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Home owners association for houses, pro/cons
As I understand it the basic premiss of a HOA is to ease communication between neighbors and help work towards common community goals.  As I understand it the reality is that the HOA works to keep the community homogenous so there are no "sore thumb" neighbors.   As to why look for one or avoid one.  If you would want a uniform image out of your neighbors and don't mind towing the party line, then they are for you.  If you don't care about what your neighbors do with their property (within civic ordinance) and would like freedom to do things different from your neighbors (paint your house blue, hang a clothes line, increase the size of your flower beds), then they are to be avoided.