So the purpose of an HOA is to control what other people do on their own property. Got it.
That’s the message that I’m getting. No thanks.
For people who live in urban or suburban townhome developments where the houses are very much alike and the color scheme for front doors and trim has been professionally designed by the builder, it can be a plus to have the HOA prevent some loon right next door from painting neon pink with yellow polka dots where everyone else has muted earth tones of gray, green, sepia and cranberry, for instance. An HOA can also keep people from operating illegal businesses such as 8 or 10 kids in an unlicensed home day care with all their parents double-parking to pick them up and preventing the actual dues-paying owners from parking in their assigned space to unload groceries, for another example.
As an earlier post noted, it all depends on whether your Board is full of reasonable people or power maniacs; and also how close the homes are together and the availability of parking. People need to check up on the relative benefits according to the features of where they are considering buying in. And if they choose to live in an HOA, one of the best ways to control their individual situation is always to show up for the HOA meetings and volunteer for a few things. This is how to gain some influence.
HOA is presented to prospective buyers as a means to keep thier property values up and thier neghborhood pristine but it can turn into a dictatorship