with horses.

    My objective is to know when a bear comes across the driveway (paved 1/8 mile long) to clean his claws on one of the mossy oaks and get his picture recorded. Deer are frequent visitors "just passing thru" with a few getting overly friendly since we have no hunting on any of the three adjoining properties.

    The one I want to catch is a Bobcat that has scared the crap out of me in the past with his hissy growl. It just sounds like there are teeth in that sound. We had a cougar cross about 4 years ago (I got within 30 feet of it as I was on my quad). He paid no attention to me and went on about his business. Whew.

    We have 1 way in/out for visitors of which there are few with a turn around at the top which gets all angles of a vehicle. Even wondered how a package came to be on our front porch one morning. Dogs didn't bark. Didn't hear a vehicle. Upon reviewing the memory stick saw where a Fed Ex driver came up, rang the doorbell, announced his delivery (cameras have sound in/out) and left without anyone in the house hearing or paying attention. Good security, eh?

    2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    I loved the pictures of nyc's kids.

    Me too.

    MAybe I'll post mine though they are older than that....

    Alright, you do that and I’ll post mine; they’re even older. :surprise:

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    We had a terrible time with satellite too. I think it might depend on where your dish is located & how protected it is. Ours went out every time we had the slightest precipitation, but it's on a very exposed side of our house - no trees and just an open field next to it. The biggest issue was that whenever we had severe weather and wanted to know what was heading our way, we couldn't get reception - at the time we wanted it the most. (Hard to hear sirens where we live, too.)

    Comcast is fine. Packages aren't great, but at least we don't lose reception all the time.

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  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    edited January 2012
    Mine are old, too (though maybe not as old as jmonroe's) and rarely are they all three together, nor do they like to share photos of themselves with mom! Here's my oldest, though.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/10510462@N06/6641704605/

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  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,586
    Upon reviewing the memory stick saw where a Fed Ex driver came up, rang the doorbell, announced his delivery

    Well, at least he didn't just throw it over your fence.

    I understand, you are more concerned about wild predators than the urban type. They don't put on baseball caps or masks to hide who they are. You just want to know what is going on.

    Not nice having bobcats or cougars around. Of course down here an alligator could be waiting outside our door. I always try to watch when I take the dog for her evening walk, Gigi would make a nice appetizer for an alligator. No one actually has seen any in our area, but anything is possible.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,586
    Very nice picture.....we have some nice families around here.

    What is that picture he is holding up, is it your son all dressed up?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    No, the little photo isn't him. It's Justin Timberlake (singer/actor).

    My mom bought my son that hat and cut out JT's photo from a magazine, in which he's wearing an almost identical hat, then took the photo. My son gets mistaken for JT all the time. When we were in Mexico a few weeks ago, it happened a lot and several groups of girls wanted their photo taken with him. It's funny to hear groups whisper and point at him from a distance, asking, "is it him?" Yeah... because Justin Timberlake would be flying commercial coach and staying in a mid-range family-oriented resort.

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  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,586
    I bought the Magnavox MDR513H/F7:

    My IT expert said this would be the unit to buy if you were recording at least twice a week. For recording twice a month, the Toshiba at $99 probably makes more sense.

    That is a beautiful unit though...it is kind of tempting and amazing what $250 can buy. The first video recorders were over $1000 30 years ago!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Driver, I had a new heat pump installed in spring 2011.

    It's a Trane XL15i. Yes, little i at the end like a BMW.

    I wonder if it has feel of the climate. ps, It works very well,

    even with temps in the low teens. Same with A/C in summer.


    My next door neighbor has a heat pump. The house was built in the mid 70s and I’m pretty sure he said he’s on his 4 th one now. I know for a fact that he is on his second since I moved in (August 1998). I don’t know for sure what brand he has now but I’m pretty sure he said it’s a Trane. I remember him saying that he has not had the same brand twice. He’d give up his first born to have a gas furnace like the rest of us have in our neighborhood.

    He worked for the local power company when he had the house built and he fell for the line about “if you don’t have a gas line run to the house, you will get a hellava electric rate having an ALL electric home”. Well, now he would like to have a gas line put in but it would be waaay too expensive so he keeps dumping heat pumps into his house. :cry: Other than having to replace them with great regularity he likes them.

