The Value Of Living In An HOA

The main benefit, obviously, is that all homeowners who live in an HOA share in the use of common areas located within their subdivision.  Shared interest in playgrounds and pools that homeowners would not normally purchase or who have no desire to purchase, but would like to have access to them.  These features are commonly found surrounding their homes; hence, common or shared amenities.  Planned communities provide home buyers an added option of living environments and a variety of amenities to consider when buying a home.

Homeowner Benefits and Control

Planned communities also have become popular because many home owners not only want the services and amenities provided, but they like the responsibility that comes with controlling their homeowner’s association.  Most notably, HOAs may help to preserve and even increase property values.

HOAs are run by homeowners who are elected onto a Board.  HOA Boards govern and manage their membership.  The Board’s duties may involve plowing the snow from the streets, maintaining the landscaping, collecting dues, enforcing the common rules and managing all the shared amenities.  HOAs can facilitate a real sense of community, an important contribution in an increasingly transient society.

Centralized Delivery of Services

In a much larger picture, developers of planned communities directly deliver services that were once the exclusive province of local government, such as street paving, lighting or snow removal.  This transfer, or privatization of building developments, has become commonplace as the demand for housing has outpaced the ability of many local governments to provide services.  Not only has privatization relieved local municipal budgets, but it has proven economically efficient for homeowners.  This win-win proposition has led to the rapid growth of association-governed communities from just 10,000 in 1970 to more than 300,000 in 2017, according to a report from the Community Association Institute.

Land Use and Affordability

By definition, planned communities offer a more efficient use of land compared to unplanned areas in which developments leapfrog over each other into any available space.  These land-use efficiencies can make homes more affordable, a benefit for first time homebuyers, retirees and low and moderate income families.

Providing Value and Protecting Property Values

Boards strive to meet the expectations of its members by working to provide safe, well-maintained living environment, preserving the character of the community and protecting property values.  Cooperation and compliance are accomplished through governing documents, called CC&Rs, that typically address architectural guidelines and rules pertaining to issues such as noise, pets and parking.

Because the risk of liability is high, many HOAs hire a third party administrator to assist in governing their membership and to provide assurances that everyone shares in the control of their  neighborhood.  Professional association management services can help mitigate or even prevent issues from becoming litigious.

In the State of Idaho, MGM Association Management helps HOAs to enforce fairly and equitably the CC&Rs and guides the association; not control them.  MGM is a member of CAI and has had success in pulling difficult or dysfunctional HOAs back together.  For more information, contact MGM at (208) 846-9189 or go to https://www.gomgm.com.