What am I paying my HOA to do exactly?
How about some bookmark love? ::
When I'm answering questions for people interested in various pieces of Real Estate, one of the most common questions is, "What are the Home Owners' Association Dues?" That is usually followed very quickly by "What does this HOA do?" This is along the lines of thinking, "Why should I even be paying an HOA?"
Take for instance, the community of Lagunita, in South Laguna Beach. Since the community was started in the 1930's some of the homes there were built before the concept of an HOA came into existence. I have had many people guess that the HOA dues are simply to maintain the gated entrance of Lagunita, but I thought that it couldn't be around just for that reason. So I did some digging, and I actually found the HOA website for Lagunita. This gives me an idea of the levels of organization involved in getting construction plans approved in Lagunita at the level of the HOA.
By contrast, other communities such as Crest De Ville, in Laguna Niguel offer not only a gate with a guard, but extensive common areas, association pool, spa and BBQ, and with good reason their HOA dues are higher.
Some of the things that drive HOA dues:
Gated Community
Guard Gated Community
Community Landscaping (mostly in common areas)
Community Parking Enforcement
Association Amenities, such as an association pool, spa, or clubhouse
Maintenance of common buildings, (paint and utilities for the clubhouse)
If these things matter to you, then make sure to ask your real estate agent what the amenities are included, if any. If you could care less about them, then you may consider a different community that may have similar prices, and quality with a different (or fewer) items going into the cost behind the HOA dues.
Of course, when you find "The Home" that's just right, then all of this is secondary.
Take for instance, the community of Lagunita, in South Laguna Beach. Since the community was started in the 1930's some of the homes there were built before the concept of an HOA came into existence. I have had many people guess that the HOA dues are simply to maintain the gated entrance of Lagunita, but I thought that it couldn't be around just for that reason. So I did some digging, and I actually found the HOA website for Lagunita. This gives me an idea of the levels of organization involved in getting construction plans approved in Lagunita at the level of the HOA.
By contrast, other communities such as Crest De Ville, in Laguna Niguel offer not only a gate with a guard, but extensive common areas, association pool, spa and BBQ, and with good reason their HOA dues are higher.
Some of the things that drive HOA dues:
Gated Community
Guard Gated Community
Community Landscaping (mostly in common areas)
Community Parking Enforcement
Association Amenities, such as an association pool, spa, or clubhouse
Maintenance of common buildings, (paint and utilities for the clubhouse)
If these things matter to you, then make sure to ask your real estate agent what the amenities are included, if any. If you could care less about them, then you may consider a different community that may have similar prices, and quality with a different (or fewer) items going into the cost behind the HOA dues.
Of course, when you find "The Home" that's just right, then all of this is secondary.
Labels: Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel
