Buying a home takes a lot of effort. After finding a realtor, a location, and settling on a home, there are still other things to consider, like entering a homeowners association. HOAs can be a dream for some buyers, as it means that your property and the community it’s in will remain a top concern. But joining an HOA is a journey in itself.
The purpose of an HOA is to protect and preserve the homes in the association. While working with your neighbors to ensure lawns are kept neat, and renovations to a minimum is helpful, the HOA provides a strict set of rules that keep everyone on point. As you are entering an association, there are many steps and documents that need to be reviewed and addressed before you make your decision. Keep reading to see the governing documents needed and learn their intent.
Governing HOA documents to know
- CC&Rs
- Bylaws
- Rules and Regulations
- Articles of Incorporation
CC&Rs
Covenants, conditions, and restrictions—more commonly known as CC&Rs—are a legal document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of each party in the HOA. For homeowners, it serves as a guide for how you can adjust, improve, and enhance your property. The set of rules is meant to protect and preserve the property values in the neighborhood and ensure that each home lives up to the standards of the community.
Bylaws
Bylaws are an important document that defines how the HOA operates. As a new homeowner, you are tied to the rules of the HOA, so it’s important to understand how the association functions. Bylaws include information such as election guidelines and voting rights, how long meetings can take place, the budget, and how long board members can serve. This document holds essential information that’s often difficult to change since it’s legally binding, so you want to be sure you are fully aware of its contents.
Rules and Regulations
Though the rules and regulations document addresses smaller items, it is as important as the others on this list. Those items can vary and include things like parking guidelines and yard regulations for homeowners. That said, they’re easier to change than the bylaws and can be modified often. Reviewing these can help you better understand the bylaws and CC&Rs.
Articles of Incorporation
The articles of incorporation is a legal document that establishes the HOA. Like any document pertaining to origin, it contains necessary information such as the association’s name, purpose, and where it resides.
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