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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / July 2005AARRGGHHHH!
&)*()(*)#$%@#$*$ homeowners association!!!! We received a registered letter today from a lawyer informing us that we are in violation of deed restrictions by having a (beautiful) 8 foot high wooden fence (that we've had for over a year and have heard not one peep from the HOA about before the letter from the lawyer). We're told we have until July 31 to either remove the fence or be sued (and fined $200 a day for each day of being in violation plus court costs and lawyers fees). I'm floored. 75% of the houses on my block have fences that are half falling down and rotting away, but they haven't been cited because they're 6 foot tall or under!!!! OK, we can't just take the fence down - the whole reason we put the fence up in the first place was because our homeowner's insurance said they were going to drop us if we didn't fence in the spa (so trespassing kids wouldn't drown and have their parents sue the sh*t out of our insurance company). And less than a week to contract with a fencing company to come out and do a major construction projects???? Please, it's the height of their season (we'd be lucky to get someone inside of a month!!!). Thank gawd my son and DH are both handy and own power tools. But I'm sitting here near tears listening to them outside sawing our beautiful fence off at 6 feet! Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! Nosy neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I would think people would pay *NOT* to see that)!!! Hugs, CatNipped > Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! Nosy > neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I would think [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > CatNipped It was probably one of your neighbors who turned you in. Kind of like a neighbor we had behind us who would watch out the window, hoping I think that the kids' ball or balsa airplane would go over her fence so she could have something to gripe about. Sherry > > Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! Nosy > > neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I would think [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Sherry Probably. I don't understand people like that. DH and I are pretty much hermits (computer geeks who seldom stick our noses out of the front door), so it isn't that we've even interacted with neighbors enough to piss anyone off! Hugs, CatNipped >>>Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! Nosy >>>neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I would [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > so it isn't that we've even interacted with neighbors enough to piss anyone > off! Unless that's what pissed them off! (Some neighbors aren't happy unless they know all their neighbors' business.) > Hugs, > > CatNipped >>>> Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! Nosy >>>> neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Unless that's what pissed them off! (Some neighbors aren't > happy unless they know all their neighbors' business.) This story is just one more reason *purr purr* I am EVER so happy *little dance* that I no longer *meeerrowwllpurp* have that fooking millstone house off from around my neck! *puuurrrrrrrrrrr* *Apartments Forever!*  SignatureOnce a suicide bomber, always a suicide bomber >> Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! Nosy >> neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I would think [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Sherry I heard some busy bodies complained about some neighbours with messy rooms. So we got a notice that areas that are visible from the outside have to be kept tidy. I am glad I live in a corner unit in the upper floor that nobody can see into any of my rooms. Still I keep the blinds in Rusty's room drawn. You can't tell a cat to tidy his room. Winnie >>>Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! Nosy >>>neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I would think [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Winnie Messy rooms? Holy cow. That takes the biscuit. Does my mother set the rules there or something? > > I heard some busy bodies complained about some neighbours > > with messy rooms. > Messy rooms? Holy cow. That takes the biscuit. Does my mother set the > rules there or something? Sounds like your mom and my mom are on a council (or starting the Neatness Nazis or something) :) What the **** business is it of anyone else's what you are doing in your home, as long as you're not hurting anyone else (ie making your children live in filth) Don't like it? Don't LOOK IN! It sounds like having the sex shop as a neighbour would be BETTER than the homeowner's association! --Fil >> > I heard some busy bodies complained about some neighbours >> > with messy rooms. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > --Fil All the units in my building have an atrium with floor to ceiling windows. It is like a glass enclosed balcony. So it is highly visible from the outside. We were told to keep the atrium tidy so that the building won't look 'unsightly' from the outside. When my windows leaked and they didn't fix it properly for a long time, I wrote a letter to management saying the building will look unsightly if I have to keep a bucket on the window sill all the time and it would turn off any potential buyers of any condo unit. They promptly fixed my window properly. So seems like people do put a high priority on how the building looks. But what bugs me is the busybodies who reported on their neighbours' messy atriums. We were also told not to put boxes in the atrium. Well I have 2 litter boxes in there as Rusty lives in the atrium. Again that resulted from my downstairs neighbour complaining about noises early in the morning. It finally dawned on me the noise was from Rusty jumping up and down on the heating duct. Since then he has been sleeping in the atrium where there is nothing for him to make noise with. Winnie > I heard some busy bodies complained about some neighbours with messy > rooms. So we got a notice that areas that are visible from the > outside have to be kept tidy. I am glad I live in a corner unit in > the upper floor that nobody can see into any of my rooms. Still I > keep the blinds in Rusty's room drawn. You can't tell a cat to tidy > his room. Eesh! That reminds me, I really need to find some sort of stained glass thingie to put in the tall, narrow window in the front doorframe. The window allows those outside to look right up our stairs and see the entire upstairs hallway, through which I tend to traipse around ... well, not entirely clothed. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> I heard some busy bodies complained about some neighbours with messy >> rooms. So we got a notice that areas that are visible from the [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > entire upstairs hallway, through which I tend to traipse around ... > well, not entirely clothed. You can put blinds or curtains on your window by the door. Winnie >> That reminds me, I really need to find some sort of stained glass >> thingie to put in the tall, narrow window in the front doorframe. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Winnie Sure, I could ... but I really like the idea of a stained glass look. My experience with curtains about 6-8 inches wide hasn't been good. I think I can actually get a sticker thing to put on the window ... hrm ... Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>> That reminds me, I really need to find some sort of stained glass >>> thingie to put in the tall, narrow window in the front doorframe. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > I think I can actually get a sticker thing to put on the window ... > hrm ... You mean stained glass sticker or change the whole window glass to stained glass. There is also glass block to let in the light but one can't see through it. Winnie >>> That reminds me, I really need to find some sort of stained glass >>> thingie to put in the tall, narrow window in the front doorframe. