HOA's Are Ruining Affordable Neighborhood Homes

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

DO You Think HOA's Have Gotten Out Of Hand? *_5 Reasons Not To Buy A Home In This Economy_* kzbin.info/www/bejne/paerZauqn9CMfNk

[@writerconsidered]

This whole thing went downhill the minute houses were turned into an "investment." Houses used to represent stability and security. Over time sure there was an increase in property value but not on an "investment" level. It was more of a byproduct of time. My grandmother and grandfather bought a house in the early 1920s to raise a family. It remained a multi-generational house until the late 1990s. I think HOA's should be banned as well as institutional investors. Return housing back to housing.

[@PrettyGoodLookin]

You forgot to mention how high HOA fees can be AND that you can be hit with an assesment that is high....instead of a slow increase. Some HOA's in high rise condo's are 450-800 dollars...plus. How can this change ?

[@elaishh3533]

As a loan officer for 6 years many found out their hoa was too high that could not qualify to refinance their home ( debt to income ratio). HOA also raise their fees continuously from what I have seen as “expenses increase”

[@jadedavis822]

Any organization that can foreclose on your home that’s not mortgage related is bad to me

[@geogolf]

Condo fees are rising because of insurance.

[@kurtwillig4230]

As a lawyer I am appalled at the lack of due process. HOA fines you, you have to pay it. No arbitration, no appeal, no hearing. That is a dictatorship.

[@werner1213]

This is not always the case. Many HOA (mine included) include formal mediation processes for disagreements between an owner and the board.

[@heathmcrigsby]

The people who run your HOA have names and addresses.

[@werner1213]

@@skiyalater626I suppose it could depend on the location. New Jersey (where I am) has several laws on the books to protect homeowners, limit the powers of HOAs, and require accountability and processes. (google Radburn Act NJ).

[@CD31337]

@@heathmcrigsby 💪

[@backcountyrpilot]

@@werner1213Idaho passed a law in 2013 making it illegal for a HOA to fine a member unless the exact cause and amount are listed the the CC&R’s, not in some “guideline” book; it must be in the actual CC&R’s.

[@yellowbutterfly3269]

I owned a house in a nice neighborhood with an inactive HOA. After a few years, a man bought a house there, activated the HOA, hired a management company and named himself the HOA President. Then, he sent out a notice to the 104 homeowners of the first annual meeting, along with a bill of what our monthly fees were going to be, over $160. At this first meeting, 102 homeowners showed up and we fired the management company, voted out that President, voted in new officers and then agreed on one annual expense of common area insurance which was very little annually per household. I despise HOAs!

[@NotfromDetroit]

How did he activate HOA without approval of majority of homeowners?

[@yellowbutterfly3269]

@@NotfromDetroit Not exactly sure except he wrote up everything including rules, creating a budget, hiring the management company and calling/scheduling the first meeting. I think he thought it would pass and/or not enough people would show up to vote. This same man was my next door neighbor and told me I’d have to pay for half of his fence that bordered our properties when he wanted a fence and I didn’t. (I refused to pay for his fence.)

[@kasession]

If the HOA was inactive, why did it exist at all.

[@yellowbutterfly3269]

@@kasession In Virginia, many builders register HOA, inactive. Not sure if Virginia started requiring it or builders take it upon themselves to give a choice to the future community.

[@deborahheckstall1881]

They stole houses because of fines, they have judges in their pockets. People need to review their association contracts. They are a problem. They are liars. It's time to stop them. Even if you pay lawyers you can lose.

[@rayme4raw]

My mother worked for a Homeowners Association Property Management and after seeing it first hand, she advised everyone not to buy a home with a HOA.

[@HomeRapidRepair]

My wife once picked a lot to build on in an HOA neighborhood, I said heck no. I want freedom. No HOA for me 🇺🇸

[@franklyanogre00000]

Same.

[@maxthehumandog]

Agree even if there is a 5 dollar hoa 😅

[@YourCapyFrenBigly_3DPipes1999]

HOAs are literal crime. I don't understand how this is being allowed to exist?

[@YourCapyFrenBigly_3DPipes1999]

A-fucking-men!! How is this not crime!?!

[@jazmine4332]

@RapidRepair; I agree, living in an HOA is no different than being a renting because renters have to follow landlord’s rules. There is no point in owning your own home if you have to follow someone else’s rules.

[@cmackscott761]

My wife flew from LA to an area north of Atlanta back in 1993. She found our home in an area of North Georgia about 40 minutes above Atlanta. A the time our town was small and our neighborhood did not (still doesn't) have an HOA. We've been here 30 years. No one ever painted their house blue with purple and yellow stripes. Since 1993 our city has grown and become a "destination city". For example, we had someone from London England take their vacation here at an Airbnb next door. People walk through our neighborhood from the surrounding neighborhoods because the homes are built far apart and there is a lot of natural beauty. I met someone last year in a neighboring subdivision with an HOA. She was fined because kids playing in her front yard landed a frisbee on her roof that was not taken down within the specified time. IMO, HOAs provide an outlet for people with fascist inclinations.

[@sitcomchristian6886]

Exactly. Also in an HOA-free neighborhood. There are precisely two houses in the whole neighborhood that stand out, the rest are perfectly normal. They are not needed. People know how to maintain their homes without being micromanaged.

[@nobodyspecial115]

It's amazing how many secret fascist we have running around. Glad someone else knows a Gestapo when they see one

[@MilaN-lt2mq]

I live in a beautiful neighborhood where everyone maintains their property and we have no HOA. I don't understand why I would ever need anyone to tell me what I can and can't do on my own property. I would never buy a house with HOA. I think it's a scam.

[@codegeek-il5fm]

Same here. But if you buy in any neighborhood built in last 20 years, you most likely have an HOA. I bought in a neighborhood built in the 50s and I am so lucky to not have an HOA. They can go f themselves.

[@MilaN-lt2mq]

@@codegeek-il5fm Ha ha. I completely agree.

[@TheMariemarie16]

Yes but HOAs are becoming more common than not and if you live in a major city, it's getting very difficult to purchase an affordable home so if HOA is the only negative most people just go for it

[@email6743]

I can just hear all the gas blowers right now 🫥

[@ellicesanchez3194]

I really hate paying people to tell me to cut my grass from it's natural height that it wants to be; sometimes other things in life are more urgent than the height of my grass. You are lucky.

