4 Questions To Ask The Homeowners Association Before Buying A Home
If you think you have found your dream home only to find out that it's in a neighborhood with a homeowners association, you might be feeling a bit nervous. Whether you have lived in a community with a not-so-good homeowners association in the past or if you have just heard the horror stories, you might be worried about whether or not you will be happy living in the neighborhood. Luckily, you should be able to talk to someone from the homeowners association to get answers to your questions and concerns. These are a few questions that you might want to ask the homeowners association before buying a home:
1. Are There Restrictions on Pets?
Do you have pets? Are you thinking about getting pets in the near future? If so, you'll want to talk to someone from the HOA about it before you buy. You might find that there are restrictions on the number of pets that you can have or the types of pets that you can have. Make sure that you are aware of these things and that they work with the pets that you have in your family or the pets that you are thinking about getting in the future.
2. How Much are the HOA Fees?
Homeowners association fees can range from very affordable to highly expensive, depending on the community. When ensuring that you can afford the home that you are thinking about buying, you'll probably want to include the cost of the HOA fees into the amount that you will have to pay each month. This means that you may want to inquire about how much the HOA fees are and how often they have to be paid so that you can ensure that the home fits within your budget.
3. Are There Restrictions About Decorations?
Are you someone who loves decorating your yard for the seasons? If so, you should know that some communities have rules about holiday decorations and other types of decor. Make sure that you ask about this if you think you might be disappointed later on, such as if you are told that you can't put up your favorite decorations for the holidays.
4. What are the Rules Regarding Guests?
If you think you will be inviting guests over to your home, make sure that they will be welcomed in your HOA. For example, you may want to find out if there is ample parking for guests who might visit your home, or you might want to ask whether or not guests can use the community pool and other amenities that are offered in the neighborhood.
Living in a neighborhood with an HOA isn't a bad thing, but you do have to choose the right neighborhood and the right homeowners association. If you ask these questions before you buy, you can help ensure that you are satisfied with the HOA that you are moving into. Contact community managers for more help.