    I remember the heat pump we had for the second floor when we lived in SC had a problem. Twice, under warranty, the unit froze up when the temperature dropped and the reversing valve had to be replaced, which I found out is not all that uncommon for heat pumps. At least the Carrier brand we had proved that to be correct.

    I’m sure heat pumps are better today but I still want gas for heat.

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    Oh, and don't even get me started on a friend who has an account for her 1 year old baby.

    I know I can get paranoid about things but I don’t like the idea of having a picture of my child on a site that is available to a lot of people you could inadvertently start sharing info…everywhere.

    Even this place probably has a few kooks that are lurkers.

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    My problem here is twofold. One is the condo provides cable as part of the monthly maintenance fee. We pay a little extra to get more channels. That same cable company provides our internet.

    My brother, who retired to Delray Beach Florida a few years ago, lives in one of those gated, 55 years and up places and his community provides cable service too as part of their community fees. In the Spring of 2011 their community switched from Comcast to AT&T cable. We don’t have that cable service here in the Burgh area but from what I saw when I visited, it’s every bit as good as the FIOS we have.

    I am not sure if DirectTV is satelite TV, but if it is there are condo rules which won't allow you to put a dish on your roof. There are lots of rules, such as where you park, your garage door is supposed to be kept closed, your mullions have to be straight or they call the Mullion Police (mullions are those cross bars in the windows in case you don't know, I didn't until I moved here). Overall, I think the rules are good, but in some cases they defy reason.

    I agree that “overall” those rules are good but some are wacky. When we lived in SC every community had their own set of “covenants”. There was a gated golfing community that I considered because the lots were pretty nice and weren’t that pricey, all things considered, but in the end we decided against that place. There had to be a 15 page book (I’m not kidding) covering all the “do’s and don’ts” for that place. To be honest, they were pretty much common sense types of things but they were in writing just so they could enforce them if need be. There was at least one that I know wasn’t enforced because I saw this myself as we drove through a few times on a pass from our builder to check out the place. Get this, they didn’t allow cars to be washed in the driveway. They wanted you to wash it in the garage. :confuse: They also banned motor cycles because of the noise. This one they did enforce. There was a parking lot at the entrance where you had to park them before passing through the gate to get in. You parked your car there so that you could get to your house after dropping off your bike when you returned from wherever you went.

    If these places didn’t have these rules you would have to put up with the people that say, “it’s my house so I should be able to do whatever I want to do with it”. You would then have people who would store a refrigerator on their front porch. I don’t look at myself as an uppity type of person but IMO, if you want to do this with your house, then don’t live there. Buy a place on a country road and do whatever you want but don’t think that you have the right to make an eyesore out of a nice community just because you pay your taxes, like your next door neighbor does, to live there.

    Rant over.

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,586
    No, the little photo isn't him. It's Justin Timberlake (singer/actor).

    I am not that old but thanks for explaining who Justin Timberlake is. It's like I was asked for I.D. for a seniors discount, which is only 55 in Florida, made my day.

    There is definitely a resemblance, if i was him I would just ask them if they wanted my signature and then sign it JT.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    Shoot, I get excited when they card me for wine purchases, even though they have a sign that says "we card anyone who appears to be under the age of 40." I have no illusions that they think I'm under 21, but at this point I'm excited that they question whether I have reached 40 or not. A checkout lady at a store I frequent asked for my ID a few weeks ago and said, "oh, I didn't think you were THAT old." (I'm 45.) I chose to take it as a compliment, regardless of how it was intended :)

    The downside of my son looking like JT is that Mr. Timberlake is in his 30's (though he has a baby face). When I'm with my son and he's mistaken for the star, I am a bit disturbed that those people think that I am old enough to be his mother.

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  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    I know I can get paranoid about things but I don’t like the idea of having a picture of my child on a site that is available to a lot of people you could inadvertently start sharing info…everywhere.

    I agree. I've told my sister in law to remove (and never post again) pictures of my nephew and niece (3 and 1) in the bathtub.
  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    I have no illusions that they think I'm under 21, but at this point I'm excited that they question whether I have reached 40 or not.