[@WillMoon]

The crazy thing is seeing these neighborhoods where people are paying hundreds of dollars a month in HOA dues. I almost moved to a neighborhood two years ago but stopped when I realized they had a $500/month HOA due. Ridiculous

[@aznsinner73]

Same here, almost ready to sign for a newly completed built home 6 years ago when rates and home prices were low, then backed out because it was in an HOA community.

[@Clarktherealtor]

Yes, it is ridiculous. To think you can pay your mortgage off on your house, but if you live in an HOA community you will have to continue to pay that, on top of property taxes, insurance, etc. And, if you do not pay the HOA they can foreclose on the property.

[@Coolguyallthetime2k]

@@Clarktherealtor utterly ridiculous!

[@JNoMooreNumbers]

That's grocery money and then some.

[@Clarktherealtor]

@@Coolguyallthetime2k it is crazy

[@victorsong8416]

When houses for sale are advertised as: "No HOA!", you KNOW that an HOA home is now worth LESS than a non-HOA house - period. HOA no longer preserve home values, but REDUCES them. I lived in an HOA house/community before. I could hardly wait to get out and I would NEVER again would buy, and move into an HOA condo or house-community. No way...

[@cgschow1971]

my #1 criteria when house hunting was NO HOA. I, as well as my neighbors, are happy without one. Takes off tons of stress and I enjoy the eclectic nature of the neighborhood.

[@777jones]

At least in a condo, HOA provides tangible benefits like utility sharing, shared property. House HOA provides nothing.

[@codegeek-il5fm]

Yep. Also do the math. An avenrage HOA is $500/Month. That is $6000 per year out of your pocket. If you do Pre-tax calculation, that is now close to 8k per year. Lets say you .live in that place for 7 years (Average). You have paid them $56,000. Ok now lets say you have no HOA. You have to pay for your own maintenance but I can guarantee it wont be this high because HOAsare for profit so they have to make money. Also, flat rate that keeps going up doesnt encourage anyone to use resources conservatively because they have to pay anyway. No HOAs. They are a scam and a racket. And I am not even talking about the control they have with ridiculous rules.

[@LightsHikesAndWanderlove]

@@777jones If they actually maintain them. They do not in mine.

[@sitcomchristian6886]

@@codegeek-il5fm I love math people, well done.

[@marcusdisalvio1804]

The sick part of being part of a HOA is that it's just like high school if the members don't like you they can and they will gang up on you and fine you until either you leave voluntarily or they put a lien against your home and force you to sell at a massive discount

[@CrypticCobra]

Facts. Either it is run externally by a for-profit fine happy lifeless company, or it is run by "volunteer" neighbors who are actually just the "cool kids" who bully everyone around them and look after their friends.

[@darcy5761]

True

[@Elhastezy888]

Straight Facts! Know two personally in Vegas that are vile & pathetic

[@Razor2048]

Sadly that is the case, a bully clique from high school becomes worse in an HOA as their bullying now has the force of law attached to it in terms of the financial pain they can bring.

[@matthewphillips5483]

I've seen people that talk like this but my experience is that those who talk like this are actually problematic people who can't comprehend why its not acceptable to have rusty stripped out cars parked on their lawn, why you can't just let your dog run down the street without a leash like its your personal dog park, why you can't have parties with half a dozen cars parked in the fire lane in the community, why its a problem when their dog is barking non stop at 2am. Always the entitled folk that can't understand beyond their own selfish desires.

[@soholingo]

Once you realize that "ownership" means you can do what you want to the item that you "own", you realize that HOAs completely remove the ability for someone to own a home.

[@pm2886]

That's why they're outlawed in other countries.

[@jameskiehm546]

The foreclosure issue is the most egregious issue. There needs to be a law requiring an absolutely no surprises process for foreclosure. The owner should always have the ability to rehabilitate the situation or sell the home on their own to avoid losing the value of the home.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

I agree.

[@lauriesica]

HOAs are one of the reasons housing has become so unaffordable. Exact same house with no upgrades that was $150,000 is suddenly worth $600,000. How is this possible? It's ridiculous.

[@curiouspenguin6887]

It allows collusion between board members to get their hands on properties for pennies on the dollar.

[@carolperdue7534]

The owner can sell. If the HOA is foreclosing its because the owner is often years behind on dues. A mortgage company can start foreclosure after 120 days of missed payments .

[@margaretjacobs4016]

@carolperdue7534 my daughter purchased a home that the previous owners did not pay the HOA for as long as they owned the house. The HOA was demanding that my daughter pay the overdue HOA fees. Fortunately, the previous owners title insurance covered that.

[@Joce123]

My neighbor's sister died. He cannot sell her house because it has an HOA. People are avoiding HOA'S like the plague.

[@nobodyspecial115]

I mean would you want to live in a neighborhood where there's a fascist Gestapo running the show dictating how you must live.

[@Joce123]

​@@nobodyspecial115EXACTLY

[@HEllis-qu5nn]

I have vowed to not buy anything with an HOA. I was looking at an awesome condo that was overpriced but it was nice and I could still swing it. Then I looked at the HOA monthly fees of almost a 1000 per month. NEVERMIND

[@edwardhurdle5013]

Yes...I'm going through this now. It makes it hard to buy a property these days

[@eechaze12]

I can see why it's needed on my neighborhood. Lots of renters trooping in. I don't know what this whole place will look like without an HOA

[@FFL61750]

Condos are the worse with HOAs. Petty tyrants love running (ruining) other people’s life.

[@OGtruthserum]

I would not buy any place (especially condo) that does not have at least half an acre of land. No HOA as well. It not a home if you don't have big land.

[@arios1977]

That’s more than likely the fire insurance on the building. You don’t actually own the building of a condo, just the air space of the unit.

[@jodiburnett6211]

I had to sell my townhome because they stole money! And during Covid they hit me with a crushing new roof assessment for $7k. I was paying $400 per month when I bought. By the time I sold, my payments were the same as my mortgage payment. I’ve heard from former neighbors those new roofs were leaking like a colander last winter. I will never buy into a HOA ever again. The people who stole were never prosecuted. This is a tragedy.

[@marshamercer876]

Its time we pass legislation against them.

[@CrypticCobra]

Will never happen, the Gov only does things that are profitable to them, and HOA's take away responsibilty from the Gov to do it's job while still collecting the same taxes.

[@frozentundra7446]

Or, do not participate!

[@nightskylights4501]

@@frozentundra7446 you don't know what you're talking about. There are zero new homes without HOA. They're forced!

