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Post by tenacious on Jul 13, 2014 21:36:45 GMT
a few doors away from you, in a traditional neighborhood? We own a piece of property on a very nice cul-de-sac that has some strict covenants. Another property owner has submitted a plan for their dream home--and ultra modern home made of concrete, steel, and burnt wood siding. It is totally out of sync with the neighborhood, and while I do like modern design, it is pretty extreme and will stick out like a major sore thumb. The architectural committee is asking for our input, as it would be an exception to the covenants. I am all for letting people use their property how they wish, but, we are actually trying to sell our piece of property and fear it will scare away potential buyers and will negatively affect the values. Would it scare you away? Erin
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Post by Heart on Jul 13, 2014 21:42:24 GMT
I'm so against covenants it's not funny. I'd never live in a house with them. I don't know that I could tell someone else what to do with their house. It seems mean.
I'm currently renting which limits me, but it means I don't have to repair stuff.
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,860
Jun 26, 2014 22:49:09 GMT
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Post by tracylynn on Jul 13, 2014 21:47:31 GMT
It depends - are the convenants binding? Meaning, will they be able to go to the County and override you? If so - is it worth putting up a fight?
When I lived in an HOA, if what the person wanted to do was "legal" per the County, there wasn't much we could do about it.
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Post by donna on Jul 13, 2014 21:48:00 GMT
What are the covenants for if big exceptions like this are going to be made?
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Post by tenacious on Jul 13, 2014 21:52:00 GMT
I am not totally positive, but, I do believe the covenants are binding. I do not believe they could override them.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 20, 2024 5:14:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2014 22:07:56 GMT
If the covenants are binding then I'd veto it. Once an exception is made they will continue to be made to the detriment of those who bought there for the current aesthetic. If people are wanting to build to a different aesthetic they need to buy property in an area that matches their desire.
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Post by moveablefeast on Jul 13, 2014 22:09:22 GMT
If the association and the architectural review board approved the design, I would fIgure it was none of my business.
This is actually one of the reasons I like having an association. Our neighborhood is architecturally consistent - not uniform but consistent.
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Sweets McPea
Junior Member
Posts: 75
Jun 25, 2014 23:03:39 GMT
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Post by Sweets McPea on Jul 13, 2014 22:10:18 GMT
If it's against the covenants it's against the covenants. They should build where their modern architecture will be appreciated. Why build a house where it's incongruent and clearly against the guidelines of a traditional neighborhood? I'd have no problem with voting nope.
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Post by magentapea on Jul 13, 2014 22:10:31 GMT
What are the covenants for if big exceptions like this are going to be made? I agree. I would pose my objection to it in that manner. I would be leery of setting a precedent for additional exceptions.
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,706
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Jul 13, 2014 22:12:15 GMT
I don't get your question--are you asking if I, as a homeowner in the neighborhood, would say something (the "wwyd" question) to them?
Or are you asking if I, as a potential home buyer, would stay away?
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Post by gar on Jul 13, 2014 22:12:21 GMT
It wouldn't scare me off at all.....I don't see anything wrong with it unless your home and those around you are of historic significance rather than just older and of a different style
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,706
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Jul 13, 2014 22:13:03 GMT
If the association and the architectural review board approved the design, I would fIgure it was none of my business. And for the record, I completely agree with this.
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Post by tenacious on Jul 13, 2014 22:17:13 GMT
Sorry-to be clear, the architectural committee has NOT approved it, but, are formally asking for our input. If we do not give our approval (or decline to give input) they will approve it.
So, 2 questions: Would it scare you away as a potential buyer? Would you vote to disapprove?
Erin
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Post by tenacious on Jul 13, 2014 22:18:51 GMT
Ack! I can't edit from my Iphone--
I meant to say that if we reject it, the architectural committee will also reject it.
I am not making sense today.
Erin
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Post by dazeepetals on Jul 13, 2014 22:19:09 GMT
We have several areas in Houston that are like this. Older neighborhoods where people have gone and purchased the older home, destroyed it, then built a uber modern home. Many of the houses are very unique, some are rebuilt traditional, etc. Trust me, the property values in the area are not going down......
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,706
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Jul 13, 2014 22:19:21 GMT
Sorry-to be clear, the architectural committee has NOT approved it, but, are formally asking for our input. If we do not give our approval (or decline to give input) they will approve it. So, 2 questions: Would it scare you away as a potential buyer? Would you vote to disapprove? Erin If you don't approve the plans, the board will still approve it? I would really have to see the plans and see the rest of your neighborhood. It's really hard to gauge based on what I think ultra modern looks like in a non-modern neighborhood, not knowing how close your houses are to each other, etc.
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,706
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Jul 13, 2014 22:20:02 GMT
Gotcha!
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Post by tenacious on Jul 13, 2014 22:22:26 GMT
*relieved* ;-)
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Post by brina on Jul 13, 2014 22:25:10 GMT
I cannot stand neighborhoods where every house looks the same. We chose our neighborhood because it does not have an HOA and other than lot coverage restrictions (size of house relative to size of lot) and height restrictions, the town does not limit what you can build.
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SuPeaNatural
Full Member
AUSTRALIA
Posts: 424
Jun 27, 2014 8:49:11 GMT
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Post by SuPeaNatural on Jul 13, 2014 22:30:00 GMT
I would give my input to the committee. No point in staying silent then hating a house that has changed\ruined the atmosphere of the street. If the committee has such strict criteria, I'm surprised they are even considering something so far outside the guidelines - if they pass this house they're opening the floodgates.
