Home : Blogs : Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 : Carlsbad Homes & Real Estate Tidbits >> The California Relocation Dude Talks

Carlsbad Homes - What You Should Know About HOA Fees

Carlsbad home buyers often find themselves confronted with Home Owner Association (H.O.A.) fees when looking at homes for sale.

Money house Fees can vary widely (from under $100/months to more than $400/month) and may add substantial costs to your monthly payments. Not all homes have them , but it is important as a buyer to watch for these fees, find out how much they are, and understand what you are getting for these costs since they impact your monthly budget.

HOA fees are not restricted to condominiums, although they tend to be more common because of the type of ownership. So don't assume that a detached Carlsbad home will not have these fees; they are more common in the formal subdivisions, but there are exceptions.

Read more about the things you should know about HOA fees here...

*****************************

If you need additional information about this community or the housing market in general, please contact me by phone or text message at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

Posted by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 on 02/27/2008 08:41 PM

Comments (12)

carlsbad homes, carlsbad homes for sale, carlsbad real estate, buyers, budget

Originally posted at: Carlsbad Real Estate News and Views: Carlsbad Homes - What You Should Know About HOA Fees

This post has been included in California Information San Diego County, CA Information Carlsbad, CA Information
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: RE/MAX Active Rain Bloggers
Post is included in group: Everything California
Post is included in group: Southern California Real Estate Forum
Post is included in group: Posts to Localism

12 Comments on Carlsbad Homes - What You Should Know About HOA Fees

FEB

2008

Jeff, HOA fees can be the difference between qualifying for a Loan or not. HOA fees are expected on a Condo, but very easy for a Loan Officer to miss if they are on a house and could blow up the deal when it goes to Underwriting.

I hardly recognized you!!!! I posted on your WP, but great information for your buyers! Most HOAs keep communities looking decent!

Jeff - Nice, concise explanation of HOA fees.

FEB

2008

Hi Jeff,

Most communities in my area will have HOA or condo fees...that's just the way it is here. The generally are controlled not to go up unless there is a major assessment needed but most have enough in reserves.

FEB

2008

Because of those fees for detached homes in the area I showed property yesterday...it cut out about 30 homes. Even in our complex the fees have gone up a little each year....insurance kept going up.

MAR

2008

George - so true. I always remind buyers to take these fees into account since they can really add up in teh monthly budget.

Jeff

Thanks for the comment, Kim. I think in many communities the fees ARE worth it, but sometimes they seem excessive for what you get.

Jeff

Neal - they are common here, too. They do adjust but typically not often, in my experience. They are the reality of buying in condo communities and subdivisions.

Jeff