Email Mike Email
Residential Real Estate
Jul 24, 2019

Advice for New Homeowners in HOA Communities

Sponsored Content provided by Mike Stonestreet - Founder, CAMS (Community Association Management Services)

With all the new construction in the Wilmington area and throughout our great state, it comes as no surprise that we are seeing increases in the number of homeowners’ associations (HOAs). HOAs are outstanding resources for residents and oftentimes a huge draw for potential homebuyers.
 
Statistics show that North Carolina is one of the top five states with the most HOAs, coming in behind Illinois, Texas, California and Florida. Some 2,830,000 North Carolina residents live in communities governed by HOAs, with 96,000 of those individuals volunteering with their HOA boards and committees.
 
From a legal perspective, there are really two types of HOAs: those for condominiums, and those for everything else that can be defined as a planned community. There are townhomes, garden homes, lifestyle communities, retirement/independent living communities - we’ve even managed a campground. Marinas are now getting into the HOA mix as well, treating boat owners like single family homeowners.
 
Residents in these different types of communities rely on their HOAs to manage  two main functions: maintaining common areas and following the HOA governing documents (rules of the community). There are multiple benefits to this which many new homeowners may not realize. At the top of the list is keeping the community and the properties therein clean and attractive, free of clutter, garbage and things like extra vehicles or even boats. This aids considerably in maintaining the property values within a community.
 
Another benefit is shared costs for services like lawn maintenance, weed and insect control and landscaping. Whereas an individual homeowner who doesn’t live in an HOA community might be paying standard rates for such services, HOAs can present opportunities for group rates which can be much lower.
 
Communities with HOAs also have the opportunity to provide amazing amenities like pools, tennis courts, playgrounds, workout facilities, fishing ponds, clubhouses and boating access to residents that might not be available to standalone homes in non-HOA neighborhoods. Some of the communities we manage at CAMS have amenity packages in the millions of dollars.
 
The kinds of amenities supported by an HOA vary. Homebuyers should check with their real estate agent and closing attorney to see if the property they are looking to buy is in a community with an HOA. Every HOA is required to record their declarations of covenants in the county where the community is located; that said, not every HOA is proactive and transparent in publishing these documents (and others) on the internet.
 
Even with all the benefits, some potential homebuyers simply do not want to be part of a community with an HOA. Sometimes they ask if it’s possible to opt out of an HOA. In a community with an HOA, the only way to do that is not to buy in the first place.
 
That said, in a few HOAs there are certain elements of HOA provided services that homeowners can opt out of, like lawn maintenance. It all depends on what is available through the HOA. Some of the larger communities have “master associations” with sub-associations that can have different services for individual neighborhoods within the community.
 
To find out exactly what options are available, a homeowner should make an effort to request a copy of his or her HOAs declarations, bylaws, rules and regulations as well as copies of the budget and financial statement. If a homeowner has an issue with a neighbor who seems to be in violation of HOA rules, the best course of action is to report the violation, not to confront the neighbor directly. We recommend doing this in an email for the quickest response. Many times, neighbors complaining about a violation come to find out that the alleged violation isn’t actually covered by the HOA bylaws or covenants.
 
We recommend staying on top of HOA happenings by checking the HOA website, reading newsletters, and once in a while showing up at HOA board meetings (North Carolina law requires a portion of some HOA board meetings be open to homeowner comments). Volunteering on committees or running for the board of directors is another great way to stay abreast of issues and get to know your neighbors.
 
Mike Stonestreet is a 30-year veteran of the professional HOA management industry who has achieved one of the highest education-based designations in the field, that of Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM). Community Association Management Services (CAMS) has been a leading association management company since its inception in 1991. CAMS is a trusted provider of management services, dedicated to holding themselves to a higher standard of service to the community associations they serve throughout North Carolina and South Carolina. To find out how CAMS can benefit your community or visit www.CAMSmgt.com.
 

Other Posts from Mike Stonestreet

Gwbjbizmaginsightsblockad300x250px
Ico insights

INSIGHTS

SPONSORS' CONTENT
Cfss headshots parker robert webversion 21422121214

The Latest Solar Scams and What You Can Do to Help Stop Them

Robert Parker - Cape Fear Solar Systems
Untitleddesign2 9202334730

Best in the State: Providing Quality Care to Medicare and Medicaid Patients Allows Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Reinvest in Community

Novant Health - New Hanover Regional Medical Center Novant Health
Pfinder john zachary

What You Need to Know About SECURE 2.0 and Its Effect on Individual Retirement Accounts

John B Zachary - Pathfinder Wealth Consulting

Trending News

Conservation Group Signs $8M Deal To Buy The Point On Topsail Island

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

Rezoning Could Bring 123 Townhomes To Growing Leland Corridor

Emma Dill - Mar 25, 2024

N.C. Ports Officials React To Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Audrey Elsberry - Mar 26, 2024

Engineering Firm Hires Four Employees

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

National Organization Bestows Top Award On Cape Fear Professional Women In Building

Staff Reports - Mar 26, 2024

In The Current Issue

Berries, A Battlefield And More In Pender

The N.C. Blueberry Festival, founded in 2003, is one of several events in Pender County that have drawn more attention over the years....


Topsail-area Realtors Share Updates

Pender County Realtors recently shared updates about the coastal market at an event hosted by the Wilmington-Cape Fear Home Builders Associa...


Hacking Cyberdefense Shortage

A shortage of cybersecurity professionals influenced professor Ulku Clark and her team to slowly evolve UNCW’s offerings to now include eigh...

Book On Business

The 2024 WilmingtonBiz: Book on Business is an annual publication showcasing the Wilmington region as a center of business.

Order Your Copy Today!


Galleries

Videos

2023 Power Breakfast: Major Developments