Holy HOA Dues!
A question from a reader, which I just now got to–my apologies:
Hello! I own a townhouse in High Point (and follow your blog) and was
shocked to see that my HOA dues effectively doubled. I am alone or is
this an issue in the community? I had thought for some reason that
they couldn’t go up by more than 5% or so per year. Do you guys know
anything about this?
Best,
–John S.
So does anyone know anything about this? Or has anyone else had a similar experience???
January 29, 2008 at 12:05 am
YEECH!!! How did this happen??? I love your blog!
January 29, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Mine went up too……I believe the developer was subsidizing part of my dues ( I live in the Dwelling Company Units)………bummer man!
January 30, 2008 at 5:04 pm
We were surprised to see our HOA rates increase also. However, we live in the Polygon units which has it’s own Condo Association. So our dues include electricity and water in addition to the HP HOA dues - Some items doubled where other items did not.
January 31, 2008 at 6:18 pm
What community do you live in where the dues doubled? You should have been sent a copy of the budget that details what costs have increased. My understanding is that SHA ended their subsidy of certain costs on 12/31/2007 so now costs are transferred to homeowners.
I live in Polygon and have a 3 bedroom unit. Our monthly fees went from $258/mo. to $307/mo. THings like utilities and landscaping only went up a little. The contribution to the High Point Assoc, which we pay through our own Polygon fees, made up most of the increase I think but I’m not sure…
January 31, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I hate to say it, but I have the answer for you guys…… (at least on the Polygon side)
Remember, we were given a subsidy from City of Seattle for our dues. (look carefully in the CC&R, I missed it too) That went away December 31st, 2008. All of our dues went up at least 40 bucks or so, depending on where you lived, size of place, common elements etc.
Add this to the usual 3 or 4% for increase of materials, inflation, usual stuff.
COME to the HOA meetings!
You’ll find out all this and more. Right now, we’re working on a great number of things to reduce our cost, using volunteers, committees and the such.
Polygon HOA (Redwood Highpoint) meetings are 1st monday of every month, 630pm at the library. Our little Highpoint Library
February 1, 2008 at 12:11 am
went away dec 31 2007, I mean..
February 5, 2008 at 10:27 am
Thanks for the replies everyone. I’m also in the Dwelling Company units. Jim, I think I’ve met you before. I suppose the subsidy removal is behind this awful price hike. Speaking of which are the CC&Rs online somewhere? I know they change over time as the board passes resolutions and such…
–J
February 9, 2008 at 6:59 am
The agreements you all signed seem to be on a cd each sales agent hands out. If you did not read yours or diagram it to track all the references to various parts of the document the gotchas are hidden in, then you’re in for some fun.
If you need a current copy, I suggest locating the current open model for your particular developer and ask for another copy.
Were you guys really aware of all the rights you signed away?
I read contracts for fun and the one I read certainly was a hoot.
March 13, 2008 at 8:21 pm
John, et al….
The HOA CC&R and lots of other official documents is posted on the CDC Management website for High Point–the one that requires a login & password–at https://www.associationvoice.com/member/signin_secure.asp?assn_id=10275.
The site isn’t particularly up-to-date, but it has some interesting stuff on it. I understand CDC Mgmt (Jeanette) is looking for some volunteer help keeping it updated.