[@frozentundra7446]

@@nightskylights4501 No Bruv, you do not get what I am saying: do not participate by never, ever buy a house in a HOA!

[@thatwasprettyneat]

Government loves 'em. It's time for the government to change.

[@KarrieJ.Butler]

You forgot to mention assessments! I just dumped my ocean front condo in Hawaii with $980 per month HOA fees. I had to pay off the $10K painting assessment from the previous year. Before most of us paid off that assessment, last week owners got hit with a new assessment for $17K! By going to the meetings I knew there were going to be even more coming in the future. It was cheaper for me to let go of my 2.3% loan and buy a house without an HOA with a 7.2% loan! Oh, and I had to replace my new car on top of everything, because two years of sitting next to the ocean destroyed it. I thought I was living the dream, but instead it turned into a nightmare! 😭

[@Ebene313]

Every year as a working adult I wonder more about why I pay taxes when the government is actually pushing all the responsibility on everyday Americans. Hoas arent responsible for the lawns, sidewalks, trash etc, thats what we pay taxes for. This is the worst service I've paid for

[@Love4puppies]

I wonder why property taxes are no t lower if you pay an HOA that maintains the roads, etc... Sometimes they are actually higher property taxes in an HOA because of it being in a master planned community. Kristina is on to something!

[@mztokyo7630]

Our taxes are supposed to protect us from domestic and foreign enemies. our government has failed us since Covid and mostly peaceful protests.

[@jc2386]

Some places took care of the trash, not sure about these days. This was back in the 90s.

[@natbarmore]

IME, the cause and effect are the other way ‘round: it’s not government telling voters that government is going to take away services; it’s _voters_ telling _government_ to stop providing those services. And then in most cases replacing those cancelled government services with the private sector - and in many cases discovering that paying for someone else to make a profit _and_ provide the service is more expensive than just paying directly for the service.

[@Thezors]

THIS. I live in New Jersey where property taxes average at 2.25% (of an absolutely inflated value) and I have not seen a condo in my area with an HOA fee under $250 a month (and that’s considered dirt cheap).

[@JoelUldrych-kh2sc]

We were in an HOA. Hardly many would show up to meetings. The neighbors and us got an attorney, and we dissolved it.

[@arianekelly2633]

Congrats! You probably collectively raised the value of the neighborhood. 😊

[@kenw.4539]

I assume you still needed to get the majority of the homeowners to vote to disband your HOA?

[@Worleywoods]

I HATE MY HOA! I hate it so much, now that we're moving, we refuse to move into another HOA community. In fact, we passed on 2 properties that were better priced because I will never again live under the yoke anyone other than my wife 😂

[@angieherrera1850]

Let's push our representatives to put a stop to HOAs.

[@1anastudent]

The issue is too much power with no oversight. An HOA should be held accountable for abuse of power and HOA companies disbanded

[@SilverSunPublishing]

Plus, many of them are criminally fraudulent, STEALING the money homeowners pay in fees and fines.

[@kenw.4539]

Property management companies shouldn't be allowed to fine people. They should just be allowed to point out issues to an HOA Board but otherwise, their mandate should be just physical upkeep of the neighborhood.

[@bellybooma]

Issue with HOA is that anyone who actually works a job and has real responsibilities usually doesn't have time or energy to attend meetings, vote, or be on the board. It ends up being monopolized by a small 1% who really have nothing better to do.

[@rockthevote398]

All the little psychopaths float to the top.....

[@nobodyspecial115]

It tends to attract those with fascistic tendencies, those who love authority and controlling other people

[@remp1040]

HOAs should have their control limited heavily through national legislation. Some of the things they can get away with are ridiculous

[@reesedaniel5835]

HOAs should be limited to PREVENT HOARDERS period. That's what they were there for originally.

[@sitcomchristian6886]

National legislation? You want HOAs to be MORE petty, inefficient and disinterested in your problems? Hard pass.

[@sanniepstein4835]

Doesn't the Constitution count as national legislation already?

[@reginab722]

People have been murdered because they left their garage door open and some criminal came in. That’s ridiculous!

[@jenniferbond7073]

And not to mention you belonging will get stolen. What is the point of paying for a house with a garage if you can’t close the door? It’s a carport essentially then. And you can buy a cheaper place without a garage. Makes no sense.

[@ripplesnake]

HOA's should be outlawed period.

[@mkshffr4936]

Agree.

[@Outdooracademe]

Ditto

[@CrypticCobra]

They are needed for condos, but that's the only time they should exist. And they should be HEAVILY restricted. Essentially they should be able to do nothing other than collect money to cover exterior building maintenance like getting a new roof. And the was they collect should be no diferrent then proprty tax. None of this fine bullshit.

[@GameHEADtime]

No they shouldn't.

[@thespaceginger117]

@@GameHEADtime may I ask why they shouldn't?

[@ede2340]

I bought my first home when I was 28. The HOA painted our homes every 5 to 6 years, mowed the grass, handled community shared areas. It sounded great! It took a few years before I realized how blatantly stupic and naive I was. They were a mini-dictatorship - so many restrictions. One day I received a letter stating I was not allowed to remove a section of fence on my property to make space for a jet ski. I spent hours looking for it. I didn't know I had one, but they said I did. After calling them and asking about it, they said they made a mistake. I am far too intelligent to fall for the HOA scam again. Any future homes for me have one very simple non-negotiable requirement - NO HOA!

[@ellismedavoy7314]

There should be fines for HOA's making mistakes. Our time is valuable.

[@equisetuminc]

I'm a licensed architect - its shocking how many non-licensed folks are acting as Project and Property Management. Insurance underwriters need to step in.

[@JacquesTreehorn]

The PMP is kind of a joke. No degree requirement. Application is graded by a computer. It is just a cert. Not a state license with a board. It is kind of ruining construction. PMP's just posture and make sure they have licensed folks to do the heavy lifting. Congrats on getting your license. You have one of the hardest ones to get. Mainly because of the experience requirements. I run into people claiming to be architects from time to time. I ask them in what state they are licensed in and look them up.

[@breyannalemay3207]

That's one thing I learned taking my real estate courses, property mangers don't realize they need their license to be in that field. It happens a lot.

[@chamomiletea9562]

When I bought a home three years ago I was very set against an HOA home. Still feel the same way. I don't want anyone telling me I can't have a clothesline in my backyard or that I am being fined because my beach towel is hanging from an upstairs balcony. The monthly dues are subject to change at any time and I think just paying property tax is hard enough. Lots of days, it seems those swimming pools and tennis courts are empty. And yet the homeowners are paying for all that.

