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I was looking around my old neighborhood and I have a new appreciation for the houses painted sherbet green and filled with lawn gnomes. These HOA subs look like everybody moved in yesterday and they're all moving out tomorrow. No individuality at all. But I guess some people like that. The Cubans for example.
I agree. When I'm home shopping any sort of HOA will be an instant deal breaker, at any price.
It's all about what's most important to you. If you don't want HOA's then look to the older neighborhoods and there are some nice older neighborhoods out there with large lots, especially in S/W Boise. I used to live in a beautiful ranch style home (built in 1976) on a heavily wooded 1 acre lot with a 3 car garage and separate shop. Neighbors were a comfortable distance away and no HOA's!
If you want a new home, then get used to the fact that there will be a homeowner's association, plain and simple. Or build something yourself outside of a subdivision. These are your choices and the reality of the situation.
HOA are a double-edged sword. They can make some positive contributions (ie making sure the neighbor doesn't allow his lawn to grow 3 feet high, stricter controls on pets or in the case of exclusive neighborhoods pay for community pool, tennis courts, etc.). However in most neighborhoods they are nothing more than a rip-off with ridiculous terms and limitations. I dodged the bullet when buying my home. My neighborhood sits up right next to a whole maze of subdivisions but it is on a cul-de-sac that is completely independent of the subdivision network. My neighborhood consists of a whopping 11 homes that were built in the mid-90s. So while they are not brand new they certainly aren't 40 year old homes. As such since the neighborhood is so small there is no HOA. So my recommendation is to try and find a small un-connected cul-de-sac in a newer developed area as you will be less likely to be part of the subdivision mess or HOA fees, etc.
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