Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Diversified Gives Parkridge 60 Days Notice":
I want to propose an idea to the person who oversees this blog. I am a homeowner here. Not a board member. Just a homeowner who likes her investment. I also enjoy blogging. However, I LIKE MY INVESTMENT OF MY HOME A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN BLOGGING. I want to see the value of my investment appreciate and am afraid with all the drama that is on here that people who are potential buyers will do some research and find this blog and think, "Oh God. I won't buy there!" Granted, this blog does provide good information. I am thankful that the person who had her identity stolen informed us all of her pain. If we do get an outgoing mailbox here, I will never put mail in that thing. However, folks, let's think about this logically. We want to sell our investment here one day. We want to sell it for more money than we paid for it. It doesn't help us that we have a blog open for public view then! My solution would be this, fearless blogger. Those who want to read this blog would have to sign up for it. I think that blogspot does have a way to do that. That way, we can complain all we want, but with some sense of knowing that we're doing the best we can to protect our investment without violating our free speech rights. Before you all begin complaining, think about it for a second. I know it's not a perfect solution, but at least it's something-something to help us get better value in the long run for owning a condo in Park Ridge. I hope this comment sees the light of day.
13 comments:
Right now, this blog NEEDS to be here. There is very little discussion going on right now on major issues here at Parkridge.
For example, the plumbing system underground is 30 years old and is corroded and needs to be replaced. Everyone knows it. The old board had estimates from contractors for different plans to do this but never actually did anything. The new board just went ahead with having the clubhouse re-piped by itself when there was a slab leak under it. I'm also sure that doing it that way could not possibly be the most cost-effective way of doing that. So, which is better ?? Who knows ??
No ones talking about it, but the roofs are probably next. My point is that the way meetings are currently held, residents have very little voice in the management of their investments.
So Diversified's out. Big deal. They didn't like us and we didn't like them. My concern is that if the current board does not have a company waiting in the wings, who is going to manage the next board election coming up in April ??
I agree that it's unfortunate that we choose to air our dirty laundry in public like this in the sort run, but it's probably for the best until we can get some of the leadership and infrastructure issues resolved around here.
Five years from now, the buildings will still be standing amd will be worth more than ever.
Dear Investor,
Before addressing the possibility that Parkridge dirty laundry may affect property values I suggest and preliminary argument. Your condo may or may not be an investment. Unless you are homeless or live with mom & dad you need a place to live and there is usually a cost involved. As much as people like to count their imaginary equity like money in the bank, equity is never profit until a property is sold with commissions, improvements, fees and taxes paid. The movement of the real estate market nationally, regionally and locally is so powerful (and probably poised to fall for the next 12 to 24 months) that all other factors dwarf in comparison. Since most of the units in Parkridge are 1 bedroom and identical, their values fluctuate less than detached homes. Condo values are more closely attached to recent comps and currently listed prices in a buyer’s price range. I believe both of those factors also dwarf any internet venting. There would still be many other factors with a much greater impact.
You are not the first person to suggest privatizing the Parkridge blog. I would be open to evolving the blog if password and log in options are available to create a more private arena. Obviously, there would need to be limits to how much time such an effort would create. Why don’t you do a little research and get back to me.
Your Blogger.
Trees at Parkridge
Speaking of property values, I heard a little rumor after the meeting that I hope isn't true. I live near the tennis court and I overheard one of my neighbors bragging that he had convinced the Board to authorize cutting down a tree near his unit. Why?? Because he doesn't like sweeping up the leaves !!! There's nothing wrong with the tree, he is just to lazy to sweep up once in a while !!
I guess he just nagged and cried and complained until he got his way.
There are no dead trees near the tennis court, in fact I think these trees are very attractive and enhance both the value and the beauty of the condos here at Parkridge. It would be irresponsible to cut any of them down. However, there are 3 dead trees by the pool and there is a tree leaning on the stairwell near unit 85-86. If we're going to cut down trees, let's cut down the dead ones and the dangerous ones first!!
If Rene Fernandez hasn't got the backbone to stand up to one crybaby, he doesn't have any business being a board member, much less the president of such. All he's done in the last year is drive off three experienced board members and now the management company.
I gave him my proxy at the last election on the promise that the property would be much better managed. That won't happen again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Take it easy, dude. I know the trees you are talking about. I think it was probably the same guy who made the same request a couple of years ago when I was still on the board. We voted against removing the tree at that time. The manager at that time felt that LIVE trees are generally considered an amenity of the common property and removal of such would require a two-thirds vote of the entire Association.
Trees that are DEAD or present a clear danger from the way they have grown out can certainly be removed by a simple board vote. I'm sure Rene knows this as well. There's another tree besides the ones you mentioned that need to go. The one that overhangs over the entrance gate is also leaning pretty severely.
