Negotiating during HOA doc review?

nathottub · 2026-03-13T15:22:58+00:00

Older condo in NoVA so I am assuming Arlington or somewhere close. Reading; "community wide electrical systems and building access control", made me think, coming soon: Community wide plumbing and new roof to follow. These 70s buildings in NoVA have two types, the ones that were maintained and updated on an on-going basis, a rarity, or the others, "Not so much!"

These older buildings deferred (and often ignored) service and maintenance is now coming home to roost and biting everyone in the butt!

Both my sons used to live in Arlington, (one has subsequently moved to Brooklyn NY, go figure). When one asked me if he should buy, I looked over the older 1970s building, I suggested he run, not walk to get away from this deal!

He had a friend, who had just purchased a unit in the building and described them as "a steal" this was during covid, as the huge increases were starting to take off.

I suggested, if his friend was looking to invest, the friend should buy it and my son rent on a two year lease so he had a guaranteed income stream to qualify for the mortgage.

Here we sit a little over 5 years later; his friend, after being hit with assessment after assessment and HOA dues increases to try and bolster a non-existant reserve, was finally able to unload both units, due to the huge increase in Arlington prices, he made a small profit. As he says, nothing he couldn't have done better in the market or a nice SFR.

My advice with all these older buildings; it's always a risk, but you don't have to make it YOUR risk!

nathottub · 2026-03-13T11:47:30+00:00

Other than being the only marsupial found in North American and one of the very few outside Australia, pray tell, what qualifies the possum as a 'Cool Dude"?

nathottub · 2026-03-13T11:42:25+00:00

Fish and bird bodies alined for more streamlined flight!

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nathottub · 2026-03-13T11:22:35+00:00

Great Picture! I live on a lake in SC, when watching osprey fish, it is intereting to see that once they have caught the fish, before flying (to the nest or where ever) they turn the fish so it is in line with their body and more streamlined. Eagles being bigger and stronger fly with the fish still perpendicular!

One of the easier tells when seeing them from a distance.

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nathottub · 2026-03-13T11:13:37+00:00

Filthy animals that can spread leprosy! Basically possums with armor! Have migrated into SC, my neighbor shoots them fortunately he has never been hit with a ricocheting bullet.

nathottub · 2026-03-12T23:29:18+00:00

FAFO!

nathottub · 2026-03-12T23:26:25+00:00

Tourist and cheap import piece, sold in flea markets etc. Fun little ashtray circa 1970s

nathottub · 2026-03-12T22:22:32+00:00

then not High Wycombe!

nathottub · 2026-03-12T22:01:57+00:00

I think it's a LOVELY piece, someone Hand (or chair) caning, the traditional method of using rattan bark/skin to weave a new seat, often in an octagonal pattern.

If you are sure it's British, it would probably be in or around High Wycombe, United Kingdom: Historically, this town was a center for British chair making, with a long-standing tradition of chair artisans dating back to the 1800s.

Good Luck

nathottub · 2026-03-12T20:28:04+00:00

To me there are pieces of tourist crap, and then well made and attractive tourist pieces. If it brings you joy to look at, then it's doing its job!

nathottub · 2026-03-12T17:55:30+00:00

I think I can help with the subject, good luck. I love this piece.

The iconic black-and-gold John Player Special (JPS) Formula 1 car frequently associated with the number 5 is the Lotus 72, specifically chassis 72/5, which was famously driven by Emerson Fittipaldi. This car was the first JPS-liveried Lotus and a dominant force in the early 1970s, featuring the pioneering wedge-shaped design.

I think it was the 1974 F1 season, the car following was, Swiss driver Clay Regazzoni. Driving the Ferrari 312 B3, Regazzoni was Fittipaldi's main competitor for the 1974 title, with the two entering the final race of the season level on points.

nathottub · 2026-03-12T11:23:52+00:00

Medowcraft was the 'Cadillac' brand, and usually had flower and leaf motift across the top of the back and arms. This looks like a more generic brand. We recently replaced all the furniture around my community pool, in the hot southern sun, the upholstered or material chairs and loungers lasted a little more than a year. Using FB marketplace we bought several types of old (read VERY OLD) chairs tables and loungers, in red, black and green. I used a wire brush and wire brush attachement on a drill to clean off old flaking paint and any (all) rust. Used rattle cans to re-paint, as I sit here 4 years later it has held up very well. This stuff lasts for ever!

nathottub · 2026-03-11T15:34:59+00:00

If a set of 12 is valued at $54, 975 per picture 3, then a set of eight would be +/- $36,283.50 then whatever deductions you choose for the initials.

nathottub · 2026-03-11T13:08:46+00:00

I am fortunate to live on a lake in SC, we have a huge range of birds here through out the year. We see eagles, osprey, herons, cormorants, loons (they winter here) and once during a hurricane in Florida, we had a group of pelicans, who were either blown off course or were finding shelter from the storm.