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > I think I can actually get a sticker thing to put on the window ... > hrm ... Let me know what you decide on. We have clear sidelight on both side of our front door. And I really do need to cover them just a bit. But do not want blinds or cloth. I'm thinking maybe those hanging stained glass things. Brain dead today. That isn't much of a description. Jo Like, what are "hanging stained glass things"? Got a solid wood door here but when we move it's likely sliding glass doors will be part of decor. Personally, I do think "stickers" look pretty trashy in general (I did have a largish cat one on the house's s.g.d.leading to back porch as during parties there was always @ least one guest who slammed his face into them heading for porch LOL.) but they were on my s.g.d.'s for a different reason! >>>> That reminds me, I really need to find some sort of stained glass >>>> thingie to put in the tall, narrow window in the front doorframe. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > Jo > Like, what are "hanging stained glass things"? Got a solid wood door here > but when we move it's likely sliding glass doors will be part of decor. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > into them heading for porch LOL.) but they were on my s.g.d.'s for a > different reason! Let me try here and you will see I seem to have lost my command of the language today. I've seen stained glass ornaments in gift shops. Flat and usually about three or four inches across. They have a place for a hook on the top. And they come with those suction cup things that stick onto the glass and somehow hang from them. I;m thinking I could make a string of them about three or four feet long and hang it from the top of the window frame. Or 'd like to find some nice crystal "beads". Jo >> Like, what are "hanging stained glass things"? Got a solid wood >> door here but when we move it's likely sliding glass doors will be [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > four feet long and hang it from the top of the window frame. Or 'd > like to find some nice crystal "beads". Yup, and I swear I've seen these in 6" x 3-4' versions, perfect for the little window to the side of our front door. Hopitus -- I'm not talking about stickers in the sense I think you mean. I've seen "stickers" that are sheets of translucent stained-glass pattern. The same effect as real stained glass, or close, but much cheaper. Naturally I'd prefer a stained glass piece of art, but they're easily in the hundreds of dollars. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > >> Like, what are "hanging stained glass things"? Got a solid wood > >> door here but when we move it's likely sliding glass doors will be [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > close, but much cheaper. Naturally I'd prefer a stained glass piece > of art, but they're easily in the hundreds of dollars. Just beware that after the sun beats down on them for a while they're a b*tch to scape off if you ever want to remove them (and they tend to get the odd scratch here and there that makes them look bad). Hugs, CatNipped >> Hopitus -- I'm not talking about stickers in the sense I think you >> mean. I've seen "stickers" that are sheets of translucent [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > they tend to get the odd scratch here and there that makes them look > bad). Ugh. Thanks for the warning. Actually, Oscar was frantically pawing at this very window this morning ... I think maybe she saw herself, as she does this to mirrors, too. Anyway, I'm sure it would get scratched up in a hurry. I'm currently looking at two stickers on the office windows, one a birthday cake, one a bird of some sort. Left behind by the previous owners' daughter. I know what you mean about trying to scrape 'em off! One of these days, I'll tackle it. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca Oooooooh.....that does sound pretty. I had no idea there was such stuff; have never seen it. Great solution. Here's another....maybe. In FL I had several friends who are stained glass artists and can paint designs on your glass. I don't think they charge "hundreds of dollars" but who knows? They were xray techs just like me and when I'd go to their houses their work would be all over the place, but I never talked much about it w/them. Maybe there are artists like that here....probably Boulder the local center of artistic culture, student riots/ethanol deaths, and mouthy professors LOL. I know some artists in Denver but not for stained glass. Just an idea..... >>> Like, what are "hanging stained glass things"? Got a solid wood >>> door here but when we move it's likely sliding glass doors will be [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > close, but much cheaper. Naturally I'd prefer a stained glass piece > of art, but they're easily in the hundreds of dollars. > Oooooooh.....that does sound pretty. I had no idea there was such stuff; > have never seen it. Great solution. Here's another....maybe. In FL I had [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > close, but much cheaper. Naturally I'd prefer a stained glass piece > > of art, but they're easily in the hundreds of dollars. There's also the stuff that you can "paint" on glass that "cracks" when it dries to make a pretty fractal effect. Also you can "do it yourself" stained glass even if you aren't an artist. First you make odd shapes on the glass by laying down "solder" - you have to be sure it's not too hot that it cracks the glass - make octangles, rectangles, etc., then just paint the shapes different, complimentary colors. Hugs, CatNipped > Let me try here and you will see I seem to have lost my command of the > language today. I've seen stained glass ornaments in gift shops. Flat and [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > them about three or four feet long and hang it from the top of the window > frame. Or 'd like to find some nice crystal "beads". You can get them in all kinds of shapes and sizes and styles, from the little ornaments through sizable panels to actual replacement windows. I think there's at least one local artisan who makes them to order, and they are used in private homes as well as churches (well, churches seem to tend to go for the windows, and homes for the panels, but there are homes that have stained glass windows, some of them modern). Maybe if you look around in your area, you'll find someone who does stained glass work, and order something just the right size and style. SignatureCheryl >> I heard some busy bodies complained about some neighbours with messy >> rooms. So we got a notice that areas that are visible from the [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > entire upstairs hallway, through which I tend to traipse around ... > well, not entirely clothed. Too bad you're so far away. I taught myself stained glass over 6 years ago. I love it! I've made all sorts of panels, windows, lampshades and jewelery boxes. If you lived closer, I'd make you one to fit your door for cheap. -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album >>That reminds me, I really need to find some sort of stained glass >>thingie to put in the tall, narrow window in the front doorframe. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > lampshades and jewelery boxes. If you lived closer, I'd make you one > to fit your door for cheap. It wouldn't be as pretty, of course, but they used to sell translucent "stained glass" and "frosted glass" patterned Contact Paper for use in such situations, is it no longer available? I had a kitchen door with a window that gave a good view of my bathroom, once. Converting it to "frosted glass" with Contact worked just fine - let in the light, but no one could see in. (And if you do it neatly, your busy-body neighbors would have no reason to complain - for all they'd know, you simply replaced the glass.) >>I heard some busy bodies complained about some neighbours with messy >>rooms. So we got a notice that areas that are visible from the [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > entire upstairs hallway, through which I tend to traipse around ... > well, not entirely clothed. Home depot sells something like that. It is a plastic sheet that comes in a roll in a variety of decorative patterns. It is not contact paper but something similar I think it is pretty colorful though. To see an example of the stained glass pattern go to the link shown below. I know it's kinda long but I tried to make a shorter link at tinyurl but for some reason it didn't work when I tested it. Doing a search at www.homedepot.com on "window film" will show more examples of the patterns available. rrb http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META &CNTKEY=misc%2fsearchResults.