Kuester Management Group Lists Questions to Ask When Moving Into HOA

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Dec. 2, 2014 - PRLog -- Living in a homeowners association comes with its own set of perks and benefits—and also some tradeoffs. HOA life ensures the preservation of property values, and can also offer a number of amenities and community features. To help fund these perks, homeowners are expected to abide by certain rules and to pay monthly or yearly assessments. For those who have never lived in an HOA-governed community, moving into one can be an adjustment. In a new statement to the press, Kuester Management Group provides some tips for preparing for this transition.

“If you have never lived in an HOA before, you may not know exactly what to expect,” remarks Bryan Kuester, President of Kuester Management Group. “Before committing to HOA life, simply educate yourself on what it entails. Ask your realtor to help you discover what the Association in question offers, and what it requires of you in return.”

Buyers should always ask about HOA perks and amenities. “Does the HOA cover garbage pickup?” Kuester muses. “Does it do the landscaping? What about access to community pools or tennis courts? Always make sure you know the specific perks you’re getting.”

The flipside is to inquire about restrictions. “Most of the time, HOA restrictions are minimal, and matters of common sense,” Kuester comments. “You may have to have proposed home additions reviewed by an architecture committee, for example, just to ensure that it’s not anything too wild or out-of-step with the rest of the neighborhood. There may be limits on the hours you can have your Christmas lights on. Usually, the rules are no more intrusive than that.”

Nevertheless, just to be safe, buyers should ask to see copies of the HOA governing documents. “You’ll ultimately have to sign on and pledge to follow these rules, so of course you want to see exactly what it is you’re agreeing to,” Kuester says.

Finally, buyers should inquire about their own responsibilities to the HOA. “Make sure you know what the assessments are, and also ask about opportunities for Board service, if that interests you,” comments Kuester.

More HOA insights can be found at the Kuester Management Group website, www.kuester.com.

ABOUT:

Kuester Management Group, a division of Kuester Companies, works to protect property values and enhance the quality of life in each of its managed communities. Providing a full range of association management services, Kuester Management Group has worked to foster strong, resilient, and unified communities across North and South Carolina. The company is proud to offer on-site property managers, all zealous for building strong communities meant to stand the test of time. More information is available at www.kuester.com.