Mike F. on Citysearch 10 years ago
12/14/2012, 03:20 AM
Sorry for the lengthy review. I didn't realize I had so much to say about this HOA and although I knew I didn't like them, I also didn't realize how much I dislike them before I started discussing them.
Admittedly, Huntington West is the only HOA I have ever dealt with. I expected much more from a property like mine with an HOA. Based directly on my experience with this HOA, I do not ever want to own a property with an HOA again and if I do, it absolutely will not be Huntington West.
I also must admit that there is the HOA, and then there are the elected members of my community. In my opinion, they are both part of a compound problem.
The big issue with this HOA is that they are unresponsive. Phone calls go unanswered, voicemail and email go without response, etc... I have a real hard time tolerating this. I am paying this company quite a bit per month to manage my needs. Ignoring me is not cutting it.
When house hunting they looked good on paper, but I got a taste of their responsiveness and I should have known... I attempted to get info from the HOA - I wanted to see their financials information and wanted to see bylaws and the like. Multiple calls from me and my real estate agent were put to voicemail only and were never returned. Multiple emails were sent and also never returned. I bought the property anyway and almost 3 years later I STILL have never received a copy of the bylaws. I have, however, received quick notification of the slightest thing that they feel is out of order with my property in the manner of "Fix this or else there will be a fine." For the only communication I receive other than the mass distributed newsletters that conveniently come with your bills, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Over the 2.5+ years I have lived in my community, I have attempted to contact my HOA manager a few times. Probably 5 or 6 times. I have only ever received 2 phone calls back. To generate that response I had to call in and leave many voicemails and finally out of frustration advise that I was about to escalate the situation. Once when I had an issue with something to due with the HOA I had to advise them that I was hanging up the phone and contacting my attorney. Surprisingly in that situation I got a phone call back in a matter or minutes - the property manager had "been in meetings all day." The second was similar, when I had an issue with another resident that was spiraling out of control I advised I was hanging up and contacting the police. Again, an almost immediate response with an equally lame excuse.
For the amount of money I pay in HOA dues per month, I could be getting so much more. My property is not nearly as well maintained as surrounding properties who have lesser HOA dues. I also would think that they could have a bit more of a presence. Maybe something that shows just an inkling of appreciation for the money I pay every month? It sounds like common sense to me but it does not happen. I honestly can't wait to move.