HOA Dues (Phoenix: hoa fees, insurance, upkeep)

[mesha73]

Can someone explain what these are? And does everyone pay some type of dues in Arizona?

[sh9730]

It stands for Homeowners Association Dues. Many (especially newer subdivisions) home developments (all over, not just AZ) have these and each homeowner pays into the fund monthly to maintain common areas that benefit the entire community such as "tot lots", walking/bike trails etc.

Homeowners associations are also charged with enforcing "mutually" agreed upon restrictions as to what any homeowner in the community can do with there house...things as small as what color you have to paint your fences, to bigger things like when you can add a room to your house etc. Most CCRs (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions) are quite lengthy and difficult to read. The idea is that by enforcing these agreements, the communities will be more livable for all, and property values are maintained. The disadvantage is you dont have "carte blanche" to do whatever you want with your house/property.

This thread will most likely start a whole topic of those that like HOAs, and those that dont. As a matter of fact there was an entire thread just a few days ago on this topic so do a search and you should find it.

Im ambivalent on the issue...I like some things about HOAs, and dont like other aspects....overall I like them more than dislike....

Oh, also you can avoid these dues and the associated rules by moving into a naborhood that does not have them...typically these are older developments/naborhoods.

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by mesha73

Can someone explain what these are? And does everyone pay some type of dues in Arizona?

sh9730 explained them well. I'll add my commentary.

In Arizona, you have a generally weak government because the state historically preferred minimal government interference. But some people didn't like how their neighbors were living in their house (concerned it was causing the value of their house to go down) so they created private governments called a homeowners association.

The HOA dues are basically a supplementary tax you pay on your house to a private government to enforce rules that are more strict than the real government can get away with. We'd never put up with the city sending people out to check and see if we put away our trash can by midnight on garbage day, but the HOA is empowered to do that as a private government. We'd never tolerate our city or state legislature mandating the color we can paint our house, but we empower the HOA to do the same thing.

I am a Phoenix expatriate after living there for three years, now living in Seattle. Our county government is so empowered up here (we pays lots of taxes and get lots of rules in return) that the govern us almost as strictly as the HOAs in Phoenix.

[Arizona Bound]

it's pretty basic... go thru a neighborhood that has a home owners association, and look at how nice the homes are kept.. nice yards, no
junk lying around, no cars sitting up on blocks, no homes painted purple
with orange trim lol. They all usually have community clubhouses with things
like a library, pool tables, work-out room. They usually have a community pool as well. If you are paying more than $160 a month in HOA fees.. you
are paying to much.
The idea in having to pay these fee's is so the community stays clean. It pays for the upkeep of the common area's, pays for the upkeep of the community clubhouse and pool. "SOME" communities even go as far as to
include lawncare (mowing-trimming) depending what part of the country you
live in. My brother lives in Florida.. his HOA fees include lawn care, basic cable, water, sewer, and trash pickup.

The downside to a home owners association is things like wanting to maybe
add-on to your home down the road.. change paint color, fencing, add a garage, storage shed/workshop, change or add flower gardens/trees.
Most new communities are limited from the get-go because of the lot size to begin with, much smaller lots these days. All N' All... they do help keep the area nice and property values up... especially when you have lazy/trashy neighbors.. lol!

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by mesha73

Can someone explain what these are? And does everyone pay some type of dues in Arizona?

I've gotta disagree with a few points made so far, Mesha.

The term "supplementary tax" is a little misleading . . . a better term would be a "utility" as they usually cover routine expenses in addition to the enforcement of the rules and regulations.

For example, the HOA dues (103 bucks a month) for my Patio Home includes a blanket insurance policy with State Farm covering the structure (not the interior) as well as water and trash pick-up plus the maintenance of the common grounds including the pool area. Overall, I consider my dues a positive and the rules do help eliminate the negatives frequently associated with uncaring and disrespectful neighbors.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH

[mdtoaz]

Originally Posted by Arizona Bound

If you are paying more than $160 a month in HOA fees.. you
are paying to much.

Ouch!! I'm glad I don't live in your neighborhood!! My HOA fees are $110 every quarter.

[sablebaby]

Originally Posted by mdtoaz

Ouch!! I'm glad I don't live in your neighborhood!! My HOA fees are $110 every quarter.

lol, ouch, mine are $120 twice a year!

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by Arizona Bound

If you are paying more than $160 a month in HOA fees . . . you are paying to much.

I could not agree more, Arizona Bound . . . depending on the services included with the dues.

[mesha73]

Thank you all for the information. Believe it or not so far I like the idea of these fees especially if it keeps out the rif-raf. I wish we had these where I live now because my neighbors keep their lawn ornaments from Christmas until now. I hate it, it makes my yard look dirty.

[mdtoaz]

Originally Posted by mesha73

Thank you all for the information. Believe it or not so far I like the idea of these fees especially if it keeps out the rif-raf. I wish we had these where I live now because my neighbors keep their lawn ornaments from Christmas until now. I hate it, it makes my yard look dirty.

Maybe they're just really early for this year?