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Triangle HOA Guide
In the Raleigh-Durham area, many homes are part of a community governed by a homeowners association, or HOA. The HOA is responsible for enforcing the community’s rules and regulations, which are spelled out in the restrictive covenants. Each homeowner becomes a member of the HOA when they buy property in the community.
What Does “HOA” Mean?
In a real estate listing, "HOA" means that the home is part of a homeowners association. HOAs are organizations within some neighborhoods that enforce rules and standards for homes in the community.
Home Owner Association (HOA) neighborhoods are self-governing organizations that require homeowners to pay monthly or annual dues for maintenance and use of common areas and amenities.
"No HOA" in a listing means that the home is not part of a homeowners association (HOA).
Ready to shop now? View the home listings in HOAs at the bottom of this post or continue reading to learn all about HOA communities.
Benefits of HOAs
HOAs have several benefits. They define changes that can be made to homes and set standards for the community for things such as outside decorations, permitted noise level, and fences. In theory, maintaining uniformity or at least limiting choices helps keep values higher.
Also, HOAs charge dues and use this money to provide amenities such as pools, tennis courts, club houses and professional maintenance of the common areas that homeowners might not be able to afford on their own. Many community residents are not even aware of their HOA and just pay their dues and enjoy the benefits.
Downsides of HOAs
There are several disadvantages to living in a home governed by an HOA. The rules can sometimes be excessively restrictive. Also, the HOA also has the legal right to collect assessments beyond the regular dues for large repairs or improvements. These assessments can often be quite high. 
There is no independent oversight organization for homeowner associations and laws covering HOAs vary widely from state-to-state. North Carolina has a law titled the North Carolina Planned Community Act that requires the association hold a due process hearing before any property owner can be fined for a rules violation. The Act also puts a cap on the amount of the fine.
Considerations for Living in an HOA Community
Think about your lifestyle - do you enjoy gardening, completing DIY outdoor projects, or putting up lots of holiday decorations? If so, you may not appreciate the restrictions imposed with the restrictive covenants. For example, an HOA may place restrictions on how the front lawn looks, and not permit anything other than grass. Make sure you read through the restrictive covenants and consider whether you would be happy living with these rules. 
Also consider the amenities that may come with a neighborhood with an HOA - like pools, tennis courts, golf courses, and parks. If you would take advantage of these amenities, the cost and restrictions may be worth it to you. However, if you would not plan on using any of the amenities, you may resent paying dues to maintain them.
Cost is an important consideration for living in a neighborhood governed by an HOA. If a homeowner falls behind on the dues, or fails to pay assessments, the HOA can initiate foreclosure proceedings. Think about how HOA dues and assessments will fit into your budget.
Questions to Ask HOAs in the Raleigh-Durham Area
Below is a list of important questions all home buyers should ask when buying in an HOA community.
HOA Question #1: What are the fees?
HOAs usually have some sort of dues paid either monthly or yearly, and these can vary drastically from community to community. This expense has to fit into your budget.
Generally, these dues cover the costs of maintaining common areas of the community, such as landscaping the entrance and caring for greenways. If your neighborhood has a pool or clubhouse, your fees will usually cover maintenance costs for those as well.
Be sure to ask exactly what your dues cover and specifically what is not covered. Ask who handles the bookkeeping and manages the money. In addition to the monthly base fee, find out how the HOA covers unexpected expenses, like major repairs to the pool or clubhouse.
HOA Question #2: What are the HOA restrictions?
Parking regulations are common, such as no parked cars on the street overnight and limits on how long an RV can stay in a driveway.
Some HOAs restrict not only the kinds of animals allowed (no chickens, for example), but may limit the number and size of animals (like one dog or one cat, 25 lbs. or less) and restrict the permitted breeds.
If you love to celebrate Christmas à la Clark Griswold, check for the HOA rules about holiday decorations. Some associations don’t allow elaborate lighting and may limit when you can put decorations up and when they have to come down.
HOA Question #3: Are there style guidelines for homes and property?
Are you required to submit any changes to the house or landscaping to a review board? If you’re building a new home, do your blueprints need to be approved before you even break ground? Also check if there are rules as to materials used for decking and driveways, exterior paint colors, or even window size.
If going green is an essential part of your lifestyle, be sure to inquire if you’re allowed to compost, add solar panels, harvest rainwater, landscape with drought-resistant plants, or hang clothes outside to dry. Some associations don’t permit these kinds of things, even if they have a positive impact to the environment.
HOA Question #4: Who manages the HOA?
Some communities hire professional management, so a larger part of your monthly dues goes to administrative costs. Others rely on a volunteer board elected by the members of the HOA. This may be problematic if the most enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer doesn’t have the skills or experience to fill the role effectively. Learn how often the board meets and how decisions are made that affect the whole neighborhood. How much of a voice do you have as a member?
HOA Question #5: How are disputes handled?
Naturally, you don’t expect to have problems with your neighbors—but it does happen. Ideally, you’ll be able to work out minor nuisances directly, but if you can’t, what recourse to do you have?
Try to figure out if there are any potential problems by visiting the community on different days and at different times of day. Are there any obvious issues with noise or lighting? For example, does the neighborhood light nearby shine directly into the master bedroom of the house you’re considering? Does the neighbor across the street fire up his muscle car early Sunday mornings? If those things annoy you, you’ll want to know in advance what you’re facing—and how to deal with it through the HOA.
HOA Question #6: What kinds of neighborhood events does the HOA sponsor?
Some communities love to get together. Whether celebrating national holidays or monthly birthdays, some HOAs, like active adult communities, make it an event for everyone in the neighborhood. While attendance is optional, you may feel like a “party pooper” if you never join in. On the other hand, it shows that your neighbors are a close-knit group that enjoys each other’s company.
HOA Question #7: What participation requirements does the HOA have of members?
Some associations have certain expectations of members. For instance, each homeowner may be asked to volunteer a couple hours a month in the community garden. You’ll want to be informed in advance if your HOA assumes you'll take an active part in community projects like these.
HOA Question #8: Are home-based businesses permitted?
Many people work from home. But some HOAs strictly forbid businesses operated in the neighborhood. If your association has a blanket ban on commercial activities, then it’s possible that even a home office is not permitted. You may think you can keep your activity hidden, since clients and customers don’t come to your home, but it might not be worth the risk of getting caught violating the regulations.
HOA Question #9: Are rentals allowed?
If you're buying a home in a popular destination, you may be thinking about listing it as a vacation rental for extra income. Check not only the city and county regulations, but your HOA rules as well. Even if your city permits short-term rentals, your HOA may not.
HOAs generally try to regulate the sorts of things that affect property value. Ideally, the goal is to create a cohesive, well-kept community. Some associations may seem hyper-restrictive and others may not seem to have any power at all—so do your due diligence to understand the rules and expectations of your preferred community before falling in love with a home there.
Homes for Sale in HOA Communities in the Triangle
If you are interested in browsing homes for sale in the Triangle in HOA communities or without an HOA, follow the links below! Please click the button below to contact us if you have any questions, or want to learn more about a specific listing.