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Benjamin Stovall · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:53 pm Post subject: HOA concerns

I'm in the process of buying a primary residence where I plan to build out a VO studio. In the Santa Clarita area of California where we want to buy, a great deal of the housing is attached to HOAs, so this led to me wondering if I'm going to run into problems with the various association's architectural guidelines.

In this area these are in every other respect typical single-family style homes: free standing private residences, no shared walls with adjacent structures, etc., however are part of a P.U.D. (Planned Unit Development) and are therefore classified as "Condos".

We really won't know what the limitations are until we can review the CC&R's for specific communities, but I wondered if any of you have run into issues in this regard in the past or could share any insights you may have.

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:50 pm Post subject:

in my experience owning two homes, HOAs are more concerned about trash cans being left out too long or your grass not being mowed often enough. In regards to actual changes in the house, more often than not, they approve most reasonable things. They simply want to be asked. ya know, to feel important.
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Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

jsgilbert · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:06 pm Post subject:

Many have rules that tend not to get enforced, unless or until you've had the misfortune of pissing off a board member.

Make sure that a home based business is 100% allowed. In some cases, zoning regulations will tell you the story right away.

But realize this is a slippery slope. Situations, local laws and the such are affecting innocuous businesses such as individuals running eBay businesses, etc.

If i doubt at all, have an attorney read the rules and regs and give you their opinion.
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melissa eX · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:16 pm Post subject:

I echo what everyone here has said for the most part but - as a former VP on the board of an HOA where I own land - slippery slopes are abundant and one thing to keep in mind is legally, rules must apply across the board. If there is ever a serious problem with a member and the only way to resolve it is to enforce a rule that's technically be broken but hasn't been enforced, it must be enforced across the board. No exceptions. Seek out an attorney that specializes in HOA's in the area you're interested in and go over the agreements with a fine-toothed comb.

Bailey · Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:25 pm Post subject:

CC&R's where we live (55+ area) are pretty easy. The inside is our's... do what you want. Exterior changes... run it by the "Board" first.
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Bruce · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 10:09 am Post subject:

In Arizona I saw HOA bylaws that dictated the short list of colors you could paint your home exterior and short list of plants you could plant around the home. No satellite dishes, no flagpoles, no one under 55 years of age, no one could park on the street in front of your house for more than an hour....

Some of these HOAs are run like little Stalinist countries with power-mad people in charge of their square mile. Bored retirees with nothing better to do I guess.

Inside you should be safe, but yes, verify.

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imaginator · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 10:48 am Post subject:

...i still have to follow city/town regulations of course, but was lucky enough to be a long-time resident of the neighborhood before a homeowners association was formed and had the legal right to opt out.

after looking over the contract, i politely declined.

the gentleman seemed perplexed by my decision. but i maintained i did not need yet another bunch of people telling me what i could and could not do.

one of the best decisions i've ever made.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 4:59 pm Post subject:

Got a little concerned by this thread so I looked at my CCRs. Thankfully, they do allow a home-based business. I would guess most other HOAs are similar, especially with the growth of Tupperware businesses and such.
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Yonie · CM Joined: 31 Aug 2011 Posts: 906

Just an opinion: Santa Clarita is a lovely place.

Benjamin Stovall · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 5:27 pm Post subject:

I totally agree Yonie. My day job is in downtown L.A. and I catch a lot of flack for the distance I'll be travelling, but to be honest, I much prefer it over anything remotely close to L.A.

melissa eX · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2012 10:09 pm Post subject:

The problem you run into with home-based businesses is most apparent in the older communities when the by-laws were written before it became practical to run a business from home - so having a business by necessity meant foot traffic. The by-laws weren't written with any distinction between 'business' and 'home-based' business - because home-based wasn't on the radar when they were written.. It's much the same problem the unions are in now. Contract language that doesn't take into account the myriad ways the world has changed.

Sorry, didn't mean to throw a curveball in there -but it IS much the same. Smile

heyguido · Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2012 3:06 pm Post subject:

Sorry to join in on this thread so late..... but I was on the road when this one began....

I'm an officer on the board of my HOA, and it's a large one (1300 homes)....

As a general rule, HOAs are usually only concerned with exterior changes, so unless you're adding onto your home for studio space, interior modifications should not be an issue. That being said, as others have noted, always read the fine print, as some HOAs DO restrict business uses, though, in this day and age, most recognize the fact that many of us do work from home, as consultants, salespeople, independent reps, VOs, and the like. Most HOAs are chiefly concerned with maintaining the appearance and property values of the neighborhood. As long as you're a good neighbor, and don't impact others, it's usually not an issue.
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