I am currently living in a neighborhood that does not have an HOA. We have no issues at all and love not having to pay the dues!

I was the president of my former neighborhood Board for several years and really had a lot of wonderful neighbors who were most supportive. As long as you have fabulous residents and a great treasurer, life is peachy!

And, yes, we have HOA/COA Disclosures in both NC & SC. I would assume most states do.

Why do you ask, Fred Griffin?

I currently live in an HOA subdivision, are not participating on the board.

Hi Fred --

As far as pros versus cons -- it's related to the person not the concept of a homeowners association(in my opinion).  Some people should not live within the confines/restrictions of a HOA.   When selling real estate, this topic needs to be an upfront discussion.  Not all HOAs are created equal.  

I have been involved but never(yet) as a board member/director. Thankfully there are residents/owners who volunteer for such positions. Not perfect but quite admirable(for the most part).

I'm not sure what you mean by disclosure requirements.  It must be disclosed in Californai that a property is part of a HOA.   I'm sure the guidelines as to extent of what must be disclosed varies by state.  

I live in an HOA and for the most part it's OK, but there are many I know who have lived in HOAs who decry all the rules and restrictions, and the high fees compared to the real and perceived service. Yes we have disclosures and an HOA document review is a key part of the due diligence as one of the contingencies.

I would never live in one or invest in one.  We have enough govt intrusion in our lives without adding amateur govt agencies to it.

As a Realtor, DO NOT become an officer or director. Most HOA decisions will not satisfy some or most of the homeowners. You will get disliked quickly. To put it lightly, that will not help your Realtor activities.

Our HOA is strict but fair. Our community was formed in the early 70s and is the envy of all similar HOAs. Never been on the board or wish to be.

Yes absolutely we have disclosure to handle HOA's. We don't life in an HOA but I kind of wish we did because we've got on bad apple neighbor that has been a mess since we moved in 20 years ago.  She hates everyone and does this on purpose (why I have no idea)!! Waste of energy!  Other folks in HOA have a love/hate relationships. Some are run well - others are a bunch of  powers hungry folks that have no idea what they're doing. As for being on the board....proably isn't going to happen if we move again.

I am vice president of my neighborhood HOA.  It is a thankless job and I get to hear lots of whing, but I also have the opportunity to make a difference.

I just moved to a subdivision with an HOA, moved from a non HOA where I lived for twelve years. It depends on the person, HOA's don't really bother me but some don't want to be told what they can or can not do on their property. Someone with a watercrafts or commercial vehicles, non HOA would fit better. 
I've never served on the HOA board, not something I want to do. 

Yes.

Yes. 

Yes. 

I have information about this on my website.

we have very few in our town.... a few private roads that require an Association for maintenance, especially in the winter months...the town will not plow them...

I was a Vice-President on an HOA we blonged to for many years. It was a small HOA and even with the small HOAs, there is always at least one person on a mission to make others conform to an invented guideline. And if that rule doesn't exist, then that intrusive person will try to pass a new rule. No; I do not like HOAs, if for only that reason.

Once lived in a townhome complex where I served as president for 7 years. At an annual meeting, said if re-elected I would move. Sold and closed 3 months later!

1. Many

2. Yes

3. No

4. Yes

HOA can be like the song "Harper Valley PTA"

You have to ask more permissions for projects, but I have more amenities, less upkeep costs and I do own single family and formerly lived in one of my rentals so I do know life in and out of HOA's and in parallel.

I like my HOA and would not become a board member until some of the old guard retires or dies, too political in that bunch.

Yes I lived in both townhomes & single fam with HOA. They are good for uniformity but that's it. I would never become a board member as they don't pay anything & expect 50 hrs a week.

I manage them, and they are needed-if they become a positive force and not a police force against minor violations run by a group that has no long term vision. Without them neighborhoods turn into a bit of an architectural chaos and could erode values, but they need to be a positive force, properly run and managed.

I have never lived in a non-HOA community or building (NYC coops). I wouldn't live where there was no HOA, as I firmly believe they do maintain the value of a property. Everyone worries about restrictions... and yet I've never had an issue with any.

I've not served on any boards, but my husband has been president of one, vice-chairman of two others. He has since retired from these thankless jobs.

Fred, we used to have disclosures for HOA, but no longer do.  It is disclosed in MLS and who the HOA is.   Pros - you don't have a home painted any odd colors, less riff raff.   Cons, if you have toys, such as campers, trailers, etc.  you have to store behind the fence, or off site.

I have served on 5 HOAs at one time as an officer (developer). It can be very time consuming. Overall I believe HOAs are a benefit to the neighborhoods.

For me persoanlly it wouldn't work - I'm too much of a rebel myself, and forget about Jessie - he'd have a fit and probably get us thrown out of the neighborhood LOL

Disclosures: Yes!  And documentation needs to be given to the buyers and they can backout (rightfully so) if they don't like it.

I've lived in them and GREATLY prefer to not be in them.  Very rarely, in my experience, is a house allowed to degrade to where it becomes an eye-sore or people park cars on the lawn, as is often the fear most have about non-HOA areas.  I find HOAs to be full of clowns with nothing better to do who report any minor infraction.

Yes we have disclosures.

Some times I wish I lived in one but I am in a older neighborhood and we do not have one.

We live in a community with an active HOA. Disclosure is required.

Fred Griffin I do not live in a subdivision with an HOA. Cons: Business vehicles, multi-families, boats, RV'S Pros: No dictatorship runing the subdivision, no HOA fees I would like to see a balance. Our State does have disclosure requirements.

Conformity is value in Real Estate so we have one pro. Another is sharing expenses. The downside is whoever is running the HOA. Bad management can upset your day and your life while a good one pays for itself. I was temporarily in charge until one could be put in place (new construction)

I live in an HOA community of single family homes that is deeded as a condo community.  

Yes we have a disclosure and the pros and cons have to be gone over with buyers before even looking at homes with a hoa

I've seen more than one developer/builder do away with HOAA's, and more and more buyers are saying that they don't want to look at any properties that have HOA's. On the negative side, i see homes without hOA's with junk in the yard, inoperable vehicles parked in driveways, cars parked in front yards, purple paint on houses, grass that always needs to be mowed, etc.

We do have disclisure and in most situations I like HOA restrictions. Personally I live in a volunteer association in an older upscale neighborhood and the participation is over 80%.

Fred Griffin - I do not live in HOA community - and as far as I know, yes, there are some requirements by state for HOAs.