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HOA Life | Good or Bad? | The Pros and Cons for Potential Home Buyers If you’re considering a move to or within Florida, then you’re likely going to encounter the dreaded three letters… HOA! But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. HOA communities are prevalent here, and for good reason… more on that later. So, before you get too deep into your home search, let’s review what an HOA is, why it matters, what the pros and cons of living in an HOA community are, and see if this kind of living arrangement is the right fit for you. What is an HOA for? An HOA, which is short for Homeowner’s Association, serves many functions… But from your perspective, here’s their most important role… The HOA makes sure that the aesthetics of the community are maintained, which then ensures property values are not impacted negatively. Bottom line, it’s all about property values! Who exactly runs the HOA? Homeowner Associations are governed by a board of directors which is elected by the homeowners. Their primary task is to enforce the community's rules and regulations. These rules, known as Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), dictate everything from what color you can paint your house, down to the ever-important financial operations of the community. Pros of Homeowner Associations 1. Maintain Aesthetics and Property Values: HOAs ensure that the neighborhood maintains a uniform and attractive appearance. This can include regulations on lawn care, exterior paint colors, and home maintenance, which helps preserve property values and creates a visually appealing environment. You don’t want your neighbor painting their house neon green, or parking a boat on the front lawn! The HOA is there to make sure that doesn’t happen. 2. Manage and Maintain Community Amenities: Many HOA communities offer shared amenities such as swimming pools, fitness centers, playgrounds, and clubhouses. The HOA manages the operation and maintenance of all the amenities, also known as “Common Elements”. So, when you drive down the streets of a community, the trees, sidewalks, ponds, gates, sports courts, pools, lamp posts, etc. are all likely managed and maintained by the HOA. 3. Community Events: HOAs often organize community events, social functions, and activities that create a sense of community and encourage neighborly interaction. This can be a great way to meet new people and feel connected to your neighborhood. These events are optional, so for all you introverts out there… don’t feel like living in an HOA forces you to be a social butterfly! But by having the option to partake, again, it establishes a sense of community and in turn boosts property values. 5. Enhanced Security: Some HOAs provide security services or gated access, which can enhance the safety and security of the community. This added layer of protection can be particularly appealing to families and individuals concerned about safety. We have a mixture of gated and non-gated communities here in the Lakewood Ranch Florida area, which is where we specialize in. Depending on our clients’ wants and needs, if a gated community is a must have, that is a great way to focus your home search. But don’t forget, with more stuff, comes more fees… usually. Cons of Homeowner Associations: 1. Fees and Assessments: Living in an HOA community typically requires paying monthly or annual fees to cover the costs of maintenance, amenities, and administrative expenses. These fees can vary widely and may increase over time, adding to the overall cost of homeownership. Be sure to analyze how an HOA’s books look. Are they running deficits each year like the federal government? 😊 Or, are the balancing their books like Warren Buffet? Remember, their debt will be your debt as soon as you become an owner! 2. Strict Regulations: The rules and regulations set by the HOA can be quite strict and may limit your ability to make certain changes to your property. This can include restrictions on exterior modifications, parking, pet ownership, and even holiday decorations. If this type of stuff is a deal breaker for you, then make that known up front. Voice specifically what your potential concern is, and research the CC&Rs of a community to determine if their rules jive with your expectations. 3. Potential for Disputes: While HOAs aim to resolve conflicts, they can also be a source of disputes. Homeowners may find themselves at odds with the board over rule interpretations, fines, or enforcement actions, which can lead to tension and frustration. But again, remember that the HOA is not imposing these fines just because. The rules are there to make sure the neighborhood remains as pristine and desirable as the day you moved in! 4. Risk of Mismanagement: This is a big one. And it’s also hard to determine without a lot of specialized insight and knowledge about a particular community… The effectiveness of an HOA depends on the competence and dedication of its board members. Poor management, lack of transparency, or misuse of funds can negatively impact the community and lead to legal or financial issues. The board of directors is elected by the homeowners, so in essence they are your voice. Be sure the board is actually working as the voice of the people, and not just their own individual interests. Bad management can lead to negative sentiments in the community, special assessment fees, HOA dues increases, and a multitude of problems that spiral negatively. In summary… be smart and do your homework before you finalize a purchase contract and buy into an HOA. In Conclusion Homeowner Associations offer a range of benefits, from maintaining property values to providing access to amenities and fostering community engagement. However, they also come with costs, restrictions, and potential challenges. As a potential home buyer, it's crucial to carefully review the HOA's CC&Rs, understand the fee structure, and assess whether the HOA's regulations align with your lifestyle and preferences. By weighing the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision about whether an HOA-governed community is the right fit for you. If you're considering moving to or within Lakewood Ranch, reach out to us so we can chat about the many HOAs that make up our community. It's a major part of the home buying decision, especially here, and we'd be honored to assist you as your Realtor of choice! 
If you are building a new house, you want only good vibes from the start. If you are building in Florida, you also want to choose the right orientation and direction to get the most out of the Florida sunshine.
But how do you know which direction your house should face? This is a question one of our viewers brought up (Thanks Becky!) so we wanted to give you an explanation. I am directionally challenged, however, and cannot function without GPS, so I gave the question to Michael (the human compass) for further explanation. You want to find the correct balance between maximum natural light, yet necessary shade in those hot summer months. Many homes in Florida have an open-concept floor plan and large glass sliding doors out to the lanai, so there aren’t many walls to break up the sunlight streaming in. We love this aspect of Florida living, personally, but that should be something to consider when you are building or buying. Arguably, your backyard and lanai in Florida are probably the most important aspect to consider when determining the direction of your home: focus on the direction that lanai faces because you can count on nearly 300 days of sunshine and you will probably want to be outside for many of them. Southerly exposure is said to be best in Florida so that your house sees sunlight at all times of year, but not too much sun that would constantly be heating up your home. A westerly facing lanai (back of house) would result in beautiful sunsets, but also blaring sun in the afternoon which makes it difficult to enjoy being outdoors. The front of your house facing North means you may not get a lot of sun from that direction, but that might be okay if your attention is in the back of the house anyways. Our own home has an easterly exposure in the front and the lanai faces north-west, so we get sunsets and sun, but just enough to allow some shade at all times of the day throughout the year. In the summer, it gets hot back there, but we just jump in the pool to cool off. And the pool gets sun all day, which helps keep it nice and warm. In the end, it boils down to personal preference and what you would like for your home and lifestyle. However, understanding how direction can impact the building of your home or the home you purchase is important to living your best life, here in Florida. We hope this video helped to answer this question. Leave a comment if you want more information or have a question on a certain house. We are happy to help with all of your real estate needs! 941-348-2653 [email protected] |
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