What I’ve learned from living in San Diego and selling San Diego real estate, is that some people are adamantly against living somewhere where there is an HOA.  I’ve also learned that these same people are missing a few key points of why HOA’s can be great.  Read on to hear the good, the bad and the ugly about HOA’s.

HOA’s

• The reason that HOA’s exist is to protect you and protect how much your home is worth.  With an HOA, you won’t have the slumlord outside smoking in an old dirty t-shirt with a caving in roof, cars parked on his lawn and uncut grass up to his chin.  The HOA  maintains all the properties up to a standard so you don’t have to yell at Mr. Slumlord. 
• Homes where there is an HOA are well-maintained, you can enjoy your home and community and you have the “police” or HOA to take care of any issues.
• Curb appeal is one of the most important factors for buyers, if there is no curb appeal, they may not even get out of the car, as such, the HOA makes sure that the the front lobby, the pool, or the drive leading into your development all look great.
• You get a private pool without having to do all the work.   No hiring maintenance men,  no resurfacing the pool, no monthly bill (my friend in the pool industry told me that it is a guaranteed minimum of $300.00/mo out of pocket), and no liability for pool parties.
• On your weekends would you prefer to be mowing the lawn or sitting by the pool?  ‘Nuff said!:) 
• Many of the HOA dues are going to be coming out of your pocket with a detached home as well.  You will still pay for water, trash, sewage, maintenance of the home, and landscaping.

•  HOA Downsides

• Just like your water, trash, and sewage, these are all bills and the HOA will hold you accountable for paying every month.

•  Your HOA maynot allow you to fence your backyard, install a pool , paint your front door red, or have parties into the wee hours. It may even restrict when you can water and cut your lawn.
• An HOA might not allow pets.
• You can be fined for painting your door red or partying until the wee hours of the night.
• If you don’t pay your HOA dues or fines — the HOA may even try to foreclose on your home.  Now, in San Diego there are regulations which govern this, you must be at least 6 months behind on your HOA dues before the HOA can begin proceedings.  However, if you can’t pay $300.00/mo, odds are you are on the bank’s radar first.
• Throughout history, it only takes one sour grape to spoil the bunch, I have heard stories of HOAs taking all the money.  Check to see if there is any litigation pending against the HOA and have a look at its financials as well as recent assessments.

The bottom line?  I happily live in an HOA in San Diego where I’m on the board and can voice my opinion and make a difference.  I recommend that if you purchase a property in an HOA, talk to everyone on the Board, and join as well.  It’s your chance to improve your complex and it is your property value, do you want that to be high or low?

What I’ve learned from living in San Diego and selling San Diego real estate, is that some people are adamantly against living somewhere where there is an HOA.  I’ve also learned that these same people are missing a few key points of why HOA’s can be great.  Read on to hear the good, the bad and the ugly about HOA’s.

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