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@0811734075.1122780833@@@@&BV_E ngineID=ccdfaddffkegmekcgelceffdfgidgkk.0&MID=9876 > It was probably one of your neighbors who turned you in. Kind of like a > neighbor we had behind us who would watch out the window, hoping I > think that the kids' ball or balsa airplane would go over her fence so > she could have something to gripe about. here is a winner for you. I used to fly gliders out of Wingham airport. We used a winch launch to get them airborne (so we did not have a tow plane flying around.) A lady next door to the airport used to complain to the town council about "all the engine noise" from "those yellow airplanes circling over my house all weekend." We were gliders. We didn't HAVE engines. Nobody on the ground could hear us. --Fil > &)*()(*)#$%@#$*$ homeowners association!!!! > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > the fence or be sued (and fined $200 a day for each day of being in > violation plus court costs and lawyers fees). I'm so sorry to hear this. But ... having an HOA, wouldn't you typically get permission and check the rules before starting on a project like that? Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > &)*()(*)#$%@#$*$ homeowners association!!!! > > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > typically get permission and check the rules before starting on a > project like that? I wouldn't think you'd have to get permissions for a wooden fence when 2 out of 3 homes in the subdivision have one (and I've even see 8 foot ones, but they must be friends of the people on he HOA)! We found out that the deed restrictions document can be *purchased* from the HOA! Hugs, CatNipped > I wouldn't think you'd have to get permissions for a wooden fence when 2 out > of 3 homes in the subdivision have one (and I've even see 8 foot ones, but [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > CatNipped Well, that's just not fair. I know it would be crappy to end up making other homeowners tear theirs down too, but I'd have to ask the city code people why they could keep their fence, but you have to remove yours. Or do I have this wrong? Does city code have anything to do with it, or is it just the homeowners' associaton? Sherry > > I wouldn't think you'd have to get permissions for a wooden fence when 2 out > > of 3 homes in the subdivision have one (and I've even see 8 foot ones, but [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Or do I have this wrong? Does city code have anything to do with it, or > is it just the homeowners' associaton? No. We have no zoning laws here in Houston - theoretically a porn shop could open up right next door to your home. Which is why we have HOAs. And it's purely arbitrary whom they cite and for what. I'm sure if we wanted to we could complain about such and thus about our neighbors, but I would never have dreamed of doing so. I still don't know why this is an issue which suddenly has to be resolved in less than a week when the fence has been up over a year! I think I *will* start going to the meetings from now on, though. Hugs, CatNipped > Sherry >>>&)*()(*)#$%@#$*$ homeowners association!!!! >>> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > of 3 homes in the subdivision have one (and I've even see 8 foot ones, but > they must be friends of the people on he HOA)! Only HOA I ever had dealings with was when I owned a condo/townhouse, briefly. I had no idea they had such things where you own the actual lot on which your house stands! In the case of a condo, it made sense, since the association was responsible for maintaining the common areas (roof, publc walkways, exterior landscaping, swimming pool, etc.) for which we paid our monthly dues. However, membership was part of the terms for purchasing the condo, and any restrictions on structural changes we might make were clearly spelled out in the purchase agreement. > We found out that the deed > restrictions document can be *purchased* from the HOA! Aren't things like that supposed to be "matters of public record"? (In which case they'd be on file with some government agency.) > >>>&)*()(*)#$%@#$*$ homeowners association!!!! > >>> [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > and any restrictions on structural changes we might make > were clearly spelled out in the purchase agreement. The subdivision does also - there's a "community" pool and tennis court at the front of the subdivision (you need a picture ID to use them). > > We found out that the deed > > restrictions document can be *purchased* from the HOA! > > Aren't things like that supposed to be "matters of public > record"? (In which case they'd be on file with some > government agency.) No, the HOA is a private association. They can't call the cops on you for a too-high fence, but they can sue you is you are in violation of the deed restrictions (and fine you $200 a day for every day you *stay* in violation). I think it's one of the reasons the people who sold us the house moved out - they got cited for having too many pine needles on the roof and having a dented car in the drive-way. There was one case of an elderly woman (like 70 years old or so) here in Houston whose HOA *SOLD HER HOUSE FOR $100* because she owed $600 in HOA fines. She finally got the house back again, but it took her 10 years of legal battles and the people of Houston chipping in to buy her house back for her (now you know why we immediately went outside to cut down our fence!!). Hugs, CatNipped >>>>> &)*()(*)#$%@#$*$ homeowners association!!!! >>>>> [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > > CatNipped That's illegal unless the hold the note and she was deliquint. They can't sell her house. You don't sign your house over to a homeowners association. You pay dues but that's about it. Sorry, but that's just not a credible story. Jill > >>>>> &)*()(*)#$%@#$*$ homeowners association!!!! > >>>>> [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] > > Jill No, it was on the news here just recently when she got her house back - I'll see if I can google it. When you're sued here and can't pay the lawsuit they can sieze your property. OK, here it is - I got some of the details wrong, but not the gist of the story: http://www.ccfj.net/HOATXanforecl.htm This article is about *two* cases of an HOA selling someone's home, the second one is the one I was talking about: Practice is common The push to curtail homeowners associations gained momentum after 83-year-old widow Wenonah Blevins lost her Houston home in 2001 when she failed to pay $814.50 in association dues. Blevins eventually got her home back, and public outrage galvanized state leaders to install protections that included the 180-day period in which a property owner could repurchase their home after a foreclosure. But more needs to be done, according to Robert A. Axelrad, Bernhardt's lawyer. "There are no safeguards with non-judicial foreclosures," he said. "You are talking about such a relatively small amount of money. The question is whether people should be allowed to take away people's homes without the safeguard associated with the judicial process." The practice of homeowners associations threatening foreclosure has become much too common, said David Kahne, a lawyer who has represented homeowners against foreclosure. He estimates that 1,000 lawsuits are filed each year in Harris County by homeowners associations seeking foreclosures. Hugs, CatNipped >> There was one case of