LUNAT1C’s new(ish) asylum! (First home purchase)

[hrmwrm]

i like i can go out in my yard and hack any and all branches i want.
unless they own the land it's on, they have no liablities. up to the landowner in case of an accident who's liable.
it's you who would be liable.
i'd make sure it's in the contract all is on the contractor in case of injury or death.

[Sneke_Eyez]

It seems like the work itself will be fine, I already met with the President, who indicated that the Secretary, who is retired, adores trees, and tends to be ridiculous, tends to go overboard. He said getting approval shouldn't be issue.

The issue now is our preferred Arborist is an owner/operator business with no payrolled employees. As such, the State of Michigan does not require him to have workmans comp insurance, and he doesn't. But, the association requires it. I've pointed this out to them with a quick summary I grabbed from the web and haven't heard back, but it strikes me as very odd to be sticklers for that when the even the state would roll its collective eyes at them.

Hopefully this is the only thing we butt heads about. I get it, the area is wooded and they want to protect it, and they want to avoid liability if something were to happen, but there's a limit to things like this.

The President did say that they're usually easy to work with and understanding, and I've already seen the benefit as they prevented someone from using Pepto Bismol as the accent color on her house. Yikes.

Sounds like maybe my initial impression is wrong.
Having the President on your side (in all matters) will be a positive for sure.

[beespecial]

The President did say that they're usually easy to work with and understanding, and I've already seen the benefit as they prevented someone from using Pepto Bismol as the accent color on her house. Yikes.

I'm sure that this kind of thing was the reason for the creation of HOA's in the first place. However, like so many other things, power goes their heads and they want to control everything that goes on. We are actually looking to move from our house of 30 years and i hope that if we do pull the trigger on moving, we can find a house that does not have an HOA. Our HOA hasn't been overbearing but at the same time it hasn't had much teeth either. Many obvious covenant-breaking has happened during our 30 year residence that I don't see any hope of it ever being rectified. It has contributed to the decline of the neighborhood and its' a contributing reason for us looking to move.

[00R/T]

The President did say that they're usually easy to work with and understanding, and I've already seen the benefit as they prevented someone from using Pepto Bismol as the accent color on her house. Yikes.

I'm sure that this kind of thing was the reason for the creation of HOA's in the first place. However, like so many other things, power goes their heads and they want to control everything that goes on. We are actually looking to move from our house of 30 years and i hope that if we do pull the trigger on moving, we can find a house that does not have an HOA. Our HOA hasn't been overbearing but at the same time it hasn't had much teeth either. Many obvious covenant-breaking has happened during our 30 year residence that I don't see any hope of it ever being rectified. It has contributed to the decline of the neighborhood and its' a contributing reason for us looking to move.

Yep. They can be a blessing and a curse. When I bought my house, the house on one side was vacant and in need of sprucing up as the owner was in a convalescent home. The house across the street was a mess, with broken down cars on the lawn. This definitely hurt property values, but I saw it as a good thing. It meant that nobody would care about the relatively minor improvements my house needed, and it also meant getting mine cheaper than I otherwise would have. I knew the one across the street was in foreclosure, and the one next door would likely be sold at some point too.

Now, 2 years later, a nice young family just bought the house next food, and the house across the street was bought by “flippers”. Within a year or two, I expect them to look great.

[LUNAT1C]

Definitely blessing and curse. I've seen all the "horror stories" written about militant HOAs, which I think outside of cutting trees, painting new exterior colors, having exterior work done, changing landscaping, and adding architectural improvements, they will be fine enough people.

My parents have an HOA for their neighborhood in Florida and my dad has only had a few complaints about them in 10 years. 1st was when they were making exterior improvements and submitted all the materials for approval. The day the work was to start (a week after submission) there was no reply, He called the president to find out what was going on and was told, "Oh, oh yeah it's all good, so-and-so must have forgotten to tell you." That was a big eye-roll from a man whose career was in managing the financial arm of a major German electronics company.