If I was house hunting for traditional and saw an ultra modern house in the street, I wouldn't consider buying there.
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Post by kamper on Jul 13, 2014 22:30:39 GMT
If you are asking would it deter me from buying your home I guess I need to understand the situation more clearly. Do the covenants say that only a certain style is allowed or that an architectural review is required? If it is the former and the review board voted to give an exception then I would not buy a home in that neighborhood. What is the point of having design rules if they are going to grant exceptions? If I went it knowing that any style might be allowed I would be ok with that. I personally don't have a problem with neighborhoods with mixed styles what I have a problem with is paying for HOA controls and not getting them.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 20, 2024 5:14:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2014 22:31:47 GMT
Here's my genuine answer: if it was the first/only modern residence among an other-wise all traditional neighborhood, yes, it would turn me off as a buyer. If, on the other hand, the neighborhood was already established as a mixed-style neighborhood such that the home values incorporated and supported this mixture (many of the "HIGH rent" districts in my city are like this - and it carries into other neighborhoods here, as well), then it would not bother me at all.
If you are getting ready to sell asap, then perhaps that right to vote should really go to the new owners of your house - as they are the ones who have to live with this. So, one solution may be to vote no and tell the committee why - and suggest to the committee that the "modern house people" (for lack of a better descriptor) resubmit after your closing.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jul 13, 2014 22:32:21 GMT
I don't like too much homogeneity in a neighborhood. Some variety in architecture appeals to me. But there's 'some' and then there's 'too much.' In this case, it sounds like it's 'too much' for the neighborhood, so I would vote no. If the covenants are there and they know they are clearly going against them, I'm not sure that's really the location for the house they want to build.
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Post by AN on Jul 13, 2014 22:32:55 GMT
I think if you have covenants, you should stick to them unless there's an exceptional reason not to (the plots aren't selling and this is a good buyer, someone who has lived in the neighborhood for 15 years needs to build handicapped access onto their home, etc).
My personal opinion is that as long as it is the same "level" of quality as the other homes, similar size, the different style wouldn't bother me. It wouldn't be a negative in a neighborhood at all if I was shopping. But I don't like getting into exceptions to covenants, it starts getting messy and can break an association into factions, is a slippery slope for other people wanting exceptions, etc.
So my feedback to the committee would be that the covenants were laid out for a reason, at a time when people were using their best judgment, and I think we should deny because it is against covenants.
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Post by Zee on Jul 13, 2014 22:37:41 GMT
I like diversity in a neighborhood. My house now is new construction, but my last home was 90 years old in a mixed style neighborhood and I loved that. I made sure when I bought this one that there was no HOA because I like being free to do with my property as I wish. I would not have any problem with an ultra modern new home in my neighborhood, and it would not turn me off as a potential buyer.
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Post by ntsf on Jul 13, 2014 22:43:42 GMT
I think a modern home in any neighborhood adds interest. I lived in a very modern home built outside boston in a neighborhood of old buildings...it looked neat. I don't like "conforming" neighborhoods...and I don't think it will change property values at all. our neighborhoods are also full of old homes with totally modern interiors....whatever. as long as it is safe and meets code...go for it.
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Kerri W
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Posts: 3,768
Location: Kentucky
Jun 25, 2014 20:31:44 GMT
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Post by Kerri W on Jul 13, 2014 22:55:09 GMT
I think if you have covenants, you should stick to them unless there's an exceptional reason not to (the plots aren't selling and this is a good buyer, someone who has lived in the neighborhood for 15 years needs to build handicapped access onto their home, etc). My personal opinion is that as long as it is the same "level" of quality as the other homes, similar size, the different style wouldn't bother me. It wouldn't be a negative in a neighborhood at all if I was shopping. But I don't like getting into exceptions to covenants, it starts getting messy and can break an association into factions, is a slippery slope for other people wanting exceptions, etc. So my feedback to the committee would be that the covenants were laid out for a reason, at a time when people were using their best judgment, and I think we should deny because it is against covenants. This is exactly it for me. It isn't really about the style of the house (I don't love modern architecture but really don't love cookie cutter houses either) but about breaking the covenants for one person and what that will lead to down the road. The homeowners living their currently bought with the condition that everybody would be held to the same rules...it's not right to change the game now.
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Post by myshelly on Jul 13, 2014 22:57:59 GMT
I'm so against covenants it's not funny. I'd never live in a house with them. I don't know that I could tell someone else what to do with their house. It seems mean. . This is me as well. I despise the idea of covenants/HOAs.
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Deleted
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Apr 20, 2024 5:14:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2014 22:58:34 GMT
So, 2 questions:Would it scare you away as a potential buyer? Would you vote to disapprove? Honestly, the binding covenants and HOA would turn me off as a buyer way more than a random style house in the development. I would vote to approve, but mainly because I hate HOA's that much. Having said that, I understand your concerns and would, as a fellow homeowner, understand if you voted to reject the plans.
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Post by turangaleela on Jul 13, 2014 23:04:36 GMT
I love modern homes (which does not explain my early 70s disco-era home) and would only be turned off as a potential buyer because I'd rather have that house than a traditional one.
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