    I know what it is to be cursed with looking younger than you are. No, I am not talking about me; I’m talking about Mrs. jmonroe. I remember one time in particular, this one restaurant said on their menu that if a senior citizen discount applied to you, mention this to your server before the bill is brought to you. Being one that knows how to follow directions, I did exactly like they said. The waitress said, “oh, she doesn’t look old enough but if you say so, OK”. Of course Mrs. j says, “I love this place, we’re coming back”. :)

    Good way to drum up business, huh?

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,586
    There had to be a 15 page book (I’m not kidding) covering all the “do’s and don’ts” for that place.

    The booklet we looked at before buying had to be about 80 pages. Some of the rules are silly, but overall, I would rather have rules than have a guy park his RV vehicle in the driveway next door, for example. Many don't allow pets, some do,...one community we visited allowed dogs if you lived around the perimeter.

    Generally, I think rules are good if you are in a gated or close community. I can understand people not wanting rules and they should live where there are none. You have to make sure the rules fit in with your lifestyle though.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Count me out on HOAs. I have enough to do with following silly laws without having to resort to following rules that get made up by a board of folks wit nothing to do but make up new rules.

    There's one in town that doesn't allow garbage cans above ground level. Since the entire town is serviced by one driver automatic trucks these folks have to have a private vendor come in to remove their garbage.

    They also can't hang laundry to dry.

    I have no idea what other little gems they have. Not the least bit interested in ever living in such a little fiefdom.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,671
    My experience with a restricted area with covernants near Cincinnati was that there were all these rules, but the people running the association and their friends always could get approval for variances for themselves.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,586
    Not the least bit interested in ever living in such a little fiefdom.

    That's unfortunate, I guess now you can't stay in the place when we are not here. :shades:

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,319
    I have no idea what other little gems they have. Not the least bit interested in ever living in such a little fiefdom.

    One development near me only allows the garage door to be open when you are pulling a car in or out. Can't have all those nasty garage insides being displayed for all the world to see...

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,586
    but the people running the association and their friends always could get approval for variances for themselves

    Yes, there are definitely negatives. But, there are lots of positives. The things I like the most is that they do all the maintenance and the grounds are beautiful....I wouldn't have or take care of the plants they have around here, maintence fee covers all external expenses, there is a common heated pool and a club house where you can meet people and not have to look after your own pool.

    It wouldn't be my first choice for a permanent home, though not too bad, but for a vacation home I like this better. Fixed cost on exterior items, it's like an extended warranty.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,586
    One development near me only allows the garage door to be open when you are pulling a car in or out.

    They have that rule here. I don't think they are really strict, but the homes are fairly close together, grouped in 4s, but they look detached. They all have beautiful white garage doors and it really looks better if garage doors are kept closed when not in use.

    It depends a lot on what you are used to and whether it matters to you. We had the garage door open all day because we were working around here and I doubt any one would complain. Just me, but I think, generally houses look better with the garage doors closed....especially the ones with garages full of old toys and stuff no one will ever use again.

    I wonder when I see a $30000 car in the driveway and a garage full with $300 worth of junk, and I don't find it looks that attractive...but that's just me.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Many years ago we went down to Clearwater Beach one day to visit my aunt and uncle there. Daughter #2 was about 16 months old then. We are at the pool of their condo and my aunt says to not let her into the pool with the (disposable) diaper on. Very sensitive topic. It seems the year before one of the residents let a kid in such a diaper in the pool and someone made enough noise that they drained the pool, cleaned it and refilled it. This was a pool only slightly smaller than the Gulf of Mexico....

    driver - don't worry. I can handle your rules for a week.... and no one is in diapers....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,429
    and no one is in diapers....

    not yet, anyway.... :surprise:

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  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Glad that someone spiked that set-up.

    Fun site for a little distraction.... DAmn you autocorrect!
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,288
    You are lucky they aren't sending you potty training stories......

    Thanks a lot Fezo! :mad: Had never had somebody post something in Facebook about potty training. Today somebody did, but why tell a story when a picture is worth a thousand words?

    I wish I was kidding.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,941
    I wonder when I see a $30000 car in the driveway and a garage full with $300 worth of junk, and I don't find it looks that attractive...but that's just me.