an elderly woman (like 70 years old or so) here >> in Houston whose HOA *SOLD HER HOUSE FOR $100* because she owed $600 [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > You pay dues but that's about it. Sorry, but that's just not a credible > story. It has happened in California, too. It's become such a problem that CA is looking at laws to prohibit HOAs from being able to do that kind of thing. b > That's illegal unless the hold the note and she was deliquint. They can't > sell her house. You don't sign your house over to a homeowners > association. > You pay dues but that's about it. Sorry, but that's just not a credible > story. > Jill In Texas, the HOA can put a lien on the house for non-payment of dues. It can also file for foreclosure ( I think that is the term). We live in Texas, but not in Houston. Non payment of dues was a big problem in our housing development. The HOA started filing foreclosures, first on vacant lots that had been purchased for investment and let go to weeds. That started getting people's attention. After several vacant lots were sold, the HOA sent letters to delinquent homeowners. Needless to say, people started paying up. Contrary to what onlookers might assume, the HOA did not profit from these foreclosures. The HOA paid the legal costs up front. When the property was sold at auction, the taxing entities got first dibs to collect any past due taxes. Mortgage holders would get their due. The HOA came in somewhere down the line. I don't know the whole process for dividing up the money, but I believe the property owner got whatever was left after the obligations that were owed were paid. What the HOA got out of it was a new starting point from which dues would be paid instead of getting more and more behind. Where we live, people who are 65 or older get additional reductions and freezes on property taxes. Maybe that is also the case in Houston. Even so, I'm sad to say we have retired people selling out and moving because of high property taxes. I suspect the HOA was not the prime "culprit" in the woman's financial problem. The HOA probably filed to begin the process in order to cut its losses. The woman probably was behind in property taxes as well, and that's likely where all the money went. Those of us who live in these types of developments all owe the HOA dues, regardless of age or other situation. When you are deciding to buy into an area with a HOA, it's your responsibility to find out what the regulations and dues are. Those who do not pay are being subsidized by their neighbors who do. If you already are in the situation, you can become an active member of the HOA and work to make changes if you believe some regulations are unreasonable. Annie >> There was one case of an elderly woman (like 70 years old or so) >> here in Houston whose HOA *SOLD HER HOUSE FOR $100* because she [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > homeowners association. You pay dues but that's about it. Sorry, > but that's just not a credible story. In our HOA, they can put a lien on your house so that you can't sell it until you've paid the fines, whatever they may be. One guy around here argued about getting fined for not putting his trashcans out of sight between pickup days. A fine that started out at $100 or something ended up getting several thousand slapped on for lawyer fees and such. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>> There was one case of an elderly woman (like 70 years old or so) >>> here in Houston whose HOA *SOLD HER HOUSE FOR $100* because she [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > something ended up getting several thousand slapped on for lawyer fees > and such. If true, then just another reason not to have an HOA, in my opinion. Granted, trash cans overflowing are unsightly. But empty trash cans shouldn't get on anyone's nerve to the point of fines. My apartment complex (thankfully) has a place for my trash cans right next to my fence and they stay there but you know what? Over holiday weekends sometimes they are sometimes overfilled because I've had guests in, cooked extra food, whatever. And the trash guys don't come get the trash for an extra 2 days due to the holiday. I'd be in deep s*** if I were fined according to the trash pickup schedule. It's not under my control. It's one thing to be "trashy"; it's another to be considered trash by the HOA. I won't consider living under those conditions. Jill > It's one thing to be "trashy"; it's another to be considered trash > by the HOA. I won't consider living under those conditions. Good for you. I looked at the other options, and as I can't afford a mansion and don't want to spend the rest of my days renovating an ancient house, I chose an HOA. Living in an apartment has its own benefits, but I've been burned badly by massive yearly rental increases when the area became more popular -- not something I want to deal with ever again. When the housing market gets hot, I want to make money or at least break even, not lose my shirt or be forced to move into the boonies. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > It's one thing to be "trashy"; it's another to be considered trash > > by the HOA. I won't consider living under those conditions. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > make money or at least break even, not lose my shirt or be forced to > move into the boonies. Same here. When we first moved to Houston we were paying $350 for a little 575 sq. ft. apartment. When we moved 7 years later we were paying $800 (which is why we moved). However, our taxes went up by $1,200 last year and HOA fees can also go up - you do have something similar. Hugs, CatNipped > Same here. When we first moved to Houston we were paying $350 for a > little 575 sq. ft. apartment. When we moved 7 years later we were > paying $800 (which is why we moved). However, our taxes went up by > $1,200 last year and HOA fees can also go up - you do have something > similar. True, and it's also possible for housing markets to go down, in which case you may be paying more than the renters. $1200 a year is less than one of my yearly rent hikes amounted to, though. I just feel more comfortable this way. Hopefully I'm building equity, not just spending money I'll never see again. That being said, if I weren't married to DH, I don't think I'd have a house -- maybe a condo. I just am not diligent enough about maintenance, yardwork, etc. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > Same here. When we first moved to Houston we were paying $350 for a > > little 575 sq. ft. apartment. When we moved 7 years later we were [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > weren't married to DH, I don't think I'd have a house -- maybe a > condo. I just am not diligent enough about maintenance, yardwork, etc. Me either. Because of horrendous allergies (not ot mention the possibility of death from a honey bee sting) I don't do yard work unless I *HAVE* to (like when DH has let the grass grow to the eaves of the house). So during the recent drought, I didn't water the yard once. Not only do I dislike wasting water, but it also kept the grass from growing, thus keeping the need for mowing down. I wouldn't have been surprised to have been cited for the dead grass/bare lawn, it just took me by surprise that they objected to a perfectly beautiful fence! Hugs, CatNipped > Me either. Because of horrendous allergies (not ot mention the > possibility of death from a honey bee sting) I don't do yard work [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > grass/bare lawn, it just took me by surprise that they objected to a > perfectly beautiful fence! I don't have any good reason to skip yardwork -- I just don't notice that it needs to be done. DH did get a contract with Chemlawn; they spray once every 6 weeks or something. I'm not happy about the chemical aspect, but I'm not the person dealing with the yard for the most part, so I don't feel I can complain too much. