Are HOA's good or bad???

Above is a picture of some areas the painters missed, after the HOA told the homeowner white was not an acceptable color for the home. Yes, that white line went around the entire perimeter of the house!

Just this last weekend I hosted an open house. The homeowner remodeled the entire house, including painting the outside. They decided to paint the exterior white instead of the brown color it was previously painted. Unfortunately, just days after the entire house was painted, the HOA caught wind of the color change and made them repaint the entire home back to its original color. I am not making this up. The picture above confirms this. The HOA made the owner repaint the home after it was already painted, doubling their paint rehab cost and potentially lowering the home value, because the HOA did not approve the color change. As you can see, they got a little sloppy with repainting and unfortunately missed some white spots. Last month, I had a client sell her home because she no longer wanted to be governed by the HOA rules and regulations while paying over $300 per month to the HOA. We ended up selling her home in 6 days for over asking price and moved her into a single family home, where she can do as she pleases with paint colors, fencing, etc. I wanted to share these recent stories with you so that you are aware of the realities of living within an HOA. There are some advantages though, like not having to worry about the landscaping or gardening. Buying a home in a Homeowners Association (HOA) can come with both advantages and disadvantages. Here is a more comprehensive list of some of the potential negatives associated with HOAs: 1. Monthly Fees: HOAs typically require homeowners to pay monthly or annual fees to cover the costs of maintaining common areas and providing services. These fees can vary widely and may increase over time. 2. Restrictions: HOAs often have rules and regulations governing what homeowners can and cannot do with their properties. These restrictions can include limitations on exterior paint colors, landscaping, and even the type of vehicles you can park in your driveway. 3. Lack of Control: When you buy a home in an HOA, you are subject to the decisions and rules made by the HOA board. This means you may have limited control over how your community is managed and maintained. 4. Special Assessments: In addition to regular fees, HOAs can impose special assessments to cover unexpected expenses or major repairs. These assessments can be substantial and may catch homeowners off guard. 5. Disputes and Fines: Violating HOA rules can result in fines and disputes with the association. Resolving these conflicts can be time-consuming and costly. 6. Inflexibility: HOAs may have strict guidelines that limit your ability to make changes to your property, which can be frustrating if you want to customize your home to your liking. 7. Potential for Mismanagement: The effectiveness and fairness of an HOA largely depend on the competence and ethics of its board members. Poor management can lead to problems within the community. 8. Limited Rental Options: Some HOAs restrict or regulate the ability to rent out your property, which can be a concern if you ever want to lease your home. It's essential to thoroughly research and understand the HOA rules, fees, and culture of any community you are considering before purchasing a home. HOAs can be beneficial for maintaining property values and community amenities, but they may not be the right fit for everyone, depending on your lifestyle and preferences.