When you finally buy your own home after years of renting, you might think you’re done following someone else’s rules (bye-bye, landlord!). But if you’re considering a house or condo within a planned development, you may find yourself answering to a homeowners association, or HOA. In fact, nearly a quarter of homeowners in the US live under this type of community management. And while some of their restrictions may seem unnecessary (Is grass height really that important?), most HOA rules result in clean, orderly and well-maintained communities—not to mention higher property values. But these perks come with a price, from paying monthly dues to costly fines if you buck the rules. Here’s what you need to know to decide if living under an HOA is right for you.   Read the article…………….