Should You Really Rule Out HOAs When Buying A Home?
If I had a dollar for every time a buyer told me, “We don’t want an HOA,” I could probably cover a year’s worth of HOA dues myself! And I get it. Homeowners Associations have a reputation. Rules. Fees. The fear of someone telling you what color your front door can be. For many buyers I work with here in Nashville, “no HOA” lands high on the must-have list right alongside things like a fenced yard or extra storage.
But here’s what I’ve learned after working in real estate for several years: automatically ruling out homes with HOAs can mean missing out on a home that actually fits your lifestyle better than you expect.
HOAs aren’t for everyone, and luckily Nashville has plenty of neighborhoods without them. Still, before you cross every HOA-governed property off your list, it’s worth taking a closer look at what they really offer, and what they don’t.
Let’s Clear Up a Few HOA Myths
Not all HOAs are created equal. This is the biggest misconception I see. Some HOAs are incredibly hands-off, collecting a modest annual fee and focusing on shared upkeep. Others are more structured, with detailed rules and amenities. Lumping them all into one category does buyers a real disservice.
A few myths I hear often:
“HOAs are overly controlling.”
Some can be, but many are surprisingly reasonable and exist mainly to provide shared spaces and maintain property upkeep.
“They’re always expensive.”
HOA fees vary widely. So you always need to look at what the fee covers. For instance, with a condo/townhome, you might see a higher HOA fee, but that fee often covers a lot of the exterior maintenance and sometimes more - costing less than what you might spend maintaining those items yourself.
“They don’t add any real value.”
For the right buyer, they absolutely do.
Why HOAs Can Actually Be a Good Thing
Many buyers tell me they want things like sidewalks or the peace of mind that their neighbor isn’t letting their home fall into disrepair. Ironically, those are exactly the benefits HOAs are designed to support.
Here’s where HOAs can shine:
1. Consistent neighborhood upkeep
HOAs often handle lawn care in common areas, exterior maintenance for townhomes or condos, and shared landscaping. They also can have requirements for individual property upkeep. This consistency can help protect property appearances and reduce friction between neighbors.
2. Sidewalks, green space, and shared amenities
Sidewalks, walking trails, playgrounds, pools and green spaces don’t maintain themselves. HOAs help make these features possible and sustainable for homeowners to enjoy for the long haul.
3. Less on your personal to-do list
For buyers who travel frequently, work long hours, or simply don’t want to spend weekends on yard work, communities with HOA-provided maintenance can be a real lifestyle upgrade.
4. Clear expectations
Rules aren’t always fun, but clarity can be comforting. Knowing what’s allowed and what’s not can help avoid surprises or frustrations down the road.
The Real Question Isn’t “HOA or No HOA”
The better question is: Does this HOA align with how you want to live?
Some buyers thrive in HOA communities. Others feel boxed in. Neither is wrong.
What matters is understanding:
What the HOA actually covers?
How restrictive (or flexible) the rules are?
Do the fees feel reasonable for the benefits provided?
This is where working with a buyer’s agent becomes especially valuable. Evaluating HOA documents, budgets, rules and long-term health of an HOA takes experience, and it’s not something most buyers want to navigate alone.
You don’t need to become an HOA expert overnight. That’s part of what we’re here for. If you’re starting a home search and feeling unsure about HOAs, let’s talk it through. Sometimes a short conversation can save you from ruling out a great home too soon.
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