Soa system of drainage ditches, swales, underground storm water pipes, and water collection basins are constructed to prevent flooded streets and basements in the community or properties downstream. How to Keep Your HOA Pond Water Clean and Clear chicagoerin Original Author 11 years ago Hi everyone, thanks for the input. There are several items you should give consideration to before buying a property. The pond can also collect wind swept debris or garbage deliberately thrown in by people. If you've seen a pond-like structure with gravel and vegetation surrounding its perimeter, you're more likely eyeing a retention pond. The yard you love is where all the water that lands on the development drains to, and without well-draining soils, the yard you love may be too wet to utilize for much of the year. From our perspective, insurance is more than a commercial endeavor. Recent Topics Have a showing appt at a beautiful house in the right neighborhood, in the right school dist., etc. Good point about mosquitoes. Did not do this one. In some instances, detention ponds are used as a park during dry weather. A home inspection should include any notes about water in the basement and crawl space which would also indicate poor drainage. Ugly weeds and scrub brush will grow all over the place, and it seems like all the neighborhood litter ends up there too. BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) Neighbors woke up to flooded yards from Tuesdays downpour and say they warned their developer a nearby construction site would cause major headaches. It would be a no go for me . Basically, all private property owners in newer association-governed communities are expected to maintain and manage their own stormwater infrastructure, with little or no guidance, assistance, or oversight from local government. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Quite often, the HOA does own land that includes wetlands. My husband and I are looking to buy our very first home! . While preserve lots can be naturally attractive, the home buyer needs to be aware that being up close and personal with Mother Nature sometimes has its disadvantages. Just because a wetland is not identified by these sources does not mean an area isnt a wetland. I don't understand how big this one is - can you use larvicides if the water level is low, or is it much too big for that? As already stated, they are designed to hold a "100 year storm". Ponds are designed to contain what is known as a "100 year storm". Buying a house that backs up to a retention pond. - Sarasota Lauren Simmons home backs up to the lake where the dead fish were found. If its this house. Would you buy a house that backs up to a retention pond? - DC Urban Mom I checked out your pictures and I wouldn't buy a house next to the pond . It is currently not fenced, not landscaped around, and pretty dry/barren. Another tried to work the ponds into the overall design, running them in a quasi-natural shape, but again in a narrow strip behind the houses. Yet very few HOAs regularly inspect their stormwater management components. it is weedy and scruffy inside. Unlike swimming pools, these basins typically aren't fenced in. Our neighborhood has 2 and you can't really see them - they are covered with vegetation. That's what they are there for. . Not only do they pose a constant drowning hazard for residents, but they also require continuous maintenance and planning. sinkholes, and mysteriously drain themselves dry, BMP #: Constructed Wetlands (Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Manual Section 5 Structural BMPs, HOA Community Association Disputes & Legal Matters, https://brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Wetland-and-Pond-Maintenance-2006.pdf?fwd=no, HOA Community Association Disputes & Legal Matters(935), Constitutional and Civil Rights and your HOA(354), New research busts myth that HOAs protect property values, 4 risks for homeowners in developer-controlled HOA communities. Rare - maybe.Real - absolutely, and basements reflect the reality. 3311 Perkins Avenue, Suite 100, Cleveland, OH 44114 | 216-524-6580 | Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District, 2023, Euclid Creek Invasive Trade-Up Program 2023, Cuyahoga SWCD Conservation Action Grant & Scholarship Fund. Homeowners in The Farm at Brunswick say the battle with developer DR Horton hit a breaking point when they found the majority of their yards submerged. home buying Typical characteristics include water in the depressed area and steep side banks. We looked at a few homes with retention ponds next door and decided against them. They said they were concerned that the new pond could bring on old problems. I don't think it is a problem with resale unless it is ugly. to $175K. the sounds were coming from an apartment across the lake. The pond's owners (the HOA) wouldn't pay out - they would hide behind "it was an act of God". Types of Retention Ponds & Benefits - Dirt Connections Unlike swimming pools, these basins typically arent fenced in. Tuesday, April 24th 2018, 3:10 pm EDT The company has since removed the dead