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> Same here. When we first moved to Houston we were paying $350 for a >> little 575 sq. ft. apartment. When we moved 7 years later we were [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > weren't married to DH, I don't think I'd have a house -- maybe a > condo. I just am not diligent enough about maintenance, yardwork, etc. For condo, there is the condo board with all kinds of bylaws. I live in a condo and you saw my post about having to keep my atrium tidy so the condo won't look 'unsightly'. Condo fees go up every year too. It is my highest expense every month. Winnie > For condo, there is the condo board with all kinds of bylaws. I > live in a condo and you saw my post about having to keep my atrium > tidy so the condo won't look 'unsightly'. Condo fees go up every > year too. It is my highest expense every month. Yeah, the rule about keeping your interior neat is just craziness. Are they at least providing a lot for condo fees? Nice landscaping, well-maintained exterior, etc? Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> For condo, there is the condo board with all kinds of bylaws. I >> live in a condo and you saw my post about having to keep my atrium [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Are they at least providing a lot for condo fees? Nice landscaping, > well-maintained exterior, etc? Yes, a lot of flowers outside. A nice garden by the outdoor pool, and a gazebo to shield us from the sun. But by winter, everything is covered in snow. Indoor we have whirpool, sauna, squash courts, treadmills, exercise bike and a pool table in a locked room somewhere Pretty much standard fare for most condos. The super cleans the pool and the lobby every morning like clockwork. There are two supers who live in the building. Hot water, but not hydro is included in the condo fee. That's why I am glad to turn off the AC with the current break from the heat waves. The neat rule applies mainly to the atrium with floor to ceiling windows. This is a med range condo in town. Just found out some friends are paying almost twice my condo fees. Guess I shouldn't complain. At least I don't have to shufflle snow in the winter, and we get lots and lots of snow. Winnie (snippage) We found out that the deed > restrictions document can be *purchased* from the HOA! If they are true deed restrictions which run with the land, they should be filed of record just like deeds are. In fact, your deed for the purchase of your land *should* make some reference to the restrictions and give the recording information for them, which is how you can find them in the public records. At least that's how it works in Georgia. Purrs for your fence; what a PITA. I'm glad I don't live where such things as HOAs are common. ------ Krista > &)*()(*)#$%@#$*$ homeowners association!!!! > [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > CatNipped This is why I hate homeowners associations. I know the pros and cons; maybe you don't want a purple house next door to you. But a couple of extra feet higher on a fence doesn't hurt a soul. Keep that letter; you might need it in the future. Jill > > Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! Nosy > > neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I would think [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Jill I agree. There *are* pros and cons, but some of them just get too snooty to be real. There is one here that says you can't have a pickup truck, unless it is in the garage at all times. Imagine! That means any truck! Some of those trucks cost well over $30,000 and are pretty dang sharp looking. That's way too snobby for me. Sherry > > > Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! Nosy > > > neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I would think [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > sharp looking. That's way too snobby for me. > Sherry Yep. Where my parents live they have an HOA. The rules say the garage door must be kept closed at all times. Their garage does not face the street (in fact most of them don't) so what does it matter? The rules *used* to state only natural shades of paint on the homes - browns, beiges, some greens were acceptable - until some much more wealthy folks started building. Now they have *really big* bright pink houses! Huh. Jill >>>Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! Nosy >>>neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I would think [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > sharp looking. That's way too snobby for me. > Sherry What about the ones that won't allow you to hang laundry in your own back yard? Sure, most homeowners nowadays have their own washer and dryer, but a lot of people prefer to hang stuff outside to dry when the weather cooperates (also it saves a lot of energy). >>>> Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! >>>> Nosy neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > hang stuff outside to dry when the weather cooperates (also > it saves a lot of energy). I agree! If I had room for a clothesline, it smells so much more fresh and also saves energy. But no, it doesn't "look nice". Grrrrr. Jill >>>>>Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! >>>>>Nosy neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > Jill Do I understand right that some people will actually pay more for a property so that they can have these kinds of nutters for neighbours? > >>>>>Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! > >>>>>Nosy neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > Do I understand right that some people will actually pay more for a > property so that they can have these kinds of nutters for neighbours? In some cities you have no choice - there *isn't* any subdivisions here in Houston that doesn't have them since we don't have zoning. Hugs, CatNipped You bet...in s.FL. there are many who *love* these HOA regulations/powers: they sum it up by calling it "keeping up the property values of the neighborhood". I purposely bought and owned home in older, unincorporated area free of HOA's and unassociated w/a city so taxes were much lower. Those types are all gone now and all new development - condos OR houses - has HOA's. >> >>>>>Who the *HELL* is it hurting because we have a tall fence???!! >> >>>>>Nosy neighbors who want to see me skinny dipping in the Jacuzzi (I [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > > CatNipped >Do I understand right that some people will actually pay more for a >property so that they can have these kinds of nutters for neighbours? I suppose, like someone else already noted, sometimes it's nice to belong to an HOA. Often they offer things like a community swimming pool, tennis courts and such. It's only when a clique of power hungry folks get in charge and start passing whatever rules take their fancy that it gets bad. Then you get the HOA passing rules which tell you high high your fence can be, what you can park in your drive way, what colors you house can be painted, etc etc. Like Sherry said, the rules against parking a pickup in the driveway always boggles my mind. My parents still live in the house they bought back in the 60s for less than you'd pay for two or three fully loaded new trucks. Even if they moved everything out of their "two" car garage, a lot of today's SUVs and pickups wouldn't fit inside. (Officially it's called a two car garage, but I suspect that the only two cars you could fit inside and still open the doors would be compact cars.) I sometimes think people who belong to a HOA are more like renters than homeowners, except of course they're building equatity when they make their mortgage payments. SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Spot with loving memories of Rocky (RB) stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html >>Do I understand right that some people will actually pay more for a >>property so that they can have these kinds of nutters for neighbours? [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > course they're building equatity when they make their mortgage > payments. I guess I ask out of pure curiosity. We don't have anything like these HOAs in Australia, at least on this side of the country. Here if you own your land, you can build pretty much what you