The homeowner’s association, often referred to as an HOA, can be a sticky topic for some people. Ask your friends about their HOA. There is a good chance you will get an eye roll or a laundry list of expenses they had to pay. You may also get some good stories about crazy stuff people have tried to do in their neighborhoods. HOA’s can create a love/hate relationship. Depending on where you live and what your lifestyle is, you have may opinions about HOA’s that differ greatly from other people. So, what is the deal? Is the HOA your friend or your foe? Well…that depends.

Here in Waxhaw, we live in an area where HOA’s are the norm. We have a ton of planned communities and subdivisions with homes on lots close together. You will find most of these communities are governed by an HOA. We also have some more rural areas in our county where property owners are not subject to an HOA or any restrictions. If you have always lived in a home with an HOA, it probably makes sense to you. You are used to paying dues, abiding by rules, accepting changes that come through, and listening to neighbors’ bicker about the regulations. If you have always lived without an HOA and you find yourself moving into a neighborhood with an HOA, you may feel quite restricted. It is all about perspective.

When is the HOA your friend? I’d argue most of the time! An HOA is designed to protect the vision of the community, create order and some semblance of uniformity. It keeps neighbors from doing anything unconventional to their home or their property, like a wacky paint color that would look out of place. Or a gigantic piece of yard art. Yes, it takes away some of the homeowner’s freedom to choose, but the homeowner agreed to the terms at the time of the purchase. I’ve heard many times in my career, “But that’s not right, I should be able to put that flag on my property. Or park my RV out front for three days. Or paint my front door baby blue.” If you signed the HOA guidelines when you purchased the home, it IS right and you agreed to it! Further, it’s important to note that things can change. HOA’s will sometimes add restrictions or rules. These are voted on and passed. So while the actual rule may not have been in existence when you purchased the home, you agreed to be a part of this association and to abide by the rules that are passed by the association. So yes, it is right and it is fair. This fact is hard for some people to stomach and I might suggest they look at properties without an HOA.

The HOA is your friend when your neighbor decides they want to keep their giant inflatable Santa in the front yard until June. Or when they start running a business out of their home that starts bringing many cars to your street that are blocking your driveway. The HOA is your friend when you enjoy neighborhood amenities and the pool is staffed by a pool management company and the streetlights are replaced when they burn out. These things are managed by the neighborhood, not you.

So when might the HOA be your enemy? I think a community with an HOA is just not right for certain people based on their lifestyle and their preferences. For example, if you drive a work truck that you need to park overnight at your house, an HOA community might not be for you. If you keep a boat in your driveway or like to work on cars, an HOA may not be a good fit. An HOA can restrict things that you are able to do to the exterior of your home, like style of fencing, additional structures like sheds or playsets, paint colors, flags, and even landscaping. If you are someone who doesn’t want to be restricted and likes the freedom to do as you wish with your own property, then definitely use careful consideration when evaluating a home that is governed by an HOA.

You might be able to tell by now that I’m pretty pro-HOA. Of course I personally don’t love paying the monthly fees and I can certainly agree that some regulations seem silly. I get it. But I do respect the intent which is to protect the value of my home and my community. So with that being said, I think the answer to the question lies with the homeowner. I personally don’t have any needs or desires that would be hindered by HOA rules, so it doesn’t bother me. If I did, I would be motivated to find a home without an HOA. The important thing is to ask a lot of questions! If you are looking at a home with an HOA, be sure to get a copy of the covenants and restrictions prior to writing an offer. Understand what regulations you will have to abide by and what the fees are. Understand under what circumstances those fees can increase, and what special assessments could be on the horizon. For example, if the community is voting to rip up the concrete decking at the pool and redo it and there isn’t enough money in the reserves, the HOA may come to the homeowners for a one-time special assessment to cover the cost of this improvement for the community. The contract should address any special assessments that the seller is aware of, just be sure to review these items and ask questions! Surprises are never fun in real estate.

If you choose a home with an HOA, just remember each month/quarter/year when you write that check that you enjoy certain things because of those fees. You can drive down your street without driving past an eyesore in someone’s front yard. You don’t have to worry about a neighbor who never mows their grass and lets their yard turn into a jungle, the HOA can address that. Be confident that your dues contribute to the betterment of the community. And if that’s not for you, that’s certainly OK too! That’s one reason many buyers LOVE finding a piece of land and some space. They don’t have to worry about neighbors or HOA’s or rules. They can live how they want and enjoy their property to the fullest. Let’s try not to hate on the HOA’s, let’s instead just figure out what’s best for you and then find you the perfect property to enjoy.