Generally, I am in favor.

However, I am not in favor of the residents giving complete authority to the management companies (that THEY hire) to rob them at the Closing table for processing paperwork (name changes, emailing financials or CC&Rs, etc.). Something needs to be done about that.

I grew up in Southern California wayyy before Mello Roos and PUD overgrowth.

Many like me did not/do not want HOAs with 'Little Gestapos' w too much time on their hands walking around with magnifying glasses and tweezers to pull the wings off butterflies. So we get plenty of 'no HOA please' folks who want to move to rural/semi-rural living.

HOWEVER, the tradeoff is, you can do what you want, SO CAN YOUR NEIGHBORS. AND. We have MANY subdivisions (mine included) with no HOA BUT we still have CCRs. Agents neglect to tell homebuyers this subtle but critical truth. In the absence of an operating HOA, you complain to County if your neighbors are burning something noxious, loud dogs or music or working on 20 cars in their driveway.

Further, the additional and huge tradeoff is, plain fact HOA properties retain value better than the rest.

Also, this day and age, for better/worse there are large HOA management companies, many out of area that service these subdivisions and that eliminates some of the 'Napoleons' in local management but it also makes it very difficult to communicate with a voice/email out of LA or Florida where several are HQd.

So pick yer poison! In my neighborhood, WE SELF POLICE. And generally, it works.

I dislike HOAs and try to avoid them whenever possible.  People always give the argument of "well someone could paint their house purple or have cars up on blocks in the front yard."  I have yet to see that happen in decades of living outside of an HOA.

Monthly fees make it harder for people to qualify for the loan.  If you get some knuckleheads on the HOA board (as happened around a sale of mine), they can make life painful for the rest of the members.  Generally no one wants to be on the HOA board, so if you're crazy enough to volunteer, you'll be there a long time.  Getting anything done in the front of your house is a PITA.  We had one flip where a tree died in the front yard. We had to get the approval of all of the neighbors AND the architectural committee in order to plant a replacement.  Took 3 different applications to find a tree everyone could agree on.  Don't even get me started on paint color!  Had to repaint one house because the prior owners painted it a color that was in the area but didn't file the appropriate paperwork with the HOA!

Communist China can take lessons from our HOAs!  Never will I buy a house to live in that has an HOA.

It's ignorance (they don't do the math), inexperience (fear) or a bad experience (wounded) or lifestyle (in conflict with rules) that causes that.

I have lived in an HOA for 16 years, however I lived in single family homes for 34 years and still own them as rentals, but i truly enjoy where I live and the HOA makes life cheaper for me, while enjoying perks like a swimming pool, hot tub, club house, tennis court, roof maintenance,etc. I couldn't afford a house where I live, so an HOA allowed me to live in one of the best San Diego/La Jolla neighborhoods as a result. 

We have an HOA in our neighborhood. It was established in 1954 but primarily have dues to cover the taxes on 2 pieces of common land. 1 being a pine grove and the other a private neighborhood beach on the Pond

HOAs can bring value provided the Incorporation docs provide checks and balances against power grabs by those thirsting for power and control.

As a rule I am for them.

Peter,

We would not live in an HOA.  Fortunately, it is not the main thing here in our area.  Since we are in a no growth area, we do not aniticpate any.  A

Cat people vs. dog people...all depends on one's personal taste. Most clients with a strong opinion on HOAs are not open to change, and, in my experience, are a minority.  

I am in favor of HOA  as  a lender and personal opinion. The properties under HOA are in much better conditions compare to others.

Peter, it is a common request that buyers want no HOAs in this area. They can keep the neighborhood from falling into disrepair, but I've seen a few that were like Nazis.

I educate my clients and show them that all HOA’s are not alike.

Do the residents manage it or is there a professional management company in place?

What is the dues history? Escalating or stable?

Is the HOA involved in litigation or are their factors, such as a pool owned and managed by the HOA, that could cause the HOA to be sued?

What percentage of the properties are behind in paying their dues?

And a big item, what power does the HOA have to levy large special assessments and why might they do so?

There is much more but  to me, an HOA is a case by case basis.

In my opinion the non-HOA public is approximately 25 to 30% - that is my WAG simply based on the public that I work with. And even some of those end up being OK with some of the looser HOA neighborhoods. It all depends on what the HOA restrictions are and how those rules align with the buyer's desired lifestyle.

It depends on the rules and regulations imposed by the HOA.

Personally, I wouldn't live in a community without an HOA.

Most of the buyers I deal with prefer not to live in a community with HOA. Although it could be good for resale and property values I have heard homeowner experiences vary depending on the chosen few that are in charge. Earlier this week I had a previous buyer tell me she wished there was a HOA in her community, she wouldn't mind paying.. because a younger family had a swimming pool in front yard for a few days & it didn't look good plus once removed the grass was dead. Subdivisions are popping up all over DFW and most have HOA. The fees are also outragous for buyers. I always suggest my clients get all the details and pricing before we get serious about any property. Some buyers won't view homes with HOA.
Personally I have never lived in a community with a HOA and never plan to purchase home within a HOA community.

Well, HOA or Condo, it is hard to controll where the money go

I am with Debe Maxwell, CRS 

There is no shortage of differing opinions.  This is yet another example. Likely countless reasons. On both sides of the issue.

I have enough govt interference in my life already, not signing up for a pseudo govt agency to tell me to paint may mailbox and other silliness.

