HOA Information in Peachtree City

As a potential buyer, do your due diligence regarding HOA's prior to moving into a new neighborhood. It can have an impact on your ability to enjoy your new home.

HOA's are very common and popular in Peachtree City. Peachtree City neighborhoods are very well maintained and HOA's are a contributing factor.  If you are looking for a home in PTC that does not have an HOA, inventory is limited. 

What is an HOA?

Homeowners associations (HOAs) are organizations that are responsible for managing and maintaining common areas and enforcing rules and regulations in residential communities. HOAs can provide a number of benefits to homeowners, including:

1. Maintaining property values: HOAs can help to maintain property values by enforcing rules and regulations that promote a well-maintained and attractive neighborhood. This can include things like requiring homeowners to keep their lawns mowed and their properties clean, and prohibiting parking on the street.

2. Providing access to amenities: Many HOAs provide access to amenities that homeowners would not have if they lived in a non-HOA community. This can include things like swimming pools, clubhouses, playgrounds, and fitness centers.

3. Enhancing community engagement: HOAs can help to enhance community engagement by organizing social events and activities for residents. This can help to create a sense of community and belonging among homeowners.

4. Resolving disputes: HOAs can help to resolve disputes between homeowners by providing a neutral forum for mediation. This can help to prevent disputes from escalating and becoming costly legal battles.

5. Managing common areas: HOAs are responsible for managing common areas such as roads, sidewalks, and parks. This includes maintaining these areas in good repair and ensuring that they are safe for residents to use.

6. Enforcing rules and regulations: HOAs have the authority to enforce rules and regulations that are designed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents. This can include things like prohibiting noise violations and pet waste from being left on common areas.

7. Providing a sense of security: HOAs can provide a sense of security for residents by working with local law enforcement agencies to patrol neighborhoods and investigate crimes.

8. Maintaining curb appeal: HOAs can help to maintain curb appeal by enforcing rules and regulations that prevent homeowners from making changes to their properties that could negatively impact the appearance of the neighborhood.

9. Preserving the character of the neighborhood: HOAs can help to preserve the character of the neighborhood by enforcing rules and regulations that prevent homeowners from making significant changes to their properties that would not be in keeping with the overall look and feel of the community.

10. Protecting the environment: HOAs can help to protect the environment by enforcing rules and regulations that prevent homeowners from engaging in activities that could harm the environment, such as littering or dumping waste on common areas. 

There are many legal, real estate and other websites that provide advice on learning about the HOA prior to buying a home in a neighborhood. This advice typically advises the buyer to review the by-laws and/or covenants to ensure that the buyer would agree to follow these rules.

Our advice for the potential buyer in Peachtree City is to ask some questions of the HOA board members prior to making an offer on the home or during the due diligence period while under contract.

Some examples may be:

The covenants say that a fence must be approved by the HOA. When you drive through the neighborhood, you notice that there are a variety of fences so you may want to inquire on this topic. The potential buyer may ask to see pre-approved designs for fences and inquire as to why there are fences that are not on that approved list.

The covenants may say that there are no businesses allowed in this residential subdivision. The potential buyer has the assumption that is being enforced. We would advise posing the question to the HOA board "are there any approved or unapproved businesses in this neighborhood?" This is a big one. Someone may run a business out of their home that creates traffic on a daily basis.

Selective Enforcement of the bylaws: in some cases, the HOA board members choose who to hold accountable to following the bylaws. We recommend asking questions about how the bylaws are enforced, are the board members also required to follow the bylaws (funny how this works many times). More on Selective Enforcement of by HOA boards

Our advice as you navigate the normal Due Diligence process, there are a couple of other considerations in Peachtree City.

HOA's or Homeowner Associations are very popular in Peachtree City. During Due Diligence, the standard procedure is to request a copy of the Covenants and/or by laws so the buyer may review them and confirm that they are willing to comply. In Peachtree City, we would advise a client to ask questions about the By Laws and get answers in writing.

1. 1. How are the By Laws enforced? HOA boards are notorious for overreaching, enforcing rules on residents while the board members do whatever they want to do. Ask questions.

   2. The By Laws state clearly that there are no businesses allowed in the neighborhood. Ask the question to confirm that this is the case. Do not assume that the HOA is enforcing the bylaws in the neighborhood without confirmation. Document the question in writing. Learn more about Residential Zoning in Peachtree City.

   3. What is the protocol for Board members contacting homeowners?

Ask questions, the more questions that you ask of the HOA, the better. Also, ask more than one person on the HOA board or residents in the neighborhood.