Where I live, it is close to impossible to purchase a home that’s less than 20 years old without subjecting oneself to the governance of a homeowner’s association.
HOA’s apparently got their start in Boston in 1826 when an upscale and exclusive neighborhood found itself in need of some sort of provisions for maintenance of the community park.
The community drafted a document that covered maintenance of the park as well as clauses that would guarantee the exclusivity of their neighborhood and ensure that future residents would meet certain cultural, religious and financial criteria. So basically, HOA’s are founded on snobbery.
I don’t entirely disapprove of the concept. A person who is willing to trade their right to wash their car in the driveway in favor of perfectly uniform landscaping and a community pool, should be able to do so.
What I find a bit discouraging is the widespread acceptance of these types of sacrifices. As a society, we are far too complacent about our personal freedom. It’s become a common occurrence for Americans to willingly trade in our rights for the sake of propriety and pretention.
If I want to paint my house, there are 3 colors in which I can paint it. My window coverings have to comply with HOA standards and I’m not allowed to fly a flag. The landscaping for my backyard (which isn’t even visible to the public) has to be approved and I can be fined for taking my garbage to the street before the sun goes down. I’m not allowed to attach a basketball hoop to my garage as a permanent fixture and the mobile hoop we got as an alternative can not be left in front of the house.
These are all rules that I agreed to when I bought my house and in reality I don’t actually mind them- but I should. It should offend me that I can’t raise an American flag on Independence Day. I should be outraged that I have to ask permission to improve my own home. But I’m not. It’s just the way it is and I, like just about everyone else in the Phoenix Metro area, have decided to accept it.
I hate HOAs. My last HOA was unoffensive. This one, I swear, they look for reasons to send letters. I think an HOA should serve the purpose of preventing gross, outrageous conduct, not micromanaging every aspect of home ownership. I don't want my neighbor to have an old washing machine sitting in their front yard for 10 years. But, as long as their weeds aren't outgrowing their shrubbery, I say, let them get to it when it fits their schedule. And why the heck can't they have a boat in their driveway? Or signage on their vehicle or in front of their house? I have to get design committee approval to have a sign with my family's name on it. Seriously?? I think it's an abuse of privilege. If the market here weren't so completely innundated with HOAs, I wouldn't live in a neighborhood with one. And if the real estate market wasn't such crap I can't sell my house, I would have moved years ago to an area without one. I put my house on the market the same week the housing market collapsed. Now every time I get a stupid HOA letter, I feel bitter and cheated. HOAs suck. That is all.
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