HOA: good or bad for the homeowner?
HOA stands for Home Owners Association. Townhouses, condos, and patio homes are well known for having HOAs. Single-family detached homes may also have an HOA to support community features such as a pool, clubhouse, or parks. What are the pros and cons of an HOA?
The Pros:
Homes with a homeowner’s association can be very nice and well maintained communities. Why? Because your HOA dues pay to make sure someone is doing the community upkeep. You don’t have to do the work! HOA dues can cover services such as yard work, landscaping, trash removal, water and sewer fees, exterior paint, and roofing. The list of what is included differs among communities. The HOA dues can even cover your homeowners insurance. That means instead of having to shop around for insurance like you would most the time if you were purchasing a single-family home, you don’t need to! However you should get contents coverage, which is like a renter’s policy for homeowners – it protects anything that you move in to your new home such as your TV, furniture, and other important belongings.
Having an HOA can save you money and time by doing some of the property maintenance for you.
The Cons:
The disadvantage of having an HOA due on your home is pretty simple. You have to pay for it! These can range from $20 per month to hundreds of dollars per month. HOAs also can include more rules and restrictions, so read those carefully before buying. If you are someone who loves doing work on your yard and other exterior areas of your home, purchasing a home with an HOA may not be as much fun for you.
HOAs can benefit you by saving time, but is it fair the amount of money that gets pulled from your pocket??? We are happy to discuss these HOA questions with you and help you in any way! Most of all, we look forward to helping you find a home that fits you perfectly!!!