The California wildfires have killed at least 24 people and destroyed more than 12,000 structures—and not just celebrity homes and mansions.  A number of those structures were privately controlled complexes, where residents were required to pay monthly dues to the homeowners association, or HOA. Those who live and own HOA properties, like condos and townhouses, […]

Community association boards and property managers understand how crucial it is to set fair and sustainable condominium assessments. However, knowing whether your assessments align with the market or need adjustment can be challenging. Thankfully, the Foundation for Community Association Research has developed an invaluable tool to assist you in comparing your condo dues to those […]

The number of homes that fall under a homeowners association is rapidly growing, and real estate professionals play an important role in educating their clients about the pros and cons of HOAs.  About 75.5 million Americans reside in a community that’s governed by a homeowners association, representing more than 30% of the U.S. housing stock,  […]

When shopping for a home, many buyers may hope to avoid purchasing a property subject to a homeowners association.  But that may be easier said than done.  That’s because HOAs are on the rise in the U.S. Therefore it’s important to understand the ins and outs of these organizations before you buy.    Read the article…………………………….

Homes in communities with HOAs may command a 5% to 6% higher sale price than similar homes in communities without an HOA, according to data from the Cato Institute, a public policy research think tank. “Community associations work to maintain and enforce rules that protect the overall appearance and quality of the community,” says Dawn […]

Real estate professionals often find that the way an HOA operates can alter a prospective buyer’s opinion of a home. Therefore, listing agents may want to consider promoting an HOA with strong attributes in their property marketing. Listing agents also want to ensure home sellers are in compliance with HOA rules and current on fees […]

It’s not all horror stories with homeowners’ associations. There are many HOA benefits if you sign up with a well-run one.  A recent YouGov survey estimates that one in five Americans live in a community governed by a homeowners’ association (HOA). These commonplace organizations often have a bad rap. However, not everyone has a homeowners’ […]

As a realtor, you can anticipate your client’s questions and know key market statistics. But lurking in the shadows of that new apartment you’re about to show is a potential mass of bylaws and rules — especially in British Columbia and Ontario — that could catch you and your client off guard and ruin that […]

You’ve found your dream house – but you discover that it’s a part of a planned unit development (PUD). But what is a PUD? After your home hits all the non-negotiables you’re curious about – the right number of bedrooms, the correct amenities, a good price, and a solid location, figuring out what the neighborhood […]

There are a lot of reasons to be wary of HOAs and condo boards, but many of them are “mandatory” associations you can’t avoid joining when you buy your home. While horror stories of overly draconian HOAs abound, many HOAs and condo boards are well-run by rational people and do a lot of good work […]

When you’re in a position to buy a home — possibly after many years of saving up a down payment and preparing to take on a mortgage — you have a few options. For example, you can buy a single-family home, or you can buy a condo. Which should you choose?   Read the article…………………………….