    From someone who doesn't have a garage that drives me crazy too. My brother's house has a beautiful 2 car garage that you couldn't get a model car in yet alone a real one. I just shake my head. The house also has a full basement and attic, so really no excuse. Garages are for cars, tools and a beer fridge.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,586
    and no one is in diapers....
    not yet, anyway....


    Exactly, that's why there are rules. This rule was made more for the residents than the kids who are visiting. :P

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,586
    edited January 2012
    driver - don't worry. I can handle your rules for a week.... and no one is in diapers....

    Oh sure, play by the rules when it suits you. How do I know you won't jump in the pool with a Depends on?

    ****Actually, that just gave me a great idea. Talk about being able to drive for hours without stopping............... :shades:

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Garages are for cars, tools and a beer fridge.

    Amen to that, brother.

    Our slightly oversized 2 car garage holds both the CX-7 and the ION, plus a toolbench and an extra fridge where I store my beer (when I have any around). Lots of other stuff in there, as well, but the basics are covered.

    Some people on our street park their cars in the driveway as the garage is too full to use properly.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    Our neighborhood association has a lot of rules as well, most of them unenforced - they seem to pick & choose, which is asinine. We're constantly trying to find loopholes in the covenant that we could exploit. For example, no above-ground pools are allowed. Fine, we're going to bury that kiddie pool we bought. No sheds, but if you have an in-ground pool, you can have a pool house. I think our in-ground kiddie pool needs a GIGANTIC pool house that happens to look a lot like a shed. The shed store around the corner sells one that's orange, with flames on the side. Perfect.

    Only a few more years here... I think it might be our last neighborhood experience.

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  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,941
    I am so glad I don't live in a "development". I'm in an older neighborhood (houses mostly built late 50s) and its great. There aren't any "rules" just common sense and normal neighborhood laws. Yes, of course there is one house that looks a little like Sanford and Son at times, but most people keep their place neat (taking in their trash cans, decent landscaping, no disabled cars, etc).

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    driver - it's like this. I can't be bought. I can, however, be leased at attractive rates.....
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Yeah, we live in a development and the place stays pretty nice without needing a bunch of busybodies making up rules.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,586
    it's like this. I can't be bought. I can, however, be leased at attractive rates.....

    I always said you were a man with principles!

    Warped ones, but still principles.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,319
    Our slightly oversized 2 car garage holds both the CX-7 and the ION, plus a toolbench and an extra fridge where I store my beer (when I have any around). Lots of other stuff in there, as well, but the basics are covered.

    Our basement(heated) garage holds the X3 and 2002 as well as an ancient Benelli Mini Enduro motorcycle. That garage also contains my workbench, tools, oils, and other automotive care supplies. I have an old Carver 2 channel receiver and some ADC bookshelf speakers I plan to hook up someday if I can find the room...
    The outside 2 car garage holds the ti, the MS3, the Speed Triple and the two ZTR mowers, as well as the rest of my implements of destruction- chain saw, leaf blower, hedge trimmer, etc.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,586
    we live in a development and the place stays pretty nice without needing a bunch of busybodies making up rules.

    Sometimes the rules do get out of hand. We have a friend who moved into a fairly new apartment and she is tired of some of the rules. The main one she doesn't like is her son drives a truck with advertising on it for his lawn care company. He can't park in the visitors lot because of the signs on his truck. She also wanted to put flower boxes on her balcony but that is not allowed.

    It's like most things, rules are good, up to a point, then they become counter productive.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    We're constantly trying to find loopholes in the covenant that we could exploit. For example, no above-ground pools are allowed. Fine, we're going to bury that kiddie pool we bought.

    You knew the HOA rules (or should have) before you moved in. Trying to "loophole" around the rules, after moving in, isn't being considerate of your neighbors. (One month suspension) :mad:

    I've lived in my HOA neighborhood roughly 7 months now... love it. It eliminates a lot of the ding dongs who have no consideration for other people. Yeah, we'll get some in here that try to ignore or "loophole" around the rules. But, that ends pretty quickly when the ole Jipster fines them a hundred bucks. :surprise:
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,242
    edited January 2012
    Oh, we have NO intention of violating the rules, and really, if the HOA enforced all of the rules equally, it would be great. It's a very nice neighborhood and the rules are intended to keep it looking that way. The suggested "violations" (which are entirely in jest) are just those we fabricate, wondering how long it would take before someone from the HOA would come have a talk with us.

