Honestly, “negotiating” feels like a stretch most of the time.
Yeah, that’s been my experience too. Even when you push back, the board usually has their mind made up. I once tried to suggest a payment plan for a big assessment—got shot down pretty quick. Sometimes you can nudge them on costs, but not much else.
Sometimes you can nudge them on costs, but not much else.
That’s been my takeaway too, honestly. I get why folks want to “negotiate” on these big-ticket items, but in practice, it’s usually a brick wall. I remember a time we tried to get the HOA to reconsider the landscaping fees—ended up feeling like we were talking to a robot. They might shave off a tiny bit here or there, but the main stuff? Pretty much set in stone.
On the topic of new homes with low interest rates, I’ve found you can sometimes get more traction negotiating incentives with the builder than with a board or HOA. Like, the sales agents will say the price is firm, but if you push on asking for closing cost credits or upgrades (appliances, flooring, etc.), sometimes they’ll budge, especially if it’s near quarter-end and they’re trying to hit numbers. Doesn’t always work, but I’ve had better luck there than with established communities.
When it comes to assessments or big fees, I’ve also tried suggesting payment plans in the past. Usually a hard no, unless there’s some kind of formal hardship process. Even then, it’s a lot of paperwork and not guaranteed. I guess my question is—has anyone actually succeeded in getting a payment plan approved for something like this? Or is it just wishful thinking most of the time? Because from what I’ve seen, once they decide on a fee or assessment, there’s not much wiggle room left.
If you’re set on a new build for the low interest rates, maybe focus your energy on getting the most value from the builder rather than expecting flexibility from the HOA or board down the line. Just my two cents after a few rounds of this...
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen a few exceptions—might just depend on how persistent (or annoying?) you’re willing to be. Here’s what I’ve run into:
- Tried to get an HOA to let me pay off a special assessment over 6 months instead of all at once. First answer was “no way,” but after some back-and-forth and mentioning I’d have to dip into my emergency fund, they finally offered a 3-month split. Not what I wanted, but better than nothing. Guess it helped that I’d been paying on time for years.
- My neighbor went through a job loss and got a full year to pay off a big roof assessment—took a doctor’s note and a lot of paperwork, but it happened. Not easy, but not impossible either.
I think a lot of it comes down to the board’s mood, who’s running things, and maybe just being a squeaky wheel. If you can show them it’s in their best interest (like, you’re less likely to default if they give you some slack), sometimes they’ll bend the rules a bit.
On the builder side, I agree—they’re way more likely to throw in stuff if you catch them at the right time. But I wouldn’t totally write off the possibility of negotiating with HOAs or boards, especially if you’ve got a decent track record or a real hardship. Just takes more patience (and probably some groveling).
Curious if anyone’s ever tried banding together as a group to push for payment plans? I’ve always wondered if that would get more traction than going solo. Maybe wishful thinking, but sometimes they listen when enough people make noise...
- Heard similar stories—seems like boards can be unpredictable, but persistence sometimes pays off.
- I’ve always wondered if it’s worth getting a group together to negotiate, too. Like, if 10 people need a payment plan, would the board be more likely to listen? Or does that just make them dig in their heels more?
- When I refinanced last year, my lender asked about HOA assessments and payment plans. Apparently, some HOAs don’t even allow them at all. Anyone ever run into that? Or is that just a scare tactic from lenders?
- Curious if anyone's had luck negotiating anything else with their HOA besides assessments—like late fees or fines? Sometimes it feels like they’re more flexible than they let on...
Boards really are a wild card—sometimes they’ll bend, sometimes they’re stubborn as a mule. I’ve seen a group approach work once, but it can backfire if the board feels ganged up on. Payment plans seem to depend on the HOA’s docs; some are super strict, others will quietly work something out if you ask nicely. Late fees? I managed to get one waived after a mix-up, but it took some groveling. Guess it never hurts to ask, just don’t bank on it...
