Buckle up Kiddo's this article is going to be a long one. TL/DR at bottom. A July 2022 study of HOA's in the US produced some interesting statistics. Here's a sampling:
Approximately 26% of the US population lives in HOA communities. That is to say...
Over 74 million people in the US live in a homeowner association community.
Houses in HOAs are worth 5-6% more than similar homes outside of HOAs.
Typical HOA membership fees for single-family homeowners is $200-$300/month.
In Florida, 44.5% of the population lives in an HOA.
Another source shows 44.8% of Florida lives in an HOA and that represents 25.1% of Florida's homeowner's or an estimated 3.71 million homes.
A quote about the Single-family homeowners: $200-$300/month fees is as follows:
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WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT ANY OF THAT?
I'll try my best to summarize and distill the facts provided above, into what is relevant, for you:
Having an HOA keeps your property values higher than if you didn't have one.
We have rules maintaining property standards and neighborhood curb appeal
We have rules that prevents us having RV's, boats and work trucks parked on driveways and front yards.
We have a clubhouse and pool for recreation, community togetherness and events.
We pay attention to things that might affect you, our neighbors and either act on them for you or advise you of them.
Fairway Springs HOA monthly dues are so low that we are below the $50/month quoted above.
You are not alone. Nearly half of Florida lives in an HOA and they are most likely paying a lot more for theirs than you are.
Let's just for one minute, look at items 1 through 3, above, and consider some arguments against each one:
It's the schools and the local amenities, shopping and restaurants that keep my property value high, not the HOA.
I don't like the rules. I keep getting fined. The fines are too high.
It's so much more convenient for vacations, day trips and work if I can keep these vehicles at my home.
I have my own pool. I don't use the clubhouse why am I paying for it? I don't want to attend events.
I do my own research. I know what's best for me. The Board doesn't reflect or represent my interests.
The dues are too much for what I get from them. I can't afford the dues as they are.
Those neighborhoods paying more have more for their residents. Don't go building arguments for raising them by comparing us.
Now, let's get brutally honest for a moment and counter those arguments. Yes, this part is going to sting for some of you.
The schools and amenities, plus proximity to the major airport are precisely why people want to live here in this part of New Port Richey. They are excellent reasons and based off the Pasco2050 Comprehensive Plan update, showing a nearly doubling of our population over the next 27 years, will only continue to get better and better. Where you live has some of the biggest lots, widest roads, lowest dues (with no surprise assessments) AND a clubhouse. People will pay a premium for what you have versus the alternative. A 5%-6% premium because it is in a deed restricted, beauty protected, actively engaging, HOA governed address, is a profitable kicker. (5% of $300K is an extra $15K)
RULES: If you don't like the rules, you have two options. 1 - move to a neighborhood that doesn't have them or 2 - get involved with the Board to help change them. If you keep getting fined, change your time and/or money prioritizations - you have an obligation to the upkeep of your property to a minimum standard. You can also move or engage with the Board. If the fines are too high, don't get them. You are accountable and responsible. Homeownership responsibilities extend beyond simply buying and living in the home. If you don't want maintenance obligations, move to a condo or to a neighborhood that will let you do what you want.
RV's, BOATS & WORK TRUCKS: You moved to a neighborhood that doesn't permit them, or has restrictions about them. You knew that, when you purchased in a deed restricted neighborhood. If you argue that "my realtor didn't tell me", then that's on you. You are accountable for your own due diligence. The same two options are open to you. You have the freedom to live elsewhere or engage with the Board.
POOL/CLUBHOUSE: The great part about our freedoms of speech and freedoms of choice means that we do not have to mix and socialize if we don't want to. The great part about our deed restrictions is that what we do, applies equally to all homeowners. Dues? equally divided across 406 homes. Use of the pool? equally applied across 406 homes. Use of the clubhouse? equally applied across 406 homes. Invitations to events? Well, you get the picture. Using or attending is your personal choice; to or not to. You have the same two options as the other answers, if you still want to live here, it's encouraged to engage with the Board.
OF INTEREST: If the Board doesn't represent your interests, are you engaging with them? Or just complaining? You had a variety of properties in a variety of neighborhoods, both with and without HOA's, but you chose here. It sounds like you are a smart, resourceful neighbor. Perhaps the HOA would be better with you on it? Perhaps you can bring about change that aligns with your interests?