Another was with regard to his pickup truck that he bought in 2017 to pull behind an RV. He sold his boat and wanted to get an RV to tour the country, so he bought a 2017 Canyon to flat tow behind it, being too cheap to get another new Tahoe to replace our 98, and not being interested enough in the Jeeps we looked at. Well, the HOA has an antiquated rule from the 1970s (neighborhood was built in 03... I don't get it either) that no commercial vehicles may be on the property overnight, which includes pick-up trucks, regardless if they are owned personally or by a business. They require him to park his truck in the garage. Knowing that, I asked the same guy who's being a stickler about the trees and workmans comp what the rules here are, since they'll visit us in that truck, and he said they're a lot more lax about it, the only issue they've had was when someone who owned an "adult" store had the business name on his vehicle. Family neighborhood and all that.

When we were still considering moving to Florida, not terribly far from them, and we had rented a Mustang for a week while were there and visiting Key West, we took a tour of the surround area. Their neighborhood is beautiful. Very clean and well kept, paver sidewalks everywhere, though you can tell there are only a few house designs, and the gate could be tickled to move up faster than than three hours. We went across the main road to a neighborhood 5 minutes away that either has no HOA or one that has "no teeth" and saw house after house with spotty lawns, kids toys all over the place, dirty facades, boats stored in driveways, etc.

Another thing that gets me about this experience is, if they're so adament about the exterior of someone's home, and health of the trees... how many fines did they toss at the previous owners? The trees needed to be done years ago and there are a few trim boards that need to be replaced that we're temporarily filling in to keep insects out.

[LUNAT1C]

More progress being made. Paint is on the walls in two rooms! Master bedroom and home office are done, and the kitchen is masked off. Still need to paint the kitchen and guest room, redo the floor in the master, and sheetrock and mud and paint the garage before we move in. Also discovered the water softener needs to be replaced, as evidenced by all the hard water stains on the faucets and scale in the washer and dishwasher, and the fact the old softener is original and ended production almost 30 years ago. Fun... Another expense. I also need to fix the front spigot and shutoff valve for it so I can wash the car without there being a lake in the basement. I thought about connecting it to the softener system, but I'll need a plumber for that. We'll see.

We also met with the board Friday night to review our trees and got approval for everything we need, we just need our arborist to get a workman's comp rider and we can get started. Still doesn't make any sense to me, as I don't envision it stopping anyone from sueing the association of he gets hurt... Just his imaginary employee from sueing him or them... But whatever helps them sleep at night.

Painting pics! I'll need to touch up the ceilings where paint got astray despite our best efforts. Kitchen will need an artists fine brush on the edges since the interior walls are not straight (shocker) and the last painter had trouble making straight lines while throwing pasta sauce on the walls.

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[adu1982]

Looking good you guys. Keep it up......

We have HOA , but my approach, that so far has worked, was to not really approach them. I cut down 2 front trees completely (my house and my dad's house) ,enlarged my driveway, Working (including today) to cut all of them down..Can't trade off the shade for the fact that they ruin white vinyl fences (just put some back behind them a few months ago).....etc....only complaints were before I enlarged my driveway for parking a bit on the grass (literally maybe a tire off) and trash cans or grass (gone on vacation and trash cans left in front of driveway)....My neighbor I know had issues with them when he asked about putting a shed behind his fence because you could see the top over the fence....but he asked first. So he moved it in front of his porch (behind his house). He is a cop now too. He chuckled when I told him I never asked them about the shed and just put it up. You can see mine (bigger than his) over my fence from the street, but, it's a huge neighborhood and many houses have them all over.....I did have issues with them with the trash cans on the side of the house, because they are visible from the street. They suggested I keep them in the garage....yeah right. So I put up 4ft fences on all 3 houses for the trash cans However I still see some houses around with their trash cans on the side , visible from the street....what gives..... I think sometimes they just try their luck too, as in if you don't say anything back.....they push the issue. If you ignore them or fight back and it's not a huge issue they give up or just say yes. I do agree that they are good. We did have a guy that painted his house in a weird green color with duck shapes on the sides. Luckily HOA probably made him change it to normal colors and no funky shapes.



