HOA'S IN CHARLOTTE AREA---DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY CAN DO?

I received a letter in the mail yesterday from my HOA. I purchased the home we are in back in November and did my due diligence to get a copy of the restrictions and covenants before i moved in. I was quite surprised by the amount of different agents i talk with, who do not even consider getting a copy of the deed restrictions and any Homeowners Association Covenants for prospective buyers. I personally feel that should be readily available when you are looking at a home. Especially being from up North; where a Homeowners Association basically only applied if you owned a condo or a town home. I make sure each and every one of my buyers know if there is an HOA and if there are any deed restrictions on the property before they put an offer in.

My letter stated that i was in violation of one of the covenants(for the record they had the wrong house) about the maintenance of the yard. They said it was my duty and responsibility to make sure that my yard was clean and cut. If I failed to correct the issue they could fine me up to $100.00 a day for ten days. i knew that there were certain expectations from me when I moved into the neighborhood.....How many people do not? Do you know if they allow the type of fence you want to put up on your yard? What about a storage building or a swing set? How about a pool? Before you consider any of these items get a copy of your homeowners covenants and restrictions. You might be surprised by what you read. I had a neighbor who bought into the same subdivsion I was moving in. As i was in the process fo moving in I noticed her was removing what looked to be a relatively newer picket type fence. After gettign to knwo them; I asked why did you remove the fence? he replied "it violated the covenats and restrictions for type fo fence allowed. they made me take ti down". Now, I know from experience I have been shocked by some of the deed restrictions the builder put in when the home was built....some not even the owners of the property for over 10+ years were even aware of existed.

So, if you are looking to purchase a home in the Charlotte area, please check to see if there is an HOA. Also, before you put an offer in to purchase a home get a copy of the deed restrictions so you know what you Can and cannot do on your property.

Dave diCecco
www.davedicecco.com