Office Manager gone = Curb appeal argument

Today we received a newsletter that our direct Office Manager assigned to our account is gone! YIPPEEE!!! What was so funny is they made it sound like it was the greatest loss in the world. We all should be sad... It wasn't 5 minutes after that email went out that 1st post on our FB went out. It was asking was there ANYONE who is going to miss her??? NOPE!!! She was beyond awful but had her boss believing she was victim... I am sure telling her she felt "attacked". Well if she wasn't so stupid no one would attack her! Believe me the stories I can tell...

Also someone decided to post a complaint about our "Street Islands". The City/Utilities company installed these "islands" with full curbs. They vary in sizes but the one on my street is the worst. I believe part of the reason was also traffic speed control instead of speed humps They split the road in half. So for about 100 yards it's 0ne lane on each side. They are smaller on the other roads but are at "cross walk" areas. Most of the people in the HOA HATE them.

A neighbor decided to post about how these "islands" prevent them from backing out of their driveway. Plus it's going to "lower the home values". It wasn't like you didn't see these things being built in the road when the houses were being built. I asked them "How exactly is your home value lowered"? Other neighbors let them know that it was tried to get them removed. The developer and city aren't going to remove them. Now the neighbors want to take over the HOA so that we can pay to have them removed... I just don't get these neighbors... They have no idea how much things cost!!! Plus you bought the house knowing there was a curb behind your driveway!!!

Vent over but with happy dancing!!!

It's complicated as our street is basically in one city but our home addresses are in another city. The other city used "Islands" more than the other. Unfortunately with not good success. They became eyesores and traffic hinderance.

Our Islands vary in size and length in our HOA. They have some right at sidewalk crossing. They are more like "humps" with a sidewalk across the middle. The others are actual concrete islands with high curbs where plants are to be in the middle. They really cover the sewer pipes in the middle of the road. Hence the utilities play in the worst one. The sewer pipe covers pop up to the top which was done maybe on purpose?

It should be noted these were in place when these people's houses were being built. I got the lot right in front of one but my other neighbors were not so lucky. They got it right behind their driveways. We are NOT to park on the road anyways per the rules. So even with these islands people should not be parking there anyways. A fact that seems to slip by these complainers. Plus people on my street feel free to park in front of my house. Which blocks my mailbox and blocks going down the one way. I have to put my garbage cans on my grass instead of street to let people get by.

I just don't get why your going to say "It's going to reduce my home values". That argument holds no water. It makes it less attractive to buy. However, your not supposed to park in the street. Plus your driving skills backing in or out isn't a factor on house value. They are not well maintained. Mostly because of the HOA can't keep a lawncare contract. Which now that our MC is gone maybe lawncare will be interested in talking to us again...

One of biggest issues is lawn care. Have no idea why can not keep any. An owner or two have tried. Seems they do one now and poof gone. So the islands in the steam get neglected. I have put solar lights so people can see them at night. For some reason the complainers and haters seem to remove them. Guess to give more reason to complain... Not resolve.

Then you have met my neighbors? Lol. I found out the kids next door took a few but the others farther up.

One day came home to find a car parked at the end of the island area. Blocking the entire roadway. This was a few days. A bus had to turn around in my driveway and others as could not pass.

So I posted '"hey the bus is being blocked so can move car as to not block traffic flow? " Turns out my next door neighbor responds. " It was my birthday and my friend was parking there". As if that was an excuse. Mind you their driveway was empty and have a 2 car garage.... She makes her husband move his truck so she parks in garage. So I know there was parking available at her house! So rude!

Times when I was looking to buy, neighborhood and curb appeal were very important to me. A few times when I did not like either, I never looked at the house. I would drive away immediately.

One thing the traffic islands can do is give a hint as to how well the community is being managed. Dead or dying plants? Weeds? Ratty-looking mulch? Damaged concrete? I'd conclude that either the board doesn't care or that there are financial issues (inadequate assessments, maybe reserves are also underfunded). Well cared for landscaping suggests that the community is being well managed.

You can't rely on it, though. Beautiful landscaping can also mean boards that prioritize looks over the boring stuff like actually maintaining infrastructure. Dying plants can mean we're in the midst of a drought.

Around my neck of the woods, the islands say "our streets are wide enough and we have enough money to spend on maintaining things that are merely decorative". I think most real estate is aspirational. It's why developers and builders usually put attractive monuments and landscaping at their communities' entrances, and why model homes usually go with a neutral, minimalist, upscale look. Buyers want to believe that this new home is going to make their lives better.