When purchasing real estate, you might be one of the 25 percent of people who purchase a property in a common interest development, which is more commonly known as a homeowners association (HOA). And while all properties have issues, HOAs have a unique set of additional operational, legal and financial issues that a buyer must consider, analyze and review in conjunction with their purchase.

Scared woman peering through blindsBecause there are many horror stories associated with HOAs, some people won’t even consider buying into one, and I understand that. For me, I actually prefer properties that are in HOAs, but it’s just a personal choice for an individual to consider.

Today we will note a few HOA horror stories. Keep in mind that most of these stories would never have occurred if the buyer had just done their proper due diligence by reviewing the HOA documents, financial statements, reserve studies, demand statements, and CC&Rs (covenants, conditions and restrictions). Each of these items would offer insight into “issues.” It is your responsibility as a buyer to perform the proper due diligence to avoid purchasing into a disaster of a common interest development community.

Ka-ching: Special Assessment of $7,500 three days after closing escrow

Did you hear the one about the couple that didn’t read the condominium board meeting minutes and notes about the $850,000 construction defect issue that needed to be repaired and would cost each unit about $7,500 in special assessments? Yup, it was noted extensively for months before this couple purchased, but didn’t read the stack of documents related to their purchase that came from escrow. So they didn’t know about it until the first board meeting, three days after they closed.

Tip: Read the board of director’s meetings minutes to help uncover potential assessments or other issues.

Surprise! Buying a rental property that you cannot rent

Many communities are limited to the number of rental units that can be in the property. Once that threshold is crossed, no other owners can rent out their units until other units convert back to personal residences. In this example, a woman I met put down $20,000 cash on a condo, but didn’t read the CC&Rs. She closed escrow on a $100,000 unit that she planned to lease out. Unfortunately, the board blocked her from doing this because of the rules in the CC&Rs. Unfortunately for her, she lost the unit to foreclosure about 12 months later.


Limited parking space: Compact cars only!

This horror story deals with a man who bought a high-rise unit in an older building. His designated parking space was next to the laundry room door. Due to the proximity to the door, his unit’s parking space was restricted and he was not allowed to have a car wider than six feet. Luckily, he drove a smaller car, so it wasn’t an issue. But if he had an Excursion, it would have been a major problem.


Speechless: HOA fees greater than mortgage payment

Another call I received was from an individual whose HOA fees began to exceed his mortgage payment. He lived in a restricted income unit that he bought, so the price was low and affordable. But, a couple of years in, the older building had capital items that needed to be replaced, such as a roof and elevator. HOA fees skyrocketed and as a result, his fees went above his mortgage payment. He wanted to know if there was any government agency that could help him fight the HOA, which of course I explained to him that it’s a private entity, he’s an owner, and he’s responsible via HOA fees, to cover a percentage ownership in the building.

Tip: Read and understand the Reserve Study, which could’ve tipped him off to upcoming to upcoming repairs and replacements.

Pool, clubhouse, common facilities foreclosed upon

Lastly, this story is about an HOA where the developer built the residential units on one lot, and the clubhouse, pool, common areas on another lot. The pool/clubhouse lot had a separate loan that went into default, and an investor group bought that lot/pool/clubhouse at foreclosure. As a result, they started selling pool memberships to community members in the adjacent neighborhoods.

Tip: Read the community governing documents, which would’ve revealed the recorded map, plat, or plan for the community.

Yes, HOAs can be a huge benefit to real estate ownership, but they are complicated animals and one must understand the risks of common interest development ownership. And most important, mitigate those risks by reading and analyzing all the documents before you close escrow!