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Homeowner Associations – Pros & Cons

When you are looking for a home, you will come across many Homeowners Associations (HOA) and might be wondering if they are for you. There are about 26 million homes across the country that are part of an HOA, according to Community Associations Institute.

Living inside an HOA means there are fees that help maintain common areas and community offerings, therefore you will need to know the amount of the fee and what it includes to help you decide if it’s worth living within an HOA. It is also meaningful to know the individual’s HOA’s rules which you must follow if you choose to purchase a home there. Association regulations are made to protect property values.

Pros: A few pros of owning a home within an HOA are the amenities, appearance of the community, and the management’s help with issues. Find out what amenities that association includes (such as tennis courts, walking trails, pool, dog park, etc.) and see if the fee makes sense to you. Homeowner’s associations can maintain property value by making sure there are regulations with lawn care, snow removal, common areas, and more. Also, if there is a dispute over a tree or dog barking, you can report the issue to the management and they will handle it for you.

Cons: The HOA could potentially spring new assessment fees on you, especially if an HOA is underfunded. The HOA may also prevent you from renting your place so make certain to check out all of the regulations. In addition, HOA’s can limit where you park or a decorative piece you might want to put out on your lawn.

In the end, being governed by an HOA is a personal choice to be weighed by the homeowner. If you have a concern about something that’s particularly important to you, be careful to read all of the regulations before buying your home. Remember that HOA’s are there to help your property value and any issues you may have. Also, you can become involved with the HOA in order to have a voice in these decisions. So, make sure you consider both sides of the case before buying your dream home!

Posted in: Northern Virginia Market

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Testimonials

Candace came in with some very valid and good suggestions to help us with selling our home. She priced it accurately and took our feedback into account while doing so. She put together beautiful marketing materials including stunning photos of our home that made it appear to be from a magazine cover. She was persistent in her discussions and follow ups with potential buyers agents. She sold our house in the dead of winter in under 30 days thanks to Candace.
Chris & Jen S.
My wife and I worked with Candace Moe between March and August 2014, eventually selling our home in Oak Hill, VA (zip – 20171) during a very difficult selling period. There were several external factors that resulted in the extended sales cycle. First, was the sale of a comparable house on the same block for an extremely high price. That sale took place immediately before the downturn and was the basis for our initial asking price. Secondly, the bottom fell out of the market for homes in our pri… Read more
Chip & Sharon P.
Candace is incredibly personable. She is extremely busy because she is that good, but when you are with her you feel like you are the most important client she has. She is proactive with your account and IF she doesn’t answer when you call, she is very timely in getting back to you. I have used Candace on several buys/sells and refered her to many close friends…all of whom had the same experience as I. I would recommend her to anyone. She is amazing.
DJ & Leighera Leffin
We have used Candace and her team for the purchase of a townhouse, the sale of the same townhouse a few years later, and the purchase of a single family home. Each time, she was professional, courteous and she gave us excellent service. She knows the local area well as well as the market. I would highly recommend using her.
Sarika & Vince V.
After purchasing a couple homes over the last few years I have not experienced better service in a realtor than Chelle! She goes above and beyond to ensure you get the exact house you really want and is there providing her expertise throughout all parts of the process. She takes extreme pride in doing so and you will not find a more sincere and genuine realtor or person in the DC area!
Cal R.
Chelle was an invaluable asset to me. We were relocating without being able to physically see a property. Her knowledge of the area and expertise were what I needed to point me towards the right home for us. I highly recommend her! Thanks Chelle for your care and attention! ~ 3/31/2015 (See review on Zillow)
Home RenterWashington, DC area
Candace is The Best. She went above the call of duty regarding selling my house and especially when purchasing my new home, i.e. negotiating with a difficult seller. Candace is one of the most professional realtors in the area and always has a smile on her face. It was a pleasure dealing with her and with The Girls of Real Estate.
Sheryl W.
Candace was great to work with during the sale of our condo. She always kept us informed and was very pleasant to work with. Candace and her team have innovative ideas and are hard workers. We would feel comfortable using their services again.
Stu & Jane Y.
Chelle helped my husband and I find a rental property when we were first transferred to DC…we liked her so much, we reached out to her 2 years later to help us find a home in the area to purchase. Chelle is knowledgable about the area, professional, 100% responsive, and absolutely reliable. Not only did she help us view homes in the area, she was there for us through every step of the way through the offer, contract, closing – and we still keep in touch through our renovation process! I would hi… Read more
Stacy T.
I have worked with Chelle on numerous occasions, once personally for my own home, followed by helping my Company acquire another property for our Elite Executives. She gave me complete confidence in the whole process, and helped guide me through my biggest investment. I love my home and look forward to working with her in the future.
Becky M.

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