Being on the board is not easy. People are constantly making unreasonable demands. I remember someone suggesting that the floors of the 2nd floor decks be replaced with plexiglass to increase the lighting to the first floor units. I also remember someone suggesting that each unit have their own private outdoor water spigot.
On the not-so-silly side, on several occasions, residents have deliberately damaged common areas adjacent to their units or deliberately allowed a small problem to turn into a large one by not reporting it to try to get the Association to pay for re-modeling costs. For example, every year at least one unit leaves their windows open during a rainstorm and then tries to get the Association to pay for "mold remediation" aka new carpets and drywall.
Like I said, being on the board is hard and you find yourself saying "No" ten times as often as saying yes. It's like being a rich uncle and the board is responsible for managing our money, and sometimes you just have to put your foot down. I'm sure that Rene and company will make the right decision. If they don't, I'd be surprised, especially as tough as Rene talks.
So take a Valium and relax.
Todd in 122
Message to Trees at Parkridge:
I know of the situation you speak of. The same individual made his initial request to have that tree removed several years ago. His request was voted on by the board and denied. There were 2 principal reasons. First, those trees were there way before he moved in, thus he knew they were there and should have known he was going to be sweeping up leaves from time to time.
Second, the management company we had at the time suggested the possibility that LIVING trees are considered an amenity of the Parkridge Condos and shouldn't be cut down without a two thirds vote of the entire HOA. They were undergoing a dispute involving the same problem at one of the other properties they managed and this was turning into and issue over there. The argument was over aesthetics and property values.
Dead trees and trees leaning dangerously are, of course, another matter and may be removed at any time. I would also suggest another dangerously leaning tree that should probably be removed: the one overhanging the entrance gate looks like it could go anytime.
And regarding your comment that he has driven off three experienced board members, I have it on good authority that there's going to be a fourth leaving. So, it looks like it took him less than a year to make a clean sweep. Now he's going to have no excuses. I hope everybody's happy.
Todd in 122
This is mostly for Todd, but also for this blog. Todd have you been by to see the tree that this guy is trying to get removed? The tree itself is full of woodpecker holes, its is alive. But it is also pushing into the property itself. It has raised the sidewalk in front of units 34 & 35. That alone should be enough to take it out, but lets go further into this, if this tree happens to go deeper and breaks water mains then what? How about if it pushes into our sewer line? I am all for trees too, I do think they look very nice, but you have to be reasonable with the type of trees you put in and how they affect the property. To that I only want to add this, if its an association tree then the gardners should be responsible for cleaning the leaves off those peoples porch right? You say its common area tree, yet the people that live in those units have to clean up after it everyday that's not a fair deal. Not to mention the lack of sunlight for that side of the building. I say on the fact that its going to destroy the property it should be removed, you like it so much, lets put it in front of your unit then!! I just think as an owner I would like to know that the HOA would look out for our property some what and head off any potential problems. Now as for this blog messing up our property values, it might but let me tell you if I knew what was wrong with this place I would never have bought here and I feel I was really duped by my seller and I would never want to pass on the same to someone else. It is just plain wrong. So if this helps someone make an informed decision, GOOD!!!
Global warming? It's possible and,we are probably getting afected by it.TO TREE OR NOT TO TREE THAT IS THE QUESTION???About investment like it very much and,blogging is in fashion like it too.
Believe it or not, I respect your opinion. We ARE talking about the same situation. When the initial request was made, we had Bandy, who was doing our landscaping at the time, take a look at the trees and he said they were OK. That was in late 2003, and I'm perfectly willing to accept the possibility that the situation may have changed. However, you have to admit you mention a lot of "What If" situations. You can drive yourself nuts thinking about it.
And I wholeheartedly agree that anyone looking to buy into a 1 or 2 bedroom condo in a multi-family situation should investigate thoroughly before deciding. I did. I visited the property several times, both late at night and during the day, at different times over the course of a week. I wanted to know the sort of people whom lived here. I also found out how old the complex was so I could make a guestimate as to when the roofs and such would have to be replaced..
I also moved in during that very brief period of time when Real Estate and Escrow people had to disclose whether there were any sex crime violators lived at the property. (There were two at the time, both long gone now.)
In other words, I knew EXACTLY what I was getting into when I moved in. I'm sorry you chose not to do the same.
Todd in 122
Just to get back on track with the concept of property as an "investment", I think the days of people buying units at Parkridge just to rent them out for profit or let their kids live here while they attended Cal State-Fullerton are over for good.
These units were originally offered at $40,000 for a 1-bedroom and $50,000 for a 2-bedroom in 1977. You could still get in here for around $80,000 as late as 1999. They are now around $260,000 for a 1-bedroom and over $300,000 for a 2-bedroom. With the real estate market the way it is, If you've moved in here during the last 2 years with the idea of making a fast buck, you better forget that and plan on making this place home for a while.
