Tallpine, as much as I detest HOA's, Mike quite clearly stated that they're comprised of people who willingly buy into the concept of having their property and body cavities routinely inspected. In other words, they get the scrutiny they ask for. As somebody who's never had to live under a HOA, and who never will, I find them of dubious value. However, as I've learned while working as a contractor in the real estate industry the last few years, "HOA's keep the Comps up". I'm sure as the real estate bubble subsides these next few months and years, HOA members will scramble to make their properties as attractive as possible, in order to maximize the profit potential of their properties, since they're not appreciating as much over time as they did over the last couple years. That's pretty much the American dream these days, buy property low, sell high, screw you neighbor, I got mine. It's a strange concept for you in Montana, just as it is for the part of Florida I'm in, and in Wisconsin where I'm moving. But for those forced to live aholes and elbows in high population-density locations, it's the rule of the land, evidently.
Myself, I've got a bid in on a 5 acre farmhouse and barn property in South-Central Wisconsin, about 40 miles from Madison. It's listed at $168,, and talking to my agent, I should get it for somewhat less. There will be no HOAs there in rural farmland, thank goodness.