want on it as long as you obey the building codes, which are about health and safety, not appearances. It's really none of your neighbours' business, although there's nothing stopping you asking their opinion and taking it into consideration if you like! Your country is where we were on this subject a long time ago. No more. Also, recent Supreme Court rulings say owning our land does not stop local gov't from taking it from us if developers appeal their project is "for public good, et al" - for the renumeration amount decided by the *buyer* not the homeowner to be fair. I didn't make this up, LOL. Stay vigilant, OZ. >>>Do I understand right that some people will actually pay more for a >>>property so that they can have these kinds of nutters for neighbours? [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > there's nothing stopping you asking their opinion and taking it into > consideration if you like! > Your country is where we were on this subject a long time ago. No more. > Also, recent Supreme Court rulings say owning our land does not stop local > gov't from taking it from us if developers appeal their project is "for > public good, et al" - > for the renumeration amount decided by the *buyer* not the homeowner to be > fair. I didn't make this up, LOL. Stay vigilant, OZ. Isn't that just creepy? I recently heard about this also. >> Your country is where we were on this subject a long time ago. No more. >> Also, recent Supreme Court rulings say owning our land does not stop [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >> > Isn't that just creepy? I recently heard about this also. In all fairness, local government is elected. That does have some influence on how they can behave. Or if it doesn't it serves the voters right. In addition to regular elections, there are also recalls, or for that matter criminal prosecution if they get too out of hand. Jo > Your country is where we were on this subject a long time ago. No > more. Also, recent Supreme Court rulings say owning our land does > not stop local gov't from taking it from us if developers appeal > their project is "for public good, et al" - > for the renumeration amount decided by the *buyer* not the homeowner > to be fair. I didn't make this up, LOL. Stay vigilant, OZ. I keep moving further and further away from the city of Memphis because some stupid law allows the city to annex unincorporated areas in order to gain more of a tax base. Every time Memphis annexes an area the taxes go up, the cost of licensing your car goes up, cost of trash pickup goes up, crime goes up... what do you get in return? Well let's see: taxes go up, car license goes up, trash pickup goes up, crime goes up... They are after my area now. At this rate I might as well move to another state. I have a good friend who lost her lovely Victorian house to a developer who wanted to buy up a block and build a supermarket. Needed more room for the parking lot. Some tried to fight it but the city council wouldn't back anyone up; the area was re-zoned "commercial" and they had to sell. They tore down some really lovely historic old homes to build yet another stupidmarket. Jill What you describe is exactly what happened to where my former house is: city of Pompano Beach (formerly only our mailing address) annexed the area, my former neighbors say they don't seem to be getting any better services for their increased expenses..... >> Your country is where we were on this subject a long time ago. No >> more. Also, recent Supreme Court rulings say owning our land does [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > Jill >> Your country is where we were on this subject a long time ago. No >> more. Also, recent Supreme Court rulings say owning our land does [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Jill Too bad they don't have the historical society there that they do here. There was a row of houses near campus that this one guy owned, they were all huge houses and divided into apartments that had been rented to students for the past 50 years or so (the first building at what is now known as IU (then just known as State Seminary) in 1820), and were pretty trashed. Cost more to fix them than to replace them. As they were, he couln't even rent them out - they weren't even up to code. The guy wanted to demolish then and build a nice new apartment building. Local historical (or histercal, as some people call them) tried to get an injuction to block him - he cam in the middle of the night before the city council was supposed to vote on it, and tore them down. Now the historical has had it added to city by-laws that if you have a building more than 75 years old, you have to have permission to demolish it before you can, it has to be inspected and whatnot. At your cost (if council thinks it has the possiblily of being restored to it's 'original' state, again, you are screwed). I think if they want to save the building in question, they should buy it, and restore it at *their* cost - at the original owner's asking price. > I have a good friend who lost her lovely Victorian house to a > developer who wanted to buy up a block and build a supermarket. > Needed more room for the parking lot. Some tried to fight it but > the city council wouldn't back anyone up; the area was re-zoned > "commercial" and they had to sell. They tore down some really > lovely historic old homes to build yet another stupidmarket. On the flip side, there's apparently a fight here in town about whether your house can be declared a historic building without your consent. The problem is that people are saying their neighbor's house should be preserved, and then that neighbor is no longer allowed to make all sorts of renovations that would spoil the historic look. That's almost as vile. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >Also, recent Supreme Court rulings say owning our land does not stop local >gov't from taking it from us if developers appeal their project is "for >public good, et al" - Perhaps because of mass media alarmism, a lot of folks seem to have the idea that the recent Supreme Court ruling was some kind of watershed or departure, and that it changed the way things are done. Not so. The ruling was *consistent* with most precedents from the last two hundred years or so. The courts have always allowed the state to use eminent domain to acquire property for private development, if a sufficient public interest could be shown. SignatureWayne M. > Perhaps because of mass media alarmism, a lot of folks seem to > have the idea that the recent Supreme Court ruling was some kind [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > property for private development, if a sufficient public > interest could be shown. You need a pretty serious 'public interest' around here to expropriate a private homeowner, AFAIK. It can happen, but you don't hear about it often, and, mentally, I associate it with city projects like new or improved roads. Or, possibly, rundown abandoned houses being taken (possibly for taxes) and leveled as fire hazards. Private businesses wanting to build businesses in locations that many neighbours don't want them is a whole other kettle of fish. Local law requires that neighbours be notified in advance, there will be opportunity to protest etc., but if the business has bought the property, the project more or less fits the zoning requirements, and a majority on City Council support the project, it's probably going ahead. I've seen that one in action. Mind you, the lengthy series of hearing and protests did motivate the business in question to modify its plans somewhat, so the complaints might not have been a total loss. I'd bet that another controversial supermarket in another neighbourhood is going ahead, too. A third supermarket was less controversial, and I happen to know someone who lived on its location. He was happy enough to be bought out if the supermarket would pay him enough to get another home, mortgage free, since he didn't want debt at his time of life. They paid him, and he and his wife moved. Don't ask me who's shopping in all these supermarkets. I never had trouble finding a supermarket to shop in BEFORE they started sprouting up all over the place like mushrooms! SignatureCheryl To those who fail to realize the implications (not the ruling....fact that the *developer* (with final say by the "could-care-less" local authorities) setting the "fair" price for the property sale "for public good"!!! Mark my typed words, it ain't for highways, turnpikes, etc., nevermind groceries, developers want property in my former hometown/area of FL. THE BEACH is everyone's "my precious"....drool...