I cannot imagine any scenario which would have me living with a HOA!   Just send bail money would be my constant plea

There are often strong opinions, pro and con. While some people like the restrictions to keep the communit from running amuck, others find HOAs too restrictive. And often buyers (and residents) don't feel they are getting their money's worth. And even if there is not an HOA there are CC & Rs which can provide limitations. And if the HOA is not managed well, the problems really mount up - I think some overstep their bounds, in some cases legally

What I tell clients to consider about HOA's is that the freedom you get from not having an HOA is a freedom everyone in the neighborhood gets.  

The question is how will each homeowner use that freedom.  Can you live with it if you don't like your neighbor's choices?

I've never served on an HOA board.

We have FEW HOAs . . . but MOST of our subdivisions have CCRs. In absence of HOA management, violating the CCRs is something the owners have to self-police, or involve the County or civil court.
I tell buyers PRO: Rules, and property values tend to stay higher when there is uniformity. CON: If you hate rules, you may hate them.
I have never served on a HOA Board but know many fine people who do. And some people who shouldn't be in ANY governing position whatsoever.

Was President of an HOA for seven years. Said if re-elected I would move. Was re-elected and moved within 60 days!

 IMHO, HOA's  are a necessary evil.

I wrote the bylaws for 5 neighborhoods since I was one of the developers. I served as an officer on all five. I believe in HOA's.

It's probably not a good idea for someone who wants to paint the outside of his house bubblegum pink!  I think it depends of the individual association, be it an HOA or a condo.

A HOA protects the home values, if it is inforced.

Many of my clients opt for the HOA..executives here for 3-5 years and gone..want stability and protection of their property values.

HOA's in my opinion help a property maintain it's value.  The ones I have been involved with have been good and not too restrictive.  There are rules, but at least you don't wake up in the morning and your neighbors house is Chevron blue.

Know what the rules & regs are before you buy.  Never lived in HOA neighborhood.

A well managed HOA is definitely a benefit.

Those who want to park work trucks or RVs at home may not be the best prospects for strict HOAs.

Fred - Not too many choices in my area. Most homes built after 1990 have HOA's. Only homes in county islands, and homes built prior to 1990 will not have HOA's for the most part.

Mostly buyers know if they want to live in a community with an HOA.   Have never been on a board for an HOA. 

Fred Griffin Pros: No boats or commercial vehicles. Cons: Boats and commercial vehicles. No, I have never served on an HOA board. Advice: Read the HOA docs very carefully before signing off on them.

Having come out of coops in NYC, I would never live in a community without an HOA--I really believe they maintain standardsand values within a community. The "messiest" communities in our area are those without HOA's. I've never served on a board, but my husband has been Chairman of three HOA's in the past, so I served vicariously.

I am not interested in such communities.

Too much govt already, I am not buying into anything with an hoa govt.

Read the rules!  I've never lived in an HOA community so I've never been called to serve 

I could write a blog post on this topic...oh wait, I have. 

The pros and cons are different with everyone. Some like the restrictions because they protect the integrity of the neighborhood. 

In Hawaii, where land is so valuable and new construction is mostly vertical, HOAs rule. Some get known for their restrictions and uncooperative board members, and it actually can influence property values. Such as putting Liens on their member's properties. But mostly, I hasten to add, are there for the protection of its members.

When they're good, they are good.  Most the time, they yell at you for using the wrong shade of paint or for some other made up issue.  I avoid them like the plague personally.  Most people who have been in one try to avoid them.

I didn't like my experience as it restricted what I could do with my townhome.  HOA's aren't extremely common around here, but I would advise my buyers to think long and hard about it.

I don't like being under control of a few power hungry people

No to HOA's. Every year more and more buyers tell me that they don't even want to look at anything that has an HOA. I've never served on one.