A homeowners association (sometimes HOA) is an organization comprised of all owners of units in a housing development, which may or may not be part of a gated community.

United States

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In the United States, the vast majority of homeowners associations are incorporated and are therefore governed by a board, which is in essence a private government. Other associations are informal and not forced upon residents; these are often called neighborhood associations.

Some of the developments that real estate developers build are common-interest developments, a category that includes planned-unit developments of single-family homes, condominiums, and cooperative apartments. Before the first unit is sold in one of these developments, the developer records restrictive covenants on all of the properties. These "run with the land", meaning that all successive buyers are bound by the same covenants as the original purchaser (though some jurisdictions require renewal after 20 or more years). These covenants, among other agreements, form the basis for the homeowners association.

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RealEstateJournal.com Residential Real Estate News

Mortgage Relief Programs Aren't Helping Much
Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Up until now, state efforts to help distressed homeowners refinance have had negligible results. A new federal bill may give them additional tools.
Condo-Hotel Buyers See Investments Sour
Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Many investors who purchased condo hotel rooms during the real-estate boom are wishing they hadn't. Some frustrated owners are bringing these projects to the attention of regulators.
Five Questions to Ask Before Remodeling
Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Before you redo your home make sure you know how big a renovation you can afford and how long you will remain in your residence.
States Move Fast On Mortgage Aid
Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Local governments are acting more aggressively to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, frustrated by what they view as the federal government's inadequate response to the mortgage crisis.
FHA Loans Grow Costly As Banks Add Fees
Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
Lenders that make loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration are adding costs and restrictions that make those mortgages more expensive for consumers and less widely available.
Selling History By the Square Foot
Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 -0000
In a backlash against vinyl-clad McMansions developers are creating communities with houses that look like they were built centuries ago, but with modern trappings.

Unstructured: Editor's Blog of AOL Real Estate

Power of Staging
Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:20:24 -0000
Washington Post Profiles Professional StagerWhile professional stager Lyric Turner admits that she's making less money as a professional stager, she's having a lot more fun doing it.Anyone who has a flair for color and spacing can be a potential stager, but there's no Coldwell Banker of staging or Bachelor's Degree of staging that you can get that will give you credibility. Either you can do it or you can't. Certainly a few months as a regular real estate agent might help you establish some street cred in the marketplace, but no certification is required.Ms. Turner generally charges $5,000 to $6,000 for two months to stage a vacant three bedroom house. Considering that most people are probably looking at a $10K reduction in price if they can't find a buyer, that money is most likely well worth it. She also does consultations for as little as $250.At the same time, I've noticed on HGTV's "Get It Sold", they generally reduce the price first and then stage the home, so it seems like a bit of a bait and switch -- but sellers who have given it a shot on their own are probably likely to try almost anything to get their homes sold. However, on that show, they are usually spending $1,000 or so, so it's not really costing the buyers anything, and on at least a few shows, I've seen a bidding war break out, so they end up getting higher than the list price.  Staging also seems to be more effective in condos and town homes that are basically the same. If you are looking to sell your home for top dollar, you may want to ask your agent about working with a stager, or see if one of your friends is an aspiring stager. Maybe they can reorganize your space for free and start building their own portfolio.For More on Staging Your Home. Tags: staging, dc, real estate
Two Years of Housing Doom
Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:06:45 -0000
Housing Doom Blog Celebrates Two Year AnniversaryFor you johnny-come-latelies of the housing "correction," these guys have been covering it day and day out for the past two years. Not sure what the exit strategy is for a blog called Housing Doom, but maybe they are buying all these foreclosure properties cheap and just keeping their fingers crossed.A dedicated blog team that deserves more recognition.Tags: housingdoom, anniversaries, real estate
Power of the Suburbs
Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:01:29 -0000
Economist Looks at Levittown, Strength of the U.S. SuburbsThought this was an interest "briefing" by our friends across the Atlantic at the Economist and their increasingly U.S. based readership. Particularly this chart, which shows that the almost absurd level of growth in the suburbs from 2000 to 2006. Defying stereotypes about "houses made of ticky tacky" you can see the large influx of diversity. What is not shown, but is mentioned in the article, is the influx of same-sex couples into the suburbs. "Between 1990 and 2006 the city of Chicago added 50,000 residents, reversing a long decline. Not bad -- but in the same period the sprawling metropolis outside the city proper grew by well over a million."While you may hear a lot about how great downtown living is, or how cities are offering more of the modern conveniences, at least until now, that has really not been the case in most American cities. However, was surprised the Economist did not take the story one step further, and examine how the rising gas prices and foreclosures may hurt the suburbs more than the cities, by making proximity to public transportation more compelling. While foreclosures may be an inconvenience in a city like Boston or New York, they are devastating to suburban markets such as Stockton, Ca., and other Western exurbs. So, while this article did a great job of showing the power of suburbs in the last half decade, one can only wonder if things are already changing, or will it just be more of the same.Tags: suburbs, real estate, economist aoljurlAdd, aoljurlAdd_1

HUD Press Releases

STATEMENT BY HUD SECRETARY STEVE PRESTON ON PENDING HOUSING LEGISLATION
Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0000
WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today issued the following statement regarding housing legislation that is being debated by the U.S. Congress.
HUD SECRETARY NAMES ANOOP PRAKASH AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF
Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0000
WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today announced Anoop Prakash will serve as the agency's Deputy Chief of Staff. Prakash brings to HUD over 10 years of leadership skills and business and policy development in the public and private sectors.
HUD CHARGES NEVADA HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION WITH DISCRIMINATING AGAINST A HOMEOWNER WITH A DISABILITY
Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0000
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has charged Arbors Owners' Association, Inc., of Las Vegas, NV, and its management agent, First Columbia Community Management, Inc., with violating the Fair Housing Act by allegedly refusing to provide a disabled homeowner a parking space close to his condominium.
HUD FAIR LENDING PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT TO SHOWCASE IN MOVIE THEATRES ACROSS THE NATION
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0000
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that a public service announcement (PSA) designed to educate consumers about their fair lending rights is now running on 595 screens in 32 movie theatres in 28 cities, including 10 cities with some of nation's highest foreclosure rates. HUD's PSA featuring Dennis Haysbert, will run through July 25. It will be in 32 selected theatres.
HUD ANNOUNCES DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR MICHIGAN STORM VICTIMS
Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0000
WASHINGTON - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today announced HUD will speed federal disaster assistance to 11 storm-ravaged counties in Michigan and provide support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes following severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding. This assistance includes foreclosure relief for families whose homes are insured through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) living in Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Lake, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Osceola, Ottawa, and Wexford Counties (more counties may be added in the coming days/weeks).

PopularMechanics.com - Home Journal: How Your House Works

Roof Repair Basics: How Your House Works
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The common denominator in all roofing is that several layers work together as a system. Understanding how this system works can help you talk knowledgeably with a contractor, or help you make buying decisions to do your own work.
How Your House Works: Insulation
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Holy R-value, batt-man! The war between heat, cold and moisture inside your walls.
The Distinctive Modular Home
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