HOA Guides
Plain-English guides to how HOAs actually work — what your dues pay for, where the rules come from, how boards are supposed to operate, and what your options are when something goes wrong. Start with the question you have, then look up your own HOA to see what homeowners there actually say.
Find Your HOA by Address
Find your HOA by address, then search it by name to see real homeowner reviews, fees, rules, and complaints — before you buy or move in.
Read the guideWhat Is an HOA? A Plain-English Guide
What is an HOA, how does it work, and what does it actually control? A plain-English guide to homeowners associations — fees, rules, boards, and your rights.
Read the guideHow HOA Fees Work (And Why They Keep Going Up)
How HOA fees are calculated, what they cover, why they go up, and how to check if your dues are reasonable before you buy.
Read the guideCan You Sue Your HOA? What Homeowners Need to Know
Can you sue your HOA? A homeowner's guide to what counts as valid grounds, what to try first, and how to find an HOA attorney if it comes to that.
Read the guideHOA Selective Enforcement: What It Is and What You Can Do
What HOA selective enforcement looks like, why it happens, and the steps to document and challenge it — including when it crosses into illegal discrimination.
Read the guideHOA Special Assessments Explained
What an HOA special assessment is, when it's legal, how much homeowners typically pay, and how to challenge one that seems improper.
Read the guideHOA Reserve Funds: Why They Matter More Than the Fee Itself
What an HOA reserve fund is, why it matters more than the monthly fee, how to check if yours is healthy, and the warning signs of an underfunded one.
Read the guideHOA Board of Directors: Roles, Responsibilities, and Accountability
What the HOA board of directors actually does, common board positions and duties, and how to hold a board accountable when it isn't performing.
Read the guideUnderstanding HOA Rules and Regulations
What HOA rules typically cover, where they come from (CC&Rs vs bylaws vs rules & regs), and what an HOA legally can't enforce.
Read the guideBuying a Home With an HOA vs. Without One
Buying a home with an HOA vs. without one — the real tradeoffs in cost, control, and community upkeep, and how to evaluate an HOA before you commit.
Read the guide
Know the guides. Now check the HOA.
None of this tells you how your specific association behaves. Reviews from the people living there do.