If you have found your Florida dream home, you would do well to thoroughly check out its Homeowners Association before you make your offer of purchase. Why? Because HOAs wield a great deal of power over what you can and cannot do with your home once you move in.
FindLaw explains that each HOA has rules and restrictions regarding such things as the following:
- Your home’s exterior paint color
- Your home’s type and color of siding
- Your roof’s type and color
- What kind of fencing you can install, where you can install it, and how high it can be
- What type of landscaping you can have
- How many pets you can have, if any
Possible additional restrictions
Your HOA’s rules and regulations may also limit you with regard to whether or not you can park your car and/or RV on the street or, in the case of your RV, anywhere on your property. If your home sits on the lakefront or other waterfront property, they can likewise restrict the size of your boat and dock. Furthermore, they can dictate whether or not you can install playground equipment for your children, the types you can install, and where you can install them.
Membership fees and responsibilities
Also be sure to check out the amount of membership costs and fees you will have to pay your HOA, when you will have to pay them, and what penalties the HOA will assess you if you fail to pay on time.
This is general educational information and not intended to provide legal advice.
