What is My Neighborhood’s Architectural Control Committee?
In neighborhoods with a homeowners association (HOA), you may have to get approval for remodeling or landscape projects from the association’s architectural control committee (ACC). What is this committee’s purpose? How do you get approval for your plan? Here’s what you need to know. What does the architectural control committee do? The architectural control committee, […]
Do Your Due Diligence When Buying a Condo
If you’re thinking of buying a condo, the condition of the building and its finances will have a direct impact on you, so it’s important to research both. Here’s what you need to know. Basic condo facts All condo buildings have a homeowners association. The owners of the building’s unit are its members, and they […]
Six Ways Your Neighbor Can Sabotage Your Home Sale
You can spruce up your home to perfection before you put it on the market, but problems on your neighbor’s property could still make selling your house difficult. Here are six ways your neighbor can sabotage your home sale, as well as some suggestions for resolving such situations. Be a good neighbor yourself Keep in […]
How to Interact with Your Homeowners Association
Homeowners associations, or HOAs, provoke strong feelings in some residential developments. Avoid conflicts with goodwill gestures such as these. Understanding the HOA’s purpose and structure An HOA is an organization of the owners in a condominium complex, townhome development or subdivision. These organizations allow property owners to govern their neighborhood in a way that protects […]
Brush Up on Your Legal Terminology to Secure Your Property Rights
When you buy a home you may expect that you have complete freedom to do what you want with the property, that’s likely not the case. You will probably discover an encumbrance, or limitation, legally imposed upon you regarding its use. In other words, an encumbrance is any claim or interest held by someone other […]
Homeowners Associations: Love ‘em or Hate ‘em?
Homeowners associations provoke strong emotions. Depending on who you ask, they are viewed as either the neighborhood’s protector of home values or, in some cases, a small group of residents who take community rule enforcement to the extreme. What is an HOA and why do they exist? Simply put, an HOA is a private regulatory […]