The HOA from hell

imgres
imgres

I don’t have anything against home owners associations but not all associations are equal.  Before buying a condo buyers are given ten days to review the condo documents including the rules and the balance sheet.  

I encourage buyers to read every word and to call the association and ask question.  If possible talk to people who own units and are part of the association.

Some associations are professionally managed and that is a plus.  I recently found a large association that is privately managed and some of the board members are too engaged in the management process in a kind of creepy way.  

They peek in the windows of occupied units and they lurk around garages. Some folks like the fact that someone is paying attention while others dislike the nosey neighbors and all the drama. 

Home owners associations can kind of develop a culture all their own and the unwritten rules replace some of the written rules. . . I have seen thing and heard things . . . if I were to buy a property where I had to join an association I would do my homework. 

Don’t forget it is possible to have too few rules and that is sometimes as bad as having too many rules. 

Also see: Condo Docs 

Condos and due diligence