Design Guideline Manual

[bbnsteele]

Does anyone know if I can view the Design Guidelines Manual online?

[Zansu]

oooh, how 21st century of you! :D

[neilz]

quote:Originally posted by bbnsteele

Does anyone know if I can view the Design Guidelines Manual online?


Unfortunately, no .. however, you should have received a copy when you signed the contract on your house. If you didn't, you need to talk to the agent who sold you the property.

Any seller is required as part of the HOA bylaws to give the purchaser of any home (new or resale) a copy of all the bylaws and covenants (including the Residential Design Guidelines) at closing.

If a reseller does not have a copy, they are required to purchase one from Armstrong Management.

However, it is a great idea, and I will pass it on to the HOA office to see if we can add it to the site in the future.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

[Neighbor]

If I am selling my house can I provide the buyer with my copy of the "bylaws and covenants" or do I need to buy one from the association? From your post, neilz, it seems that my copy will be sufficient. Can you please clarify.
Thanks,
Dave

[Pats_fan]

quote:Originally posted by Neighbor

If I am selling my house can I provide the buyer with my copy of the "bylaws and covenants" or do I need to buy one from the association? From your post, neilz, it seems that my copy will be sufficient. Can you please clarify.
Thanks,
Dave
That's the question I had. My experience with HOA's (my current home is the fourth HOA I have been a member of) is that they require you to purchase new HOA documents prior to closing. Presumably, this is to ensure the prospective buyer gets the most up-to-date bylaws and covenants. This is why I would be surprised if you could provide your own copy to the buyer.

I would also think that the HOA would be hesitant to post the most up-to-date guidelines online and let you download them for a prospective buyer -- does anyone really think that, at $50 or $100 a copy (whatever our HOA charges), the HOA doesn't make a profit on these guidelines every time someone sells a house in Broadlands? I don't think the HOA would so easily give up this revenue stream.

[neilz]

quote:Originally posted by Neighbor

If I am selling my house can I provide the buyer with my copy of the "bylaws and covenants" or do I need to buy one from the association? From your post, neilz, it seems that my copy will be sufficient. Can you please clarify.
Thanks,
Dave


I believe you have to buy a completely new set. This insures that the buyer has all the latest updates.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

[neilz]

quote:Originally posted by Pats_fan

quote:Originally posted by Neighbor

If I am selling my house can I provide the buyer with my copy of the "bylaws and covenants" or do I need to buy one from the association? From your post, neilz, it seems that my copy will be sufficient. Can you please clarify.
Thanks,
Dave
That's the question I had. My experience with HOA's (my current home is the fourth HOA I have been a member of) is that they require you to purchase new HOA documents prior to closing. Presumably, this is to ensure the prospective buyer gets the most up-to-date bylaws and covenants. This is why I would be surprised if you could provide your own copy to the buyer.

I would also think that the HOA would be hesitant to post the most up-to-date guidelines online and let you download them for a prospective buyer -- does anyone really think that, at $50 or $100 a copy (whatever our HOA charges), the HOA doesn't make a profit on these guidelines every time someone sells a house in Broadlands? I don't think the HOA would so easily give up this revenue stream.


Actually, we don't do this, our management company does the copying and binding, we don't see a penny.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

[sasha_j]

I live in Cascades. Our HOA keeps the most current DG's on the website

http://www.cascadesva.com/

that anyone can d/l and print for free.

[boomertsfx]

hey, do you think we live in some high-tech area or something?? sheesh!

8)

[neilz]

quote:Originally posted by sasha_j

I live in Cascades. Our HOA keeps the most current DG's on the website

http://www.cascadesva.com/

that anyone can d/l and print for free.


I believe the problem with that is that does not allow the Management Company to track whether or not the seller obtained (by printing off the web), or the purchaser was given; a current set of the books. I do believe that the purchasing of the books can be written off on income tax as one of the costs of selling the house.

This can become a legal issue if the new owner decided to build something or paint the house with something that is completely outside the guidelines.





Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

[Mearen]

Having it available on the web doesn't negate forcing the seller obtaining it from the management company.

[neilz]

quote:Originally posted by Mearen

Having it available on the web doesn't negate forcing the seller obtaining it from the management company.


Agreed ... but my reply was to someone who said that their HOA allows them to download everything as PDFs, then print them. What I'd like to see is searchable HTML for the Guidelines. However, remember, just because it isn't in the Guidelines, doesn't mean its OK to do it.

The Guidelines are just that, Guidelines. As Page 3 of the guidelines state:

The Covenants are recorded among the Land Records of Loudoun County and encumber all residential land. Therefore, any clearing, grading, construction or improvements must be reviewed and approved by the Subcommittee prior to implementation. Such construction or improvements include any visible additions, alterations or modifications to the exterior of properties or homes within Broadlands, whether permanent or temporary.

That covers just about everything you can do to the exterior of your abode.



Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

[snoopy]

Of course, any homeowners would need it approved by HOA before implementation. :D

And having the document on line would aid the homeowner in terms making any changes/decisions wouldn't you agree ?? [:I]

I thought Broadland was high tech planned community ?? [:p]
Just my two cents ...

[Zansu]

quote:Originally posted by snoopy

I thought Broadland was high tech planned community ?? [:p]


no, I think that was a high-tech marketed community
and a nature-oriented marketed community ;)

[neilz]

quote:Originally posted by snoopy

Of course, any homeowners would need it approved by HOA before implementation. :D

And having the document on line would aid the homeowner in terms making any changes/decisions wouldn't you agree ?? [:I]

I thought Broadland was high tech planned community ?? [:p]
Just my two cents ...


Having it online would be a 'nice to have'. Insuring that every homeowner/buyer gets a copy at or before closing is required. Of course, they're also supposed to read it and submit an application for approval before doing anything too.

And Zansu is right ... Broadlands was marketed as the natural community originally.


Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

[snoopy]

Point well taken ... Nature means paper .. :)
Notice the smily face ..just having fun ...
This community to too funny ... Did I make a right choice or what !!

[hornerjo]

Actually it's 'on our list' of things to get to add to the website, and there have been several problems with getting them up. (Such as obtaining the electrons, what format to put it in, who/when updates, disclaimers, etc.) One thing we need is more help on the Technology Committee which runs the HOA website. We want to add all of these types of documents to the site, home manuals, paint color codes for housing, a FAQ, etc. We decided to hold off on these until we switch to our new website where we can allow people to update documents and sections instead of emailing them to one of the Tech Committee members to put up. This should be in place after the first of the year.

But we only have a few active members, and a lot to do.

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