fish and has offered to re-stock the pond with new fish, the station reported. Heck they might be a turnoff on the whole development as it indicates what kind of developer and/or planner designed the area. I don't live next to one but our small neighborhood has 2 and one you have to really search for and the other is visible only because the greenway runs right next to it. But you'll need this expert design wisdom, Set on 22 acres and with as many modern comforts as rugged trails, this Montana home is an outdoor lover's paradise, Go beyond 3-tiered fountains and faux waterfalls to discover water's architectural possibilities, To give your edible plants just what they need, check out these guidelines for how, when and how much to water, Learn which water features are more suited to conservation, and get strategies for placement and use, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, American Fork Architects & Building Designers, Riverside Architects & Building Designers, Great Design Plant: Anemone Canadensis Adds Pizzazz to Waters Edges, 8 Pool Water Features That Venture Into Fantasy, Houzz Tour: A Pond House in the Arizona Desert, Retirement Reinvention: Boomers Plot Their Next Big Move, How to Design Your Landscape to Slow Down Water, Houzz Tour: Rustic Cabin With Dive-In Pond, Essential Watering Tips for Your Edible Garden, Have Your Garden Fountain and Be Water Wise Too, What kind of wood doors and trim with eastern white pine floor, Staples Instead of Nails Used on LP Smart Siding. Quickly match with an investor-friendly agent who can help you find, analyze, and close your next deal. See the following publications for guidelines: Maintenance of Stormwater Wetlands and Wet Ponds (NC State University Cooperative Extension), EPA: Stormwater Wet Pond and Wetland Management Guidebook, BMP #: Constructed Wetlands (Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Manual Section 5 Structural BMPs Privacy Policy Pros and cons of living next to a pond (price, properties, expensive Basic Design. I have graded my lot to have several "natural" low spots and used these as small rain gardens that are actually very attractive (and low maintenance compared to turf grass, which was my overarching goal, having a landscape architect helps here though). We found a house that we love but it is next to a water retention pond. Any concerns about that? In the State of Georgia and many other states, the Homeowners Associations (HOA's) and property management companies are required to maintain the retention and detention ponds to ensure that all rainwater on any given property is collected in a manner that does not disturb the surrounding land. For example, there is a constant danger of drowning for families with young children. foreclosure CEDAR PARK, TX Debate continues in the community as to whether algae is the culprit behind a recent mass fish kill at a Cedar Pond park. Is Your Association Ready for a Recession? 4 6 6 comments Best I would say it's about 25 feet long, deep in the sense that it's lower than the surrounding homes and land near it. Learn more. Homeowners in the Turtlewood community called News 4 after learning about plans for a new retention pond in their neighborhood. Stormwater Pond: 13 Things (2023) You Ought To Know - Gokce Capital It was listed for less than 24 hours and the first people to look at it stayed for 6 hours and bought it that evening and we closed in thirty days for 5000$ less than asking. You already asked this .stop starting new threads. Safety first. As such, it's recommended that HOAs set aside as much as 12 percent of their yearly budget to maintain small retention ponds and up to 35 percent for larger ponds. It was a good design for that era, said Camas City Administrator Pete Capell. Forget swimming poolswhile necessary in many communities, retention ponds can easily be considered an HOAs greatest liability and expense. That was followed by a 50 yr storm in 2011. One that I drive by regularly has the retention pond running as a long strip behind two strips of houses/townhouses. Pros & cons of new Home yard backing retention pond, The following errors occurred with your submission. So we will have a 9ft by 18ft area with a depression in it that we will put grass in - I didn't want a gravel pit, that would have been pretty bad! Buying a house next to a retention pond. Loss of these wetlands could lead to future drainage issues. The only issue is that the house is right next to a huge detention pond. Consider the potential for a small creek to widen and meander before purchasing a property with a stream. The chances of a SWM pond overflowing and then flooding any surrounding property is extremely slim. YOUR insurance pays, providing you have flood insurance to begin with. Between the flooding possibility and the mosquito breeding ground they create (to speak nothing of the non-migratory Canadian geese they attract) I would not purchase close to one. A Guide to Buying a House in: New Jersey | Trusted Choice The system works by allowing a large collection area, or basin, for the water. For example, there is a constant