    When we first moved in (and I mean, right at first), the camping trailer was parked in the driveway for a few days til unpacking was done, and a decent off-season storage facility could be located. The HOA president came by to point out our violation. We fixed it forthwith.

    Another rule: the trash service here rents giant, ugly red rolling trashbins to customers for $10 a month (no idea why anyone would pay that as you're allowed to buy and use any kind of your choosing). HOA rules state that those bins are to be kept out of sight apart from on trash day. About 1/3 of the neighborhood ignores that rule 100% of the time. Also, our neighbor has an old Ford Taurus parked on the street that hasn't moved for about 2 months. We've brought up the trash can issue more than once, but the HOA says they don't think there's much they can do about that. So they feel they can adequately address one issue and not others. I personally feel that the ugly trash bin storage (plus the ugly car display) makes the neighborhood look more downmarket than having stored a camper for 90 hours rather than 48 hours. We've had a couple of issues like this that make us think up ways to find unintended loopholes in the agreement - we'd never do it, but it's fun to think of telling them, "well, there's nothing prohibiting that in the HOA rules..." If everyone would just follow the rule of "take pride in your property," nothing else would be necessary.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/10510462@N06/6648517071/

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  • dino001dino001 Member Posts: 6,191
    It only sounds simple. In many cities HOAs are now in vast majority of the neighborhoods. I understand a concept of voluntary restraint for a greater good, but to me those HOAs are basically means for busy bodies to have another venue to thrive and tell people how to live their lives. Keeping the neighborhood "nice" sounds great until they come up with regulations of flag pole sizes, colors of doors, designs of window improvements etc.

    People always claim to want to be left alone, but boy their neighbor it's a different story: you should see his kids, how dirty they are, somebody should call social services, or this awful pink (yellow, green, pick color you don't like) windows - what an eyesore that is, we should go and bulldoze his house, or at least take his deed. It amazes me to no end how quick we all are to tell our neighbors about the length of their lawns or color of their window shades, at the same time wanting a full discretion on our choice how often we clean our driveway or what kind of mailbox we put in front.

    2018 430i Gran Coupe

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    One rule we have here is no parking on the streets. (which I like.) After having that rule in the books for years, the HOA recently discovered this rule is unenforceable because the city of Louisville owns the streets and maintains them. A few people still park on the street, even though asked not to. With double wide driveways and garages, really no excuse to park on the street.. unless you have a house full of teenagers and in-laws. :sick:

    Basketball goals are allowed in phase one of our development, but not phase two. This certainly could be challenged in court, if someone wanted to go that far.

    I guess there's always going to be one or two in any neighborhood to mess things up for everybody else. The best one can do is hope that you're not the one living next to them.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,586
    ugly red rolling trashbins to customers for $10

    The houses and the neighborhood look beautiful. Everything does look so neat and clean....I think the rules are working for you. Those red trash bins really stand out though, I think they should get brown or gray ones.

    If I was making the rules I would insist that they stay inside (the garage).
    Let's see a picture of the old Taurus.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,296
    Keeping the neighborhood "nice" sounds great until they come up with regulations of flag pole sizes, colors of doors, designs of window improvements etc.

    Sounds like that's going too far, until you get some kook wanting to put up a flag pole the size which is kept at the state capital. :sick:

    Look at a neighborhood association as joining a team. Are you going to be wearing a "Cars.Com" jersey, when everyone else is wearing a "Edmunds.com" jersey? Obey and trust your HOA officials, they know what is best for you. ;)
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,330
    dirty little secret in most neigherboods with a HOA is that you can do what you want, tell them to "sue me" and they won't, since they don't have the money (and the volunteers roped onto the board don't have the time or stomach for it).

    People get excited about some violation until they find out the cost to fight it is coming out of their pocket!

    Somewhere down near Philly this winter was a big stink about some townhouse community that decided only white lights, and some "rebels" went with colored ones so they got fined. Quite silly, especially since I think all white Xmas lights should be banned!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    I'm still trying to figure out how you have an HOA when you are on a city street (well, not you, stick - I mean jipst). If you want a basketball goal in the street I guess you could do that unless the city didn't like them.

