- Totally get what you’re saying.
- Keeping your own file is honestly the only way I’ve managed to keep my sanity with HOAs.
- It’s wild how “official” decisions are sometimes just based on someone’s memory or a random sticky note from 2014.
- I’ve had the board tell me something was “always that way,” but when I dug up an old email chain, turns out, not even close.
- Feels weird that so much of what they enforce is just tradition or vibes instead of actual records.
- I do wonder if some of it is just laziness, or maybe they’re just overwhelmed? Not that it excuses it, but still...
- At the end of the day, you’re definitely not alone.
- My neighbor started a spreadsheet for paint colors and approvals because nobody at the office could produce anything consistent. Now half the street uses her file instead of the HOA’s.
- If they’re going to ask for rainbow gutters (which, honestly, is kind of hilarious), the least they could do is keep their paperwork straight.
- Hang in there—sometimes being the one with receipts is the only way to keep things fair.
- Who knew homeownership would involve this much detective work?
Honestly, this is why I tell people to never trust the HOA’s “official” word unless you see it in writing. I’ve flipped a few houses in HOA neighborhoods, and every time, it’s a different story—one place wanted me to repaint a fence that was already approved in black, then claimed it was always supposed to be brown. Pulled up the old approval email and suddenly they “remembered” it differently.
I get that some of these folks are volunteers, but if you’re going to enforce rules (especially wild ones like rainbow gutters), at least have your records straight. Otherwise, it just feels like they’re making it up as they go.
Curious—has anyone actually pushed back and gotten the board to update their process? Or does everyone just end up keeping their own files and hoping for the best? Because from what I’ve seen, the only way to keep things fair is to have your own paper trail... but that shouldn’t be the homeowner’s job, right?
Rainbow gutters... that one made me laugh, but honestly, I’ve seen weirder. I once worked with a client whose HOA insisted their front door could only be “earth tones,” but then couldn’t define what counted. We had to send them literal paint swatches and wait for a thumbs up. Took weeks.
I totally agree about keeping your own files. It’s wild how often the “official” story changes depending on who’s on the board that month. I’ve tried pushing back—once got them to update their color guidelines after pointing out how vague they were, but it took a lot of back and forth and, honestly, more patience than most people have.
It really shouldn’t fall on homeowners to keep track of all this, but if you want any hope of consistency, you kind of have to. I wish there was a better system, but until then, my advice is screenshot everything and save every email.
It really shouldn’t fall on homeowners to keep track of all this, but if you want any hope of consistency, you kind of have to.
Right? It’s like HOA bingo—new board, new rules, same confusion. I once had a project delayed because the “approved” mulch color was suddenly too red. Now I keep a folder labeled “HOA Nonsense” just for these gems. Digital receipts are the only way to survive the madness.
Honestly, I’m convinced the HOA has a secret wheel they spin every month—“This season’s forbidden color is… RED!” Next month it’ll be “mulch must be exactly Pantone 472C or else.” I’ve started saving every email and screenshot too, just in case they try to claim I never got “the memo.”
Is it just me, or do the rules only seem to apply when you’re trying to save a few bucks? Last year I found a killer deal on solar lights, but apparently “warm white” wasn’t warm enough. Had to swap them out for the HOA-approved “glow.” Whatever that means.
Do you ever wonder if they’re just bored and making it up as they go? Or maybe there’s a secret contest for who can catch the most homeowners in violation. Either way, my “HOA Nonsense” folder is getting pretty full...
