Need HOA Fee (real estate, to rent, HOA fees) - Tampa Bay - Florida (FL) -Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater - City-Data Forum

cyndisims007 · 09-11-2009, 02:04 PM

I have found a townhouse I'm interested in buying, but no Homeowners Association fees are listed on the website. I called the number who is the broker, but he told me I need a real estate agent to get the HOA fee. Is this true? I have a real esate agent, but it's not through the one listed on the townhome's website. How can I get the info for the HOA fee?

Mike1306 · 09-11-2009, 02:08 PM

If you have an agent just have them call.

bentlebee · 09-11-2009, 05:24 PM

You can get it without an agent. I always have done it without one...since many times the listed HOA fees on the MLS are outdated.

Ask who the management company is and call them. I never was refused to hear the amount of HOA fees...you probably won't be able to obtain the rules and regulations upfront but you could and should ask many questions about things that are important to you about a HOA. What is restricted and what not...are you allowed to rent out your home, what are the yard rules, what changes need to be approved by the HOA, what is incl in the HOA fees (ins. could be incl in case of a Villa or Town Home), etc...

Most employees at HOA's/managements companies are very friendly and helpful.

Call your self so you know you ask the questions that are important to you and that you don't get in the situation of surprise later on....

Kenny48 · 10-09-2009, 09:37 AM

You should be able to obtain both the fees, and the rules before purchasing. Simply go to the management office.
I would like to add, make sure you do so. I moved into one of these, and had a worse case scenario. I ended up moving out, and taking a huge loss less than a year after purchase. Beware! Condo fees can vary substantially, and they can go up and up as in our case. The lack of rules, and high HOA fees were also the reason I lost so much in the resale.

bentlebee · 10-10-2009, 08:06 AM

Just call them...although they won't give you the rules and regulation unless you pay for copies. The seller should provide you with a copy of the most important things for you which are most likely things that are allowed and which isn't

For example:
signs allowed to be placed in yard.
animals allowed and how many and what kind.
boats, rv's allowed (most likely not)

Most HOA's have trashcan's to be put inside or hidden from view....painting colors of the house to be approved by HOA just as changes to yard.