Know your Neighborhood!

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD/COMMUNITY BEFORE BUYING!

It is incredibly important to know the neighborhood or community you are intending to move to. You should understand how it would affect your lifestyle and expectations. Most communities, whether cities, villages, or townships, have zoning boards, planning commissions, building boards and ordinances of record passed by the city council to regulate to issue regulations all homeowners must abide by. In special cases the city may also have architectural review boards and historical district controls that also enforce regulations. When buying a home, it is important to check with the government authorities to see what types of restrictions they enforce. Some cities outlaw fences, outbuildings, outdoor clotheslines and certain breeds of animals. It is important to know the laws and ordinances for the city or neighborhood before buying. These regulations are enforceable by law and violating them could result in large fines. Homeowner's associations are established in most new allotments. They are essentially private governments who place restrictions over homeowners and what they may or may not do with their property. These associations normally collect dues to pay for maintenance and services for the neighborhood. They also enforce restrictions and penalize homeowners for violating the regulations. Some states have agencies and ordinances that regulate homeowner's associations, but many work without government supervision.		Builders and real estate agents are not always familiar with the rules and regulations of city or neighborhood. You should not always rely on them to tell you what is and is not acceptable – you should always check for yourself. Let's say you find a house you'd really like to buy and want to build a fence in the backyard. The homeowner's association only allows fences less than four feet. It is always a good idea to check with the city code or homeowner's association regulations because if an agent or builder tells you that it is acceptable to build a six-foot fence, for instance, you could be getting into trouble. Relying solely on someone else's word could result in a difficult situation with the homeowner's association or city. If you build the fence without checking, the homeowner's association or city could issue both a fine and a mandate for you to fix the fence height at your own expense. So, how is all of this preventable? Check with the city planner's office and with the homeowner's association (if applicable) to get a copy of the rules and restrictions for homeowners. Make sure you read and understand all of the restrictions before you buy to avoid any problems. Verify whether the things you wish to build or display outside your house are acceptable. Talk to neighbors and members of the community about the restrictions and their enforcement. Do others enjoy living there? Do they have many problems with the restrictions? Also, assess the city or homeowner's association's fee to find out what services they pay for. It's important to know what you will be expected of you once you move into your home. You are responsible for the things you put up outside your home, and are therefore completely liable for any fees or claims filed against you for violations. So, always make certain you know and understand the rules and regulations before you buy!

It is incredibly important to know the neighborhood or community you are intending to move to. You should understand how it would affect your lifestyle and expectations. Most communities, whether cities, villages, or townships, have zoning boards, planning commissions, building boards and ordinances of record passed by the city council to regulate to issue regulations all homeowners must abide by. In special cases the city may also have architectural review boards and historical district controls that also enforce regulations. When buying a home, it is important to check with the government authorities to see what types of restrictions they enforce. Some cities outlaw fences, outbuildings, outdoor clotheslines and certain breeds of animals. It is important to know the laws and ordinances for the city or neighborhood before buying. These regulations are enforceable by law and violating them could result in large fines.

Homeowner's associations are established in most new allotments. They are essentially private governments who place restrictions over homeowners and what they may or may not do with their property. These associations normally collect dues to pay for maintenance and services for the neighborhood. They also enforce restrictions and penalize homeowners for violating the regulations. Some states have agencies and ordinances that regulate homeowner's associations, but many work without government supervision.

Builders and real estate agents are not always familiar with the rules and regulations of city or neighborhood. You should not always rely on them to tell you what is and is not acceptable – you should always check for yourself. Let's say you find a house you'd really like to buy and want to build a fence in the backyard. The homeowner's association only allows fences less than four feet. It is always a good idea to check with the city code or homeowner's association regulations because if an agent or builder tells you that it is acceptable to build a six-foot fence, for instance, you could be getting into trouble. Relying solely on someone else's word could result in a difficult situation with the homeowner's association or city. If you build the fence without checking, the homeowner's association or city could issue both a fine and a mandate for you to fix the fence height at your own expense.

So, how is all of this preventable? Check with the city planner's office and with the homeowner's association (if applicable) to get a copy of the rules and restrictions for homeowners. Make sure you read and understand all of the restrictions before you buy to avoid any problems. Verify whether the things you wish to build or display outside your house are acceptable. Talk to neighbors and members of the community about the restrictions and their enforcement. Do others enjoy living there? Do they have many problems with the restrictions? Also, assess the city or homeowner's association's fee to find out what services they pay for.

It's important to know what you will be expected of you once you move into your home. You are responsible for the things you put up outside your home, and are therefore completely liable for any fees or claims filed against you for violations. So, always make certain you know and understand the rules and regulations before you buy!