Just Say No to Homeowners Associations

Many have fallen to the allure of planned communities. The homeowners association attracts unsuspecting new homebuyers with the promise of rising property values and a perfect environment.

It is not until after the new homeowner moves in that he realizes that he has made a horrible mistake. He soon learns that the association is not there to manage the community but to manage him. He realizes that he has agreed to deed restrictions that greatly limit his legal rights and is now at the mercy of a cranky cabal of anal-retentive control freaks that care little about property values and a tremendous amount about having power over their neighbors.

When you buy your first house, your realtor will try to convince you that you have little choice but to sign away your rights and move into a deed restricted neighborhood. You may be tempted by the promise of a perfect life, but don’t fall for it. You’ll just be giving up your rights and handing your control over to a committee that cares little about your personal property and even less about you.