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[First Lady]

Had a virtual tour last night and you guys are doing such an awesome job!! Keep it up!!
And so glad the tree thing has worked out!!

[LUNAT1C]

Yes, several club members got a Zoom tour the other night. It was so nice to be able to see a bunch of familiar faces and hear familiar voices, as it’s been going on two months my office has been shut down and 1.5 that the state has been... getting tired of only hearing my co-workers on Skype!

I’ll try and get images up this weekend, but the LVP floor is done in the master, including the walk-in closet. I used literally every plank to get it done! Skin of my teeth, if you will. With the auto industry shutdown continuing, my company is having me burn several more vacation days... this weekend is 4 days and so is next weekend, with a tentative return to the office 5/18 assuming the governor (*that* woman from Michigan!) doesn’t extend the stay home order again. I’d understand and agree if she did, but that may lead to a furlough next if the automakers can’t restart product and kick up our sales again. Just in time for our first mortgage payment... I need Ford, Toyota, Honda to get back to production!

At any rate, that means today I am cutting up some quarter round trim to finish the floor, renting a brad nailer this afternoon. I transported my stand-up air compressor from Berkley this morning for the job. I need just 6-ft more of the trim to finish the closet, and white wood putty to fill in the nail holes.

As Lindsey noted, the trees are finally getting the royal treatment. Two dead came thundering down yesterday, stumps ground this morning, two cleaned out yesterday afternoon, and the remaining cleaned out and elevated today. Hopefully it can be done today, as it will barely get into the 40s tomorrow.

Now I’m getting quotes for drywalling the garage. I’ll measure the studs before I head to Home Depot for the nailer, and pick up replacement insulation while I’m there. I’ll hopefully have some drywall quotes and water softener quotes before the weekend is out. Drywalling and mudding the garage is the last hurdle before we move in, and since I have to take off Thursday and Friday next week, I’m aiming to rent a U-Haul truck and get that done early next weekend. Garage needs to be dry walled and painted before the Specials get in, and before the heavy tool box is in the way of painting.

All my office furniture is here, so I may set up my home office this weekend as well and work from this house the three days I work next week if I’m able to have a drywaller and water softener crew out next week. Need the softener... 30 year old softener died long ago and the faucets are telling the tale.

I also need to make my way over to a hardware store like ACE to see what they have for spigot and shut-off valve repair kits. The front sillcock leaks from the anti-siphon valve and probably around the handle, and the stop/waste valve that shuts water to it leaks through the plunger. Hoping to avoid total valve replacement, as I am not a plumber, and Luna desperately needs a bath from being driven in late December while the Jeep was in the shop.

[Sneke_Eyez]

Sounds like you have made great progress, Robert! Good luck with the rest! Hopefully your company gets back to work!

[LUNAT1C]

Trees are done. Water softener is done. 4th room painting will be done tonight. Drywall guy is coming out Monday to quote the work. Animals are coming to the house tomorrow while the landlord shows the rental to potential new tenants. Both landlords will be there this time to help limit how many people are in it at once, keeping it only those who are serious instead of tire kickers. I envision lots of bleaching will happen when we get back... With any luck we'll be moved in next weekend. Planning to rent an auto transport for the black car. Luna may be left behind for a bit until we can collect anything else remaining.

[Sneke_Eyez]

You guys have been moving quickly! Congrats on the progress! You have accomplished a lot before you even moved in!

[First Lady]

Is this the move in weekend?!?!

You guys have done so much, I can’t wait for you to get in and start enjoying it!!!

[LUNAT1C]

I didn’t realize it until recently, but you all are right, we’ve done a lot. I would consider the house to be partially remodeled now! We have more projects we want to do, including painting the kitchen cabinets and getting a stone counter and backsplash in, plus finishing the garage, and adding arborvitae to the backyard for privacy, but we need to refill the house savings first.

