Being a realtor for many years, I think these are pretty common and will protect the property values. Here’s the thing, imagine not having HOA restrictions and someone moves into your neighborhood and paints their home some ridiculous bright magenta. Or they refuse to keep their lawn manicured and if they need work done they hire a scab contractor . One house can destroy property values, thus your investment.
Funny, lived 52 years, so far, without ever paying some busy bodies money to harass me or my neighbors about our window coverings or exterior paints or grass.
Municipal regulations cover lawns, and exterior upkeep of property etc.
Permitting and inspection laws cover home repair and improvements (again municipal)
So what you are getting with the HOA, isn’t a protection to the safety and well being of yourself or your neighbors property, what you are getting is voluntary agreement to abide by the desires of the loudest and most nebby of your neighbors, with a desire for a bland cookie cutter enclave with all the flavor of British cooking.
That’s fine if that is what you want, but don’t pretend its something grander than it is, its not.
Different strokes for different folks, but unless of course you live in an HOA, which in that case, no differences are allowed.. Comply
A house should be a place to live, not an investment. Screw HOAs.