Some of you have heard this story before. Some of you will be tired of hearing this story again. But, this story will finally have a conclusion. A fitting conclusion that sandwiches it all together into a nice, neat, package. Besides, this blog gives me the opportunity to publish this story so others may happen across it and learn.
In 2001, Tai-tai and I learned that we were being transferred back to the USA from our home in Chiner. This was a shock and wasn't the move we wanted at the time. However, as the time drew closer, we began to warm to the idea. The biggest thing we were looking forward to owning our own home, as we were life-long renters. Finally, we had enough $$$ saved to purchase a place to call our own.
After moving back in the summer of '01, we began the task of trying to find a home, quickly. We eventually ended up with a new home that was just beginning construction. Timing was everything.
The cool part about this house, we had the chance to choose everything for ourselves. We didn't have to move into an older home with Brady Bunch appliances and LP siding. But, that is easier than it sounds...the chore of choosing all the textures and colors for a home you haven't seen, is difficult. You hope for the best that your choices will work out. We picked it all, including the color of our house...sky blue with yellow trim. A tribute to tai-tai's ancestors from Sweden
When the house was completed, we moved some of our stored goods into the garage, while we waited for the closing documents to finish up...and then our shipment from China to get loaded up and shipped to the house. The timing of all these things were critical...first the storage...then closing...then shipment. All of this in a matter of 5 days. In the meantime, they are still just finishing up the house...the first coat of paint was going on the house during this time.
To make a long and painful story short...the color wasn't acceptable to some in the neighborhood. They contacted the homeowners association and demanded we change the color...despite having prior approval of the colors.
So, there we were, early September, unpacking our belongings, while the neighbors gathered in our front garden area and selected new colors for our house. Tai-tai and I could only think...and WE just moved from a communist country? When the impasse of which color was acceptable, I chose sh*t brown as the color of our house in an attempt to put it all behind us and move on. The problem was...this was only the start.
We went to the title company to sign our closing papers for the house. Included in the papers was the initial letter of complaint about the house color, from the neighbor who lived directly behind us. As the agent began to explain the documents to us, I asked her to stop. ‘Do you think we could do this another day...I just think it might be better to have another date on those documents as the day I signed.’The day?? September 11, 2001. The day American changed...it sure did change for tai-tai and I.
The next couple of years were difficult. Besides having to adjust to life in the USA, after living in China for 5 years (and, yes, the adjustment is FAR more difficult that you can imagine), we had to adjust to a group of neighbors who actively participated in changing the color of our home.
We also had to deal with abusive behavior from some of the neighbors children towards our children...name calling...taunting...etc. Tai-tai and I weren't the only ones going through the transition.
As time went on, the wounds began to heal, slowly. However, the HOA remained a thorn in my side that I was determined to slow down and interrupt its moves. But, I paid my dues...maybe not on time, but I paid them. They should be happy with the check. This year, I paid my fees through the online banking bill pay. They cut a check for the fees and mailed it to the location I asked for. As I balanced my checkbook over the next couple months, I noticed this check was not being cashed. Part of the bill pay system, checks are only good for 90 days. After that period of time, I received an email from the bank telling me the check went unpaid for 90 days and was therefore void. Being the smart-a$$ that I am, my response was, ‘why did you refuse my payment?’ I was making no effort to pay these fees.
This year, as you know, we have moved back to Chiner. When moving, we initially decided to keep our home, rent it, and then make a decision about our future in that house and neighborhood at a later date. The house holds no dear memories for us...it was a holding cell of sorts. We were temporary residents. Oh, we spent hours and hours working and perfecting our garden...which was the finest in the neighborhood. Bottom line, the house never really felt like a 'home.'
Our saving grace was our next-door neighbor...the Newf with a heart. She was loud, belligerent, loved to drink with us, and loved to make people feel at home. We also had some good friends across the street, which also didn't care what color of our house was…and also liked to share a beer or two.
Today, I received the following letter from the HOA...
In response to your email of March 23rd, which was forwarded to me that day by Mr. X, I have reviewed your assertion that you do not owe anything to the HOA for 2004 with our attorney. Based upon his advice, I have today put in the mail to your home address the check previously sent to us which, as you know, is now void.
If such check is not replaced within fifteen days after your receipt of this email, a lien will be filed for recovery of the amount due. In such event, you will also be liable for recording costs and attorney fees. Further, should legal action be required for the recovery of the amount due, you will also be liable for court costs.
I acknowledge that we failed to cash your check immediately upon receipt, however, that does not excuse your failure to pay the amounts due. So that your payment will be properly credited, please mail to HOA c/o Law Offices, (yadda yadda yadda)..
Now, if that doesn't just make your skin crawl. Please remember, the people that are running this association are our 'neighbors!' These are the people that live with and amongst us. Frightening. The Evil Empire had its neighborhood informant groups and watchers...this just seems to be the American equivalent in the 21st century.
Couple things with this email. First, he still has my original check that he never cashed in the first place!! What's up with that? Wonder if he'd prefer to keep it and frame it? And, how about the reference to 15 days upon receipt of the email...even though he is sending back my check by snail mail. Uhhh, why should I send you anything, until I receive my check back? Being the pain in the a$$ that I am, of course I sent back an email that just protracted the situation just to see what sort of reaction I would get. Well, I wasn't disappointed...within hours of sending my email, I get this...
I don't at all appreciate the "in your face" attitude that you continuously
display. I doubt paying $76 is a financial hardship for you and clearly it would have taken much less effort on your part to resubmit the payment in the first place so my conclusion is that, for whatever reason, this is personal. If you want to talk about being "neighborly," why don't you give it a try. I think if you believe your neighbors will be neighborly and make an effort to be neighborly yourself, you will be pleasantly surprised. I've never witnessed that in your nature, but I hope it's there somewhere.
Can you hear the crying in the background?
Tai-tai and I have been agonizing over the decision to sell our house this year and seek someplace else to invest. This email made our decision so much easier. The ugliness of moving in, was neatly sandwiched with an ugly email at the end. We're outta there
I grew up in this small town. I lived all my formative years there. Figured I'd be like John Mellencamp..born in a small town and gonna die in a small town. Guess not. The small town is just too stuck up for me.
The house is up for sale...anybody want it?
As part of the ‘therapy’ to get through this, I have found several websites and blogs that have reinforced the notion that HOA's are a joke. If you belong to and HOA...be careful. If you are buying...avoid it like the plague. If you are living in a peaceful neighborhood that does not have an HOA...just remember that some of your neighbors may want to take control of your investment and lives...don't let it happen.
Reference...
- HOA's and Fascism (you read that one right!)
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