Buying Into a Homeowners Association-The Things to Know about Prior to Buying In
Before you buy into a Homeowners Association, HOA, you need to know of some of their management practices given the fact that they collect dues and set some rules. One thing to know is that your relationship with your HOA can be quite reassuring to you as a homeowner or condo owner and this is not to blind you to the fact that it can as well be quite frustrating and can as well be risky. By and large, owning a home or condo that is part of a homeowners association has benefits to it but it as well pays to know of the downsides so as to be able to make such an informed decision going forward.
One of the benefits you stand to enjoy by your membership to a HOA is that the HOA will often foot the bills for some of the major projects and expenses you may incur on your property such as roofing and landscaping projects. The funds for these come from the dues that you pay. Moreover, when it comes to the sale of house, bear in mind the fact that it has been shown that those homes that are under a HOA will fetch better prices, selling at a premium, as compared to those that are not under a HOA.
Generally, like we have already pointed at above, if you are thinking of joining a HOA as a homeowner, it would be wise of you to take some time and research as much as you can on them, know of their bylaws and the management practices that they have in place. The following are some of the things that you need to know of as you buy into a HOA.
Know what it is that your money will be doing. Ask what is covered, in essence the services that the HOA will be responsible for. Over and above these, it is as well important to know as much on the financial position and soundness of the HOA you may be looking at. Talking of this, it is to be noted that a HOA that is well managed should have enough funds for them to be able to cover even for the unexpected emergencies that may crop up. By and large, this is even more of a particular need for you who may be looking for a HOA for a condo as there is so much that is to be covered by the HOA as opposed to what there is for a single family unit or home.
One other concern that you need to know of as you look forward to joining a HOA is to know the board manager or the property manager. Ideally, it would be advisable to consider a HOA that is professionally managed.