Why do you have to join an HOA if you buy a home in an HOA neighborhood? Why isn’t there an opt out option?

Question

Edit just to clear up: I don’t have a positive or negative opinion on HOAs. I know next to nothing about them. They’ve just been mentioned to me a few times by family members recently and I asked about aspect I didn’t understand

In: Other

Answer 1

I lived in a neighborhood with an optional HOA. It is all dependent on how the deed restrictions are written. I think only 2% of the houses were members. Most of the yards were trashy. The sign needed replacing at the front of the neighborhood and they had a hard time coming up with the money to do it. But I could park my car in the yard if I wanted to! And paint my house whatever color I wanted!
There are pros and cons to both mandatory and optional HOAs.