MikeS24 (Oregon)
Posts: 7
Posts: 7
Posted:
Quick Summary: I bought my first condo to live in, and eventually rent. Read the R&R, everything looked fine. President of the HOA is making it sound like I need to get a permission slip for interior improvements, and I'll likely get denied.
Long Explaination: I'm a first time buyer who just purchased my first property, a condo in a twelve unit complex, located in a very desirable part of Portland, OR. It was a HomePath foreclosure, and I got a very good deal on it. The property was built in 1970, remodeled in 2007. My plan is to live here for four or five years, then use it as a rental property. Out of the twelve units, three are owner occupied, not counting mine. The property is managed by a small HOA, consisting of the other owners.
While I carefully (in my opinion) went over the HOA R&R before the purchase, I think I made a mistake by not speaking with the HOA or an attorney about my specific plans before the purchase. I still would have purchased the property, given the good deal, but I would have planned on living there only a year (Fannie Mae requirement) before renting. I still might have to, but I'd much prefer to live there myself, providing I can make the improvements. I purchased the property knowing it needed a lot of cosmetic work, as did the President of the HOA (speaking with her after the purchase). The previous owner used it for illicit activities, and was a general menace to the rest of the owners and tenants.
The bulk of the work is in the bathroom, with water damage to the sub-floor, and a bathtub shower combo which was full of mold/mildew. I essentially gutted the bathroom, removing the vanity, linoleum, toilet, and bathtub shower combo to get a good idea of the damage. Luckily, it's much better than what I had imagined. The kitchen has hardwood floors, which are in good shape, but the carpet throughout the rest of the unit was absolutely disgusting. I removed that next, luckily finding no damage to the sub-floor underneath. Many small drywall holes will need to be patched, then every wall and ceiling primed (with Kilz, for the smoke) and painted. Other than that, nothing too significant. I'm sure if I repaired the place to exactly how it was in 2007, there would be no issue.
Unfortunately, I don't want to live in a basic apartment, circa 2007. I factored in the cost of improvements to 'make it mine' when I purchased it. Three categories make up my improvement plans; electrical, bathroom, and flooring. All of these improvements would be handled by contractors which are licensed, bonded, and insured.
Most of the electrical work is minor, adding circuits, a new outlet, etc. The biggest thing is installing recessed can lights in the ceiling of the kitchen, living room, and hall. With low ceilings, I really dislike fixtures hanging down. I asked the President of the HOA if we had attic access, to which she said yes, but didn't ask why. After this she sent me an email with the R&R, and asking me to submit plans for the work. I told her I didn't have plans quite yet, but I would once I did.
For the bathroom, I want to put in a walk-in shower in place of the combo unit (I know about the hit to rent-ability), and tile the floor. This wouldn't be an elaborate shower (pre-formed base, tile sides), would require no structural modifications (same exact footprint as the combo unit), and as mentioned, the work would be done by professionals. The bathroom fan also needs to be replaced, via the attic.
Lastly, rather than re-installing carpet, I want to install solid or laminate flooring throughout. The kitchen already has hardwood floors, which will be replaced for uniformity. The R&R states only that solid or hardwood flooring must be installed with sound dampening material.
I composed all of this, as well as many of the minor things, in a well-written document, then emailed it to the President last night. I haven't heard back yet, but I'm very nervous that they may throw a wrench in my plans without valid reason.
The three lines in the R&R which pertain to my situation:
"All Wood or Hard flooring material must be installed with sound dampening material to reduce sound transfer to the unit below."
"No interior structural modification may be made without prior written permission from the Board. Structural modifications may include removing or altering any portion of an interior wall, vaulting a low ceiling."
"Final interpretation of the R&Rs rests with the Board"
I may have made the mistake of believing that if I was in compliance with the R&R, I was in the clear. Does that last line mean they can make up the rules as they go? Am I worrying too soon? If they deny me, do I have any recourse? I appreciate any input.
Long Explaination: I'm a first time buyer who just purchased my first property, a condo in a twelve unit complex, located in a very desirable part of Portland, OR. It was a HomePath foreclosure, and I got a very good deal on it. The property was built in 1970, remodeled in 2007. My plan is to live here for four or five years, then use it as a rental property. Out of the twelve units, three are owner occupied, not counting mine. The property is managed by a small HOA, consisting of the other owners.
While I carefully (in my opinion) went over the HOA R&R before the purchase, I think I made a mistake by not speaking with the HOA or an attorney about my specific plans before the purchase. I still would have purchased the property, given the good deal, but I would have planned on living there only a year (Fannie Mae requirement) before renting. I still might have to, but I'd much prefer to live there myself, providing I can make the improvements. I purchased the property knowing it needed a lot of cosmetic work, as did the President of the HOA (speaking with her after the purchase). The previous owner used it for illicit activities, and was a general menace to the rest of the owners and tenants.
The bulk of the work is in the bathroom, with water damage to the sub-floor, and a bathtub shower combo which was full of mold/mildew. I essentially gutted the bathroom, removing the vanity, linoleum, toilet, and bathtub shower combo to get a good idea of the damage. Luckily, it's much better than what I had imagined. The kitchen has hardwood floors, which are in good shape, but the carpet throughout the rest of the unit was absolutely disgusting. I removed that next, luckily finding no damage to the sub-floor underneath. Many small drywall holes will need to be patched, then every wall and ceiling primed (with Kilz, for the smoke) and painted. Other than that, nothing too significant. I'm sure if I repaired the place to exactly how it was in 2007, there would be no issue.
Unfortunately, I don't want to live in a basic apartment, circa 2007. I factored in the cost of improvements to 'make it mine' when I purchased it. Three categories make up my improvement plans; electrical, bathroom, and flooring. All of these improvements would be handled by contractors which are licensed, bonded, and insured.
Most of the electrical work is minor, adding circuits, a new outlet, etc. The biggest thing is installing recessed can lights in the ceiling of the kitchen, living room, and hall. With low ceilings, I really dislike fixtures hanging down. I asked the President of the HOA if we had attic access, to which she said yes, but didn't ask why. After this she sent me an email with the R&R, and asking me to submit plans for the work. I told her I didn't have plans quite yet, but I would once I did.
For the bathroom, I want to put in a walk-in shower in place of the combo unit (I know about the hit to rent-ability), and tile the floor. This wouldn't be an elaborate shower (pre-formed base, tile sides), would require no structural modifications (same exact footprint as the combo unit), and as mentioned, the work would be done by professionals. The bathroom fan also needs to be replaced, via the attic.
Lastly, rather than re-installing carpet, I want to install solid or laminate flooring throughout. The kitchen already has hardwood floors, which will be replaced for uniformity. The R&R states only that solid or hardwood flooring must be installed with sound dampening material.
I composed all of this, as well as many of the minor things, in a well-written document, then emailed it to the President last night. I haven't heard back yet, but I'm very nervous that they may throw a wrench in my plans without valid reason.
The three lines in the R&R which pertain to my situation:
"All Wood or Hard flooring material must be installed with sound dampening material to reduce sound transfer to the unit below."
"No interior structural modification may be made without prior written permission from the Board. Structural modifications may include removing or altering any portion of an interior wall, vaulting a low ceiling."
"Final interpretation of the R&Rs rests with the Board"
I may have made the mistake of believing that if I was in compliance with the R&R, I was in the clear. Does that last line mean they can make up the rules as they go? Am I worrying too soon? If they deny me, do I have any recourse? I appreciate any input.
