MoH winner to be sued for Flagpole

[Whacker]

Indeed, what is the difference between minimal standards maintained through contract law versus minimal standards maintained through social norms? Do tell the class.

This. It's not just contract law either, it's health and safety regulations.

@ Louis. Generally in the US you will have what is generally "health and safety" public building codes. These are in place to prevent real danger to others by neglecting one's property or housing. For example, you cannot let your grass get too high because pests and critters might take up living in your own personal jungle. You must take care of your trash and not leave it around the yard, for the same reasons. Building codes help prevent fire hazards, and ensure that structures are safe and livable. Auto safety codes can apply to vehicles on one's property as well, depending on what's happening.

The next layer is going to be HOA and community contracts. As mentioned several times, HOAs can and do often devolve into a handful of jerks. The best thing one can do is vote them the hell out, or run for the board. If you don't like it, fix it yourself. Find some like minded neighbors and fix the problem. Or move. Many options available.

The last piece is going to be social norms. Let's face it. If you keep your house looking nasty, or paint it horrible colors, or generally have it in a state that's not aesthetically pleasing BUT still within legal limits, you are generally going to become "that neighbor" and your social situation will suffer accordingly. Need help with something while you are away on vacation? Not going to happen. Want someone near to keep an eye on your house so it's not broken in to, or if it is it's cause quickly? Not going to happen. The social consequences can range from passive (as previous examples) to people actively making your life hell so you'll move the hell out. Some people don't give a hoot what their neighbors think, and go about their own business without a care in the world. I submit those types are arrogant and selfish fools. I like my neighbors, they like me, and that's how I want to keep it. I treat them the same way I want to be in return, and I do my best to keep my property and house looking nice so it keeps all of our property values up, and we all win in the end.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

When your neighbors end up doing crap that can and does affect your property value, you will not be pleased over it. All the same reasons I care about dings in my truck. I like it, and want to keep it looking nice as long as I can. Eventually when I get tired of it, the better shape it's in translates directly into trade-in value. If you don't, then I guess I can somewhat admire your "screw it" attitude, but I would turn that right around and tell you that indifference is ridiculous.

I think everyone from buddha to modern psychologists would say that being invested in your belongings is not a good route to happiness. Indifference is ridiculous from a financial perspective, I agree.

If the HOA was going to ban leaf blowers and edge trimmers I'd be right with you.

Property value = selling the house = moving my family into a bigger house eventually = more space for us, the eventual kids, dogs, and friends + family visiting. Rinse and repeat.

I hate dogs, and big houses are overrated

The last piece is going to be social norms. Let's face it. If you keep your house looking nasty, or paint it horrible colors, or generally have it in a state that's not aesthetically pleasing BUT still within legal limits, you are generally going to become "that neighbor" and your social situation will suffer accordingly.

The couple on our street who are "that neighbor" are the ones who keep their house and yard very tidy and send out concerned emails. Possibly one of the funniest things ever was when they sent out an email about the "black man walking by who peered into their windows", giving his description and warning us all to be on the lookout. Of course everyone else recognized the description, it was the judge who lives down the street

[Centurion1]

sasaki id be worried if MY neighbors started looking in my windows.......

[Prussian to the Iron]

i think they over-reacted, and he was just looking at the house.

[A Very Super Market]

No, I think that judge was going to rob them. All

[Whacker]

I think everyone from buddha to modern psychologists would say that being invested in your belongings is not a good route to happiness. Indifference is ridiculous from a financial perspective, I agree.

If the HOA was going to ban leaf blowers and edge trimmers I'd be right with you.

I hate dogs, and big houses are overrated

I'll just say this much. If one's happiness is based only on his or her toys, then I'd agree that's a fragile and sad situation. Life is much more than that.

However, the guy who coined the phrase "Money can't buy happiness" clearly didn't have much money or toys.

Also you are a wretched, horrible person for not liking dogs!!!111oneoneone

The couple on our street who are "that neighbor" are the ones who keep their house and yard very tidy and send out concerned emails. Possibly one of the funniest things ever was when they sent out an email about the "black man walking by who peered into their windows", giving his description and warning us all to be on the lookout. Of course everyone else recognized the description, it was the judge who lives down the street

That's just terrible. Obviously there's more than one way to become "that neighbor", your example is perfect. More often than naught the situations I've run in to growing up and now, "that neighbor" is the jacknuts who doesn't keep his property up. I'd say on my cul de sac, the worst ones (who are actually nice people) are the obnoxious Steelers fans (I'm looking at you, Ice). Steelers flags, stuff under the mailbox, wheel covers on their jeeps, etc etc. In the neighborhood, it's the junkies the next street over that are on the cop's watch list, have strange people coming and going at all hours, and don't take good care of their house to boot.

[miotas]

The "that neighbour" I can remember best growing up was a man who was obsessed with his property value and he would lose his nut when the kids would hit a cricket ball into his bushes and go rummaging though his garden looking for it. One day he told us to get off his lawn and threw our ball down the drain, then my mate's dad went to his house and asked quite loudly and rather impolitely, what the was his problem, we were just a few kids wanting our ball back after all. When "that neighbour" responded he didn't want a few kids destroying his property value, he was told in no short order just where to stick his "property value", at which point everyone in the street cheered. He moved out not long after.

[Husar]

Well, here in europe people don't buy sellaway houses to live in for two years and then move on like nomads, they usually build a house to live in and call their home for the rest of their lives, so property value is secondary at best. Or that's how I perceive it anyway.

[KukriKhan]

Well, here in europe people don't buy sellaway houses to live in for two years and then move on like nomads, they usually build a house to live in and call their home for the rest of their lives, so property value is secondary at best. Or that's how I perceive it anyway.

It helps that your houses, and even apartments, are built to last for 300+ years. Where I live now, the oldest house in town has a brass plaque on it, celebrating that it was built in 1894. In the 21 years I've been here, it has changed owners 3 times, so I take your point.

[Prussian to the Iron]

well, admittedly, even if you intend on living somewhere your entire life, it may not always end up working out. your kids may want to sell it after your death, you might have problems with property taxes, you could be forced to move due to any number of things (jobs, neighbors, and amount of activity in your area are notable).


so, in short, it's nice to not worry about property value, but you do need to upkeep your house just in case. however, that DOES NOT mean being an insensitive dick about it and trying to force an old man to take out hsi flagpole.



honestly....think about it. if he removed the flag pole there is a large hole in the ground with nothing on it. sod helps i suppose, but thats not a good solution.