If you are considering buying a home, it is always advisable to talk to a real estate attorney. Seattle residents who are thinking about buying a home in an HOA community are especially advised to speak with a real estate attorney to learn more about the implications of the HOA both on property values and on their enjoyment of the property.
Why You Need a Real Estate Attorney in an HOA Neighborhood
HOA stands for Homeowner’s Association. If you are buying a home in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association, you should always get expert advice from a real estate attorney. Seattle homeowners associations can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, but the basic fact is that the HOA has some control over what you do with your home environment, and the HOA may be able to dictate various aspects of how you use your house.
In many cases, an HOA comes along with deed restrictions. For example, the deed restrictions may specify everything from whether you can rent your house to what paint color you can use. You will need to have this contract looked over by a real estate attorney. Seattle residents can also have their real estate attorney look at any limitations on the deed as part of a title search of the property in order to be sure that they have the full story about deed restrictions before buying.
Your Seattle real estate attorney can explain all aspects of what the HOA means for your use of the property. If there are requirements such as paying dues, shared road maintenance or other limitations and obligations, all of this will be identified by your real estate attorney. Seattle residents can then make a fully informed choice about whether they can live within the restrictions of the HOA. If you find that you are unable to do so, it is better to know that before you buy.
While you typically cannot negotiate an HOA agreement, a Seattle real estate attorney will help you to interpret and understand it. This information alone is invaluable when deciding whether to buy a house or not, which is why you should never, ever consider buying a home in an HOA neighborhood without getting help from a Seattle real estate lawyer to understand what you’re getting into.