Buying into a HOA Community? Read this before you go under contract!

You’re not just buying a home—you’re buying into a system of rules, fees, and long-term financial decisions.

And it’s all inside the HOA documents.

Before you go under contract, here are 5 things to look for in the HOA docs that could protect—or wreck—your experience and resale value:

1. Rental Restrictions
→ Look for rules around short-term and long-term rentals. Some HOAs limit how many homes can be leased at once, ban rentals under 6 or 12 months, or require board approval. This can seriously affect your resale value and future flexibility.

2. Reserve Fund Health
→ Check the balance of the reserves and compare it to the age of the community. If the fund is low and major repairs are looming (roofing, roads, common areas), you could be on the hook for special assessments—and so could future buyers, which weakens your value.

3. Special Assessments (Past & Planned)
→ Review the minutes from recent HOA meetings to see if there have been special assessments in the past—or discussions about upcoming ones. These are extra fees charged to homeowners when there’s not enough money in the reserves.

4. Rules & Regulations (CC&Rs)
→ Pay attention to what you can’t do. Paint colors, fences, pets, parking, landscaping, even whether you can hang a flag or store your garbage cans outside. If it feels too restrictive, it can turn off future buyers.

5. Pending Lawsuits
→ If the HOA is involved in legal action—or facing one—this can be a major red flag for lenders and buyers. It can delay your closing, affect loan approvals, and tank resale value until the issue is resolved.

✅ Here’s the truth: HOAs aren’t inherently bad—they can actually add real value to a neighborhood. They help maintain consistent curb appeal, protect property values, and manage amenities like pools, parks, and trails that individual homeowners might not be able to afford or maintain on their own.

But not all HOAs are created equal. That’s why it’s so important to know exactly what you’re buying into—before you make the offer.

A little due diligence now can save you from surprises later

Christel Renaud | Christel Miami Luxury Living

954-799-3378 | [email protected]