Complaint Review: willow creek construction. sc - Columbia South Carolina

My neighbor lives 201 turkey Oak Ct.  She has not cut her grass all summer or taken out her garbage. Its piled up on the side of the house. Emailed several complaints to HOA. Made a complaint they did nothing.. Called again today. We are paying fees they should be enforcing the guidelines.  No matter what we do to our home . It will look bad because of this house. Why doesnt the HOA care the way some of this house looks?.. 

I have complained to the HOA numerous times about the current issue and I have not seen any action taken against a neighbor. This is to report a very serious violation at 201 Turkey Oak Court. Trash has been accumulating on the side of house, very visible from street. The trash consist of old pillows and rugs covered in animal hair, stuffed animals, old and broken pet cages, trash container that is usually over-full, trash bags with kitty poop in them, and other unidentifiable items. Not to mention the unkept yard has overgrown weeds and grass. This has become the neighborhoods EYESORE!! The pictures attached were taken several weeks ago. Since then, the trash has accumulated more with pizza boxes, etc. It really looks like the city dump. Next, I am expecting to see rats, roaches, flies, and spiders coming from that dump. I am a paying member of this community and should not have to live next to such filth. I was really upset last week when I received a letter reminding me of being past due on one payment. Why should I keep my dues up-to- date when the committee can't take care of a violation right next door. Complaint has been ignored

Due to the overwhelming negativity and lack of good grammar in this post, I had to post a comment of my own in rebuttal to these accusations. First of all, we are in an economic crisis in the real estate sector. No homes are selling, and if they are, it is by national builders who have the capital and reputation to sell homes in ANY quality for ANY price that they desire. Most of the homes selling today are sold for next to nothing, and the quality will reflect that in a few years. The new brick homes that Willow Creek is building in our neighborhood are all sold except for two. There is no building going on right now because banks are not lending to small builders. Perhaps one should do their economic research before posting things that they have no knowledge of. Anyone who thinks that a HOA would raise fees because a builder needs money is obviously just reaching out because they have nothing else better to do and no one else will listen to their complaints because they are simply not valid.

The HOA of a neighborhood has no connection whatsoever to the builders or developers. The HOA is put in place to maintain the quality of our neighborhood so our property values will maintain in economic times like these and then continue to increase when the economy starts to improve again. The HOA is here to make sure that our neighborhood retains a quality look and will attract potential home buyers when the buying market is favorable. The HOA is not responsible for cutting grass or scooping poop. If you want your grass cut go live in a retirement community, a town home community, an apartment complex, or hire your own landscaper. It is also upon the hands of all responsible dog owners to pick up the messes of their own animals. I also quite frequently visit the common area you speak of and I have not seen dog poop to be a problem at all, this coming from a homeowner who has four dogs all of which I pick up after. You also have to remember that the HOA is still in developmental stages. Once our neighborhood is complete the HOA will be handed over to the homeowners to govern and at that point I hope you will be the first to step up and start planning events. I have attended a HOA meeting that was clearly stated in a newsletter to take place. Apparently you didn't get yours or didn't care to come. I have also been contacted to take part in different neighborhood events at neighbor's houses, perhaps you just aren't receiving these invitations either. The HOA pays for our maintenance of the entrances, they do employ a person who cuts the common areas in front of our yard (I gave him a glass of water the other day), they maintain the common area, the dog park I just noticed was recently smoothed out again, they have to pay insurance for all of these common areas, and property taxes, and I know from my own experience that when I asked the president of the HOA for her books to see where my money was going she happily set an appointment with me at MY convenience to show them to me. So I don't think they have anything to hide, and I was glad to see that she was so willing to work with me. I keep all of my newsletters that are sent out and I thought that you might like to remember the January 2009 newsletter that was sent out stating other neighborhood's regime fees that ranged from $50 (Cherry Ridge in Lexington that offers a common lighted area) to $180 (Heather Green in NE Columbia) to $185 (Heights @ Laurel Hill in Columbia) all the way to $420 (Hamlet Park in Columbia) all of which the neighborhood amenities were simply side walks and street lights, and all of the neighborhoods are comparable to that of our neighborhood. I was happy to get out my checkbook this year and write out a simple check for $100 for our annual regime fees.

All of the HOA rules and regulations are clearly stated in the Covenants and Restrictions that each homeowner receives a copy of upon entering into a contract to buy. If you did not fully read these, then that is of your own fault.

I purchased my home in 2007 in the same neighborhood in which you speak of and I have been very satisfied with the quality of my home, the price of my home, the quality of my neighborhood, the quality of my neighbors (regardless of color), the HOA, the regime fees, and the builder and real estate agent that I dealt with when buying my home. To say that this neighborhood is trying to force out the "Afro Americans" is a cowardly move to play the race card. Anyone who took the time to research a neighborhood before they move in would see that this neighborhood is very diverse. I personally am a Hispanic woman and felt no racial pressure when purchasing my home or while living here and I enjoy the company and friendship of all neighbors on my street, white, black, Mexican alike. I met the owners of Willow Creek when purchasing my home, and both were very courteous and quick responding to any questions or concerns I, and my husband, had. Not to mention the fact that the owner of Willow Creek Construction is not a Caucasian himself, so let's not dwell on the racial issues and always make that a reason to play the victim.

If you feel like the quality of your home is so "poor", perhaps you should take up those issues with the builders before publicly slandering their names without giving them a chance to resolve things first. Also, to say that your home should have never passed inspection because of electrical problems is a bit absurd. Out of a neighborhood that consists of 125 homes so far, I find it hard to believe that yours would be the ONLY one that was built so unsatisfactorily that you felt the need to post your report.