Historians have found that the first Home Owners Association originated in the mid 1800’s. This concept was developed as a common interest to provide security and protect the vision of a pleasant streetscape. No written documents were required, but word would spread of certain expectations within the living settlement.
Actual written and enforced HOA started Levittown, New York where the first planned home development in the late 1950’s. A potato field would become the first known middle class neighborhood with restrictive covenants in their deeds. The basics were covered in this small governering group, no laundry lines in the front yard, trash had to be contained. As communities grew, so did the list of restrictions in many communities. Covenants started to include restrictions on the buildings within the neighborhood, pets and landscaping.
HOA’s today benefit homeowners buy providing a standard within their communities that is shared. Protecting home values and in some cases, quality of life.
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