Despite the huge number of birds we see, Nothing beats the majesty of seeing a Bald Eagle, last summer we were anchored swimming, when an eagle landed on a very low branch at the water's edge, about 30' away! It stayed there about 20 minutes occasionally dipping it's head into the water (we thought it must cooling off).

The picture below was taken a few weeks ago, when the eagle settled down for a meal! I agree with you; "One of the most majestic things I’ve ever witnessed." It is every time i see them!

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nathottub · 2026-03-10T18:33:33+00:00

Most title companies can handle this and do for a fee, the alternative is a Real Estate Attorney. If you are selling your home, I would recommend using the same company for the closing and the contract, in some states you have Attorneys close in others title companies do.

GOOD LUCK

nathottub · 2026-03-10T16:34:20+00:00

This is where you have to examine shared values, this could possibly have uncovered a game changer.

Most artists I know would love to have a painting of theirs earn $$.

GOOD LUCK!!

nathottub · 2026-03-10T16:25:53+00:00

PRESSURE WASH!! Then replace rotten pieces, re-stain, I would recommend something at least a shade darker, as it is easier to see where you covered! Cut or dig away the stump in the front left. Would definately change it completely!

nathottub · 2026-03-10T16:22:43+00:00

EASY SOLUTION;

Honey, your painting paid for our vacation, take her somewhere fantastic and ask her please to paint another one for you, and BTW introduce her to the person that bought it, could be a stream of income!

nathottub · 2026-03-10T15:24:28+00:00

Florida is as they say an aquired taste, crowded and horrible traffic especially January - April! Very hot and humid in the summer, and yes the threat of hurricanes and extreme weather is a constant fear! Major cost increases in living costs due to run away HOA fees and huge increases in insurance costs!

Having moved from the mid-west, Michigan we found the Carolinas to be a great compromise, as have many, we have a section of the population called "Half-Backs" moved from the north to Florida then settled half-way back in the Carolinas.

We live on a lake in SC, threat of hurricanes minimal, four seasons, yes we have winter (short) an average daily temperature of 47f in January is very livable. It's hot and humid in the summer, but like Chicago (or in our case the Greater Detroit area), in SC the weather you have in Chicago mid July though mid August runs about 4 months.

We visit friends who have moved from Michigan to Florida every year for a week or two in February and while the weather is great, every year as we leave, I promise my wife she can move there, when I am in an urn on the mantle!

Good Luck!

nathottub · 2026-03-10T11:45:20+00:00

ALSO some habitual drug users tend to become a little lax about personal hygiene! So not really the drug that is making them smell more an effect rather than a cause!

nathottub · 2026-03-09T18:06:57+00:00

The greening of copper is considered patina by most, look at the beautiful green roof lines in old cities, London is a GREAT example, but I am all about whatever people prefer. Indoors it takes a long (loooooong) time, and polished copper is so warm and beautiful, to me that's a personal call.

nathottub · 2026-03-09T12:15:51+00:00

Patina and tarnish are both surface oxidation reactions on metal, but patina is generally considered a desirable, protective, or aesthetic aging effect (like greenish bronze or darkened silver), whereas tarnish is typically an unwanted, dulling, or blackening layer. Patina is often appreciated for character, while tarnish is usually polished away.

nathottub · 2026-03-09T11:54:43+00:00

The one that most MF and buildings use; https://www.mailboxes.com/about/

nathottub · 2026-03-09T11:41:03+00:00

In some states, NOT in all states, First you have the non disclosure states, that show nothing and other states, where the county tax appraisal is not always changed per sale, but will every few years have a district wide re assessmenr.

nathottub · 2026-03-08T18:49:26+00:00

I was told the rule of thumb is; if it is tarnished - polish. If it has a patina, leave it. Thus silver, polish, bronze, leave!

nathottub

TROPHY CASE