I understand what HOA’s do, and was first introduced to the term in a condo building (not mine). I understand in a condo building, or high rise, you’re all sharing one building and need to contribute to that building’s maintenance. But I don’t understand HOA’s in neighborhoods…when you live in your own house. Is it only certain neighborhoods? I know someone who lives on a nice street in a suburb and there’s no HOA. Who decides if there is one, and what do neighborhood HOA’s exist for? Are you allowed to opt out?
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Our HOA for a ~60 lot neighborhood from the early 90’s generally covers maintenance of the shared spaces (we have a large park and playground, the cul-de-sacs all have round-abouts, and the sidewalks) and throwing several events each year (Halloween, Easter, etc.). Technically there’s a group on the board that’s supposed to approve “significant” visible changes to your property and enforce minimal guidelines on things like lawns and parking, etc. but I’m not sure anyone actually goes through them. We recently voted to increase our yearly dues to cover some improvements we want to make to the neighborhood (putting in a proper sports court, more community building activities).
I will say when we first moved in I wasn’t particularly jazzed about it but the longer we’ve been here the more I see it’s value as a community builder. Sort of like a PTA or union for your day-to-day lives and I personally envision an even more radical version that could provide a substantial quality of life improvement for the residents. That said we have a couple things going for us: a lot of families that are used to being involved with their kids school and understand how much easier solidarity makes everyone’s lives and we (the residents) still control the HOA board. Some HOA’s are run by HOA management companies which is a bad deal. It costs more, to pay the company on top of everything else, and the board is not particularly invested in the well being of the community.
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