The 411 on HOAs

Are you moving into a new neighborhood and aren’t exactly sure what a homeowners association is? Here’s a quick guide about what you can expect.

FIRST OF ALL, WHAT IS A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION?

A homeowners association, or HOA, is an administrative group created by a neighborhood developer. The HOA takes care of neighborhood maintenance and enforces rules and requirements. Usually the HOA is incorporated and the lot owners are its members. Basically, it’s a little mini-government that looks over the neighborhood.

WHAT SORT OF THINGS DOES THE HOA TAKE CARE OF?

The HOA takes care of maintenance of the property. Common area lawn and sign maintenance, stormwater pond maintenance, and snow removal in many cases. The HOA also enforces the neighborhood rules and regulations. They review requests for architectural changes and other property improvements. They really take care of the essential things that affect the entire neighborhood.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

HOAs hold homeowners to a high standard and make sure the neighborhood is well looked after. This makes the area a desirable place to live while maintaining or improving your home’s value.

WILL MY REQUEST BE APPROVED?

Don’t expect too many problems. The HOA is there to hold your home’s value by enforcing predetermined rules. Only the most outlandish ideas get nixed, and trust us, you don’t want to be living next to a neon green house surrounded by a chain link fence.

DO BIELINSKI NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE HOAs?

All but one of our Bielinski Neighborhoods have an HOA. We work extensively with each HOA from the inception until the transition to the lot owners. We also try to have a lot owner from the neighborhood appointed to the board before the complete transition so they can become comfortable with HOA functions. We also welcome HOA boards to call us even after transition.

If you’re looking to take that next step towards getting into your next home, check out some of our Bielinski Neighborhoods.