Homeowners Associations

DEFINITION:

A homeowners' association is a legal entity created by a real estate developer for developing, managing, and selling a community of homes. Homeowners' associations have the authority to create and enforce covenants, conditions and restrictions.



Homeowners' associations (HOAs) are part of the fastest growing category of housing, that is, common-interest developments. The idea behind HOAs and other common-interest developments is to improve and/or maintain the property value of a certain neighborhood by making "agreements" with the homeowners. Agreements may include paying dues to the HOA, or promising to follow certain regulations regarding things that may affect the property value or quality of life.

Most people are satisfied with their HOA. Most people like the security it provides, the promise of protected property values and assets.

So what's the catch? At first glance, houses in an HOA seem beautiful, peaceful. Everything is perfectly in order. There is no trash laying on the curb, there are no bikes in the front yard. The houses seem unique, yet 'normal.' The perfection is almost eerie. It reminds me of that scene from the book, "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madelaine L'Engle, the one with the children playing - but in complete synchonization. They aren't playing to the same, perfect beat because they want to, because they organized it that way, or because it looks pretty: They are being forced, threatened.

HOAs aren't like that at all though! If you plant too many roses, or if your kids leave their bikes in the yard, you won't go to a room to be shocked into submission, like the child who played his own way in "A Wrinkle In Time." The most YOU have to worry about is a fine. And another fine the next month. And if you don't pay those fines, you only have to go to court against an association which is part of a billion dollar industry. So you want out? Good luck - who wants to buy a property which is in the middle of a lawsuit?

Control. That is what it is all about. They control us by telling us it is for our safety. It will save us money and time, in the long run. It looks nicer. It is what everyone wants. Control.