[@mcooper29th]

I won't live under an HOA for the very reasons you mentioned in your vid. In fact, I always tell the agent I work with that an HOA is a deal-breaker and to not even bother showing me a home in a neighborhood wth one. Great video! Subscribed - love what you do - keep up the good work!

[@leifcatt]

Me too. Then did you get looks from the realtor like you were crazy?

[@kburkes4245]

My kids bought a home with an HOA. They replaced an old rotting deck with the EXACT SAME deck -- looked exactly the same only new wood. They were fined $200 for not getting a permit from the HOA (they didn't know they needed one). That's how this HOA makes money - permit fees for stupid stuff, and fines if you don't comply. You would think the HOA would be glad that people are taking good care of their property! My kids have since sold their home and said good riddance to the HOA. .

[@GUITARTIME2024]

The HOA was right. It's an exterior project.

[@donmulder8061]

@@GUITARTIME2024 She wasnt saying the HOA was wrong. She was pointing out how dumb they are.

[@243wayne1]

Correctamundo. One needs to pull a permit. Her kids are simpletons.

[@donmulder8061]

@@243wayne1 You don't "pull permits" with HOAs. She was speaking figuratively. She was referring to the HOA architectural review board approval process and how her kids were fined for not getting that HOA approval. Only a city or county government will issue "permits" for deck construction. With the exception of a condo association HOAs do not have responsibility or authority to approve work plans and designs for functionality or safety. They lack the expertise and funding for that function. That is the city or county. In this case the HOA was dumb. They replaced material resulting in the exact same deck design meaning if the work had been done when everyone was on vacation no one would have known the difference except the deck would look brand ew. Although I think the kids were being somewhat naive not seeking HOA approval because the HOA can issue fines for nothing at all and you have to pay them and you have little to no recourse. But the HOA was dumb in this case because her kids were doing deck maintenance by replacing material that would result in the same exact deck aesthetically. Proof in point: they paid the fine and sent the HOA old lady in tennis shoes the original plans for the deck for their approval with a new date on it and it was approved (she didnt say that but it is inferred). I know because I have been in a similar situation only my deck was not rotting or old but the new management company didnt get any historical documents from the old management company like deck approvals and our deck was built by the builder who was serving as the HOA at the time so when we sold they issued a violation for an unapproved deck built by the developer/HOA and exactly the same as everyone else's deck. We lost two sales while we argued with them. We were not going to hire an architect to draft a plan for an existing deck we were not replacing.

[@smason3541]

We lived in a new build community. The woman across the lake bought in, single Mom, top of her price point, yadaa yadda yadda. We had a 6 month deadline to finish our beaches and supply our own sand. She missed the deadline. A year goes by, nothing. She had a series of unfortunate events… So, everyone in the Community decided to pitch in and buy her sod and her sand and install her sprinkler system for her and pay her HOA fines to save her from losing her house, for her yard. What a racket HOA’s are!

[@SilverSunPublishing]

A racket, yes. Many are run like a mafia.

[@mscargill2752]

You are all an awesome bunch. ❤

[@smason3541]

@@mscargill2752 Mark 12:31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

[@PileofAshes53]

Yep, and some of them intentionally refuse your mail so you can not get a check to them and they then send you to collections. One HOA I dealt with in the past, did that. You mail them the check and a few weeks later the envelope comes back with “unknown address” sticker. It was crazy because they also didn’t have a way to pay online or over the phone. These people are a piece of work.

[@kenw.4539]

That's criminal fraud and if you can't get the HOA board members arrested, you have grounds to vote them out or disband the HOA.

[@JohnDoe-fz3nu]

A few years after selling a house in a HOA, all hoa dues paid in full at the time of sale, that HOA tracked me down and tried to foreclose on my new home in a different state to collect fees/dues accrued by the buyer of the old house. Luckily I crossed the t’s and dotted the i’s. I had the buyer sign an acknowledgment of the existing hoa and its fee schedule and they assumed all responsibility regarding the HOA cost and requirements, I notified the hoa of the sale (certified return receipt mail and an email) with in 60 days after the sale. They still took it to court and the judge basically told them to kick rocks.

[@privateprivate8366]

Yep. And they can become predatory, just like any institution.

[@InternetUser._]

Conniving little pieces of sh!t They knew you weren’t at fault and still tried to steal your home. SMH

[@bitkrusher5948]

And waisted your time and would have robbed you had you not fought it!

[@EdgeBauer]

Did they pay for your attorney’s fees, time, etc?

[@SilverSunPublishing]

This sounds totally criminal. How is this being allowed? Someone in government must be behind it -- otherwise, they would have been stopped long ago, instead of becoming so widespread. The People need to do something to stop this.

[@staywell7217]

The very sad thing is that people have to deal with power tripping idiots at work, as well as dealing with the same type of entity in their neighborhoods via the HOA. The home is not a peaceful place with these HOA's.

[@jc2386]

No, no its not especially with Karens that display hypacritcal biases.

[@GEN_X_]

Here in Florida they are OUT OF CONTROL! They need to be regulated by the Government. Seems like just a Money Grab to me. Here in South Florida there are some "Affordable Condos" but when you look at the HOA Fees outside of the housing cost, they are averaging $500 - $900 a month HOA a month now! Completely Insane Greedy People!

[@thearchedpromise3271]

And the thought of it being your forever home. Retirement comes , you hav epaid off your mortgage but the Hoa is forever. 😢

[@jeffplumblee6376]

They ARE regulated by the government; they are MANDATED by the government in a lot of cases. Many states require new developments to have an HOA that's responsible for streets, common areas and trash pickup, among other things, so that local governments won't have to shoulder that burden. Governments failing to provide sidewalks and trash pickup is the reason for this plague, more government is not the solution.

[@GEN_X_]

They are definitely not regulated by the government for price gouging and HOA limits on what they can charge for fees. There is no reason to be charging these high fees other than greed and greedy HOA board members. And just an FYI: We already pay taxes for basic services. HOA's have no right charging whatever they want. They must be neutered by government regulation. @@jeffplumblee6376

[@sitcomchristian6886]

Larger dictatorship regulating a smaller dictatorship? What could go wrong?

