It's that time of year [HOA fees are due]
Since the Northeast is buried under a foot of snow or more, this picture of a neighborhood swimming pool is meant to warm you up a little bit. And while it's a little too cold to think about swimming today in Charleston, it won't be long until spring arrives (I hope) even though the first day of winter is tomorrow.
The first of the year is when the bill arrives for those neighborhood amenities that everyone enjoys and your HOA fee pays for the community swimming pool, tennis courts, clubhouse, etc., and of course, common area maintenance to make your neighborhood look good.
A few months ago, I expressed my opinion that some HOA's might be in financial trouble because if some people were having trouble paying their mortgage, car payment or credit card bills, more than likely, when you prioritize who you are going to pay, the HOA might not be at the top of your list.
My neighborhood is no exception and accompanying the bill was a letter from the management group indicating that a comprehensive collections policy will be put in place including late fees, liens and possible legal action for past-due accounts. And that's only fair to the residents who are paying their HOA fee.
Many people who move to the South aren't familiar with Homeowner Associations or why they are necessary. Some home owners feel that if they own a home, they can do what they want. And that's true if you don't live in a planned community. But if you want to enjoy the neighborhood amenities and benefits, not only do you have to pay for them but you also have to comply with the covenants and restrictions that are put in place to hold the community to a high standard and enhance property values.
We're not talking about oppressive rules but rather common sense. Rules about maintaining your lawn, adding fences in compliance with the look of the neighborhood, exterior modifications that meet the approval of the architectural review board (ARB), etc., are in place to insure that your neighborhood will continue to be as enjoyable to live in years from now as it is today.