My HOA fee is now $195. Nine years ago, it was much lower. We are considering removing grass to decrease water expense and putting in gravel. Unfortunately, it is going to cost quite a lot of money to do that and we wonder if it is worth it. Remove grass $$. Add gravel $$. Maybe some landscape $$. Most of us think it would be better to just let grass in back commons and/or front and side go dorment part of the year (summer or winter?). Comments anyone?
You will no longer pay to have grass cut, only to have the gravel blown. Rebid your landscaping fees if you make a major change. If you have grass you may also have high water use plants. Water rates will continue to rise. A landscaping change will cost a lot now but how much more will it cost 5 to 7 years from now. I have heard people say that they bought their condo because it had grass. You can't count on it staying that way. We had 22 of 32 units change ownership since 2010. New people new ideas.
G47 is spot on peg: changing to desert landscaping will cost on the short run but save you in the long term. Water and maintenance are costs that will never stop going up. Only those who have no vision (or unlimited resources) won't at least think about changing.
