An HOA is a non-profit organization formed by a group of homeowners in a residential community to manage and maintain common areas and amenities, enforce community rules and regulations, and collect fees or dues from members to cover these expenses.

Common areas are areas within a residential community, such as tennis courts, pickle ball courts, tot lots, clubhouses, walking paths, and other shared spaces.

HOA fees are recurring fees paid by homeowners to the HOA to cover the cost of managing and maintaining common areas and amenities. Examples of fees can include expenses such as landscaping, security, insurance, and utilities.

• HOA rules are a set of guidelines and regulations that homeowners must follow within the community. These rules can cover a wide range of topics, such as noise levels, parking, pet ownership, and home maintenance standards. Violation of these rules can result in fines or other penalties.

HOA decisions are made by a board of directors elected by the homeowners. The board is responsible for making decisions on behalf of the community, including setting and enforcing rules, approving budgets and expenditures, and hiring and managing vendors.

In most cases, no. When you purchase a property in an HOA, you become a member of the association and are required to follow the rules and pay the fees.

Benefits of living in an HOA community can include access to shared amenities, increased property values due to well-maintained common areas, and a sense of community and belonging. HOAs can also provide a framework for resolving disputes and enforcing community standards.