HOA Fees in North Raleigh and Wake Forest

[TweedleDee]

Thanks for the responses so far. I do understand that HOA fees can vary widely and don't mean you get the same level of service out of them either. Maybe I was just being too nosy asking for folks to name specific subdivisions with their specific HOA fees and other details. :-)

[erock11]

Originally Posted by cry884

I like your attitude, too! You knew what you want, researched it, and bought in an appropriate area for you. All day, I talk to people who I wish would have done that. But instead, they didn't want to abide by the covenants, but bought there anyway, it seems!

Thanks so much! Both homes we've purchase here were in non-HOA locations - one a subdivision in N. Raleigh and here near Falls Lake. There are enough rules to deal with, imo, I don't need any governing the little things that in the grand scheme of things, aren't important.

TweedleDee - I know I've been going on about non-HOAs, since it's what I'm familiar with, but I do have family that lives in HOA-governed subdivisions. Some are $12/month-type deals that pays for signage and that's about it. However, they do still have restrictive covenants on what color/style your shed can be, what you can have in your yard, etc. Those are in Granville County, but still a WF mailing address. And then there are ones with pools and country club-type things that are like $600 per year, also Granville Cty, WF mailing. I have to say, those upper scale HOAs, although they have the amenities, I have rarely seen people even at the pools and taking advantage of them. I know there are some more active subdivisions in the Youngsville area, with larger subdivisions, younger families that have block parties and newsletters and such and I think they tend to hover around the $300-400 per year... And I'm sure the more expensive HOAs will have even stricter rules about what you can do with your property - like I know if you wanted to build a shed, draw up plans, submit to HOA for approval, etc. Restrictions on number of pets, number of vehicles, etc.

[cry884]

Originally Posted by erock11

And I'm sure the more expensive HOAs will have even stricter rules about what you can do with your property .

I work with all types. Some of the more entry-level neighborhoods have the strictest rules (I think the developers' ideas are that "first time" homeowners are somewhat less likely to maintain lawns, etc. without rules in place) and some of the most expensive have the most lax rules, simply because they don't have any issues. No one in a $3M house wants to put up a rubbermaid shed anyway.

I think there are pros and cons to all neighborhoods- the non-HOAs, the strict HOAs, the relaxed HOAs, etc. The important thing is for the future owners to know what's important to them and what the neighborhood they're considering is like. Then when they find a neighborhood where they like the house, but hate the dues, restrictions, etc., they should move on. In my experience, most people do this. But there is always a contingency that buys into something they didn't research or they know the rules and just plan to ignore them... that's the contingency that causes all the issues.

So in short- your plan works best and I wish everyone would do it.

[BoBromhal]

Originally Posted by TweedleDee

Thanks for the responses so far. I do understand that HOA fees can vary widely and don't mean you get the same level of service out of them either. Maybe I was just being too nosy asking for folks to name specific subdivisions with their specific HOA fees and other details. :-)

when you find the 3 or 4 neighborhoods you're interested in, your Realtor will have no trouble getting the HOA $ and amenity info for you.

[leighbhe]

Originally Posted by Strongasabear

Leigh, I think you live in my neighborhood.

I am in covington ridge.....................and okay, we get landscaping, lights, social events (if I can manage to attend!) for our money!

Leigh