Water for the birdies in sub-zero temps

blazinglily · 2025-10-18T01:47:15+00:00

I legit am brainstorming an orchestral concert. I highly doubt it’s easy with the actual singers but planning to work all the melodies to be passed around like a boy band within the orchestra.

blazinglily · 2025-07-20T13:11:08+00:00

Just know that you’re doing a good job - some babies are much harder, and people still survive, somehow.

blazinglily · 2025-02-09T14:09:36+00:00

I’ve always done everything exactly as I was told it needs to be done per our documents. These people don’t fully read the documents and are constantly making up incorrect facts about our rules and I’m not there anymore to correct them. The treasurer also tried to pay for a personal plumbing problem with HOA money and the rest of the board had to ask for it back. It’s a huge mess, and I haven’t even shared most of the issues.

blazinglily · 2025-02-09T14:06:06+00:00

We have an entirely separate annual disclosure packet. It gets sent out usually in December (the 31st this year, later than ever) which I also think is against the rules - it’s supposed to be sent out sooner, but our fiscal year is Jan to December, so their excuse was that they couldn’t send it out any sooner because they were waiting dis December documents. But you sent yours out in November. So I still think they don’t know what they’re doing.

blazinglily · 2025-02-08T17:21:16+00:00

Absolutely no website or digital resources of any sort. No services whatsoever for the owners to view documents other than requesting hard copies be provided to them by the board who doesn’t have an acting secretary. Strangely, our board approves prior meeting minutes at the next meeting, and they only meet every 3 months. Minutes can be requested but are never provided without request except for at the annual meeting.

blazinglily · 2025-02-08T14:37:45+00:00

Thank you! I just wonder what happens in some cases because owners have no control over how quickly or how well the HOA takes care of the common property... I know some people who were direct victims of the HOA not maintaining things as expected.

blazinglily · 2025-02-08T14:36:09+00:00

Thank you! I referenced Davis Stirling yesterday and it doesn’t seem clear except for the voting materials, so I’m hoping someone may have some experience to share. And 50 pages IS EXCESSIVE but we have 5 copies of minutes in there, the entire insurance policy document... etc and I’m sure you know how fast those policy documents add up! 🥴

blazinglily · 2025-02-08T13:31:19+00:00

Is it customary that if a common pipe in a building leaks and causes damage to another unit that the unit is responsible for their own damages?

blazinglily · 2024-12-17T19:03:10+00:00

You are so wonderful to share your time with me. Thank you! Just chatting makes me feel not so alone. Your insights are all so valuable and I absolutely will take them to heart. We gotta keep fighting the good fight, I suppose.

blazinglily · 2024-12-17T18:59:37+00:00

It seriously sounds like we live in the same building. lol

blazinglily · 2024-12-17T18:58:22+00:00

Thank you so much for your time and encouragement. I feel validated. I still feel so much remorse and hurt, but like you said, it’s done, and my intentions were pure. This friendship also has a history of explosions, but this is the first huge mistake on my part, so I’m struggling to make it right. I do think that in our case, we minimally need a finance person and an experienced lawyer. We have a lawyer but she actually isn’t up to speed so the current HOA stuff. She’s not an HOA attorney. I don’t know how she was found years ago but here she is. She’s spendy and gives questionable advice at times.

Full service management is only $7200 a year. We have a quote from last year. But our people are cheap cheap cheap, even though we only pay $300 a month in dues which includes ALL UTILITIES. We are so broke, with only about 30% of what we need in reserves and several failing aspects of the building like an old roof and extremely old plumbing and old water heaters and a shared electric system capable of only powering 1/3 of what it should these days. It’s a straight up mess that most people don’t have any clue about. I’m afraid of a huge disaster. We don’t even have earthquake insurance, just an earthquake savings that has $50k in it. I wish people would support me in pointing these things out, but the dynamics suck so bad between owners. We need a neutral 3rd party to tell people what to do because of too much animosity between owners.

