Many Americans recently surveyed say they prefer to live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association, also called a community association, according to the
2018 Homeowner Satisfaction Survey, conducted by Zogby Analytics on behalf of the Foundation for Community Association Research. Ninety percent of survey respondents say their association’s rules protect their investment and enhance their property values, according to the survey.
Survey respondents said some of the best aspects of living in a community association are having a clean or attractive neighborhood; a safe neighborhood; a maintenance-free neighborhood; and having the association help maintain property values. On the other hand, respondents said the worst aspects of living in a community association are restrictions on exterior home improvements and paying dues. The most common monthly assessments range from $100 to $300. Condo assessments tend to be higher than HOA fees, with 17 percent being more than $500 per month.
Nearly 73 percent of residents living in an HOA said they felt their community managers provide value and support to residents and their associations. Further, 84 percent of respondents said that neighbors elected to the governing board “absolutely” or “for the most part” serve the best interests of their communities.
“Community associations remain an essential component of the U.S. housing market, and—once again—a large majority of Americans who live in community associations report that they are happy and satisfied in their communities,” says Thomas Skiba, Community Associations Institute executive officer. “The most recent survey validates that the majority of homeowners believe their boards are serving their community, that their fees fall within a reasonable range, and that being a part of their community association enhances and protects their property values.”
Sixty-nine million Americans live in 342,000 common-interest communities, according to the 2016 National and State Statistical Review for Community Association Data.
Source: Community Associations Institute