    There have been a few stories of HOAs telling combat vets that their flags were too big. The usual replay is "stuff it!" As it should be.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,330
    I live in a normal contained development, built in the early-mid 90s. We have a HOA. Mostly they take care of common areas (medians, entryway, some open space). Sprinklers, landsckape and mow, that sort of stuff.

    But, we also have covenants to keep you from doing wacky things to your property. When we put in a pool, I had to run the plans and the fence we picked out to make sure the board approved. But, I can paint, put on a new front door, stuff like that without asking.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,319
    Many years ago I had a case where a subdivision developer put in a deed restriction that set up a street maintenance association which set a collected an annual fee for keeping the streets in good condition- but exempted the developer from having to pay the assessment as long as he owned the property. Well, the developer transferred his property to a corporation that he held a 100% interest in for tax purposes. The association tried to collect the fees after the transfer and he refused, arguing that he was still the owner. The association sued but during the discovery phase the developer's attorney found out that the association had voted to double the assessment, but that they had failed to follow their own bylaws.
    Bottom line: I ruled that the developer no longer owned the property and had to pay the assessment- but the vote to raise the assessment was void. The association "nailed" he developer, but took a 50 percent cut in revenue for the privilege...

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    "...rules are good, up to a point..."

    I agree. Our village council makes the rules here. You receive a "ticket" if you violate them, which must be paid within 30 days. Some examples are:

    1. Only green 30 gallon trash cans can be used.
    2. You need 6 trash cans---two for garbage on Monday, two for yard waste on Wednesday, and two for recycled trash on Thursdays. All must be labeled correctly.
    3. No trash cans can be put at the curb prior to 7 AM and they must be put away no later than 3 PM. (Don't know how working people deal with that one.)
    4. You may only install split rail fencing to blend in with the natural setting---no chain link, no barbed wire, etc. Only the rear of your home can be fenced.
    5. No parking on the streets. We received two tickets when our new roof was put on last month. The roofer didn't want us to pick up roofing nails in our tires until he had cleaned the driveway thoroughly. We managed to get those two tickets changed to "warning" tickets.
    6. All real estate "For Sale" signs must be one half the size of a regular sign. They are not to be posted less than ten feet from the curb That's a new rule that appears to be unpopular.
    7. If your dog barks more than ten minutes, you receive a ticket. No dog is allowed to be out in the yard after 10 PM or before 7 AM. (When we had a dog, we violated that rule constantly, but never got caught.)
    8. If you install a swimming pool, you may not entertain by the pool after 10 PM or before 9 AM.

    There are many other rules, but you get the idea. Since we chose to live here, we try to honor them. One of our four police cars frequently patrols our street at night. We are known as the couple who "never goes to bed". They don't have a rule about that yet. :D

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    Some months ago, we had a discussion here about the purchase of televisions. The topic was introduced because I had trouble with 5 vertical lines which covered half of the TV screen in our family room. Since we have three other TV's, and since we don't watch TV that often, I never did make a new purchase or attempt to have the old one repaired. When my nephew was here for Christmas, he asked why I hadn't done something about that TV in the family room. This week I took the bull by the horns---but didn't yank on them. ;) I had my electrician stop by to confirm that our TV couldn't be repaired. He did just that. I then proceeded to study all of the posts from you guys as to what to purchase. Today, I made such purchase. I got a Samsung 42 inch LCD TV with 1080 p and 120 hz. It has Wifi and muti-entertainment capabilities. It just did fit into the family room bookcase. I chose LCD over LED and Plasma because of possible glare from the sunny windows. The color is beautiful and the picture quality appears to be excellent. I know what you are wondering. No, I didn't install it; my electrician did. I extend my sincere thanks to all of you for your advice and suggestions.

    Richard
  • sterlingdogsterlingdog Member Posts: 6,984
    That's a great picture of your son. Did you pay the mega bucks for the brace work, or did he develop those beautiful teeth on his own?

    You also have great taste in fabrics. The fabric that is on the chair to the left of your son in the picture is the identical fabric that we have on a Martha Washington chair in our formal living room. My wife found that fabric at an interior design shop several years ago, and had to have it to recover that chair. The colors look good with everything.

    Richard
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