(.quote Gollum LOL) down there, folks. Real estate-wise. Right now a highrise (tall rental bldg or condo: big bucks) developer is winning a deathfight w/survivors of a man who recently died & for years refused to sell his relatively small beachfront property to various entitities over years. County authorities have sided w/developer on this issue and surviving relatives will be forced to accept whatever developer and (nasty of me, yes, but I think palm-greased) local authorities offer in payment. All us old FL natives are now convinced the already near-ruined beaches in s.FL will all be privately owned in the near future, right or wrong. Take a look w/that satellite viewing thing of Google @ s.FL. beaches (or while you're in a plane leaving that area for an east coast destination - it'll run right up the beach for a long way). The view will explain it all. >> Perhaps because of mass media alarmism, a lot of folks seem to >> have the idea that the recent Supreme Court ruling was some kind [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > finding a supermarket to shop in BEFORE they started sprouting up all over > the place like mushrooms! > To those who fail to realize the implications (not the ruling....fact that > the *developer* (with final say by the "could-care-less" local authorities) [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > everyone's "my precious"....drool...(.quote Gollum LOL) down there, folks. > Real estate-wise. <snip> I get the implications. I don't know why local law in your area allows such sales and allows a private purchaser to set the price. I was just pointing out that although private individuals can lose property in similar ways in other jurisdictions, the extent to which this is allowed varies considerably. Knowing things can and do work differently elsewhere can inspire change. It may be difficult for you change things through the political process (I've been voting against my mayor every chance I've gotten for years, but he still wins!) but I don't know what else to suggest. There are even some places in which the beach is public property - no one can own it! SignatureCheryl (Long sigh)...Cheryl, that's the way it was when I was a kid growing up in Miami long ago. No more. I now live in a place where beaches are very scarce, LOL, and seafood fit to eat costs a King's Ransom pricewise (long way from either ocean here)....FL is on its own. I wasn't slamming your post; just ranting about how things are now these days where I grew up..... >> To those who fail to realize the implications (not the ruling....fact >> that [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > There are even some places in which the beach is public property - no one > can own it! >>Also, recent Supreme Court rulings say owning our land does not >>stop local gov't from taking it from us if developers appeal their [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > state to use eminent domain to acquire property for private > development, if a sufficient public interest could be shown. I think the concern is that in the past, this has typically been used to build new and necessary highways and such. Things for the common good. Most people wouldn't put shopping malls or new subdivisions in the same category. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > I agree. There *are* pros and cons, but some of them just get too > snooty to be real. There is one here that says you can't have a > pickup truck, unless it is in the garage at all times. Imagine! That > means any truck! Some of those trucks cost well over $30,000 and are > pretty dang sharp looking. That's way too snobby for me. Sherry Well, that community must have voted on that policy ... so you probably wouldn't have liked the people there, anyway. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca for me. Sherry > Well, that community must have voted on that policy ... so you > probably wouldn't have liked the people there, anyway. > > -- > monique You bet I wouldn't like them. It's nice to have an HOA to protect you from living next door to someone who puts junk cars on their front lawn. Or parks an RV in the back for their inlaws to live in, etc. But when it comes to telling you that if you choose to own a pickup truck, it MUST be hidden from view at all times, that's not working in the best interest of the neighborhood. That's a control freak who's saying "Make the same choices I do." Sherry > You bet I wouldn't like them. It's nice to have an HOA to protect > you from living next door to someone who puts junk cars on their [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > working in the best interest of the neighborhood. That's a control > freak who's saying "Make the same choices I do." Definitely odd. I think we have rules about not keeping obvious business vehicles outside your house, which still strikes me as odd. Seems like it comes very close to discriminating based on job. We also have rules about not keeping a camper outside the house for more than a short while; a week or two, maybe? I can understand not wanting large vehicles taking up a good portion of the road for an extended period, but beyond that it seems silly. Doesn't affect us, though, so I guess I haven't worried too much about it. It's been pointed out to me many times that if I don't like a rule, I can campaign to have it changed. I guess I'm just lazy. Also, the HOA book is so fat I don't really want to crack it. The only time we were fined is when the weeds in the rock bed alongside the sidewalk got to be about three feet high -- I can't really argue that one. It did look awful, and I wouldn't want to be the person trying to sell a house next door. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >You bet I wouldn't like them. It's nice to have an HOA to protect you >from living next door to someone who puts junk cars on their front [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >the best interest of the neighborhood. That's a control freak who's >saying "Make the same choices I do." Unfortunately, it's a matter of perspective, as with so many issues. Someone who would draw the line tighter than I would is a control freak who has forgotten that a home is to be *lived in*; someone who is looser about it than I am is just a lazy SOB who can't be bothered to keep his place from becoming an eye-sore and pulling down the price I can ask for my place. To the first, I am the lazy SOB; to the second I am the control freak. SignatureWayne M. > This is why I hate homeowners associations. I know the pros and > cons; maybe you don't want a purple house next door to you. But a > couple of extra feet higher on a fence doesn't hurt a soul. Keep > that letter; you might need it in the future. Unfortunately, around here, if you don't want a fixer-upper and you don't have insane amounts of money, HOAs are about your only option. At least, that's what it seemed to us when we were looking a couple of years ago. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca ROFL metro MileHigh has another option for home buyers: several of my relatives' friends have opted for historical turn-of-century (not this century) NON-fixups in neighborhoods I'd not even consider.....driveby shootings common; muggings common; car theft rampant (Jeeps - popular nowhere so much as here - a common target). You get the point. My dead body. These people are much younger than Hopitus LOL. >> This is why I hate homeowners associations. I know the pros and >> cons; maybe you don't want a purple house next door to you. But a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > At least, that's what it seemed to us when we were looking a couple of > years ago. > ROFL metro MileHigh has another option for home buyers: several of > my relatives' friends have opted for historical turn-of-century (not [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > You get the point. My dead body. These people are much younger than > Hopitus LOL. Yeah, I'll happily take an HOA over those sorts of problems. Ours isn't too bad, although I'm pretty sure we're going to get fined if we don't get the weeds in our rockbed under control pretty soon. Hard to do when both of us have injured wrists ... maybe I can lure a neighborhood kid with cold, hard cash. