OfflineWhen you want to move into a condo or housing development, you typically have to sign off on an HOA agreement specifying the rules of the development.
With so many other things to worry about when it comes to buying a home, the homeowners association agreement is often an afterthought.
It's usually not until you're comfortably settled in to your new home when you come to realize that your HOA agreement is actually quite restrictive, and may set some "house rules" that you wish you hadn't agreed to.
Here are seven things to look out for in your HOA agreement:
Barriers to home businesses. Running a law office or daycare center from your home may sound like a great idea. But if your homeowners association does not allow any business or commercial activity in your home, you may have to find outside office space.
Restrictions on animals. Moving into the home of your dreams may require you to trade your bullmastiff puppy for a chihuahua. Most of us are not willing to part with man's best friend, so be aware of pet restrictions in HOA agreements.
Clampdown on clothes lines. If you like sun-dried clothing, you may have to consider living somewhere not covered by an HOA. Clothes lines, which are inevitably accompanied by people's underwear hanging in public view, are often considered an eyesore, so many HOAs prevent this practice.
Nighttime noise/nuisance rules. You may have to turn the volume down by a certain hour. Review the HOA agreement to learn exactly when and if this time suits your lifestyle.
Limits on leasing your home. You may have bought the home as an investment property. But many HOA agreements require that the units be owner-occupied.
Patio prohibitions. Some HOAs prohibit the use of your patio as storage space for bikes and boxes. Many even require you to dispose of unsightly dead plants, and can fine you if you fail to act after a series of written warnings.
Carpeting considerations. Be aware that many condominium HOAs require that you carpet a certain percentage of your home. That's because footsteps on hardwood floors can seriously irritate your neighbors beneath you. Make sure you read this provision and have carpet in the correct places.
Whether any of these terms in an HOA agreement are a deal-breaker is up to you. However, you should be aware of these provisions, so you will have realistic expectations of what you can (and cannot) do in your new home.Andrew Lu
I have heard of the no children and that meant even no overnights with the grandparents. HOA rules can get down to even telling which type and color of flowers one may have. I kid you not!
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Alos you will want HOA permission to remodel or redo anything in the unit. You will have to go to the board meeting for permission for changes to the inside of your unit. Board Meetings are tipacly once a month and you will have to see when you can get on there adjenda sometimes is could be up to 3 or 4 weeks before you can get on there adjenda. I do live in and HOA and the board requires that we talk to them at a Homeowners meeting before doing anything at all.
" Not Having a goal is more feared than not reaching one"
Christa Niven
NO barking dogs,cats climbing on your cars or you stepping in something
NO LOUD parties/music
NO deck/patio Fires from an idiot while grilling
and a peace of mind, quiet and convenient
Maybe this is not what YOU want, but ALOT of ppl do, and the Last thing You want as a landlord is your tenant calling at 2-3am Complaining! Gees
OR just move out to the country, enjoy the peace and quiet, have your pets and deal with the drive
BTW, subdivisions and Historical areas control What you can do , What color you can paint or even What shrubs or trees you CAN plant!!
Be Aware of 'covenants and restrictions' and understand them...or else.
Mike
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