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There are definite advantages to living in a condo...BUT....**READ** the HOA rules **BEFORE** buying. I would also suggest that you carefully read the minutes of the last 5 years of board meetings. These meeting minutes will give the buyer a good idea of whether they will be dealing with rational or irrational neighbors.

I have little sympathy for condo owners who are **shocked** ( yes, **shocked!**) that they can put statutes of the Virgin Mary on the front steps, fly the US. Marine Corps flag, paint their front door red, hang fuchsia curtains that show in their front windows, store their 14 ft sail boat on the back deck, or plant whatever vegetation that they want. If restrictions and HOA’s are not what they want, then DO NOT buy there!

M husband and I have had 13 years of basically very satisfying condo living,...BUT...we did our research **BEFORE** we bought, and were completely willing to abide by the HOA rules. We are grateful not to have to worry about lawn care, or outside maintenance. We can travel anytime we want on a whim. The condo manager will check on our property while we are gone to see that everything remains safe and sound. Because we are an HOA community, we are extremely unlikely to get a meth house next door, ( as happened in our old neighborhood), and, if this were to happen we have considerable power to get rid of them. As we grow older, we will likely be able to stay in our own home longer because we do not have the worry of outside maintenance. The neighborhood is always well maintained, and this helps preserve the value of our investment......

BUT.....We knew BEFORE we bought what restrictions condo living entails and were completely prepared to accept that.