Researching HOA Fees? (real estate, condos, townhomes)

[QuietBlue]

I'm trying to find a good way to research monthly fees/dues for homeowner associations, and am coming up short. I'm mainly interested in condos and townhomes, but information on single-family homes could be useful too. But other than looking up the information on real estate listing websites and the MLS, I don't know of an easy way to do this.

Basically, I'm trying to compare different associations and what their fees are. I know there can be a lot of variation based on what's covered, amenities, etc. and am keeping that in mind.

[1stpontiac]

I'd be surprised if there is an easy way to do this. When I was on a HoA board (in a different state), there wasn't really anywhere we had to report our dues or what they covered. Not really any government oversight or anything that would have had a repository.

Although, you could start with the local realtors association. They might keep a database based on places their members have helped sell/buy. Or they might be able to point you toward some surveys on the topic.

[QuietBlue]

Thanks for the suggestion. Yeah, that's what I was afraid of, in regards to there being no central repository of information. I've toyed with the idea of creating one myself, just as a public service to people.

I'm not looking to buy a property right now; I'm mainly looking for the averages for various types of developments in case I were to ever sell my condo and to keep my HOA accountable.

[golfgal]

There are very few single family home developments in MN that HOA which is why you probably can't find information on those. Townhomes/condos have to have an HOA by law. Usually the fees are listed with the house listing online, but not always. Our son is looking to buy a townhome and fees have generally been between $150-200/month depending on what all they cover.