Buying a Home in a HOA? Here are Key Questions to Ask 

HOAs or homeowner’s association. Like it or not, purchasing a property in a planned community or a subdivision entails being part of one. And while it provides tons of benefits, not all HOAs run the same. 

Before moving into your newly purchased home, we recommend talking to the local HOA and getting the details.  

Here are some questions we suggest asking: 

1. HOA Fees 

HOAs are famous (and infamous) for the numerous charges they impose on homeowners. Apart from the monthly HOA fee, they tend to charge for other aspects, from landscaping and parking to security and snow removal. Think about a possible fee, and chances are there’s one for that.  

Depending on where the HOA is, these may cost from a few dollars to hundreds. So before moving in, take note of all possible fees the HOA may impose, any penalties, and available methods of payment. 

2. Maintenance Plan 

Contrary to popular belief, not all HOAs have a maintenance service on-call, so it’s best to know this beforehand before moving in. So, the next item on your list should be how the HOA handles preventive and reactive maintenance. Specifically, ask if they have the service available and if the service requires payment per call.  

If the HOA doesn’t have one, you may need to discuss with the management company how to address maintenance issues. Get all the details so you can prepare when home maintenance or repair is needed. 

3. Board Composition 

An HOA usually has a board of directors that keeps the organization running. Their tasks include managing finances and attending to the community’s concerns. Most of the time, they’re also residents there. 

It’s never wrong to ask who comprises the HOA’s board and how long their tenure lasts. Getting the board’s background can give you a good insight into how things are managed and their reputation in the community. It is also good to know who to contact in case something arises.  

4. Special Rules and Regulations 

This part is quite important, as each HOA may have its own set of rules. And as a new homeowner in the community, you’d want to know what’s allowed or not.  

Some common questions include: 

• Are pets allowed? 
• How many cars are allowed per home? Can you park on streets and driveways? 
• Are rentals allowed? (in case you plan to own a rental home) 
• How many residents can a home have? (funny it may seem, but some HOAs have a limit to residents) 
• Is there a designated time to put out the garbage? 
• How often can I do exterior home maintenance? 

Feel free to be thorough on this one, as failure to comply with these regulations may cost you figuratively and literally.  

Additionally, ask how often the board updates these rulings and how soon residents get a copy of the updated rules.  

Hone in on Your HOA 

Being part of an HOA can be a relaxing or stressful experience, depending on how prepared you are before moving in. Learning the details about your new HOA can give you proper insight and time to prepare for your future home.