[@qjtvaddict]

They need to be abolished

[@lisamcandrews5739]

My son and daughter-in-law bought a condo with an association attached to it. I tried to talk him out of it because I hate them speed up two years they have a baby they bring the baby home it’s in the middle of July and we were having a heat spell of over 100° And they have a two week old baby at home. The central AC broke. My son calls the company that the homeowners association recommended to replace the AC unit. They said they were straight out for a month and couldn’t get to them so my son ran down to Home Depot and bought three units that you put in the window in the babies bedroom it was 118° two days after my son installed the units in the windows the association came by and said he had to take them out. It was against regulations. They were an eyesore. He tried to explain the situation and they did not care six months later they sold it and they bought a housewith no association attached to it

[@hamzamohd5587]

It makes me so furious when I read about such incidents.

[@ScowlieMeerkat]

"HOAs can protect your neighborhood from institutional investors." Followed by an explanation of how institutional investors can use an HOA to take massive advantage of you in ways they couldn't but for the HOA.

[@Outdooracademe]

Heard that too.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

I should have explained it better. You can make a convenance in your restrictions that limits institutional investors and/or limits how many rentals in your community.

[@comoelitamelendez8467]

@@KristinaSmallhorn But that does require the cooperation of your neighborhood. A handful of smart people won't change those restrictions. And from personal experience, trying to get people who don't know their left from their right, to agree on something that's better for them, is worse than herding cats. lol

[@kenw.4539]

@@comoelitamelendez8467 There are so many ignorant people in the US thanks to our anti-intellectual mainstream attitude. I hear over and over again from some people, they literally don't care what happens outside of their neighborhood. If the country falls apart and mass murders and slavers show up at their doorstep, then they start to care and it's too late.

[@ricardodavila9000]

So people have to pay HOA fees and property taxes too. How is that even logical?🤔Anyone foolish or ignorant enough to have signed into an HOA deserves everything coming to them

[@katydid2877]

HOA fees are to maintain the common grounds, lighting, walkways, and to maintain the amenities like pools, parking lots, playgrounds, etc in your subdivision or complex. Property taxes are for schools mainly and local government funding. Doesn’t have anything to do with mowing the greenbelts.

[@pm2886]

​@@katydid2877And that makes it okay ... how, exactly?

[@katydid2877]

@@pm2886 Makes what OK?

[@diletante6800]

@@ricardodavila9000 some like mine pay property taxes, garbage water, and most insurance. Several of us just received property tax assessments over $8,0000, because being under billed by HOA. Combine that adjustment, and an adjustment to raise their reserves, and my fee will increase by $400/mo, in January. I predict that this Will continue. Elder, and moved here for stability, and it's so not stable. 😔

[@Clarktherealtor]

Yes, some of these HOAs have gotten out of control. A client, I am currently working with HOA is $1,024/mo in their Condo building. Ridiculous. But, another Ridiculous thing is a person I know moved into a Subdivision down in GA with Forest in the name. And, when she cut down some trees in her yard they fined her do to it. They said the Subdivision has Forest in the name, and because of that you can't cut down the trees, because it'll no longer look like a forest, 🤦🏾‍♂️.

[@GEN_X_]

Here in Florida they are OUT OF CONTROL! They need to be regulated by the Government. Seems like just a Money Grab to me. Here in South Florida there are some "Affordable Condos" but when you look at the HOA Fees outside of the housing cost, they are averaging $500 - $900 a month HOA a month now! Completely Insane Greedy People!

[@Clarktherealtor]

@@GEN_X_ yes, they are getting out of control. Like, Kristina said with the uprising cost it is literally squeezing homeowners out of homeownership, especially first time homeowners. I had a client here in ATL, GA going through a down payment assistance program, but had to stay within a certain monthly cost number. Because of that, she couldn't get into half of the communities down here due to the HOA fees always having her go over that monthly. But, she is happy that she didn't buy in one. I know everyone has their own experience or point of view. But, she is grateful she didn't buy in one now.

[@oligarchy-usa]

Power & greed corrupts most people & HOA's are just one example of that.

[@feliciaspeaks2754]

I live in a 55+ older community and our fees have been steadily increasing to now $100 a month for basically lawn and pool maintenance. No trash or anything else. Our board voted to fire the management company and do everything in house. The president acts like he’s been crowned king and lords around the neighborhood looking over his serfs and changing rules at a whim. We definitely need more legislation in Florida in governing HOAs they’ve run amok here.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

It’s weird when someone gets a small touch of power the begin to act like the are the true leader of the free world. I’ve seen it so many times. I hope your HOA gets better.

[@rayme4raw]

You want socialism! No one is coming to save you! My friend loved HOA’s. I asked why? She said that they mowed the tiny lawn and shoveled the driveway. I told her that she can hire a lawn care company to do both and if she cannot afford the service, she can cancel, but she cannot cancel a HOA if she cannot afford it!

[@twinklesrules]

With the Supermajority in the Florida legislature, they're doing nothing to help homeowners. Insurance crisis? Nothing. Here's what they did pass. House Bill 919 went into effect Oct 2023. Broad protections have been added such as officers, directors and managers are prohibited from soliciting or accepting anything of value without providing consideration in return- legalized quid pro quo. The board members are supposed to tell you each year if they have a conflict of interest. They must have a meeting before imposing a fine. House Bill 437 went into effect July 1, 2023. says a homeowner can only display 2 flags on their property and they can install stuff in their yard as long as no one can see it.

[@1lorijb]

People need to start telling their realtor they will not look at any home that has an HOA, that's the only way it will stop!! We the People have the power!

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

In 1970 there were around 700,000 housing units in HOAs in the US. This number grew to over 27 million housing units in 2020, a 39x increase. This upward trend has continued as the latest data in 2023 shows an estimated 28.2 million housing units are in HOAs.

[@bradlopez3681]

Hoa charging rent prices now. Condos and coops are just apartments with a crazy down payment

[@psal8715]

HOA's, a way to buy a house that you have to pay mortgage, Taxes and rent.. They straight up need to be outlawed.

[@terrance2067]

Who care about keeping property value if you not planning on selling who ever lives in an HOA just wasting money...PERIOD!

[@sminthian]

I will never get how HOA's are legal. They are always the first thing I look for when buying a new house, HOA is an automatic disqualification.

[@kenw.4539]

It's a civil contractual situation. Unfortunately there are also probably some laws that back up their existence. By the same token, you can get a majority of the homeowners to either disband the HOA or reform it severely.

[@Bob-cd5pp]

I would NEVER live in a HOA AREA .