Personally, I think Parkridge condos are way overpriced in terms of value. But even if I'm wrong, the reality is you can't buy a unit here today, rent it out at a reasonable rent, and make money. This is not a bad thing because what will happen in the future is that only people who are actually going to LIVE here will move in.
That means the people who live here will be more concerned with the property itself rather than just collecting rent from renters. When I moved in here, the percentage of non-owners living her was around 70% as I recall. It can't possibly be over 50% now. I view this as progress.
Obviously, I've been here awhile. We used to have special assessments for capital improvements around here, like replacing those horrible asphalt shingle walls at the end of the buildings with those stone or rock facings. Or last year to replace the flat roofs on three garages. or a couple of years before to completely resurface about a third of the parking lot. I know this isn't popular, but I think we should shell out the dough to go ahead and replace the worn out pipes under the complex for starters and then look at the roofs on the rest of the buildings and so on and so on. Then the relationship between the value and price of our homes will more closely match. In other words, lets invest in our investments.
I agree with the above. Further, I'd like to throw out the fact that those of you who are using the "hidden equity" in your units as an ATM to finance your short-run problems better take some of that money and put it aside for the special assessments that will be necessary to finance replacing the pipes and roofs and such.
You should also plan on living here for awhile, especially if you've moved in here during the last two or three years because it's likely going to be a long timebefore these units have another significant surge in price.
Lets get back to trees. This is in response to the person who didn't like Todd's responses to my initial comment. At least he has the guts to sign his name to his comments.
First, sir, there are no woodpecker holes in any of those three trees. Second, the roots do not appear to have raised the sidewalk as you claim. Third, those trees were here way before you moved in so if you didn't want to face sweeping up leaves, you shouldn't have moved in. Fourth, your "what if" scenarios seem delusional. Perhaps you need professional help. Fifth, those trees are actractive and provide shade in the summer which keeps the cooling bills down.
Lastly, I call 'em like I see 'em, and what I saw was a guy running around at the annual meeting last year wearing a "Vote for Rene" button and now Rene is paying him back for his support.
This is for the person that doesn't think the trees raised the sidewalk. Have you been by and seen the tree in front of 35 & 34 ? That is the tree we are talking about right? It just so happens I know the guy that lives in 35 and there are many woodpecker holes in the tree, you should stop by and ask him to point them out, or better yet, GET SOME GLASSES!!!!! The sidewalk is raised approximately 3 inches right now and its plain to see the massive roots going right into the damn thing, so I suppose you think its the ants raising the sidewalk then? I think Todds response to my earlier post was very appropriate and well thought out, you sound like some lame tree hugger!!! And who the hell is talking about sweeping leaves up? There are no leaves to sweep where I live. I just think if its hoa property it should be cleaned by them, not the owner or renter in the units there. I have no such problems as I live on the other side from there. My what if sounds delusional, your whole damn association is nothing but what if. So I suppose you are the type that wont fix anything till it breaks right?? Well in this situation the problem affects many people, I don't see it that you have the choice to play with there living space. You sound like someone who is just about as lame as they come!!!! I sure didn't see you signing your name?? Hmm, so easy to call names, but I do think I know who you are so watch it. Vote for Rene, you must be joking!!!!!!!!!!! I never liked him or his stupid rule B.S. I was always told to keep him off the board or we would all be sorry and look at us now! You must be a woman from reading your post. You clearly are not understanding what was said, but I have no time for such ignorance. If you have any questions you should talk to the people that live where the tree in question is. It sounds like you don't even know what we are talking about. Well tree hugger I would love to sit and argue all day with you but I have more important things to do so I will just leave you rattled and crying as I laugh. This entire community is filled with such babies. You people sit there and cry and complain yet not a one of you is willing to lift a damn finger to help improve this place, I challenge all of you to do something or shut the f up!!!
To Parkridge Blogger:
I think the intent of the person who wrote the original "I like my investment..... more than blogging" was to identify or prohibit individuals like the one who wrote the above comment from making comments like that. Or at least make them have a second thoughts about writing stuff like that.
If someone who was considering buying a unit here, they would surely have second thoughts about moving in after reading something like that, (or at least make sure I wasn't going to move next door to them). I have to admit most of my comments have been on the opinionated side and I haven't always spoken kindly, approvingly, or enthusiatically about everthing that goes on at Parkridge, but at least I sign my name to my comments.
I know you have disagreed with this in the past, but I think you should require people to sign their comments as soon as another persons' name gets mentioned. Since you've put this blog up, no ones ever come to my unit, vandalized my property, or got in my face over stuff I've written. It's just not that big a deal.
I know the purpose of this blog was to create a place for residents to vent, or provide information, or disagree with the policies of the new board, but, I think that you have to agree that there is nothing in the comments preceding the one above that warrants a response like that.
Todd in 122
P.S. I'm voting for you in the next election, too.
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