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >Yeah, I'll happily take an HOA over those sorts of problems. > >Ours isn't too bad, although I'm pretty sure we're going to get fined >if we don't get the weeds in our rockbed under control pretty soon. >Hard to do when both of us have injured wrists ... maybe I can lure a >neighborhood kid with cold, hard cash. Course I don't know what kind of weeds we're talking about, or if you have something growing there you WANT to grow there, but I'd suggest getting some Roundup and spraying the weeds. (Roundup is a pretty good weed killer, and the price has dropped quite a bit from a couple years ago since you can now buy the generic rather than brand name.) As a yard man, I'd probably knock down the weeds to a couple inches tall, blow at the clippings, then spray roundup every couple days for about a week. Might have to dig out the dead weeds, but after that if you spray every time the weeds get a couple inches tall, every couple weeks for fast growing weeds, or maybe just a couple times a growing season for slow stuff, you should be good. Course if you really want to go all out, rake out the rocks, scrape off about an inch of top soil, lay down some of the fabric which acts as a weed barrier, replace the rocks and add more rocks to bring the level back to what it was before you removed some soil. I wouldn't go that route myself, but have had people pay me to do it that way. You'd still have weeds come back in a year or two when the fabric breaks down, and then you'd be back to square one. Lot easier, and cheaper to use roundup. SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Spot with loving memories of Rocky (RB) stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html > >Yeah, I'll happily take an HOA over those sorts of problems. > > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > down, and then you'd be back to square one. Lot easier, and cheaper to > use roundup. We had a rock garden at our house in New Orleans. What we did was dig down far enough to get all the roots of the weeds out, then laid down a nice topsoil, then covered that with black plastic (the thick stuff, not garbage bag strength), then placed our rocks over that. To plant our cacti we just punched a hole through the plastic. Our cacti grew nicely in that and we never had weeds. Hugs, CatNipped >Course I don't know what kind of weeds we're talking about, or if you >have something growing there you WANT to grow there, but I'd suggest [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >down, and then you'd be back to square one. Lot easier, and cheaper to >use roundup. something I probably should have added is that occassional roundup use is considered pretty safe around most kinds of pets (though of course no herbicide/pesticide is totally safe. Roundup works by being absorped into the plant, where it kills the weed all the way down to the roots. So you, or any other animal, won't need to worry about it rubbing off on you once it's been absorbed. You do need to worry about any animal which might eat the plant, since if I remember the warning label correctly it can build up in your liver and kidneys. So, while I think it's pretty safe for d*gs or cats, I wouldn't use it if I had rabbits - and would limit its use if I had a hunter which might be eating prey which fed on the sprayed weeds. But that's just me being cautious, as I know farmers and ranchers use it pretty freely around cattle. SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Spot with loving memories of Rocky (RB) stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html >> Yeah, I'll happily take an HOA over those sorts of problems. >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > weed killer, and the price has dropped quite a bit from a couple years > ago since you can now buy the generic rather than brand name.) Any suggestions, Steve, for a not weed but absolute menace which I didn't plant in the bed on my patio... monkey grass? Someone planted this here before I moved in. I can't even keep it weed-eated back without running out of the plastic twine for the weed-eater. It's driving me nuts! AND I feed the birds there so it would need to be safe to kill the monkey grass *and* still allow the birds to come around and eat on the ground. Not sure if Roundup qualifies. What say you? Jill >Any suggestions, Steve, for a not weed but absolute menace which I didn't >plant in the bed on my patio... monkey grass? Someone planted this here [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >still allow the birds to come around and eat on the ground. Not sure if >Roundup qualifies. What say you? Not sure what to suggest. From the roundup literature, it should be safe - but I don't think I'd use it near where anything would be eating despite what they claim. Also, monkey grass has a pretty intensive root system, and I know people who have tried roundup repeatedly and had it come back. Some people love monkey grass, since it makes a nice ground cover. Others hate the stuff, and once it's established it can spread and be difficult to get rid of. The people who used to own these apartments loved it, and planted a lot of it. The new owners have spent a couple years now trying to kill it. As far as I can see, they're had the best results getting rid of it came where they dug down about six inches and completely replaced the soil. Even there an occasional sprout comes back. Like I said, once it's established this stuff is really resilient - part of what makes it an attractive, low maintenance ground cover. All that said, once it's been trimmed low I don't think you should have too much trouble keeping it low. The current owners here mow one of the old beds every week on the lowest mower setting. I'm wondering about your weed eater. I'm guessing it's a typical homeowner quality, smaller diameter cord (0.86) and slower than a professional model. I don't have much trouble whipping through monkey grass with my weedeater which uses 1.05 cord (but than you could probably buy three of the homeowner models for what I paid). But I bet you could probably cut it back even with a homeowner model - it would just take time. Try swinging the weedeater quickly back and forth, just cutting a small about with each swing. It'll take a lot longer, but if you don't try to cut too wade a path the cord will last longer and eventually you'll get through it. Remember that the faster part of the cord is on the outer edge, and it has the best chance of cutting the tough stuff. This is how I have to cut johnson grass or reeds with mine (I sometimes still have to resort to a heavier model, one of the big ones that look like it has handlebars on it and swings an even heavier cord.) ISTR you mentioning that your complex has groundskeepers, and wonder if you could talk them into trimming it back for you. Once it's been cut low you might try cover it with black plastic to try to smother it. If you decide to do that, this might be the time of year to do it, since the heat will bake it as well as the plastic smothering it. I've heard of people who tried plastic over the winter, only to have it reappear shortly in the spring. Good luck, don't know if any of that will help. SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy, Little Bit and Spot with loving memories of Rocky (RB) stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html "Steve Touchstone" <stouchst@junksirinet.net> wrote in message > ISTR you mentioning that you |
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