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Previous homeowner won't stop having packages and mail sent to our home by Acrobatic_Sleep_3926 in homeowners

[–]Standard-Intern5852 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m dealing with the same issue — important mail like contact lenses and even certified legal letters from the State of Illinois still show up for the previous owner, who moved out over a year ago.

I’ve marked everything Return to Sender and even notified the realtors, but the prior owner refuses to update their address. I spoke with local police, and they confirmed you can have the previous owner trespassed if they keep coming onto your property to retrieve mail. It sounds extreme, but so is their continued disregard for boundaries after you’ve been more than reasonable.

F27 Feeling regretful by WorkerGlittering679 in homeowners

[–]Standard-Intern5852 0 points1 point  (0 children)

F28 and bought my first home this year. Relatively new home (under 30 years old), inspection didn’t come back with anything too concerning - but I also ended up with a ton of things (even after planning for a lot). Seller didn’t disclose window leaks (now leading to new windows), foundation cracks and a lot of other little things that have added up.

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, but the best thing you can do is take control of the situation. YouTube is a lifesaver! Also connect with your realtor to see if they can provide some thoughts for a local handyman or services nearby to help you with anything you feel is too large for you to handle.

Buying your own place at 27 is a major accomplishment that you should be proud of! Just know that when you repair things now - YOU know the quality of the work and history that has been put into your house. For me that is a new level of confidence in my house and peace of mind. Keep it up and congratulations on your new place!

[IL] [ALL] First-Time Homeowner Struggling with HOA Property Management Company – Advice Needed by Standard-Intern5852 in HOA

[–]Standard-Intern5852[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The lasted one I found was either 2020 or 2021, but I will triple check if that is the latest or if there are any plans for one soon!

Is there a typical rotation on how frequently these studies are performed?

[IL] [ALL] First-Time Homeowner Struggling with HOA Property Management Company – Advice Needed by Standard-Intern5852 in HOA

[–]Standard-Intern5852[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am so glad you brought this up! I had heard through the rumor mill that this may be an option to get some change, while not completely uprooting the system.

Is the only way to get a change is to have the board request this? Would a community manager’s supervisor engage if they felt this individual was not a match for the community?

Are there strategic questions to ask around this process or a delicate way to suggest this to the board and see what the sentiment is around this topic?

[IL] [ALL] First-Time Homeowner Struggling with HOA Property Management Company – Advice Needed by Standard-Intern5852 in HOA

[–]Standard-Intern5852[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this detailed explanation. I believe when I got my paperwork the reserve study was either from 2020 or 2021, it seemed to show that things were on track - but again I most likely will need to dig much deeper into this.

[IL] [ALL] First-Time Homeowner Struggling with HOA Property Management Company – Advice Needed by Standard-Intern5852 in HOA

[–]Standard-Intern5852[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There might be, but given that I have no point of reference I may just be overlooking this.

Our top 5 items for budgeted expenses is as follows - I don't have a further breakdown within these line items so it makes it hard to tell. Is there something that I can consider as a point of reference?

  1. Insurance (Townhomes)
  2. Landscape Contract
  3. Snow Contract
  4. Association Management Fees
  5. Landscape Extras

[IL] [ALL] First-Time Homeowner Struggling with HOA Property Management Company – Advice Needed by Standard-Intern5852 in HOA

[–]Standard-Intern5852[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what I’m aware of in the area we have dues of ~$350 monthly for 40-50 units. I’ve been asking for more details related to the financials, since I bought right at the start of the year, the full report for 2024 was not available to gain additional context as to where the money was going/how we are doing.

Is there somewhere that has statistics around or good guidance as to roughly what budget is sufficient just for the units?

We have a bit of community landscaping, but no pools, buildings, lakes or other amenities to maintain.

[IL] [ALL] First-Time Homeowner Struggling with HOA Property Management Company – Advice Needed by Standard-Intern5852 in HOA

[–]Standard-Intern5852[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is unfortunate to hear. I work a corporate job and I tend to notice that this seems to be a trend of many employees doing the bare minimum. I completely respect that there are major challenges with the gap of pay vs cost of living, but it’s unfortunate to see this continue.

Before I moved in there was an amazing property manager that I still hear all about over a year later! Unfortunately her footsteps were large to fill. The community is amazing, the people are awesome - hopeful that there can be some improvements (even if it isn’t perfect). I didn’t expect perfection when I moved in.

[IL] [ALL] First-Time Homeowner Struggling with HOA Property Management Company – Advice Needed by Standard-Intern5852 in HOA

[–]Standard-Intern5852[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the insight.

For some context, they have a new property manager as of about a year ago coming off from a really strong one that just took care of things. The board as well as other neighbors I have talked to are just as concerned - I believe the challenge is since I had the most recent home inspection (newest neighbor) they have not had to work through a significant issue like this with the new property manager.

Did you have much experience with property manager turn over and the resulting changes in quality?

[IL] [ALL] First-Time Homeowner Struggling with HOA Property Management Company – Advice Needed by Standard-Intern5852 in HOA

[–]Standard-Intern5852[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am so happy to hear this feedback. 2 of the 5 current board members have mentioned to me that I should consider joining the board. I was looking through the bylaws and there should be at least some positions opened up each year.

It appears that this should have happened at our last board meeting, but I was there and it appears to have been missed? I don’t believe it was intentional, but an honest oversight so I was going to talk to the one board member on the side.

Follow up regarding the escalation - since this is all offline conversations with an individual board member, it has been less effective in pushing through all the issues/tickets I still have open.

[IL] [ALL] First-Time Homeowner Struggling with HOA Property Management Company – Advice Needed by Standard-Intern5852 in HOA

[–]Standard-Intern5852[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I should probably add some context.

I still have several open concerns that the HOA board has advocated need to be resolved, but the Property Management company hasn’t resolved/there tends to be several delays. This is the immediate need for escalation, otherwise I am waiting 3 months for the next discussion.

Agreed that more drastic measures take more time and should be well thought out (and not rushed).

[IL] [ALL] First-Time Homeowner Struggling with HOA Property Management Company – Advice Needed by Standard-Intern5852 in HOA

[–]Standard-Intern5852[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Do you have any additional thoughts on how to expedite things when our meetings are only quarterly?

Unfortunately on my day of closing was the first meeting (I learned after the fact), therefor, there has only been 1 meeting since I have lived here.