London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Aug 01, 2025

How to determine if an HOA is worth the monthly cost

How to determine if an HOA is worth the monthly cost

Homeowner's associations can improve a neighborhood, but can come at a steep cost

If you live in a community setting, it’s common to be required to pay a monthly fee for amenities and maintenance of your community.

The collector of such fees and the overseer of the rules of your community is led by a homeowners association, or HOA, a community association that binds homeowners to certain rules and restrictions, says Stephanie Horan, a spokesperson at Today's Homeowner.

"They can consist of individual homes in a neighborhood, condos, townhouses, and co-ops, with rules and responsibilities varying based on property type and location," she explains.

New Homes in Northern California.


What are Some of the Things That a Fee From Your HOA Covers?


According to Horan, HOA fees typically cover the cost of maintenance for community amenities such as swimming pools, parks and green spaces. Some HOA fees also help cover the costs of utilities, she says.

"Ultimately, your HOA fees will go toward keeping your community a clean and safe place to live," Horan tells FOX Business.


What are Some of the Pros and Cons of an HOA?


As mentioned previously, some pros of HOAs are in place to ensure and help uphold high standards for the community you live in.

"They keep the community clean, safe, and fun," insists Horan.

However, the cons include the fact that HOA fees can be expensive.

"Additionally, the rules and regulations set forth by the HOA can sometimes be seen as strict or excessive by people," Horan adds.

Suburb housing development viewed from above, Texas, USA.


How Can You Determine if Your HOA is Worth its Cost?


Horan says it will ultimately be up to the wants and needs of the specific homeowner. If you have a high standard for the livability of your community and don't want to be responsible for maintenance, then an HOA may be worth it, she says.

"If you value more freedom with the choices you make regarding your home and don't mind completing regular maintenance yourself, it may be best to avoid communities with HOAs," Horan tells FOX Business.

Can HOA free increase year to year?


Judy Dutton, spokesperson with Realtor.com, says HOA fees can get higher year to year, or whenever expenses escalate due to major repairs or new projects.

"The best way to anticipate whether fees will rise is to check the Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions or CC&Rs’ history for fee hikes or ‘assessments,’ which are temporary fee hikes," she says. In addition, it’s a good idea to check the HOA reserve fund, Dutton says, which is dipped into to pay for unforeseen costs without needing to hike residents’ HOA fees.

"A healthy reserve fund is a good thing to see," Dutton tells FOX Business.


How Does an HOA Fee Provide Peace of Mind and Convenience for the Homeowner?


HOA fees provide peace of mind and convenience for homeowners by taking care of maintenance and repairs you might not want to deal with on your own, says Dutton. For example, not needing to clean a pool or repair the pump if it breaks.

HOA's can help pool costs of neighborhood beautification and negotiate better deals with landscaping companies.


Also, says Horan, your HOA can help provide peace of mind by ensuring the community is safe and well taken care of.

"For example, many HOAs arrange for snow removal during the winter," Horan continues. "Homeowners in these communities can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that they will drive more safely and avoid slipping on sidewalks. HOAs can provide convenience by taking care of regular maintenance like pest control and community landscaping."

Comments

Oh ya 2 year ago
And you will soon learn who is the biggest buttwipe in the HOA is as somehow they always get elected to the board and off on their power trip they go.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
×