[@Homeschool4Christ]

💯 right imagine paying someone a fee to tell you what you can or cant do in your own property that they put no money into. I cant do it thats something i refuse to compromise on when home shopping

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

They are harder to find without an HOA, even in the most rural areas.

[@this_epic_name]

@@KristinaSmallhorn Truth. Even where homes haven't been built and it's a build-your-own-house community. If a property has been subdivided, roaded, and has utilities to property lines, chances are there's a HOA.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

@@this_epic_name yup!

[@Retarmy1]

I knew a lady who worked for an HOA, in the Saint Louis, she quit the job in 3 months, she said the HOA, was stealing people's money.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

That doesn’t surprise me unfortunately.

[@-OBELUS-]

Moved to a place with no HOA. It's glorious. Unfortunately the value of our house is skyrocketing anyway.

[@CrypticCobra]

Unfortunately? Also it will continue to go up as more and more new constructions create more and more HOA's. The fact yours isn't in a HOA is what helps to grow its value. Buyers don't want to be renters and subservient to a Gov of soccer moms.

[@marknewton6984]

A First World problem..

[@robins_rodeo]

I've seem some communities requiring monthly HOA fees that are equivalent to 25% of what the mortgage payment is on the house. In a few communities north of here, when they started building the developments, people were moving in and paying $300 monthly for the HOA. Then it went up to $600/month and then $900/month. When someone moves into an HOA neighborhood, they are now an owner and a renter. They will have to pay a monthly rent to the HOA even long after they pay their house off. HOAs can help deal with nuisance neighbors, but most towns and cities already have an office that handles those types of issues (noise, property standards, etc.).

[@matthewbohun-aponte6028]

I have been on 3 HOA boards, in different cities. I loathe and detest HOAs. When we bought our home in Portland OR, we told our realtor that we would not consider any property in an HOA.

[@hamfistsman6267]

When we bought our house I told my wife my only rule was no HOA. She saw a couple houses and tried to push back but I stood my ground. Probably the only time I stood my ground on something with her. Glad I did.

[@equarg]

As a woman……. I 100% understand and support your “No HOA’s” rule for house hunting!

[@avenger1212]

It's so, so true. We are in an HOA now that we've lived in for 18 years. The dues haven't gone up a lot over that time, and they include trash service, which I kind of like. We pay about $350 a year. That said, we have been looking to move, and I've been seeing the dues other HOA's in my area are charging, and it's INSANE. Some are almost $100 a month. To give you context, a median home right now here is $250k and the average household income is under $40k (this is not a wealthy area). $1200 a year to an HOA is nuts here. And that's for a 4 bedroom 3000 sq ft home in a normal subdivision, not some upscale area. It's completely beyond me what they're thinking.

[@CrypticCobra]

It's funny you think 100 a month is insane when around my area HOA's charge a minimum of 300, most charging 600.

[@gbb82]

In Raleigh, NC HOA fees are 200-300 per month.

[@avenger1212]

@@CrypticCobra My area is one of the poorest in my state. 100 a month is a lot here for an HOA.

[@lunallena5594]

Those are dream HOA fees in FL.

[@privateprivate8366]

One of the reasons I paid off the property taxes to inherit my mother’s home - is because there’s no HOA. I understand what Kristina is saying. But, I’m also just a person who doesn’t want another bill to manage and I don’t need someone micromanaging what I own. For my house, there’s only property taxes and no mortgage, so I actually own it (within the context of what “ownership” is considered). But, HOAs seem like a lady’s auxiliary of “well meaning” bittys, who have nothing but time, to be up in your business and tell you how they don’t like your holiday wreath, so it must be removed. I can tell you that, if I wanted such micromanaging for that, that’s what I have neighbors for. I have not moved to the house yet and still rent and I’ve had my share of neighbors, in the apartment complex I live in, who felt I live under their rules, for them, and have the nerve to become angry, when I tell them that’s never gonna happen. Doesn’t mean an HOA will never take over that neighborhood, but at least, maybe I’ll be dead and gone by then.

[@sunbeam8866]

At least, if they do "take over the neighborhood", you can't be forced to join.

[@privateprivate8366]

@@sunbeam8866 I could be wrong but, I think that, in some circumstances, you are forced to join. My house is a separate house, on its own land, in a neighborhood where there is no HOA to my knowledge. So, I don’t know they’d be accepted there, ever. In fact, there are so many dogs there now, many of the breeds not accepted by homeowners insurance companies, the residents aren’t accepting control over that either.

[@sunbeam8866]

@@privateprivate8366 It's my understanding that geneally,, unless you signed up to be a member at closing, an HOA can't come along later and force you to join.

[@leeeatmon5176]

well written

[@watcher-someone-awake]

Glad to have clicked on this video. This writer always wondered how HOA's became a fixture on new home builds and you, Kristina, answered that question: for-profit management companies. Thanks for the education!

[@Kalamain]

As a Brit that has stayed with friends who were in a HOA... I do not understand why people do it to themselves. I was suggesting plants she could put in the garden to improve it. They were telling me that they were very limited on what plants they could have and how tall they could get. I was shocked at it all. I had to ask "Who owned the house they were living in?" They didn't understand the joke. >.>

[@SidraAdele]

I'm looking at homes right now and I just saw a listing in a nice area in my town (Atlanta). I noticed the proposed mortgage and thought "Hmm. Seems kinda high." I scrolled down on Redfin and saw the HOA dues. It was $693! These people are insane. This was for a condo under 1100 sq ft that wasn't even super updated. Ridiculous!

[@rp6523]

Neighbours being able to dictate what you do with your own property is madness.

[@lauriebrown9714]

I refuse to even look at homes in neighborhoods with HOAs. I like my clothesline, my fence and my unconventional door paint.

[@PlasmaBurns]

Can’t the people in the area vote the HOA out of existence?

[@laraantipova389]

Yes, but realistically people want the HOA. My HOA is 1200 a year and they provide a pool and maintenance a swim league, canoes for the lake, maintenance for the trails, lawn maintenance for the community areas, 6 tennis courts plus a tennis league and a club house to have all the parties throughout the year! It’s well worth it.

[@davidhutchinson5233]

@@laraantipova389 $100 monthly is completely reasonable.

[@GeistInTheMachine]

Probably in the same way they can or are willing to vote either major political party out of existence.

[@elsie6828]

Yes they could, but it would require like over 90% of the vote. Realistically in an HOA, you have a dozen or so adult-babies, b**ching on Facebook about not being able to park their boat, RV and 4x4s on the street, while the other 200+ residents are happily sipping their coffee and enjoying the cleanliness and safety of their neighborhood in silence.