If the dues are too high, perhaps moving into an HOA controlled, deed restricted community wasn't the right choice, for you. If you feel that you are not benefitting from the expenditure, I encourage looking at neighborhoods without an HOA and comparing the aesthetics of the entrance to our neighborhood and around our clubhouse and pool. Do non-HOA neighborhoods, even have a clubhouse or a pool? You say you don't want to use it or attend any events, that's fine, you are free to make those choices, but HOA's with those facilities distribute the cost of having them across it's members.
It is true that some neighborhoods, have parks, trails, playspaces, clubhouses and pools. In some cases they also have staff, full restaurants and a litany of activities for homeowners of all ages and abilities. I assure you that they all pay exponentially more than homeowners in Fairway Springs do. In the newer neighborhoods, like Starkey Ranch for example, not only do they pay an HOA fee, most are paying a CDD fee and they are still being hit by annual assessments to address issues that their reserves will not cover. Anywhere that has clubs and restaurants, charges more for the use of some facilities, based on usage. By the way, we can have a park, trails, playspaces and even a half basketball court, along with gardens and a picnic area. I've shared a half baked thought about it already. Perhaps you can engage with the Board to help it come to life. Yes, it will cost us more, but also, yes, it will help our property prices more as we become a more desirable place to live.
By now, if you are still reading, you'll be sitting in one of three camps:
You'll either be incensed or insulted that I've suggested you move or engage with the board. It's only to be expected. Some unavoidable facts hit hard and I'm unapologetically pulling no punches. If you can't or won't move, please engage with the board or come to peace with your lot.
You're OK with living in the HOA, have no complaints with costs, amenities or the Board but you are disgusted and offended on behalf of those I've just spoken honestly and firmly to. It needed saying for the benefit of the whole. I'm a big boy, I'll deal with your disappointment in me. This piece is about accountability, responsibility and choice? Consider that I might be the bad guy for bringing it up.
You agree with everything/most/some I've said but want to know where I'm going with this.
Let's wrap then.
All those HOA's in Florida, that all of those people are living in, and paying for. Who's running them? Research by South Florida Law, PLLC tells us that 35% are managed by volunteers from the community while 65% are managed by professional community management companies.
As of today we, Fairway Springs Homeowners Association, Inc., have a Board made up of volunteers AND we utilize the services of a property management company. One costs, the other doesn't.
The one that doesn't cost money can not be sustained. There is just too much to do and there are way too few volunteers prepared to do it.
The one that can do the work, costs a lot, lot more than we are paying today, will treat our community like a business, not like neighbors, has a vested interest in revenue growth for them and not property value growth and quality of life for you.
The third choice, is the disbanding of our HOA altogether. That'll come with legal costs and filings, the appointment of a receiver at $200+/hour (likely paid for from our reserves) to appropriately manage the future of our cash and assets and the abandonment of aesthetic and quality of life rules, leading to declining property values.
The HOA Board, and by extension, the neighborhood, faces an existential crisis, brought about by the conflicting forces of absence of volunteers and no desire to pay more to live here.
You have a clear choice from three options:
Step up and volunteer to help -or-
Pay up: Things just cost money when they aren't provided for free -or-
Pack up. I'd hate to see anyone go. I love this neighborhood and its people. I just wish that those of you benefitting from everything Fairway Springs has to offer would take a moment to realize just what it takes, behind the scenes, and financially, for it to be that way.
Please take to the comments below, with feedback, comments, suggestions, vitriol, praise or even cooking recipes. My hope is that we engage in dialogue to continue to improve our neighborhood and maximize our enjoyment of life while we are here.
This article represents my research and my opinions, alone. I am but one voice in one of 406 homes in the neighborhood. I'd love to hear yours.
Richard
Too Long / Didn't Read. Nearly half of Florida lives in HOA's and it's unavoidable. Practically every HOA pays more than we do. 65% of HOA's are run by a faceless property management company with no vested interest in the community. Follow the rules, take accountability and responsibility for your property. Stop complaining about things unless you've exhausted all the ways to make it better, like engaging with the Board, becoming a volunteer or joining the Board. We all have choices. We can live elsewhere, where it's more suitable for how we want or will afford to live, we can volunteer to help, join or engage with the Board to help keep costs down or we simply accept that living in a deed restricted, safe, beautiful neighborhood in an area, with high population growth, costs money when you have no volunteers. |
Appendix
This image from the Pasco2050 Comprehensive Plan Update - Guiding future growth in Pasco County shows that where we live will experience a population growth that nearly doubles where we are today (91% increase), in the County over the coming 27 years. The county is keen to hear from every resident, so I encourage you all to sign up and engage in their surveys and the public hearings starting in April 2023.
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