Help a New Homeowner – Matt’s Driveway

In February I became a first time homeowner and overall, I love it. However, there are some growing pains. Maybe you can help me out?

After living in an apartment for 4 years, it was time for me to stop wasting my money on rent and invest in a house. I had been looking around for a while and after over a year, I found a house I liked in a community I liked. My neighbors are great, the location couldn't be better, but it's a townhouse and I have to deal with an association.

Because I liked this house so much, I was willing to pay a little more for the association fee. $275 seemed steep to me, but I hear comparatively that it's not that bad. I liked the fact that you get the benefit of only having to take care of the inside of your "four walls." The rest is taken care of by the association. Or so I thought.

This is a picture of my driveway apron. It wasn't in the greatest shape when I bought the place, but now it's crumbling. The driveway itself is in perfect shape. But the apron is bad and it's getting worse by the day. This is one of the many gripes I have with the association including horrible snow removal and board members who have nothing better to do than roam the neighborhood looking for "violations."

The association says I'm scheduled for a new driveway, but the apron is not part of it. I would take care of it myself, but that is violation #145 of 1,340. I'm exaggerating on the violation number, but it's not too far off.

So, I've talked to the association and than I've talked to them again, and so on and so on. Where do I go from here? Is this a township thing? As I said, I'm new to this and could use some advice. I don't feel like I'm getting my $275 a month's worth. Let me know what you think in the comment section below and thanks!