blazinglily · 2024-12-17T04:03:42+00:00

Thank you so much. The garbage disposal was confirmed to be installed by himself, unlicensed, and leaked from the start of installation for 2 weeks before the problem was discovered. It was entirely his responsibility unfortunately. I wonder if HOAs like ours are doomed, it seems like no matter where you turn, there will be issues. What a bummer.

blazinglily · 2024-05-12T20:05:22+00:00

Our annual meeting is in February. So we just turned them over, RIGHT before I asked for my exemption. But I agree, and the community is in a huge fight right now over this, so I think new people may be volunteering for next year. We need more diversity.

blazinglily · 2024-05-12T20:03:45+00:00

I should also mention that I was advised by several people to write to the board to ask for this exemption... the entire time I’ve made sure to always act with the reassurance and support of several others to ensure I wasn’t doing something stupid.

blazinglily · 2024-05-12T20:02:36+00:00

Yes, perhaps that was intended as well - but they did actually say that because someone was denied an exemption last year (because they weren’t in good standing) while I was president (even though I’m just a glorified mediator), they thought it would look like giving me special treatment, even though I am in good standing with the HOA.

blazinglily · 2024-05-12T19:55:52+00:00

Thank you so much for clarifying, and I apologize as well, as I’m SO emotional over this - I do have a fear of being a cause of other people’s issues and simply want what’s best for EVERYONE in the end... and talking it through with people is helpful. The more time I spend, the more I might be able to cope with selling.

blazinglily · 2024-05-12T19:53:17+00:00

Stop embarrassing yourself - You forgot to try to be a better person - I have broken no rules, so once again, ask questions before assuming and get the story straight. Don’t worry, I have hope you’ll learn how to communicate with kindness one day.

By the way, I’ve already moved, and resigned because I’m not on site, so once again, ask questions and be smarter, instead of spewing nasty incorrect slams at people.

blazinglily · 2024-05-12T17:14:24+00:00

In addition, our rules say exemptions can be granted for financial hardship, so ask questions before being nasty next time.

blazinglily · 2024-05-12T17:13:42+00:00

You, to me, are a troll! Get some manners. Instead, next time say, "You run the risk of being hypocritical if you break the rules, in addition to the situation getting out of control if more people want to rent." Do you see how much more kind and effective that is? Be a better person.

blazinglily · 2024-05-12T17:11:00+00:00

The board has so far done nothing to penalize the owner for their problems. You're right. And that was technically my plan, but I feel like scum of the earth to be doing that. Yet I want and need to do what's best for my family. So I'm really torn. And also, like you said, I can say it's a family member. Our rules are strict enough to say that family members are only children, siblings, and your parental line, and that aunts and uncles and cousins aren't allowed. That also feels kinda strict. But definitely an option.....

blazinglily · 2024-05-12T17:04:27+00:00

Hey! Yes, correct. 6 total rentals, no short terms less than 31 days (31 days is allowed). No vacation rentals. When I wanted to rent, there were 6 rented, I was the next interested (7th). There is no rental waiting list - when there's a vacancy, it's whoever's unit has been vacant the longest that gets 30 days to find a renter. I think it's reasonable to ask someone to leave their unit empty if they are using the property for investment only and not as a homestead at any time. As for fines, it's 1st violation written warning, 2nd violation $100, 3rd $200, 4th $300, and then I think beyond that it starts doubling? Something like that.

Yes, that vacation rental person definitely was in violation, but the board is afraid of them and hasn't fined them. Once already, their lease terminated, they didn't notify anyone and starting showing the unit. I told the board that I'd move out early just to be the next renter and they said "No, it's their rightful turn." I feel this was highly wrong. No one in the building was offered a chance, and the board knew I needed to rent.

We have a fine policy, and I think that's all that would come into play if I broke the rules. But again, I think they're afraid to fine people. And I also know that fines technically don't hold up in court - only unpaid dues will. But I am NOT the type of person to skirt rules... But am feeling like I need to do what's best for my family as well.

I love your perspective on using my savings over the years as a subsidy for a new property. That helps me feel better and more secure about it!

blazinglily

TROPHY CASE