When I moved in, the association fees were $40. Now that there are even more residents, you would think the costs would be split up, but no, the association fee almost doubled up to $75 without increasing the services provided. Now it's going up again? What is this? It doesn't make mathematical sense. The yard out front is still the same size it was a couple years ago. We don't have a pool. We don't have tennis courts. Where is this money going? Cut the grass out front, that's it. Stop wasting stamps telling people what they can and can't do with their own house. This is why I got out of apartment living. If you're concerned about what your neighbor is doing with his or her property, you should probably move to a nursing home where these things are supposed to be monitored.

By Tony

assoc fees/bylaws

you're kidding, right?

if you think the association fees are too high, that's one thing.

but saying that I shouldn't care at all about what my neighbor does (or doesn't do) to their house? you've got to be kidding. what you do in your house, you're right - it's none of my business. But what you do (or don't do) on the outside of your house affects my home's value -- so that's definitely my concern. And that's why we have community bylaws - which you were made aware of before you signed the dotted line and bought your house. While the Assoc fees have changed, the rules haven't.

Paranoia

We're not talking about people building golden idols in their frontyard or stackin' a Trans-Am up on blocks in their driveway. Do you really think your property value will go down because some guy down the street has a trash can behind his house?

''Wow, this is a nice house you have. I'll give you $150,000 for it...oh, wait, the grass across the street is kinda high. I'm afraid I can't go above $120,000.''

Relax. Everything will be okay.

real issue

I don't know about everyone else, but although trashcans seems to be a big issue,(which I still have yet to hear a valid argument on why I can't put them nicely on the side of MY house)I think everybody needs to understand that they just jacked our fees up through the roof, yet nothing really seems to change. Huh, all that extra money............no changes, go figure. Well maybe my trashcans will be the first change. I agree with Brian, don't sweat the small stuff, look at the big picture.

Jay

By Jay