If you live in Scottsdale, AZ or any of the surrounding towns in the east valley such as Mesa, Fountain Hills or Glendale, AZ you are probably aware that many, if not most, of the communities that you may purchase a home are managed by Homeowners Associations (HOA’s). If you are thinking about buying a primary residence, an investment property or a second home/vacation home in Scottsdale (or anywhere in greater Phoenix, AZ for that matter), the amount of control, regulation and monthly cost is an important decision when deciding whether to buy a home.

Depending on the community, a Homeowners Association can be run by the homeowner’s in the community (usually on a volunteer basis) or an independent firm. Typically non-single family homes HOA fees  include maintenance of the exterior of the home. Exterior paint, exterior landscaping, community pools, sanitation, driveways etc. are usually paid for by the HOA. HOA’s for single family homes typically do not cover exterior paint and landscaping, therefore are usually lower  than HOA’s on attached homes. Maintenance of lights, common areas, sidewalks, walking trails, sanitation etc. are usually covered under the HOA for single family residences.

Homeowner Associations can have rules, regulations and bylaws concerning everything from what type of horticulture a property owner can be grow to the color of paint on the exterior of the home. All aspects of an HOA need to be explored before purchasing a home to insure that the property owner is in agreement with the fees, rules and regulations of the community.   If you are purchasing a part-time or vacation home, you may want to take advantage of the exterior maintenance covered by the HOA of an attached home. Whereas, if you are a full time resident, you may not want to pay the additional fees associated with the maintenance of an attached home. When considering a home purchase, the HOA needs to be taken into serious account in order to accommodate the needs of the homeowner.

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Copyright © 2010 By Kellen Britt, GRI *HOA or No HOA? … that is the question!*

Contact Kellen Britt (480) 298-0133  for all your Scottsdale AZ Real Estate needs.