This weekend is the plan! As the auto industry continues to bleed, I’m on mandated vacation today and tomorrow. I rented a carpet cleaner again today to make a few more passes over the back room carpet and the front room/dining room where we can see stains and still smell something nasty. I just did one pass over each area (now at three passes total since closing) and the water is still a nasty brown... but it’s looking better.

Drywalling the garage is on hold for now, and I still need to cut and glue down the door thresholds for the master bedroom door and master bathroom, but we’re ready to rent the U-haul truck and auto transport and move in. I was planning on getting a temp registration for the black car so I could drive it to the new house and drive it for part of the summer, but the DMV is shut down until further notice, so it has to be on a transport. Luna will likely be left behind for a short time as I’ll need to drive the truck while Nick drives my Jeep with the kids in it. After we return the rentals then we’ll go back for his Jeep and anything left behind. We may go back one last time if it’s not too late and grab Luna, or leave her in the garage in Berkley overnight.

We had the “kids” at the house on Sunday to introduce them while the landlords showed the rental to a few serious prospective tenants. Bear was beside himself, and enjoyed looking out the rear sliding glass door (door wall, in Michigan...). Talia (the little gray Russian Blue cat) took a bit of time but eventually explored the house wherever we had it open. Ezri, my little brown tabby scaredy cat, born feral almost 8 years ago, crawled into her little cat apartment/scratcher and stayed there glaring at me until I dragged her out to go back to the rental. She’ll warm up to it eventually, I’ve moved her four times in the last 8 years and she’s hated it every time.

[First Lady]

Happy moving day!! Hope it all goes smooth and all vehicles, fur babies, and you both get settled in well!!

[LUNAT1C]

The move went well enough. Getting the King bed mattress up the stairs was... Interesting... But we're in! The black car needed some 2x4 assistance getting on and off the transport, but all went well enough. Ezri and Talia fought us getting into the carriers and were very scared. Bear is nervous and doesn't know what to do with the stairs. I'm sure they'll acclimate soon. Even Ezri, the scaredy-cat, came up to the bedroom and jumped up into bed with me last night. She's cautiously exploring today.

Driving Luna last night was nice. My eyes stuck to the IMS window cling many times on the drive last night, thinking of John and all the advice I know he'd have for this new journey. And all the things I knew he was excited about for us.

But, we're in. We have a few miscellaneous things left at the rental, plus the lawnmower, and need to clean the place. But we're in!

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[Sneke_Eyez]

Congratulations on getting in - that's a great looking garage right there with two great Ms in it!

[LUNAT1C]

Congratulations on getting in - that's a great looking garage right there with two great Ms in it!

Thanks! I don't remember seeing it when we first toured the house in January or the inspection at the end of February, but there is a TireRack wall-rack for a second set of wheels/tires mounted to the rear wall of the garage. I hung myself from it for a bit to test the weight and it held, so it must be attached to the 5 studs where it's got 5 bolts in the wall. Luna's original wheels with the tires she had when I bought her in 2009 are up there now, still wrapped in the TireRack canvas handle/wrappings my sister got me for Xmas that same year after I got the SRTD's.

Maybe now I need to try to refinish them properly so they look good on display, since they haven't been used since the original tires on the SRTD's were toasted in 2013.

[Sneke_Eyez]

Congratulations on getting in - that's a great looking garage right there with two great Ms in it!

Thanks! I don't remember seeing it when we first toured the house in January or the inspection at the end of February, but there is a TireRack wall-rack for a second set of wheels/tires mounted to the rear wall of the garage. I hung myself from it for a bit to test the weight and it held, so it must be attached to the 5 studs where it's got 5 bolts in the wall. Luna's original wheels with the tires she had when I bought her in 2009 are up there now, still wrapped in the TireRack canvas handle/wrappings my sister got me for Xmas that same year after I got the SRTD's.

Maybe now I need to try to refinish them properly so they look good on display, since they haven't been used since the original tires on the SRTD's were toasted in 2013.

That's a cool built-in feature to have had come with the house! Those racks are nice.

[First Lady]

What a find!!! I’ve always wanted a setup like that. Alan has something similar at their home in CT and I thought it was a good way to free up floor space and use wall space!!