Comments for Topretirements

Comment on With Some States in Trouble, Be Careful About Worst States to Retire by Antiquedealer

Antiquedealer — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:42:43 +0000

Up to now I enjoyed your retirement newsletter - but your article the “worst
retirement states” only hurts our economy more, These states need help and
you said “do not move to these states or get out while you can” Wow it is
like kicking a dog when there down. Very disappointed in your website.

Comment on Meet the New Boss - Your HOA by Ezra Moser

Ezra Moser — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:26:59 +0000

Having lived in a planned unit development with a HOA for the past 10 years and served on the board for 3, I can speak from experience in saying I look forward to retiring in a community without a HOA. The costs far outweigh the ineffectual benefits. At a most fundamental level, you are not gaining a new boss, you are joining a gulag when you buy into a HOA. You may think you own your home, but the HOA is God and your are nobody when it come to the rules. In my state they can take your home (as in foreclose on your property) for pretty much anything they see as an infraction of the rules. Your only means of appeal is with the board itself. You have no right to a fair and unbiased hearing with an independent arbitrator. And as far as qualifications for serving on the board, forget about it. Most people join to gossip about their neighbors and decide on how to enforce their petty taste preferences on the rest of community. Most of the things people think they need a HOA for are already covered under your city’s nuisance or enviromental hazards laws (like troublesome pets, and junk cars in the yard).

Comment on Meet the New Boss - Your HOA by John Brady

John Brady — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:27:40 +0000

Thanks for these wonderfully insightful and helpful comments. You guys are great! John

Comment on Meet the New Boss - Your HOA by old nassau

old nassau — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:40:26 +0000

Two comments:
1. Regard your HOA as an added set of your suburb’s zoning/co laws, which are an added set of your county’s zoning laws, which are an added set of your state’s zoning laws. Example (from above): if the suburban you wants to add onto your home, you need construction permits. If the 55+ you wants to repaint your house, you need HOA permission. Residential suburbs generally have restrictions about renting, home businesses, junk cars, lawn maintenance, etc. So do HOA’s. One difference: you get a set of HOA rules and regs that you must sign at closing. Zoning laws are strictly your responsibility.
2. Given the present housing problems, be very aware of the financial base of your HOA. Too many foreclosures, abandonments, and dues-delinquent owners: Your HOA fees skyrocket.
3. On a more numerous note: Florida state law specifically PROHIBITS any HOA from prohibiting (not reasonably restricting)the installation of clotheslines, solar or rain collectors, etc: “(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or other provision of general or special law, the adoption of an ordinance by a governing body, as those terms are defined in this chapter, which prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the installation of solar collectors, clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources is expressly prohibited.”

Comment on Meet the New Boss - Your HOA by Kevin Price

Kevin Price — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:19:12 +0000

I am the newly elected President of a Homeowner’s association in MA. I agree it is essential to review the covenants (they usually pass with your title). It is also a good idea to get copies of the last several years worth of association meeting minutes to get a sense of issues affecting the association and how they were dealt with by the association’s Board and membership.

Comment on Meet the New Boss - Your HOA by Jan Cullinane

Jan Cullinane — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:51:01 +0000

As you note, John, it’s a good thing to consider and think about before purchasing a home. I live in a master-planned community with an HOA - the community doesn’t have to be age-restricted (mine isn’t). Some of our neighbors object to having to submit a color change for approval if getting their home re-painted; others have disliked receiving a letter reminding them to bring in their trash cans within a certain time after trash pick-up, or to remove stains from their driveways. Others want even more rules. So, read over the covenants that govern your community carefully before buying, and be sure you’re on board.

Comment on No 2010 COLA Increase in Social Security - Is “Stimulus” Payment an End Run on the System by bj

bj — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:41:59 +0000

get real under $5.00 a week gets me 1/2 gal of milk maybe

Comment on Top 10 Trends for Active Adult Communities in 2009 by Spirit

Spirit — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:53:16 +0000

Most of your point, especially 1, 3-4, 6 and 8, provide much food for thought for the Long Range Planning Committee of any established community, especially one that is HUGE (12,000 units) and OLD (40+ years). I hope they will be open to your suggestions.

Comment on When Active Adult Communities Go Bad by » Meet the New Boss - Your HOA Topretirements

» Meet the New Boss - Your HOA Topretirements — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:30:06 +0000

[...] Owners Associations (very good) Community Associations Network Community Associations Initiative When Active Adult Communities Go Bad Posted by John Brady on November 9th, 2009 Entries (RSS) and Comments [...]

Comment on No 2010 COLA Increase in Social Security - Is “Stimulus” Payment an End Run on the System by paraplegic

paraplegic — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:49:19 +0000

problem is formula does not accurately represent the cost of living for the majority of seniors living primarily off of social security. i live pretty much the same from month to month. Same grocery list, same utility bills, same bus fare, same medical needs, samo, samo, samo. I know my dollars do not go as far as they did this time last year. Electric rates are up. Prescription drugs are up. Copay at the Dr. is up. Dental cleaning is up. Same bag of groceries is up, up, up, up. Maybe the price of a Lexus is down,or a Cruise to the Med. is down, but these aren’t on my survival list. So lets spend less time on $250.00 here and there, and 2% one year, 3% the next, 1.5% the next and the 5.8% and then nothing and lets get the powers to be to address the real the problem. The CPI-W just doesn’t work. I am not a clerical worker. I am a retired veteran who deserves more.