15 Reasons Some People Actually Really Love Being In an HOA

There are a lot of surprising financial mistakes you can make in life. For some people, one of those mistakes is buying a home in a homeowner association (HOA), which is a community, building, or neighborhood that is governed by a board that enforces rules and regulations to maintain a consistent standard of living. These residents endlessly complain about living there, feeling as if the HOA is always working against their best interest.

But, for some people, being in an HOA is a smart homeowner move. Over 75 million homeowners live in HOA communities, and 89% of them say that they believe the rules "enhance and protect" property values. Another 70% say they consider the HOA dues to be reasonable. From the landscaping to the community spaces, they're thrilled to live in a community that handles neighbor issues, and keeps the property in tip top shape.

Considering moving to an HOA community? Here are all the pros you should know, and why people actually really love being in an HOA.

Homes located within an HOA may have great amenities and be more visually appealing than their non-HOA counterparts, but according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), they likely also have a higher resale value as well. That's because homes governed by HOAs typically sell for 5-6% more than non-HOA comps in the same region.

Considering how high most home values are across the country, those numbers could really add up and may mean thousands (and sometimes tens of thousands) of extra dollars in your pocket when it comes time to sell.

If your neighbor is playing music loudly every night or paints their house lime green, you may not like it, and in a non-HOA neighborhood, you don't have much room for recourse. You can talk to them neighbor-to-neighbor but, unless they're breaking the law, they don't have to listen.

In an HOA, the board is there to mediate any disputes that violate their rules, and you don't have to get involved.

People who move into an HOA may be looking for a sense of neighborly community. Sometimes these areas offer common spaces where people meet and feel like they're all in it together, creating a beautiful and peaceful neighborhood to call home.

While this certainly exists in other neighborhoods, there may be a greater chance of finding it in an HOA.

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When it's 95 degrees out during the summer and all you want to do is take a dip in the pool, having a pool in your community is a game changer. With an HOA that has amenities like a pool, gym, dog park, and outdoor entertaining spaces, you save yourself the effort of having to find (and pay for) these locations elsewhere.

Plus, they're convenient!

HOAs want to keep their community safe, both for the protection of the people and the preservation of the sense of peace in the neighborhood. This translates to gated entry for some HOA communities and restricted access to certain areas in others.

That extra layer of security can be a huge draw for some residents.

Many HOA neighborhoods have certain standards that they hold homeowners to. From the colors they can paint their house to the trees they can plant in their yard, the HOA enforces quality control standards over the appearance of each home.

This can be a frustration for some homeowners, but others love that their neighborhood has a consistent, pristine look from block to block.

If you live in a neighborhood full of small, charming bungalows, and someone decides to knock theirs down and build a 5,000 square foot modern farmhouse, there's going to be a bit of a visual cacophony.

Luckily, in HOA communities, any architectural changes have to be reviewed by the board. That means any major alterations to the facade of a home can be vetoed before they change the character of the community.

In neighborhoods where there are parks or common spaces that are not run by an HOA, these areas can sometimes fall into disrepair or neglect when no one steps up to reseed the grass or make sure the picnic table is sturdy.

But, in an HOA, this responsibility falls under the control of the HOA. The entire community pays for it, and typically another party is brought in to manage the maintenance.

Even if some people grumble, the reality is, most people will listen to rules that are in place regarding anything from exterior decorations to political signs to parties. As long as you agree with the rules that are in place, an HOA community can provide a sense of calm for those looking for law and order in their neighborhood.

If you're looking for an extracurricular activity, getting involved with an HOA board is a great way to feel like you're giving back to your community.

From mediating issues that come up between neighbors to planning the neighborhood's annual Fourth of July bash, you can get directly involved with your micro-community through the HOA.

If you live in a condo building with common entities like a roof or facade, then there is the benefit of sharing the financial responsibility for major repairs. If you need a new roof, you're not the only one bearing the cost.

Plus, in an ideal scenario, the HOA has been planning and saving for this in the reserves for years.

Leaving the landscaping to someone else is one of the top reasons people love HOA communities.

In 52% of communities, the HOA manages the landscaping and, often, that includes sidewalk maintenance, entry signage, and other touches that make the community feel welcoming and lush.

A whopping 70% of residents in HOA communities say that their dues are reasonable given the amenities and perks that they receive as members of the community. While it is an additional cost on top of a monthly mortgage, the benefit of having access to a pool or relying on someone else to landscape each season is worth it.

From the community Halloween parade to a picnic in the summer, these are opportunities to get to know your neighbors. Often, the HOA pays for these events from monthly or annual dues, which makes them even more appealing for residents.

HOA boards usually stay apprised of issues in the city that could impact their community. From whether or not to allow short term rentals to determining whether big leasing companies can buy up individual properties, they stay on top of real estate trends and lobby for the best decisions for the neighborhood.

Choosing to buy within an HOA is a homeownership move that could help you build wealth, particularly if that HOA does a great job of taking care of the community, therefore contributing to rising property values.

The key to buying in an HOA community is to do your research. Talk to others about the community and how the HOA operates. Carefully read their bylaws and make sure you have a full understanding of everything you're signing up for.