Arizona HOA's What You Need to Know

This sounds like great information for folks.  I like the concept of HOA's to maintain property values, I just get frustrated when folks who serve on the boards get power hungry and throw their weight around.  

That is a fantastic resource for buyers -and- sellers in your selling area Anna! A good HOA board can make a positive impact on the community and a bad one...well, let's just say, can wreak havoc.

WOW! Not only a wonderful book review but, a great summary of why HOAs are a good thing!

I tell everyone that if the residents are not happy with their management company, by all means, fire them and hire someone you want to work with. An HOA can make or break a community...strike that - the management company can make or break a community! 

Good evening Anna Banana Kruchten CRS,CRB ,

I love your post and really feel this is a very worthy featured post! There are strong opinions on HOA's but e have a lot of them in the areas built form 1994 on. The builders needed to have an HOA and in most cases it worked out to be the best option.

I have to read the book sooner than later and see if I can chime in a little bit more. Love and light!

Grandfathered in stuff can be tricky, But I think the sentiment handles it well that Anna is talking about. Dorie Dillard

Anna, I am glad you wrote about the Arizona HOA's and the book that is on the subject! A lot of HOAs and future owners will find it helpful.

Until this year I was always in favor of HOAs, and several of our homes have been in HOA communities. Right now we have a home in Del Mar that has a tree on the common area lifting up the driveway and roots headed toward the house. The tree huggers on the HOA board will not remove the tree. I think they are putting us and all the rest of the homeowners at risk for future damage. 

Thank-you, Anna for introducing the book.  HOAs are one of the first conversations I have with buyers, especially if they are moving from other areas.  You are so right, some are great, some are a pain you-know-where!  I also tell buyers to get involved with the HOA.  The HOA is meant to represent the community, and like a PTO, those impacted by the decisions need to get involved and get their voice heard!

HOAs in Oklahoma City are as a rule simple and straightforward. However, we have learned a lot about complicated HOAs in Florida. But even when they are simple some people just don't like them.

It says a lot when a book has to be written to cover a HOA. Thanks for sharing!

HOAs are a good thing and I know about all of the ones in my area. It's a good thing since I get calls or emails every week asking questions.

I grew up in Maryland and we loved out HOA's. The joke was "you don't want to have to look at a car up on cinder blocks or an old washing machine in your neighbors yard."

It was only when I moved to AZ that I heard that people did not want to live in a community with an HOA. I never fear people abusing their power because you almost always have legal recourse (some may disagree, but a good lawyer can often silence the biggest buffoons or make problems go away).

Anna, you are right. People either like living with an HOA or they don't. It's definitely better to be thoroughly informed.

Anna

This is such an outstanding article on HOAs. There is so much to know when considering a purchase in one. And despite good intentions, sometimes after the fact you find out things you wish you knew beforehand. Some are well run and others leave an awful lot to be desired.

Jeff

Anna, I have heard some real horror stories about some HOAs, so this information is very important.  Buyers really need to pay attention when they are looking at these types of developments.  Nicely done!

Thankfully we don't have any big issues out my way. There aren't that many HOAs, either. This is a very comprehensive report on Arizona HOAs. You really did your homework on this one. 

Anna,

 Your blog proves my point there is always that one neighbor, we have mowing and yard maintenance in our section and people yelp about it but then I explain what they are getting and that there is always that one and if you are selling your home that will not help they all agree.

I totally agree with you that HOA's can be nasty and very hard to deal with, thanks for sharing.

Great assessment of HOA's offered here, Anna Banana Kruchten CRS,CRB ... both pro and con.  And what an amazing idea for a book!  JMO, but HOA's are only as good as the human input they receive, by both the HOA members and the management.  The can be a blessing ... or quite the opposite!

Gene