Over the years, I’ve had quite a few people ask my thoughts on HOA’s, and if they should be looking for a home with an HOA (Home Owners Association), or a home without one. My response is always that “it depends”. It’s really up to the individual or family and their needs and expectations for their community look and feel, as well as available amenities.
I’ve lived in a couple different HOA’s (and areas without an HOA), and generally speaking, I've appreciated what HOA’s provide.
However, there have also been times of frustration with the HOA - both their activity as well as inactivity - relative to thorough and equal community upkeep and targeting specific homes, and not others relative to general upkeep of yards and individual owner “violations”.

It’s important to understand that with an HOA, you can get involved through periodic (and required) community meetings, or even become a board member (President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer). Here’s a good article that delves into more details on each role: HOA Board Member Roles Explained.
Is An HOA Right For Me?
Following your will find a brief overview of an HOA and some of the Pros and Cons. This is not an all-inclusive list of an HOA’s attributes, but rather some of the major elements to consider based on your needs and expectations of your home/yard and surrounding community.
A community Homeowners Association (HOA) is an organization that is typically established by a real estate developer or a group of homeowners in a planned community or a neighborhood. The HOA is responsible for enforcing rules and regulations that govern the community and maintaining common areas and amenities, such as parks, pools, and clubhouses. Some people seek out HOA's, others seek out non-HOA communities.
It's important to weigh the fees and costs of an HOA and the potential frustrations, against having amenities and likely a better kept, and more uniform community.
Be sure to drive through HOA communities, as well as non-HOA communities so you can actually see the difference for yourself. If you're searching for homes out of area, then have a Real Estate Broker or a friend or family member drive the area and provide feedback.
Benefits of an HOA
Maintenance and Upkeep: One of the biggest advantages of an HOA is that it ensures that the community is well-maintained and attractive. The HOA is responsible for maintaining common areas, landscaping, and other amenities.
Protection of Property Values: An HOA can help protect the property values of homeowners by enforcing rules and regulations that promote a high standard of living in the community. This generally includes regulations about home and yard appearance and maintenance, noise levels, and other issues that can impact property values. For example, if you want to paint your home, you will likely need to submit the color to the HOA board for review and approval. This also true if you plan to install a fence, replace your driveway, etc.
Amenities: Many HOAs provide amenities that homeowners might not be able to afford on their own, such as community parks, pools, tennis and pickle ball courts, fields, and play equipment.
Dispute Resolution: HOAs can provide a mechanism for resolving disputes between neighbors, which can help prevent conflicts from escalating.
Negatives of an HOA
Fees: Homeowners in an HOA are required to pay fees, which can be used to fund the maintenance of the community and the amenities provided by the HOA. These fees can be significant, and failure to pay them can result in penalties and even foreclosure.
Rules and Regulations: HOAs can be very strict when it comes to enforcing rules and regulations, which can be frustrating for homeowners who want to make changes to their homes or yards.
Lack of Control: Homeowners in an HOA may feel that they have less control over their property than they would if they lived in a non-HOA community. The HOA may have the power to dictate everything from the color of a homeowner's front door to the type of landscaping they are allowed to have.
Potential for Conflict: HOAs can sometimes be a source of conflict between homeowners, particularly if some homeowners feel that the rules and regulations are too restrictive or are being enforced unfairly.
Again, this is only a high level overview of HOA’s to get you started on your quest to determine if purchasing a home in a community governed by an HOA is right for you.
Feel free to reach out if you’d like to discuss more about HOA’s, or would like help learning about a particular HOA community in the Snohomish County or Seattle metro area.
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note: this podcast is AI created from this blog article.
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