You might be surprised to learn that most lakefront property here in Maine is purchased by folks "from away". From away usually refers to folks from Massachusetts, Connecticut or some other state here in the Northeast. The attitude these folks have about associations has always been peculiar to me.
A lakefront buyer will spend a whole lotta time finding just the right lakefront property and then will refuse to tender an offer until they have a chance to read the association bylaws and understand what the annual fees cover. It amuses me when a buyer is ready to buy a half million dollar second home but hesitates because he wants to understand what the annual dues of $150 per year cover.
My only thought is that perhaps buyers from away have had to deal with terribly restrictive neighborhood associations back home and are justifiably concerned. Now, I'm all for due diligence. I'm not advocating carelessness, but remember, we're in rural Maine. Things are different up here.
Three Types of Neighborhood Associations -
Road Associations - 90% of associations are for one purpose - road maintenace. Many camp roads are private and not plowed or maintained by the town. Association dues are for snowplowing in winter and grading in the spring. That's it!
Homeowner Associations - Some neighborhoods have a lot more to maintain than just roads. For example, the Knights Hill neighborhood in Bridgton on Moose Pond has an association beach area, clubhouse, canoe rack, marina, tennis courts, playgrounds and even a pool. Annual fees are over $700 per year.
Lake Associations - Often times a lakefront homeowner will be invited to join a lake association. Mostly voluntary, these organizations can have clout. For instance the Lake Associations for the Range Ponds in Poland successfully banned jetski use on the ponds. They wanted a quiet lake and now have one. Most lake associations are formed to maintain or improve water quality or fight an invasive species like milfoil.
Some Advice... I always advise our lakefront buyers to make an offer contingent upon the receipt and satisfactory review of association by laws within 10 days of the effective date of an agreement. If found unsatisfactory, agreement can be declared null and void and earnest money returned.
Conclusion... In all my years in real estate I've never had one deal unravel because of association by laws. So, here in Maine, if you want to paint your house purple, GO FOR IT!!
Submitted by my colleague, Tom Ferent, MrLakefront
By the way, we have a lot of information about buying Maine lakefront property on our website at www.mrlakefront.net . Hundreds of people go there every day to search lakefront properties and get information.
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