My wife was not very keen on buying in a HOA, especially when she when read all the rules listed in the CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions). The homes in our new community were very close together, vs our previous area were they were all on one acre or more lots. I said:"Imagine we wind up across the street from the worst neighbor in history....junk cars in the front setting on blocks, weeds and junk in the yard, house has peeling paint, and when he does paint...it's PURPLE with yellow trim! Now these rules tell him what he can't do". Suddenly those rules don't seem so restrictive. Everybody agrees there should be some restrictions, they only complain when the rules are applied to them.
My wife not only agreed to buy the house, but she's now the president of the board of directors of our 1,326 home HOA. A local HOA is only as good as the people involved in it. Anyone who complains about theirs should get involved. Sign up for a committe, run for the board. In our community, there is usually a shortage of volunteers. Anyone running for the board usually get elected.