danger of drowning for families with young children. These ponds can enhance a churchs aesthetic value, but they can also create liability and maintenance issues. Be sure to request county records, subdivision maps, or a formal survey to understand any and all easements on the property and what restrictions will be involved before considering purchase. Is a DR Horton home something we need to be concerned about too? loan Im op of other thread. On Monday, dozens of fish could still be seen floating near the edge of the water, which is only a few yards from neighbors homes. That would hold true even if the pond did overflow due to poor design. In some cases, other private entities own wetlands or golf courses. Lacamas Lakes story serves as evidence that even homeowners with financial affluence may fail to properly maintain their storm water management systems and neglect to be responsible stewards of wetlands and other conservation areas. The neighborhood is called "Ammersee Lakes". So, several decades ago, home builders and savvy real estate professionals decided to sell housing consumers on the notion that these small lakes and ponds are attractive water features. Would you live next to a retention pond? - Orlando - City-Data I have seen lots of them and never seen an attractive one ;). Sorry about thatI have made the album private. I love the house and everything else fits the criteria, but now this . real estate . My family is advising against this property because they're afraid the pond is hurting our foundation when it rains real bad. Children are attracted to water, and retention ponds offer ready access. Each rooftop, paved driveway or parking lot, and every road creates hard surfaces that dont absorb rainwater. That said, I would not want to take that chanceespecially as their proper function is design dependentand there is no way to know how well they work until tested.We were luckybut still, there is no way to know how well they will function as time goes onand more building creates more impervious coverage. There could also be a safety concern since we have a young child. Sign up for your free subscription by email. By the way, I have a cabin on a 15-hectare wetland, so I don't have a problem with mosquitoes, just use Deet during the worst times. I love the house and everything else fits the criteria, but now this retention pond is giving me pause. Ours have been nearly full all year (NC). Have you ever seen a real estate ad for a home boasting its water view or a lake view? American Fork Architects & Building Designers, Clinton Township Interior Designers & Decorators. They appear to have been very well designed in their functioneven during the height of Hurricane Floyd in '99 when the homes were being built they did not overflow. DH and I call it "Ammersee Ditches". . They protect the entire community from flooding, even those homes not on the ponds. Top 10 Real Estate Markets for Cash Flow in 2023. Two I pass on the way to work every day are only about 5 feet below the houses nearby, and have filled completely and overflowed back towards the houses (they were also flowing over the road about 6 inches deep at that point. I am looking to buy a house. You're not alone. All that to say that it depends on the care put into it, which I think depends on the intended market for the homes in the neighborhood. Beautification to the landscape. mortgages They have locked gates with chicken wire to prevent people and animals from getting through. In addition, the shoreline of each pond requires regular repair of damage caused by natural or unchecked erosion. Sometimes the owners make more money by selling permits to hunt on those properties even if they are in the middle of a subdivision.. We have for more than 100 years. What are they doing with this? In the end, the quickest, easiest way to buy a home from a family member is through a transfer, instead of a sale. And all the water has to go somewhere. Thanks everyone for the comments and insight. I still would not like to live right next to that because of all the noise and because of the poop and feathers all over the place. thoughts on buying a home next to a storm retention pond We're first time home buyers, and we saw a house recently that we liked, but it's next to a large storm retention pond. I read that water retention ponds in HOAs can be poorly maintained and can attract rodents, mosquitoes, and snakes, so now I am picturing a bunch of rats by the pond and in the backyard all the time. They did have fun with it though.We sold our house in Oct 2009. All rights reserved.6400 Brotherhood Way, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 | 800.333.3735, 2023 Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company.All rights reserved.6400 Brotherhood Way, Fort Wayne, IN 46825 | 800.333.3735, Legal Notices As development occurs upstream, streams become flashier and start to erode at a faster rate. . I have a bit of a strange question. Buying a Home Near a Retention Pond? While there are some advantages to living near a retention pondpeace and quiet, green space, fewer neighbors