Many people hate HOA's, and I've seen builders adverting " No HOA" in their marketing. I see many complains in facebook groups about HOA's constantly complaining and fining people.

We just lost a sale due to HOA restrictions on RV storage in the driveway - not permitted.  HOAs are not for everyone.

HOA's - The Board are retired people who feel they never got the power and glory they deserve SO they are going to fine you for: leaving your garage door open more than an hour, putting up a kids basketball hoop in the cul de sac, repainting your house the exact same color without paying them, parking your Mom's car when she visits...  Charge you $1000 to transfer when you sell-  I posted online free to download many of the CCR's, bylaws, budgets for the ones that charge $1200 for these in my county, it's not right

every subdivision should have an HOA.... they're rare in my area....but they will eventually be a requirement with all new subdivisions.... 

We as an agent must be able to explain the pro's and cons to the client otherwise we are in trouble as well. especially since FHA is supposed to make it easier to buy townhomes.

I would NEVER enter into a HOA as I see them in the same light as time share operators when it comes to maintenance fees Peter Mohylsky, South Walton . I know there are good ones out there but it doesn't mean that after the next condo/HOA election it will still be a good conservative group in charge of the purse strings.

I do not have an HOA and hope to never live in a neighborhood with an HOA.  

Buyers often look at HOA dues as an added expense. They do not realize that the HOA is responsible for making sure deferred maintenance does not come back and bite the owners as happens in many homes. Stuff happens and the HOA is there to fix it. Without an HOA, a homeowner can simply put off repairs and upkeep and the situation will only get worse.

Of course, the HOA must be well managed.

HOA's are a necessity in condo complexes & subdivisions. I don't see anyone disputing the need for them, the fees have just gone up so much that it's a turnoff. 

In a planned community, it is best to have CCRs and more important to enforce diligently. Clients who want no part of that, live where their comfort level resides.

We have them here & no body is bothered with them. Over 55's are just a part of life. If you don't want to do the maintenance, then that's your choice & vice versa.

Some people are against other people telling them what to do with 'their' property. These are the same owners who paint their front door pink.

Here in NH there are many PUD "Planned unit developements" that have an HOA but are not condos. Typically a builder can build more houses on smaller lots and provide a great portion of the land as "green space". Usually the big difference is you use the lots as yours, can have a garden, pool, pets but rules exhist like no campers, boats or cars parked on your front lawn

Take them through a junky area with no HOA.  We have some excellent examples in my town. 

Personally I am fine with HOA's. We live in an area with no HOA and honestly there is that 'one' neighbor that could care less about the homes appearance. Everyone else is great. Always 'that one', isn't there!!

There are some that are good and some that, well, are not so good. I generally think they have much to offer

Nyet.

Those searching for relevance in life find a safe harbor with an HOA in making the lives of others miserable.

Ask the mother of the soldier returning from war who installed a 'Welcome back Soldier' banner or the community of mothers who enjoyed an afternoon out by sharing babysitting duties. Those depleted of relevance in this life found some in the misery they inflicted on others.

I don't know if I've ever come across a HOA where I've lived in Canada.  They are not something we need or want up here.  I cannot imagine someone else placing rules on what can be done with your own property.  If someone wants to paint their front door pink, we would embrace it as it is THEIR door.  If you want more control over what you see out your windows, buy acreage!  Otherwise, keep your head down, eyes on your own paper and love thy neighbour.

There are also a lot of busy bodies who stir up trouble

I have had buyers request some neighborhoods without an HOA, but usually they have toys that are not allowed in covenant controlled areas.

I've seen a lot of properties with HOAs......the scary thing is, many of them collect checks and do little else to help anyone.  Some are great.  For buyers, they often don't know which they're getting into until after the fact.  I personally look down on HOAs when shopping

Most neighborhoods here have HOAs and even if they don't they may have recorded restrictions. They can be good as long as the ones in power don't get power hungry. There are certainly advantages of living in an HOA. However, not every buyer fits an HOA. For example, many HOAs ban high frequency radios. So, if the client is a Ham radio operator, then an HOA neighborhood is probably not for them. If they like tons of trinkets in their yard then an HOA may not be for them. If you want to keep junk cars in your yard, run an auto mechanic business (or any business), or keep trucks with company logos, an HOA may not be for you. You have to see it for the good it does and stay away if it doesn't fit your criteria.

In my market HOAs are the exception and only out of town folks want areas wtih them.  

That's a hard question to answer since not all HOAs are created equally and here we have subdivisions that are not HOAs but still have CCRs. I'm not sure about your comment that HOAs in subdivisions are different than those in condos, your area must be different than mine. HOAs/condos are best suited for people who want to simplify their life and are willing to give up a little to get a lot. Yes, you give up certain things and must agree to the rules (which are provided before purchase) but in return you don't have to do lawn and pool care, etc. 

It's interesting to note that here HOAs and condos are a huge part of the market and actually a selling point to retirees and our snowbirds and investors who like the convenience of it. 

It really comes down to the individual's perspective and temperament, some people can make the transition successfully, others can't.

HOA's if run well serve a purpose. Some people like the "rules" and that is the benefit they are willing to pay for and others don't.  If an HOA is well managed I am all for one. 

Just walk out of a new condo purchase because of $450 monthly HOA due for a small dog poo park.  That $450 is just a starter.