What Is an HOA? | LowerMyBills

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During your home buying search, you might be considering a property in an area with a homeowner association (HOA). If so, participation in the HOA is mandatory, and therefore, you’ll be subject to HOA fees. An HOA is a nonprofit organization of homeowners within a certain area, such as a condominium or gated community, that exists to help maintain the neighborhood according to a set of agreed-upon rules. An HOA might regulate what color you can paint your house or where guests can park, as well as manage trash pickup and landscaping services. Monthly dues are collected from all the members to cover the costs associated with the HOA. These fees can vary widely, but are typically around $200-$300 per month for a single-family home. However, if you do decide to buy a home, know that it doesn’t have to be a mysterious or stressful process. With knowledge and numbers on your side, you’ll be an informed buyer and inside your dream home in no time.

Featuring Annie Margarita Yang, Personal Finance Writer

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[NavigatedChaos]

HOA is a prison sentence at your home.

[brianshrimp]

So dont buy homes with an HOA, got it.

[Tay.]

Why would u want to pay someone to tell u what to do with YOUR property

[loszhor]

So you are paying money for people to tell you what you can do one your own property?

[Wrigggy]

bro are you guys in america actually got property rights or what? land of the free my ass

[thecool]

People don't like HOAs landlords and Karens does!

[patrickemery]

There is nothing in this world that could convince me to buy a home with an HOA.

[chris]

First of all PEOPLE WHO LIKE HOA IS someone who doesn't want to own their own place

[Timothee_Chalamet_CMBYN]

I’m looking to buying a townhome but was told that there was an HOA and the fee was $245 a month. We don’t have any private roads or any ameneties, I’m just wondering why they have it.

[travisruth]

So what do you do if you don’t want to join the hoa

[kthan]

HOA, in theory, is actually quite good, or rather sounds inticing. But in reality, it's awful [in most cases]. Case in point, imagine having to pay a lumpsum of money (re fee) for simply having something on your front yard that your d-bag of neighbor finds/considers as "unsightly". Like, dude, don't be so petty. You could've just ask them to remove it. Also, more importantly, I think. The problem with HOAs is that they're mostly lead/controlled by people who aren't even residents of the neighborhood. They may be owning a property but they aren't actually living/residing in it; they're just some rich guy (i.e. CEO) who lives somewhere else -- likely a more affluent neighborhood.

[tdubblz]

I have a big problem with other people telling me what I can and can’t do with something I own. The government is big enough headache without voluntarily subjecting myself to something like this.

[wazy]

HOA boards: Why don’t we tax the homeowners so that they have MORE random rules to follow!

[ultimateplayer]

HOA is not that nice to people they vandalized a mailbox because it was the wrong color

[Aaron]

In the UK (maybe just England) we have ‘councils’ which run the local area sub divisions within the country. They run and finance the roads, schools, waste disposal etc. they also have the ‘right’ to tell you what you can and can’t do with your own property. Can’t have a fence that is too tall, can’t add extensions onto your home without permission and a fee along with that. I understand to an extent as it’s mostly to prevent people making horrid uncertified additions that make the whole street look terrible but it’s also breaching freedom. Sounds similar the the HOA. God knows why any American would PAY to be told what to do. Sounds very un-American.

[jonathanscottmunday]

Thank you, I'm working on a property app and I needed to understand what an HOA was.

[chookinathunderstorm]

I'd rather live next door to a messy garden with undies with skid mark stains drying on the balcony than live under the dictatorship of the HOA.
I can negotiate around such a situation in my own neighbourly way. eg, High decorative fence that adds value to my property and my neighbour's property.

[YimYum]

And you can’t even opt out? I’m glad I don’t live in the USA!

[issacbinladen]

So you dont need to get an hoa for a property in pensylvania

[mikeraj]

That helps! I don't like the HOA concept, though!