Ideally, an HOA is supposed to maintain a specific standard of a neighborhood and, consequently, the value of the properties therein.
As good as it sounds, it is not always a good thing, and it is important to pay attention to the terms and conditions of their specific HOA before putting your money on a property.
This guide explores the question of HOA as a deal breaker when buying a home and is a good read for real estate investors and prospective property owners hoping to buy a home under an HOA.
What is HOA?
HOA stands for the homeowners association, an organization responsible for controlling and maintaining neighborhood amenities and enforcing the rules and regulations. It is governed by a board elected by the homeowners to make decisions on their behalf.
Homeowners in a residential community under an HOA are required to pay a monthly fee that caters to the maintenance and running of the office of the HOA.
When buying a home under an HOA, you join the HOA by default and are expected to abide by the terms set forth, which can differ from one HOA to another.
What Makes or Breaks a Deal For Properties Under an HOA?
Location and Market Demand
Different communities and locations look at HOA differently. In Florida, for example, HOAs are very popular with retirees. In California, HOAs are more popular in specific locations than others, such as the San Francisco bay area, San Diego, and Los Angeles.
If HOAs are in high demand in the location you have identified a home, go for it. If not, it can be challenging to profit from the home or even get a buyer, so you may want to stay away.
The HOAs Financial Stability
The financial stability of an HOA has a huge bearing on a property’s ability to retain and increase its value because it ensures that the property’s aesthetics and amenity maintenance is taken care of, which helps boost property value.
Also, having sufficient reserves ensures that homeowners are not exposed to surprise financial obligations in the event of an unseen occurrence such as a legal dispute. So even as the market for properties under HOAs may be good in a specific area, seek to understand a specific HOA’s financial stability by looking at their financial records with the help of an expert.
HOA Fees
HOA fees are among the things most home buyers will want to know before buying a home. The fees depend on several factors, such as the amenities requiring maintenance, location, type of property, and reserve funds.
If you are buying a family home, it’s important to consider the fee to ensure you can pay it comfortably. Typically the fees can range anywhere from $200 and $1,000 per month but can be way higher in high-income neighborhoods.
If you plan to make a Florida home, you will want to understand HOA fees in Florida before you can spend your hard-earned money.
HOA Rules and Regulations
HOA is responsible for creating and enforcing the rules and regulations for all homeowners under their jurisdiction. While some HOAs may not have much control over what you can or cannot do with your property, some can be pretty restrictive, which can be a turnoff to potential buyers.
So, make sure that you review the HOA documents with the help of a lawyer to be sure you do not buy a home where you can barely do anything to improve its value without getting in trouble with the HOA.
Final Words
Whether or not an HAO becomes a deal breaker when buying a property is not a decision you can make if you do not have all the details about the property. So, ensure you seek all the property details and consider your situation before buying a home.
