Are HOAs worth it?

In reply to 84FSP :

I'm mixed on how HOAs might effect resale. 

On one hand, ridiculous HOA dues can make up 10% or more of a month mortgage payment. In a low-income, high-priced real estate market, that extra $100 can scare off a lot of potential buyers. 

On the flip side, my in-laws were all-cash buyers looking for a low maintenance newer townhouse. In my view, they overpaid, but they got what they wanted and don't need to do a damn thing externally. Personally I think the extra money they spend could've gone to a good gardener/landscaper but whatever. 

You definitely can't throw a blanket yes or no answer out on this one... it is entirely up to the HOA and how it is run. I prefer the idea that my neighbors will be held to a certain standard. Our last house was in an HOA subdivision and it came in handy when a neighbor decided to park his ugly a$$, rusty to the point that it wouldn't float unless the lake was frozen, john boat on his front lawn next to our property line. 

As long as the rules aren't too restrictive, I am totally for them. Your house is, most likely, your biggest investment and being in a well maintained neighborhood should help maintain values. If they clearly have rules against working on vehicles and your garage faces the street, then you may want to look elsewhere. Just do a little research before purchasing.

BFH_Garage said:

You definitely can't throw a blanket yes or no answer out on this one... it is entirely up to the HOA and how it is run. I prefer the idea that my neighbors will be held to a certain standard. Our last house was in an HOA subdivision and it came in handy when a neighbor decided to park his ugly a$$, rusty to the point that it wouldn't float unless the lake was frozen, john boat on his front lawn next to our property line. 

As long as the rules aren't too restrictive, I am totally for them. Your house is, most likely, your biggest investment and being in a well maintained neighborhood should help maintain values. If they clearly have rules against working on vehicles and your garage faces the street, then you may want to look elsewhere. Just do a little research before purchasing.

This my old house. Lower-middle class neighborhood, lots of "folks", most of the street looked good. Nothing fancy, but well kept. 

Then our neighbor starts leaving multiple non-functional BBQ grills in the front yard, another stops taking care of the hedges/landscaping and leaves a broken down truck in the driveway with the windows down (on warm days you could spell the mildew/mold coming from it), etc. 

But the real choice is simple, don't want an HOA, don't buy in a neighborhood with one.

I guess I'm the only one who doesn't see boats parked in a driveway as an eyesore but as, "Hey, that's a cool-looking boat."

Heard so many stories of HOAs even if they started out nice enough becoming "you can't change the oil in your car even if it's in your garage, unless the garage door is closed."  Stupid.

If I'm not allowed to shoot guns in my backyard, then what's the point of living in America.

DejaVue said:

I guess I'm the only one who doesn't see boats parked in a driveway as an eyesore but as, "Hey, that's a cool-looking boat."

Heard so many stories of HOAs even if they started out nice enough becoming "you can't change the oil in your car even if it's in your garage, unless the garage door is closed."  Stupid.

If I'm not allowed to shoot guns in my backyard, then what's the point of living in America.

 

 

I hear the South Sudan is nice this time of year.

z31maniac said:

If I'm not allowed to shoot guns in my backyard, then what's the point of living in America.

 

 

I hear the South Sudan is nice this time of year.

Yea I think shooting there is mandatory. 

z31maniac said:

 

 

I hear the South Sudan is nice this time of year.

It's beautiful here this time of year low 80's and sunny most of the time. Need to get the sign repainted though so I have a pic handy. It's an HOA thing, no I haven't commented in this thread till now, ahahaha.

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