[@Omar_Zazzle]

Ours state that they can never be voted out. I would love to see them gone even though I haven't had an issue with them yet.

[@3Qbf10f2]

The HOA itself reduces the resale value of property.

[@thanosianthemadtitanic]

i just dont just get the concept of being forced to pay people to have so much control over your life.

[@CrypticCobra]

The majority of people are sheep, some are such sheep that they willingly accept the fact they like having someone else tell them what to do. And some are even worse and will willingly pay someone to do that.

[@marknewton6984]

Don't let them do it.

[@ujayet]

It’s like extortion when you think about it.

[@lindsayschutz]

Because where I live, it’s either pay for the privilege of having an HOA micromanage you or pay for stuff like garbage pickup and general maintenance on your own. My locality does not provide those services unless you live in one of the “sub cities/towns “ within my county that do (funded by an extra surcharge on your property taxes).

[@lindsayschutz]

Plus, when you live in a condo or townhouse community like I do, the HOA takes care of the groundskeeping as well as the water bill and building insurance.

[@Iluvpaws_1]

Soooo true. Unfortunately, no one is interested in passing legislation to control HOAs or institutional investors

[@jessestrickler5502]

Closing on 2 lots today with a client. We did not find out until Monday about a operating capital cost of $2000 per resell. That's an unexpected $4000 on .6 acres. As an agent, I see the value in HOAs... They help neighborhoods Values stay high by insuring maintained properties... But they all overstep and over charge. They need to have less power and no hidden costs.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

I agree!!

[@GEN_X_]

Here in Florida they are OUT OF CONTROL! They need to be regulated by the Government. Seems like just a Money Grab to me. Here in South Florida there are some "Affordable Condos" but when you look at the HOA Fees outside of the housing cost, they are averaging $500 - $900 a month HOA a month now! Completely Insane Greedy People!

[@jeromeclemente3672]

I mean, if the HOA is being run by a management company, they will overstep and overcharge. A for profit model for 'enforcing rules' will always lead to them fining the most minute 'violations.'

[@redplaybuttonuser]

My parents and entire family owns their own homes, none of them are in HOAs. You don't truly own your house if you are in an HOA, many are of them have petty rules too. Part of being a homeowner is that you should be able to do maintenance on your own. I seen my family's homes change over the years. They will expand their homes or change the landscape. It's nice not having others tell you what you can or cannot do with your home.

[@Sotweetie]

Our NUMBER 1 non-negotiable when looking for our property was no HOA and no deed restrictions. In our experience (2021) every house that had an HOA was on average $100K less than comparable properties without one. Maybe that's because we love freedom so much here in Texas, but I don't believe that values are protected by perpetual fees and the chance of losing your home over some petty HOA nonsense.

[@latrinathomas2411]

What is normally a deed restriction? Owning the property and not the land??

[@Pete.across.the.street]

Texas was just ranked the state with the least personal freedoms in the USA. So enjoy the ones you still have I guess.

[@stevebell4906]

Sure you do until I buy the house next door and rent to Mexicans...and let them sublet..and then suddenly ...and Magically Your love of freedom vanishes...

[@Sotweetie]

@@latrinathomas2411 It's basically an additional set of rules that limit how property can be used - number of chickens, cows, horses, etc and the type of structures allowed. A lot of times they go hand in hand.

[@243wayne1]

@@Sotweetie Haha! You live on a farm. With restrictions. Lol. Smh.

[@flp376]

I wouldn't own a home in a HOA even if it was given to me.

[@icarussisyphus]

You need to provide a follow up video on how to dissolve an HOA.

[@briangoldman8209]

I would rather live in a trailer in the middle of a hay field than under an HOA. I worked hard for my home, nobody is going to tell me how to live in my home, period !!!!

[@karlabritfeld7104]

My HOA fee is $25 a month. We live out in the country and it snows in winter. The HOA fee covers snow plowing in winter and road repairs in summer. Well worth the money.

[@GEN_X_]

RARE

[@reesedaniel5835]

They've got their toe in the door. All it will take is for the current administrator of the HOA to leave and be replaced with a Cluster B narcissist control freak.

[@bitkrusher5948]

Nice !ours will collect but won't maintain nor plow .

[@CrypticCobra]

Is it? because that's literally what your taxes are suppose to cover. Those are not private services, the WHOLE POINT of the gov is to provide services like that and here you are paying your taxes AND a private company to do it for them.

[@Fishouta]

@@reesedaniel5835 as a homeowner, you get to vote for who who want on the board. Byou can even run yourself if you don't like what they do.

[@JP-te7kd]

In our area hoa homes are selling for about the same amount as nonhoa homes. We live in a no hoa neighborhood and would never consider living in an hoa neighborhood.

[@Aar0nsite]

We need local governments to set limitations on HOA as to how much they charge monthly!! These $500-$800 HOAs in south Florida are ridiculous.

[@TMurakami-ro4jd]

I live in an HOA and have seen first hand favoritism first hand. I have a family member who sees it first hand. Some get violations while others don’t. Also seen the HOA look the other way while blatant law are broken. Eavesdropping, possible hacking of neighbors, and parking in other tenants stalls. Tried asking for help and they just look the other way. The police said,” it is a HOA problem”. I wish there was a way to hold them accountable.

[@1320_ikimasho]

Thank you. I used to rent in an HOA and would receive violations, of which half the neighborhood was also guilty of.....

[@victorsong8416]

HOA management does not always steal your money outright. (Sometimes they do). They do it instead through kickbacks, and it's ENDEMIC. From garbage pick-up to painting, roofing, landscaping, cleaning, repairs, etc., all contracts are awarded to companies already OWNED by board members or a member of their families, or they get outright kickbacks. I have heard of instances when "competitive bidding" was presented by the board, but the head of the board owned all three companies which were simply shell companies - existing only on paper. Then the "winning company" subbed it out to a real company for a fraction of the "winning bid" to do the actual work. The sick part is, that it is not even illegal. In one particular instance in a 4 unit, two story condo (2 upstairs, 2 downstairs) the roof replacement assessment was TRIPLE of the local prevailing price of the absolute highest quality (flat) roof installed (old removed), per square foot. Where that huge $ difference went, you can guess... That's how it's done folks...