nearby, and a decreased risk of floodingpotential buyers have other factors to consider. Stormwater Basins: How Detention and Retention Ponds Work Anonymous. This area was never wet with standing water only when raining hard. The future owners of homes in this North Carolina DR Horton community will eventually inherit a stormwater system which will most likely include retention ponds. For more information, please see our Please give me your two cents on this!!! [Advice] buying a home next to a retention pond. The dead fish were first noticed Sunday morning. The core conflict in HOAs what divides communities? It has a chain link fence around it. The answer is yes, though they should be aware that there are some considerations that need to be made. Buyers with kids? It is a pool home and the land declines after the screened patio for the rain (from Florida) settles so it wont flood. They are mosquito breeding grounds, along with rodents and snakes, plus they seem to be rarely maintained in older subdivisions. A fenced and posted cement 'tank' is something else, and I'd call it an irremedial defect. Ultimately it is up to you to decide if you would enjoy living there. Make sure land slopes away from the house to prevent basement flooding. The increased mosquitoes also were a turn off, although you can treat your yard to help with that issue. Hey we have to put in a small detention pond as part of our new build - The city required 10 year storm water management of all water on the site to be captured and held. The developers squeezed every last house they could into the plats. Homeowners must identify an insurance company that will be willing to insure the property. What are the chances that the HOA will begin to set aside money in reserves for future repairs? thoughts on buying a home next to a storm retention pond There usually won't be standing water in the pond, but after thunderstorms, water could stay in the pond for a few days until it drains completely. homebuying Opinions are like .., everyone has them. house First-time buyers accounted for 31% of sales in June, also even with May but down from 35% in June 2020." In addition, while the rest of the area has a lot of flooding in severe rains., we have had none. Where will the water go. Renting a house costs about $1,900/month. I think it all depends on how well done it is. Streambank erosion can take out infrastructure and property. New Jersey Buyer Closing Costs: How Much Will You Pay? - Clever Real Estate Wetlands and retention ponds can and should be maintained by private owners, including HOAs. Neighbors blame DR Horton for flooded backyards. If storm water drainage from the surrounding properties makes its way to the pond (by gravity)- that tells you the pond is much lower. Brotherhood Mutual insures Americas churches and related ministries. What type of maintenance does a stormwater pond have? We planted a willow tree in the middle that grew beautifully. I wonder if they would be just as bad if you bought a house a few homes lots away or if the bugs mostly stay near the homes right along the pond. COPYRIGHT 2022 | SPECTRUM ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT COMPANIES | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Creating Good: Employees Gift 63 Days of PTO to their Coworker, Family Comes First: Breast Cancer Awareness Month. financing That said, I vote no on detention basins as neighbors. The system filters stormwater at the existing wetland before it enters Lacamas Lake using a system of French drains known as bubblers, filters and herbaceous grasses that collect any remaining toxins. Is your HOA board looking for a new HOA management company to help with the day-to-day responsibilities of running an HOA community? One kind is just a grassy depression (usually fairly dry), and the other kind is a vegetation-filled, cat-o-nine-tails swamp. What Are Retention Ponds Used For? (Plus the Pros and Cons) Contact us today to receive a free quote and see why our customers love us so much. Remove pollutants and sediments. [Advice] buying a home next to a retention pond. : r/RealEstate - Reddit The forebay is a small pool at a higher level than the main pond . Its got a great patio and lots of space. Read more (Video): Obviously it depends what your neighborhood does with it. Healthy ponds require proper aeration, integrated pesticide management, and adequate pond weed control. Some in the neighborhood want to clear out the trees that have grown in the wetland to restore views and, in theory, raise property values. Soils maps can also be used to identify if hydric (seasonally saturated) soils are on site which would indicate the potential for wetlands. We kept it mowed and had a split rail fence around it people wondered if it was a riding ring it was about 150 feet by 80 feet. Who pays if it floods? The detention pond is dry, graveled at this time and since we've been experiencing a severe drought in the south, the grass around it is completely burned. But a retention pond is not equivalent to a swimming pool. As development occurs consideration is not always given to location, land cover, and how existing conditions may affect future use of a property. UPDATED AT 06:33PM, MAY 7, 2018. Are there any plans for landscaping? Fence requirement for retention pond in Durham. Blog author: Elizabeth Hiser, Natural Resources Coordinator. A retention pond collects stormwater during a storm and slowly releases it back into the natural environment. