Watermarke charges Residents for its "Free" Amenities Now!!!

[positivefour_IHB]

This is outrageous, but allegedly due to the high amount of foreclosures the Watermarke is charging its tenants for use of certain amenties that have been free (hence HOA dues). Things such as common area rooms, theater use, billiards room, etc. now have actual fee to the residents. Luckly I only rent, but imagine if you owned here and now they wanted to charge you for all these free privileges in which you bought here for in the first place.



For example, using the theater use to be free, now it cost $50. Billiards room was free, now $275. It's really unbelievable and a slap in the face of all owners who already have to pay HOA dues.



I really don't understand the rationale behind the fee increase because at those prices no one will use the amenties and hence they won't make any money. If they perhaps charged $20 or so, at least people would likely pay those nominal fees for a good time.



What's next a $49.99 activation fee and $29 monthly free just to use the treadmills and pool................



ETA: Oh and the real kicker, they charge $250 just to move out of a unit. Their rationale: for coordination of moving expenses. Apparently the front desk guy telling you where to park a UHaul costs $250. They are really trying to stick it to homeowners who rent out their units.



Note to self: Never buy a condo in Irvine.

 

[tkaratz_IHB]

I don't think you should be too outraged. Sounds like your HOA is being proactive in making sure that they can have adequete funds to maintain proper management, insurance, and maintenance. Besides, you never use those facilities anyways.



This is what happens when those luxury apartment communities are built and than converted to condos. Too many ammenities and too big an HOA budget.

 

[skek_IHB]

.

 

[zovall_IHB]

[quote author="tkaratz" date=1232671253]Sounds like your HOA is being proactive in making sure that they can have adequete funds to maintain proper management, insurance, and maintenance. Besides, you never use those facilities anyways.</blockquote>


Could be true but it still sucks...

 

[kwong7_IHB]

HOAs are a sin according to my parents. I grew up in Huntington Harbor on one of the rare islands that did not have an HOA. Granted the HOA fees were $150/month but covered a community park and boat slip, it wasn't the worst deal. My aunt house on the neighboring island hedged her HOA by subletting her boat slip for $100/month to a guy who needed it. Given my frugal upbringing, I cannot get over my stigma towards HOAs.



On the other hand, my wife is alright with HOAs as long as their activity is beneficial to the community (and by community, I mean people). Her parent's HOA is $150/month and covers street cleaning, trash pickup, and a ton of restrictions that drives the 24 home community nuts. Each homeowner is issued one guest parking permit for street (where there is overabundance of parking available). Violators (mostly homeowners in the community) are fined and/or towed by the parking enforcers who come by in the wee hours of the morning. We don't see the point of contributing money to live a more restricted life.



And then there's our friend in Oakland who just bought a new loft. Her HOA is $400/month and has no amenities. According to her, the HOA budget is balanced but she suspects someone is cooking the sheets. She thinks someone is blatantly inflating the maintenance and upkeep costs. Oh and this year, they're raising her HOA by 10%...she along with her neighbors are pissed.

 

[biscuitninja_IHB]

WELLLlll there goes my plan. I was going to purchase a his and her's condo and when the time came, move out. But unfortuantely it looks like its going to be a no go...

That's just BS. Change more if you need to, but nickle and dime-ing.... that's just sad.



-bix

 

[tkaratz_IHB]

[quote author="skek" date=1232676360]I think the changes described above are akin to the guy on the Titantic that first said "hmmm, there's a lot of ice in the water..."



I think we all know how this story is going to end. Thanks for sharing, positivefour. I'm glad that your "only" renting there.</blockquote>


Well, yeah, that's hard to argue.



I love titanic metaphors. They apply to everything now. I.e. charging fees for ammenities at this point is like re-arranging the deck furniture on the titanic.

 

[roundcorners_IHB]

hahahah, I saw that too; I'm so glad we used the club house as much as we did when it was free...

so glad we got the heck out of dodge or I mean WM