[@PlasmaBurns]

rented in an area where the HOA had a contract with a pressure washing company. The notices to clean driveways and sidewalks was almost a yearly thing. The first notice I got I went and bought a pressure washer for 230 and did it myself instead of paying their guy 300. They didnt like me cleaning the neighbors concrete for free either.

[@abrin5508]

Very true. I've seen some of the accounts on some. Simple building projects like an entrance wall awarded to single bidder for 350k (I work in commercial build so know that is 50-75k if bid on open market).

[@MarthasMuWz]

Thank you for shedding light on this issue. HOA's, if well-designed, can make sense for limited reasons. The problems is, that HOA's are not regulated or have any checks on their power. Management companies, one word: UGH.

[@sitcomchristian6886]

Love living in an HOA-free neighborhood! Planning to move, and no HOA is a dealbreaker in our house search. I don't give a rip how many homes near me are rented, or how they're maintained. In an HOA-free neighborhood, you get some interesting sites, but most folks maintain perfectly fine without being micromanaged. They are not necessary at all.

[@alt7244]

My mother had a co op. She died. I had to pay 800 a month for co op maintenance. I could not use the unit. My kids couldnt. I could not rent it out. I had 4 buyers, all recently retired. All with excellent credit. 2 would pay cash. Thet were all single women selling their houses and down grading because kids were on their own. The biard refused all of them. They had to go through the entire buying process and when all the financials were approved, the next step was closing (5 months) the board rejected them. I had to pay 800 per month for 4 years until the board approved a 20 something, single male with barely decent credit. So i lost 40,000 on the sale due to the maintenance

[@markhetz1119]

Thanks for doing this video 🙏🏾I was watching a video where (JAYBIRD Senior living ) took Control over a HOA in a Senior living condos and they raise their HOA to over $2000 a month😳 and all the elderly people had to move because they couldn’t afford to pay this story was heartbreaking 🥹

[@andrearoberts1953]

When my son was looking for a house, I told him be careful about HOAs.

[@davidhall7811]

"HOA's keep the property value up" - right up until the potential buyer finds out there is an HOA - at which point you dont see them for dust.

[@jeromeclemente3672]

Keep the property value up until they foreclose your house for pennies on a dollar. 😂

[@rudsterii]

My association tried to take my home. It cost me 20K to keep my home for a disputed balance, which they never had to prove that I owed.

[@KristinaSmallhorn]

That’s terrible. I’m glad you were able to save your home.

[@peter455sd]

The last time i seen an affordable home was 1990

[@martincampbell8655]

The best way to deal with this issue is to NEVER NEVER NEVER BUY INTO ANY HOA! HOAs need to be outlawed 100%

[@co7314]

An HOA is a dealbreaker for me. Hopefully won't be an issue when I look to buy next year because I'll be focusing on older homes (1979 or older).

[@mikesbarn1858]

Why would you voluntarily pay extra money to have someone else tell you have to live. My area used to be rural. It is now a huge HOA. I have the largest property in the middle of it. The developer tried to force me in. The HOA is now trying to force me in. I have 10 acres in the middle of it 130 1/4 acre lots. They have gone so far as to gate the entrances and deny me access codes to enter. I am involved in litigation over this. I used chains to pull their gates down and I filed a denial of rights suit. They are suing me for destruction of the gate.

[@karenbochinski]

I have been a homeowner since 1980. I never lived in an HOA. I call it communism

[@joca6282]

CommuFascism

[@ellicesanchez3194]

I wish the HOA was limited to organizing community focused things like an annual potluck, garage sale days, and common space management like the pool (which I don't use) and the trees on the main road. I don't like when telling me I left my trashcan an hour too long when I am working late; they can do what they want at their house, and should leave me to do what I want over here. I actually told my realtor I did not want a house in a HOA, but he only showed me HOA houses; when I buy a different house (not anytime soon), I will keep switching realtors until I get one that shows me a house not within an HOA.

[@MM-ig2zq]

Yes the builder sets the HOA with the city. Builder is allowed to build and the city saves money providing no services for the community. NOW Why Are HOA homeowners paying the same amount of taxes to the city 8:25 as non HOA owners. This should be illegal. If you get no services you should be paying less taxes!!!

[@porscheguy3820]

Everytime , I look at buying another house the first thing I check is is it in a HOA.

[@mc1dash1b]

I avoided HOAs by owning my own home and acting as my own HOA. Did not help, I ended up fining myself for not mowing my lawn and the amount was so much that I could not pay it and had to foreclose on the property and now I am homeless. You can’t win.

[@miltonali4419]

100% agree!!! My HOA just tried to ban all rentals in our 110 sfh neighborhood. They need to be brought under control.

[@alphaomega1351]

Indeed they are and it's unfortunate because in the region that I dwell, all new construction seem to be townhouses and condominiums. You know, real-estate with HOA's attached. I refuse to do anything requiring HOA fees which only go up and end up behaving like rent. Buy outright, have rules to adhere to for property you apparently own with $800 or more HOA fees every month! No👎 thanks! 😳

[@victoriascholl4607]

We rented a house in an HOA neighborhood, it was a problem! When we bought a house we required NO HOA!!! We live in a nice quiet neighborhood!

[@SC-ts3wd]

As a grown adult how could anyone want to buy a house and be monitored like a child?

[@JasonAdank]

Mismanagement and corruption is a serious problem in almost all HOA's. Thats why theyre so dangerous.

[@chelo2626ify]

Hoa stopped me from buying a home because they can keep raising as they like

[@this_epic_name]

"Oh, John & Jane are selling. The HOA wants to buy the house and turn it into a poolhouse or game house or something. Special assessment time!"

[@gmhard01]

I bought my first home in 2022 and I adamantly refused to consider properties with an HOA

[@dixiegirl999]

I lived in a nice neighborhood that had an HOA which wasn't too bad, only $100-$150 per year. Only problem I ever had & I do understand due to some crazy people this day & time, they told me I had to get their approval of the color I was going to paint my house. I had aready lived there 15 yrs & painted my house before. I told them when they pay my property taxes & house note, then they would have a say so but, not until then. They too at one time wanted to upgrade a neighborhood pond that only a few live on & majority of us had never been too & many of us denied it the fact, it should only costs the ones that live on it.

[@carolw32]

Years ago there was a move to get a HOA in my neighborhood. I read the 15 pages of paperwork given to me and it seemed almost half of it was you do this and they can fine you, you do that and they can take your home. No way was I signing that. In the end it was defeated. The city already has rules that need to be followed. We don't need additional rules.