If you've never lived in a condominium complex or other housing situation that is typically set up as a Common Interest Community, you may not know what an HOA is or how it can affect you. HOAs exist in every state, and the homeowners associations in Idaho are essentially very similar. That's on a basic level, though, as each state's laws vary, and so do the way those laws affect communities and the homeowners associations in them.
What Are Homeowners Associations?
An HOA is a governing body with a board of directors that oversees a specific community, such as an apartment or condo complex or a particular neighborhood. Planned communities and gated neighborhoods usually have homeowners associations, but the houses don't all have to be alike and there doesn't have to be a wall around the neighborhood for the community to adopt HOA management. Just like all HOAs, after a developer has finished building out the development, the homeowners associations in Idaho are funded and run by the residents, and they're set up to ensure the community maintains a certain level of cleanliness, repair, consistency and decorum. There are pros and cons to homeowners associations, so it's important to find out all you can before buying into a neighborhood or housing complex that has one.
What Will Homeowners Associations in Idaho Do For You?
All homeowners associations have Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions, hence the acronym CC&R’s. HOA management--the board of directors--enforces these rules and are in charge of creating new ones as the need arises. These rules must be adopted and voted on by a certain number of households, enough to form a quorum. These rules vary from one HOA to the next, partially based on the type of community. Regulations would obviously be different for an apartment building in New York City than it would be for homeowners associations in a single family residence in most Idaho neighborhoods. Some of the positive covenants and conditions homeowners associations in Idaho might enforce:
• keeping front yards green, maintained, and neat
• require house exteriors to be painted if fading and can restrict your color choices
• restrict noise levels
• limit number of vehicles that can be parked on the street
Conditions like those can benefit you because everyone in the neighborhood must comply, creating a peaceful, orderly, and attractive environment to live in. Additionally many homeowners associations provide amenities you might not otherwise be able to afford and maintain, such as a community park, swimming pool, tennis courts, rec room, health club, and even accommodations for business meetings.
However, covenants and conditions might restrict what kind or how many pets you have, and even what size they can be. The rules could limit what kind of exterior improvements you can make on your home or what kind of landscaping you can do. That can include preventing you from installing solar panels and limiting how big your flower and/or vegetable gardens can be.
It Comes at a Cost
Belonging to homeowners associations depending on the amenities and number of residents, comes at a cost. HOA dues can be billed frequently as monthly in condominium developments to yearly in single family developments. HOA Dues go toward installation and maintenance of common areas which could encompass lawns, sidewalks, outdoor lighting, clubhouses, and swimming pools, depending on what your community includes. You will need to take those fees into consideration before buying a house in an HOA community, because your mortgage lender certainly will. Plus, according to Kiplinger, the HOA management board can vote to levy a special assessment and charge each member extra money if a large, unexpected repair needs to be done. Costs are typically shared equally between property owners. In Idaho we hear stories of associations in other states where HOA dues seem to increase uncontrollably, however, that is not typical in Idaho. For instance, Baldwin Park HOA in Idaho where the Broker of Stewart Realty, LLC resides has only raised their dues once in the 14 years he and his family have resided there. And that increase was only from $400 to $435/year. So, when responsible homeowners manage HOA’s and the members stay involved, it can be a very good arrangement.
The covenants and conditions might restrict what kind or how many pets you have, and even what size they can be. The rules could limit what kind of exterior improvements you can make on your home or what kind of landscaping you can do. That can include preventing you from installing solar panels and limiting how big your flower and/or vegetable gardens can be.
Find Out First
If you fall in love with a house that has an HOA, your agent should provide you a copy of the CC&R’s prior to making an offer to make sure they don't include anything you can't live with. Also, any MLS Listing sheet provided by a good Meridian Realtor should disclose what the HOA fees are and how often they are paid. You can also go the extra mile if you like and get a copy of the minutes from the most recent board meeting, or arrange to sit in on one to see what type of conflicts are typical and how the board responds to them. Plus, remember that any resident can serve on the board so if you want to help make changes or improve conditions, you could make a difference.
Whether you want to avoid homeowners associations in Idaho or are looking to specifically buy in a community with CC&R’s to protect your investment, give Jeff Stewart at Stewart Realty a call for a personal tour of the Meridian area and some great homes that fit your style and budget.
The team at Stewart Realty knows homes and they know Southwest Idaho real estate. To find out more about real estate in the Boise Region give Jeff Stewart at Stewart Realty a call to set up your personal real estate search, a personal tour of the area and find some great homes that fit your needs and budget.
