I ran into something similar a couple years back. Bought a lot in a subdivision with covenants that said construction had to start within a "reasonable timeframe," but nobody really defined what that meant. I figured I'd hold off a year or two, but about six months in, the HOA started sending polite-but-firm reminders. Turned out they were pretty strict about enforcing it because a few neighbors had complained about empty lots affecting property values.
On the flip side, I've developed properties in other communities where the covenants were just as vague, but nobody ever said a word—even after three or four years of inactivity. It really does depend heavily on the community culture and who's running the HOA at the time. Definitely worth chatting casually with current owners to get a sense of how things actually play out day-to-day.
I had a similar experience when I bought my first lot—also with one of those delightfully vague covenants about building timelines. Thought I'd be clever and wait it out a bit, mostly because my wallet was still recovering from the land purchase itself (rookie mistake, I know...). Well, turns out the HOA had other plans. They started sending me these gentle-but-increasingly-less-gentle reminders after about eight months. It felt like being politely nudged by your mom to clean your room—friendly at first, but you knew trouble was brewing.
Funny enough, my friend bought land in another subdivision around the same time and did absolutely nothing for over two years. Not a peep from his HOA. He joked that maybe they forgot he existed. So yeah, it really does seem to hinge on who's running the show and how vocal your neighbors are. Definitely second the advice to chat up some current residents before diving in—could save you from some awkward mailbox encounters later on.
Yeah, I've seen this happen a lot with clients. HOAs can be wildly inconsistent—some barely enforce their own rules, others act like they're running a tight ship. It's smart to talk to neighbors beforehand, but I'd also recommend getting clarity in writing from the HOA board directly. Saves you from relying on vague covenants or neighbor gossip. Trust me, a little extra legwork upfront beats dealing with passive-aggressive letters down the road...
Totally agree, especially on getting everything in writing. A few extra points from my experience refinancing and dealing with HOAs:
- Even if the HOA seems chill now, board members change—what's lax today might tighten up next year.
- Check if there's a time limit to build. Some HOAs have rules like "must start construction within 2 years," and they can enforce penalties or fees later.
- Also, watch out for hidden maintenance fees or assessments that kick in even if you're not building yet.
Better safe than sorry...
Good points, especially this one:
"Even if the HOA seems chill now, board members change—what's lax today might tighten up next year."
I'd add: always ask about future development plans nearby. Learned the hard way when a quiet lot turned into construction central overnight...
