{"id":24397,"date":"2025-04-16T11:30:22","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T15:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trepryor.com\/blog\/?p=24397"},"modified":"2025-04-16T11:30:24","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T15:30:24","slug":"before-joining-an-hoa-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trepryor.com\/blog\/before-joining-an-hoa-community\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Things to Consider Before Joining an HOA Community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

According to research from the Foundation for Community Association Research, as of 2024, about 75.5 million Americans reside in a homeowners association (HOA)<\/a> community. This amounts to over 30% of the U.S. housing stock, and it\u2019s only expected to rise after this year. In this article, we’ll cover 10 important things to consider before joining an HOA community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you’re house hunting, it’s important to know the difference between different kinds of neighborhoods before joining an HOA community.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Community associations, such as HOAs, condo associations and housing co-ops, are self-governing organizations that make and enforce rules for the residents of a community, such as a neighborhood or residential building. They collect fees that go into the upkeep of the neighborhood and amenities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While homes in HOA communities are common \u2014 and tend to be worth 5-6% more than homes without an HOA<\/a> \u2014 they\u2019re not the right choice for every homeowner. If you\u2019re considering a home in an HOA community, here are 10 things to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, What Exactly Is an HOA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An HOA<\/a> is a nonprofit organization of homeowners living in a neighborhood or community. When you buy a home that\u2019s within the purview of the HOA, you\u2019re automatically a member of the association \u2013 meaning you have both the perks and the responsibilities. HOAs have different rules, fees, and expectations, but they generally require dues to help the association maintain the community facilities and fund projects. Decisions are made democratically \u2014\u00a0 HOA members elect a volunteer board of directors to run the association on behalf of homeowners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 Things to Consider Before Joining an HOA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that we\u2019ve covered the basics, here are some important considerations before joining an HOA:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. HOAs Aren\u2019t Created Equal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HOAs may have similarities to government organizations, but they are private entities with the ultimate goal of preserving property values. They may take the form of residential neighborhoods, condo complexes, townhome communities, housing co-ops, and other managed communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you buy a home, townhome, condo, or other residential property within an HOA community, you will know in advance to make an informed decision. The seller will provide you with all the documentation, including the bylaws and CC&Rs, to evaluate your responsibilities as a member if you buy the property. You need to read these documents carefully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. HOAs Offer Value<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HOAs want to preserve property values through maintenance of common areas, enforcing rules, and improving quality of life for residents. There are benefits of being part of an HOA, including higher resale value for your home and knowing you have an organization working to keep your community clean, safe, and secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. You Have to Follow Rules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HOAs have a set of covenants and rules that are found in their governing documents. These can be strict or lenient, depending on the HOA, and include rules like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n