You might be suited to living within a homeowners association if you prefer the company of like-minded neighbors. But an association might not be a good fit if you’re a free spirit — the type who displays a decorative flag for every occasion, for example.

A homeowners association, or HOA, can make you take down your flag commemorating National Hot Dog Month.  That’s July, in case you’re wondering.

Benefits of homeowner associations

“My clients who choose to buy in an HOA appreciate the sense of community and the security of knowing friends and neighbors are nearby,” says Trudy Severa, a Realtor with Long & Foster Real Estate in Reston, Va. “The lifestyle of living in an HOA means that friends with similar interests are accessible for both children and adults, and there are usually amenities for everyone to enjoy.”

For Beth Shiffman, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Tenafly, N.J., the biggest benefit for many homebuyers of an HOA or condo association is the reduction in homeownership responsibilities.

“It’s an ideal lifestyle for a lot of people who want to own a home but don’t want the physical responsibility for snow removal and landscaping,” Shiffman says.

Severa says homes located within an HOA tend to maintain their value better than those located in areas without a community association because the HOA monitors how well homes are being maintained.

HOA fees

Of course, grounds maintenance and recreational amenities do not come free. HOA fees vary by community and by what they cover.

“HOA fees are a critical factor in determining whether you want to live in a particular community or even if you can afford it,” says Sandesh Bilgi, a Realtor with Century 21 Affiliated in Chicago. “The HOA fee will be considered as part of your debt-to-income ratio. Depending on what is covered, particularly if you are buying a condo, the fee could be nearly as high as yourmortgage payment.”

Bilgi says potential buyers need to carefully study what the HOA fee includes and compare that to what they would pay for similar services outside of an HOA.

“Typically, the HOA will cover maintenance of common grounds including lawn care and trash removal, along with snow removal,” Bilgi says. “Some also include exterior maintenance for individual homes and even some utilities such as water bills. Others have a fitness center, a swimming pool, tennis courts and walking trails. The important thing is to compare fees based on what is covered from one community to the next and how much you would pay on your own for these services.”

“The fee was higher because the building had a business center, a fitness center, a doorman and a grocery store for residents, but he realized he didn’t need those amenities,” Bilgi says. “Eventually he chose a building with a $300 monthly fee instead.”

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