Posted on: April 12, 2021 | by: Chloe Moore
Moving into a Homeowners Association Made Easier
Moving into a new home is an exciting moment. This is where you’ll grow your family, experience new life moments and spend relaxing evenings. However, when you move into a home with a homeowners association, or HOA community, it can come with some major changes and adjustments.
Tips for Moving into an HOA Community
Before moving into an HOA community, you may find yourself asking a lot of questions. What are the pros and cons? Is it that much different than living in a non-HOA community? What responsibilities should I know about? We’ve compiled a list of tips to help make moving into a homeowners association neighborhood a little bit easier and show you how to get the most out of your HOA.
1. Read the HOA Association Governing Documents.
It’s often joked that the greatest lie we all say in our lives is, “Yes, I have read the terms and conditions.” However, reading the governing documents thoroughly can make moving into an HOA community much easier. When you understand all the community rules, procedures and policies, you’ll better understand your role in the association and what is expected of you. This also means no hidden surprises in the future, which can greatly benefit your living experience.
2. Learn How to Contact the HOA or Management Company.
When you move into an HOA community, you could either be communicating with a self-managed community or a full-time management company. You’ll likely have questions, need a statement of your account, need proof of community insurance or have a work order request at some point during your residency. When that happens, you’ll need to know how to contact the management company, regardless of which type your community has.
3. Get Acquainted with the HOA Community’s ARC Application Process.
The ARC, or Architectural Review Committee, is the group that is responsible for reviewing and enforcing the community’s building guidelines. The last thing you want to experience when constructing a new deck is getting slapped with a fine or construction notice because you didn’t properly apply for the change with your homeowners association. Each HOA should have a specific ARC application process you’ll have to go through before any construction project takes place. Understanding this process can save you a lot of pain later.
4. Understand the HOA Fees.
Paying your homeowners association fees on time is one of your most important responsibilities as an HOA member. Most associations collect a fixed amount from each homeowner on a monthly or yearly basis to cover community services and amenities. However, they also may collect additional assessments for major repairs or improvements. So it’s important to know exactly what you need to pay each month as well as whether your HOA fees are up to date.
It’s also important to know how the HOA fee is used each month. If you’re going to pay money to the association each month, you should know what it’s doing to improve your experience there. Does it cover garbage collection or sewer fees? What about landscaping and the neighborhood swimming pool? Homeowners association fees can become a significant part of your budget, so make sure you know where your money is going. And keep in mind: These fees widely range from community to community, so this is something you’ll want to consider during the home buying process.
5. Learn How You Can Participate in HOA Meetings.
As part of an HOA neighborhood, you should know when all the community meetings are held and how to participate. This way, you can give input about the management services and how to make life even better in your community. These meetings also give insight to the financial condition of the association so you can be better informed about where your fees are going.
Make the Moving Process Easier with Find Self Storage
When you move into an HOA community, it often comes with a few rules — several of which concern what you can and cannot have on your property. If you find yourself with items you can’t keep in a visible area, turn to Find Self Storage in Louisiana and Texas. We offer solutions like boat storage, car storage for extra vehicles and even RV storage.
To get started, find a self storage location near you today!