The Ten Commandments of Town Home Living
Understanding that townhouse or condominium living is as close to communal ownership as one can get, perhaps it is a good idea to go into the process with some simple ground rules that will make coping with this type of living easier on you and your new neighbors.
1. Thou shall ALWAYS clean up after one’s pets no matter how cold, damp, wet and messy the weather is or how late at night it is.
a. Sub rule, thou shall always walk one’s pets as far away as possible from thy neighbor’s walkways, patios, decks and motor vehicles.
b. Sub rule, thou shall always walk one’s pets on greenway if at all possible.
c. Sub rule, thou shall always have extra clean up bags on one’s person when walking pets.
d. Sub rule, thou shall be aware that perhaps a townhome or condo isn’t an ideal environment for three, four, five, six or more dogs, cats, gerbils or ferrets.
2. Thou shall always park in one’s designated parking spots.
a. Sub rule, thou shall ask permission to park in thy neighbor’s parking spots.
b. Sub rule, guest parking isn’t for you.
3. Thou shall inform thy guests to park only in designated guest parking spots.
a. Sub rule, if thy guests park in thy neighbor’s parking spots thy will quickly and without haste ask thine guests to move their vehicles.
4. Thou shall adhere to architectural and landscaping rules and requirements without prejudice.
a. Sub rule, thou will become fully aware of such rules prior to moving into thy new neighborhood and will abide by the rules without whining and sulking.
5. Thou shall bring one’s trash receptacles in from the curb in a most timely manner as prescribed by neighborhood rules and regulations.
6. Thou shall keep deck and porch spaces neat and tidy.
a. Sub rule, this includes underneath decks and porches and one’s parking spots too.
7. Thou shall not use one’s barbeque grill on wooden decks and porches, for it is common sense, the law and just plain safe.
8. Thou shall not use sheets, towels or garments as drapery.
a. Sub rule, if thine neighbors have bare windows, thou shall not peer through those windows whilst walking in common areas.
9. Thou shall be aware of normal sleeping hours and adjust thine noise, music and car stereo accordingly.
10. Thou shall participate in one’s association
a. Sub rule, this includes attending meetings.
b. Sub rule, this includes volunteering for committees.
c. Sub rule, this includes paying dues and assessments in an on-time and timely manner.
So, that’s a start and of course I could write a book about good communal living. I recognize that many folks bristle at the notion of a home owner association but let me tell you; after having lived in a townhouse community myself for the past six years; I totally get the rules and regulations. I have also found that those who typically complain the most with respect to the rules and regulations are those who will most quickly disregard them if it serves their purpose.
Interested in finding a house, townhouse, condominium or any other place to call home in the Research Triangle Region? Put my 17 years market experience to work for you. Michael Sullivan, REALTOR, 919-608-2372 mobile/text.
