HOA Turn me loose Set me Free………………..

Growing up several miles outside of a small town in eastern Oklahoma, I and those that I knew had an inherent distrust and distaste for any kind of gratuitous rules or authorities. We were country folks with a suspicious eye towards anyone trying to control our lives. But as often happens I grew older and began to see things from a different perspective. The idea of a Home Owner’s Association seems to resonate to our deepest notions of society, decency, freedom and collective rights vs. individual rights. To some there is no greater violation then to be micro-managed in the affairs of one’s own castle. To other’s there is no greater transgression then to have one’s greatest possession degraded by another’s poor behavior. These feelings about one’s home are at their root emotional and personal.

Being more pragmatic than before, I can see there is merit to both sides of the HOA debate. As a real estate professional I can now see how a Home Owner’s Association is necessary to maintain the aesthetics and values of a neighborhood However, left in the hands of extremists the rules can become unduly burdensome and trivial. So, how do we strike a balance? How do we find that harmony of different styles? There are a couple of ways.

First, the choice to purchase a home should always have as one of its components an understanding of the neighborhood being considered. Be sure to review all neighborhood docs. These may include the declaration, certificate of incorporation, and by-laws. Now, this is where you have to be honest. Many times I have observed people who liked the idea of a neighborhood with a strictly enforced HOA but when it is truly considered they discovered that it was not a comfortable way for them to live. If this is the situation you find yourself in then it is best to find a home in a neighborhood that is more accommodating to your lifestyle.

Secondly, it must be remembered that you as an owner in a neighborhood with a Home Owners Association are in fact a part of the HOA. The leaders within your association did not rise to power through some sort of military coup d’état. Instead they often are there by default. In the absence of active participation you may end up with a neighborhood that is uncomfortable. However, through a proactive stance you can help ensure that your neighborhood is the neighborhood you always dreamed it would be.

I have recently witnessed here in Near Northwest Oklahoma City some very positive results from formations of new Home Owners’ Associations and resurgences of existing Home Owners’ Associations. When executed properly with neighborly people they can add immensely to the quality of one’s life.

I am now going to conclude my introduction to this debate because what I really want is to hear from you, the citizens of your respective microcosms of our fair city. Tell us what you like about your association or absence thereof. Tell us what you don’t like. Tell us what you would like to see improved. Make it good and we will share your opinions with your fellow citizens in our monthly publication, “My Neighbor”.

If you’re looking to buy or sell a house, be sure to visit us at www.PaulaAndCompany.com!