Research for living with an HOA, from the owner’s side of the table.
Homeowner & HOA Living Desk is an independent educational site about buying into, living in, changing, disputing within, and selling a home governed by an HOA or condominium association.
How we research
Guides are written by Marta Kowalczyk, Community Association Living Writer. We research state statutes and official housing or mortgage materials first, then use reputable industry material to explain terminology and workflow. We do not invent professional credentials, and we do not treat one state’s rule as a nationwide rule.
Primary source families include state HOA and condominium statutes, Community Associations Institute public materials, HUD and VA housing guidance, CFPB consumer information, and Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac project standards. When a deadline, percentage, fee cap, notice requirement, or approval rule is stated, the guide identifies the jurisdiction or source rather than presenting it as universal.
Editorial safeguards
- State-specific numbers are tied to a named statute, agency, or current lending standard.
- Published and reviewed dates are shown so readers can judge freshness.
- If an official source changes, the guide should be corrected and its reviewed date updated.
- Industry benchmarks and screening heuristics are labeled as benchmarks, not law.
- High-stakes title, lien, foreclosure, fair-housing, and major construction disputes are flagged for state-specific professional help.
What this site is not
This is not a law firm and not a substitute for advice about your specific declaration, bylaws, contract, title, insurance policy, or dispute. Governing documents and state law can change the answer. When a disagreement can affect title, a lien, foreclosure, fair-housing rights, or a significant construction project, a local community-association attorney or another qualified professional may be appropriate.