05-29-2009, 11:48 PM
I know my response to this won't sound sympathetic or charitable, but when my husband and I were buying homes (three over 40 years), we made sure the trees that provided shade or privacy belonged to us. We never bought a place where somebody else had a clear view of our private areas, either. I've heard too many people complain that they chose a house based on what was around it but off their property, then, when that changed, the entire "feel" of the place lost its original charm or appeal - or value. We chose houses in established neighborhoods, and if they didn't already have trees or shrubs where we wanted them on the property, we planted our own. I've never lived anywhere with a HOA, but that's never been an issue. As a matter of fact, the area in which this house is located once had "covenants", although any limitations they imposed had already expired by the time we bought. I strongly suggest you look at your place and start now with plantings or other modifications that will provide the privacy you want but in a way that puts it under your control. I understand a lot of people take a certain level of comfort from HOAs, but, clearly they don't always deliver what they promise and I would never want to rely on them.