Ways to Deal With Your HOA in South Fulton Neighborhoods

There are a lot of neighborhoods in metro South Fulton with an HOA - Home Owner Association.  The Home Owner Association in each neighborhood is charged with governing the rules and regulations that govern the particular subdivision or development.  Developers hold the reigns on the HOA until a certain number of properties are purchased.  Once that number is reached, the developer will turn over the HOA to the property owners.

South Fulton has a full spectrum in the way each subdivision or development runs its HOA.  What I mean is in South Fulton there are subdivisions that have an HOA that has never had a meeting since electing officers, and there are subdivisions that meet regulars and strictly enforce the rules and regulations of HOA to the point of legal action.  

Aside from the enforcement of the rules and regulations, there is also the cost to each property owner to be a member of the HOA.  Just about every subdivision or development built after 2000 has a required membership in the HOA.  The cost can vary from less than $50 per month to thousands of dollars per year.

So South Fulton buyers, what are some ways for you to be more comfortable with the HOA in the neighborhood you like?

1. Before buying ask the existing neighbors what they think about the HOA?  Is it priced accordingly?  Does the HOA do what it is suppose to do?
2. Before buying also obtain the HOA records once you are under contract as a part of your due diligence.  You need to know that the HOA is financially sound and if there are any plans for an increase in the dues or changes in the services provided.  This information for you to obtain to make an informed decision about completing the purchase.
3. Before buying check to see if the current property owner is up to date with his/her payments.  If the payments are not up to date, the amount past due becomes a part of the negotiations along with any initiation fees.
4. After you buy your South Fulton property get involved in the HOA.  Be sure to attend the next meeting.  Get to know the board members.
5. Be aware the community management association retained by the HOA board.  Community management associations (CMA) collect the HOA dues, issue citations for violations, and so forth while receiving directions from the HOA board.  Sometimes the CMA can be very difficult to deal with for property owners.
6. Consider running for office on the board during the next election cycle.  You will become a person of influence and have more input and ultimately control over the HOA decisions.
7. Keep your HOA dues paid up to date.  Understand the dates payment is due in your South Fulton neighborhood's HOA and the methods for making payment.  Understand what is covered in the payment.