I’d rather pay a little more each month than get hit with a $10k roof bill out of nowhere.
Totally get that. I’ve seen buyers get excited about “low HOA” and then freak out when a big assessment hits. One place I toured last year looked great on paper, but their reserve fund was almost empty. It’s wild how often that gets overlooked. Always worth digging into the docs, even if the dues seem sweet at first glance.
I’m with you on that—those “surprise” assessments can be brutal. I once toured a condo with super low monthly dues, but after reading their financials, it turned out they hadn’t increased fees in years and their reserve was basically nothing. It looked like a deal until you factored in the risk. Sometimes paying a bit more upfront really does buy peace of mind... at least you know what you’re in for each month.
Sometimes paying a bit more upfront really does buy peace of mind... at least you know what you’re in for each month.
- Been there—bought into a place with “low” dues, then hit with a big roof assessment the next year.
- Cheap monthly fees usually mean they’re kicking the can down the road.
- I’d rather budget for higher, steady costs than get slammed by a surprise bill. Peace of mind > low sticker price, every time.
Been on both sides of this. Once had a buyer thrilled about “super low HOA”—until the parking lot turned into a pothole obstacle course and everyone got slapped with a massive repair bill. Sometimes those low monthly numbers are just hiding future headaches. I’ll take higher, predictable costs any day over the “surprise! you owe us $4k” letters. At least you can plan around it... and maybe sleep better at night.
That’s the thing people don’t always realize with those “bargain” HOAs. I’ve seen folks get lured in by the low monthly dues, thinking they’re saving a ton… but then the association hasn’t budgeted for anything, and you end up with a special assessment the size of your vacation fund. Not exactly the kind of surprise anyone wants.
Honestly, I’d rather pay a little more each month if it means the place is well-kept and I’m not going to get blindsided. Predictability is underrated, especially when you’re trying to keep your credit in good shape and plan out your finances. Those big, unexpected bills can really throw things off—especially if you’re juggling a new mortgage.
Funny enough, my first condo had a super low HOA, and the elevator broke down twice in one year. Guess who got a bill for “emergency repairs”? Lesson learned. Sometimes “low” just means “not enough.”