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. No, I wouldn't want the drowning risk. Tips for selling/buying & money transfer & useful websites? 2) Streamside property may sound like a dream. Either way, the problem for homeowners is that they have no control over how or IF the lands adjacent to their properties are mantained/managed. To do this, he has a quitclaim deed drawn up to add your name to the home's title . it would be a major hit on resale, I think. Since this magnitude of a storm is a rarity, ponds should never come close to filling up. 1. OK, *I* wouldn't buy there. In addition to researching potential for flooding you should also consider potential threats to any planned infrastructure that may occur because of future development. The pond is dry and used for storm water run-off. Even if it was situated where I would have to look at it from my property, I still wouldn't want it. Thanks! It's got a great patio and lots of space. We appreciate the opportunity to provide your church or other ministry with an insurance quote and will reply to your request as soon as possible. For example, the community may face any number of challenges, including, but not limited to the following: Below I have posted several documented examples of ponds and wetlands that have become unsightly, unpleasant, and expensive maintenance liabilities. Unless youre viewing a home near a recreational lake a real lake used for boating, fishing, swimming and other water sports that ornamental lake is nothing more than a retention pond. Living near a pond is most definitely a safety issue for families with young children or families who may have . Easements can grant the right for utilities and their maintenance, like water lines or cable. The retention ponds in the older section of the neighborhood are showing signs of erosion. The ponds drain into preserves and ultimately streams. My concern about houses next to retention ponds is Mosquitos. Does anyone have any experience in the area? Retention Ponds: [Everything You Need to Know About] - BuilderBaron Privacy Policy, 2023 Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Deborah A. Goonan and Independent American Communities with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Its a platform to accomplish our mission: to help Americas churches and related ministries build the Kingdom. The typical neighborhood is slab homes and townhouses, 3/2, tiny lots, some with no or single garages, geared toward first-time homebuyers or empty-nesters, with prices from 89K (really!) Otherwise let him buy the house with the pond and you can buy a different house in a neighborhood you prefer. landlord A pond that's clean and clear of unsightly brown-yellow algae mats on the surface can also increase the value of nearby homes. If the local government does not own it, it becomes the associations responsibility to keep the pond in working order, and they are also responsible for any expenses incurred. buying a house Thats why developers needed to find a way to market homes near some of the more obvious stormwater features, including retention ponds. Conservation easements may also be given to preserve a natural landscape feature like a wetland. Algae problems usually occur due to ponds being neglected. Before purchasing a property consider the grading and drainage patterns. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Retention ponds improve water quality. Homeowners insurance is generally a prerequisite to obtain a mortgage for affected properties. But will DR Hortons design and construction ensure that neighboring properties remain dry when it rains? Get the best funding for your strategy. And when they do occur, the stench is terrible. foreclosures The key words here are "in theory." The advantage is that there are no neighbors on one side of the house, but will the pond be an "eye-sore"? The ducks and geese are all over their yards, plus mosquitoes, plus they all can see into each other's backyards. Most of these are used for stormwater management, which is why mosquitos are not a large problem. Many churches use retention ponds to control storm water runoff on their property. borrowing Nationwide Pond Dredging Services Around 2005, the sprawl moved in. I would appreciate your input regarding this. The pond is dry and used for storm water run-off. Just because I would never buy a house like that doesn't mean nobody else will, and it doesnt mean its less valuable. They can also be deep and have a steep drop off at the water's edge, since they're designed for maximum rainwater collection. The company is also bringing in an independent engineer to design a concrete retaining wall that will be paid for with a $58,000 gift to the homeowners association.