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By now most of us have seen GEICO's attempt a HOA humor. In a recent ad campaign homeowners are seen raving over their new neighborhood but sarcastically state "the HOA is very involved." If you haven't seen it, click here for your laugh of the day. At the outset, let's acknowledge it for what it is - humor. It's GEICO's spin on extreme HOA board members in an effort to get homeowners to purchase insurance through their company. Here we are blogging about it, so their advertising probably worked. So why did the Community Associations Institute (CAI) issue a statement against it inviting GEICO to make another ad reflecting more of the reality of board participation? The answer is simple. The ad does not reflect the reality of the more than 2.5 million volunteers who serve the communities in which they live. According to the 2018 Homeowner Satisfaction Survey , independently conducted by Zogby Analytics for the Foundation for Community Association Research, residents in associations are overwhelmingly in support of their community association experience, manager and elected board members. HOA board members are VOLUNTEERS who offer their time and talent to help maintain and improve the associations in which they live. The actions of board members are designed to keep the association in the same or better condition then when your home was purchased. However, some homeowners do not see it that way. The internet is replete with HOA memes and members complaining about violation notices or liens for not paying their dues timely. So, do "Cynthias" really exist? Sure they do. But they are the exception, and not the norm. At the core of most HOA criticism are members who routinely violate HOA rules, forcing enforcement actions to be taken. Interestingly, when people purchase homes in restricted communities, they are agreeing to abide by the rules in place for their respective subdivisions. It is not until they are the subject of an enforcement action that the rules become problematic. One solution to this problem is for homeowners to know and understand the rules that apply to their association BEFORE they purchase in a restricted neighborhood. For example, if you have a 40' motorhome and want to keep it in your driveway, you should check with your real estate agent to ensure this won't be a problem before you start viewing homes to purchase. If your significant other can't wait to paint the front door red, check with your real estate agent to ensure painting your new front door is allowable. A good real estate agent will get to know their clients and identify these issues before suggesting homes to view. At the end of the day, the rules run with the land. As a homeowner, you are agreeing to abide by the rules in place when you purchase a home in a restricted community. Read here for our tips on what to do if you receive a violation notice from you HOA. If you are still confused about who is making the rules, or how to propose changing them, be sure you understand the difference between board membership and property management. At the end of the day we can all agree on one thing - homeowners purchase in their association because they like the way it looks. In the United States today there are more than 351,000 homeowners associations because homeowners want to know that their largest investment is protected. Be sure you understand the rules of the association before you agree to purchase a home in a restricted community. Chances are you will appreciate most, if not, all of them. If the rules do not comport with your lifestyle, it is better to know that before making an offer. We hope you enjoyed our take on GEICO's HOA humor. For more information on effective property management, call Gulf South Property Management at (985) 200-0660. Our goal is effective, affordable property management. We promise to keep the "Cynthias" in check while fairly and effectively enforcing the rules of your community.

Can your HOA regulate the display of a flag at your home? Does it matter if the flag is political?

Gulf South Property Management is a leader in supporting HOAs during the COVID 19 pandemic.

We often hear that the “HOA Nazis” are out to get them. With nothing better to do with their time, they spend hours upon hours looking for infractions and sending out senseless violation notices. Who are these people and who do they think they are?!?

When you decide to purchase a home in a neighborhood that is subject to Covenants and Restrictions certain responsibilities follow – abiding by governing documents of the association, paying assessments timely and following the rules and regulations of the association.

It is inevitable that associations will go through board member resignations from time to time. Resignations can result from a change in jobs, scheduling conflicts, a family health emergency or a move. They can also result from frustrated or overwhelmed members. Maintaining consistency through board transitions is paramount. One way to do that is to have the right property management company in place to work though the transition phase.