Compose Your Personal MLS Search With Us:
http://StewartRealtyllc.com or http://HomesInMeridian.com
Jeff Stewart, Broker/Owner 208-602-1993 or jeff@stewartrealtyllc.com
When people have had enough of the noise, crowds, and fighting the traffic in the city, they start looking to smaller towns and suburbs as alternatives. The slower pace and friendly communities are especially attractive for raising a family. When you're keeping an eye out for areas that are great for close in country family living, Kuna, Idaho is among the best places in Southern Idaho. 
With the Huffington Post 
It's said that people come to Idaho for the wilderness and stay for the lifestyle, but there are so many terrific cities in the Gem State, you might find it difficult to decide which one will become your new hometown. If you are looking for a place to raise a family, the decision is simple. Meridian is the 
Native Idahoans and transplants alike are drawn to Caldwell because, on top of everything else the town has to offer, it is the epitome of small-town Idaho. Many people cite its simple lifestyle and family atmosphere as aspects that drew them in or keep them living in Caldwell. In addition to the friendly community and uncomplicated way of life, Caldwell is only a short drive from Boise for periodic doses of big-city excitement, when needed and for a relatively short commute.
No town can entirely escape crime, but Caldwell has done an excellent job of cutting their crime rate over the last few years, bringing it to the lowest level ever. In fact, the Caldwell Police Department reports that the rate has dropped 29 percent since 2007. Naturally, as in any town, some neighborhoods have better track records for safety. According to NeighborhoodScout.com Caldwell, Idaho real estate located in the Underkoflers Corner neighborhood is the 
By January 1st, everyone is usually ready for a break from the holiday festivities that kick off in November. For those who want the celebration to continue on just a little longer, however, the McCall Winter Carnival is just the event to keep the party going. The 
An enduring part of the festival is the Children's Torchlight Parade that takes place after sundown on the first night of the McCall Winter Carnival. Any child 11 years or older can participate, marching in a shining procession from the Congregational Church on 1st Street to Depot Park, where a bonfire signals the official beginning of the festival and sparks the opening ceremonies. Yet, all that radiant, glowing goings-on aren't enough. Immediately following the carnival kick-off, a brilliant fireworks display is presented over beautiful Payette Lake. 
You may have heard that winter is the best time to 
If you're considering home buying a new home, have you thought about Meridian, Idaho? Located in the southwestern part of the state, winter weather is pretty mild partially due to the low elevation of around 2700 ft. That's not to say it doesn't get cold, it does. It's Idaho, after all, and area winter precipitation is typically an inch to just a few inches of snow at a time and it generally melts off after a day or two. But sometimes it can stay for a few weeks too! But typically it means that piles of drifting snow aren’t likely to hinder a winter move too much.
Meridian Idaho, with its friendly community and small-town feel along with close proximity to Boise, has been a favorite alternative to the big city for decades now. Homebuyers looking to settle here, however, have recently noticed that home values in Meridian have increased more than the national average. The median home price in Meridian is 7.0 percent higher than the national average, and it's over 3.5 percent higher than the average Boise home price. There are several reasons for this, primarily because the majority of homes in Meridian are large, family homes and are middle to upper-middle class homes that are under 10 years old. There are also an increasing number of 
Many people might think that Christmas is pretty much the same wherever you go, but Christmas in Boise Idaho is an especially magical time of year. The festivities start in mid-November in anticipation of the holiday and run through ringing in the New Year. If you live in the 
Whether you already have a horse or two or have been dreaming of owning a few horses you know the importance of having the right real estate. And, if you are ready to make it a reality, you already know how crucial it is to do your research to make sure you have find the right Marsing Idaho horse property up front. There are many locations in Idaho that have most of the ingredients to make a good equestrian life, but one part of the state is just tailor-made to perfection. That area is Marsing, which amazingly is less than 30 miles southwest of Boise and within commuting distance of the primary job markets in the area. So if you're ready to get looking for the ideal Equestrian life, you have definitely come to the right place to find them here 
Location is everything when it comes to real estate, and Marsing Idaho is no exception when searching for horse properties. Marsing is located conveniently close to abundant BLM land for riding freedom, and there are breathtaking views of the Owyhee Mountains to the southwest. In fact, the beautiful Owyhee mountain range is not only a delightful and scenic area to enjoy horseback riding on the many trails, but it's a great place for horsemen (and women!) to hunt big game. With all that going for it, one visit to the valley is typically all it takes to be convinced that Marsing is the perfect place for living the equestrian life. Horse properties are available throughout the Marsing-Homedale valley, and you can find riverfront acreage, near the foothills, or as far away or close to town as you want to be. You will also find that land for sale in Marsing is a bit less expensive than the rest of the state and even a bit less than in Canyon County and it’s just a few minutes further from the Boise Metropolitan area.
Of course, in addition to location, you'll want to find that Marsing Idaho horse property that accommodates your equine herd, no matter how many horses you have or plan on having. The 
Horse Journals strongly recommends 