06 Sep 2024
By Mark Feder

In A World of Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs)

Home Mortgage
With the current shortage in housing inventory, more buyers are considering condominiums and townhomes as viable options. Most of these properties are part of a homeowners' association (HOA), which plays a crucial role in maintaining the community. Understanding what an HOA entails can help you make an informed decision before purchasing your next home. Here’s what you need to know: 1. Mandatory Membership When you buy a home that's part of an HOA, membership isn't optional—it's mandatory. Along with membership comes the responsibility of paying HOA fees, which may be billed monthly or annually. These fees typically cover the upkeep…
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18 Apr 2023
By Mark Feder

The Top Homeownership Expenses You Need To Know

Mortgage
Owning a home can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it's important to be aware of the expenses that come with homeownership. Understanding these costs can help you prepare for and manage them effectively, ensuring a smoother transition into your new home. The Mortgage Payment The mortgage payment is typically the largest expense that homeowners face. This monthly payment consists of the principal and interest on your home loan. The principal is the amount you borrowed to purchase the home, while the interest is the cost of borrowing the money. The length of your loan term and the interest…
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28 Aug 2020
By Mark Feder

Condo Damage Caused By Contractors Hired By The HOA: Who Pays?

Mortgage Tips
For those who live in a condo, they know that there are numerous advantages that come with this living arrangement. Living in a condo means that other people are going to be responsible for landscaping and common areas while homeowners are still able to build equity in the home. At the same time, the HOA has quite a bit of power and one of the biggest concerns that people might have involves who pays for the damage in the event that something in the building has been damaged. There are a few important points to keep in mind. Roof Replacement…
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20 Nov 2019
By Mark Feder

Four Common Headaches Of A Homeowners Association

Real Estate
When you are looking to purchase a home, you might hear a lot about something called a homeowners association, often shortened to HOA. While there are benefits of having an HOA in a living community, these benefits also have their drawbacks. There are a few common headaches that people often experience when they move into a community that has an HOA. Anticipating these problems ahead of time can help everyone prepare for what they might encounter. The Maintenance In The Common Area Whether you are living in a condo or in a neighborhood, the HOA is supposed to maintain the…
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