WHAT IS A HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION (HOA)?

An HOA, or Homeowners Association, is an organization in a subdivision, planned community, or condominium that makes and enforces rules for the properties and their residents. Those who purchase property within an HOA's jurisdiction automatically become members and must pay association dues, known as HOA fees.

The primary purposes of an HOA are:

1. Maintain Common Areas: These can include parks, swimming pools, landscaping, roads, clubhouses, and other shared facilities in the community.

2. Enforce Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs): When you purchase a property in an HOA community, you agree to the CC&Rs. These can dictate various property matters, such as the color you can paint your home, types of landscaping you can have, where you can park, and even the breed of pet you can own.

3. Preserve and Enhance Property Values: By ensuring a standard appearance and upkeep for homes within the community, HOAs aim to maintain or increase the value of the properties in the community.

HOAs have their pros and cons:

Pros:

- They ensure a level of uniformity and upkeep, which can preserve property values.

- They offer amenities like pools, gyms, and parks which individual homeowners might not be able to afford on their own.

- They handle some responsibilities like snow removal, landscaping, or maintenance of common areas.

Cons:

- Homeowners have to pay regular fees, and these can be high in some cases.

- The rules can be seen as restrictive and can limit a homeowner's ability to personalize their property.

- HOAs can levy special assessments or fines for violations.

Then considering purchasing a home in an HOA community, it's essential to understand the HOA's rules, fees, and the benefits and limitations of living under its governance.