HOA & Condo Basics: Fees, Rules, and How They Work
Straight answers on what an HOA or condo association is, what your dues pay for, and how the rules work.
Are HOA & Condo Fees Tax Deductible? (2026 Rules)
Are HOA or condo association fees tax deductible? See when they are for a rental vs. your primary residence, plus the home-office exception and special assessments.
CDD vs. HOA: What's the Difference?
CDD vs. HOA — a community development district is a government taxing entity, not an association. Why some communities have both and what's on your tax bill.
Condo Association vs. HOA: What's the Difference?
How a condo association differs from a homeowners association — what you own, who maintains what, insurance, fees, and which laws apply.
Condo Loan Approval: FHA vs VA vs Conventional Compared
Condo loan approval works differently for FHA, VA, and conventional loans. Compare the rules, the lookups, and what each one requires of the HOA.
Condo vs. Apartment: What's the Difference?
Condo vs. apartment, explained: ownership vs. renting, who pays HOA fees, maintenance responsibility, and which is the better fit for buying vs. renting.
Condo vs. House: Cost and Upkeep Compared
Condo vs. house: cost, HOA fees, maintenance, appreciation, and financing compared, so you can decide which fits your budget and how much upkeep you want.
Fannie Mae Approved Condo List: How to Check a Project
There is no public Fannie Mae approved condo list. Here's how condo project eligibility works, what the 'blacklist' really is, and how to check yours.
FHA Approved Condo List: How to Look Up Any Project
FHA publishes a real, public approved condo list. Here's how to search it, read the status and expiration date, and what to do if a building isn't approved.
Gated Community vs. HOA: Are They the Same Thing?
A gated community and an HOA are not the same thing. What actually makes a community 'gated,' who typically governs one, and how gate fees relate to HOA dues.
HOA Fees vs. Property Taxes: What's the Difference?
How HOA fees differ from property taxes — who levies each, what they fund, deductibility, and what happens if you don't pay.
HOA Governing Documents: What Every Owner Should Know
What the four HOA governing documents are, their legal hierarchy, what each one covers, and how to get copies or propose amendments.
HOA vs. POA: What's the Difference?
HOA vs. POA (property owners association) — usually the same thing under a different name, but with real legal differences in a few states.
How Are HOA Fees Paid? Mortgage, Escrow & Closing
How HOA fees are paid — separate from your mortgage or through escrow, what happens at closing, payment methods, and what to know as a buyer or seller.
How Much Is the Average HOA Fee? (2026 Data)
The average HOA fee is $250–$300/month, and condo fees average $420. See ranges by state, property type, and what drives average HOA costs up.
How to Lower HOA Fees: 9 Strategies That Actually Work
Practical ways to reduce HOA fees, from auditing expenses and rebidding contracts to running for the board and right-sizing amenities.
Non-Warrantable Condo Financing: Every Route Compared
How to finance a non-warrantable condo — portfolio and non-QM loans, cash, seller financing, FHA single-unit approval, credit unions, and waiting for a cure.
Non-Warrantable Condo: What It Means and How to Fix It
What makes a condo non-warrantable, how owners find out, and the concrete steps a board can take to make the project warrantable again.
PUD vs. Condo: Key Differences Buyers Should Know
How a planned unit development (PUD) compares to a condominium — ownership, insurance, financing, HOA fees, and which is right for you.
Types of HOA Fees Explained
What HOA transfer, capital contribution, working capital, demand, and certification fees actually are — and who typically pays each one at closing.
VA Approved Condo List: How to Look Up Any Project
The VA approved condo list is public and searchable. Here's how to look up a project, read the VA status codes, and get a building approved if it isn't.
What Do HOA Fees Cover? Where Your Dues Actually Go
A clear breakdown of what HOA and condo fees pay for — shared maintenance, insurance, amenities, management, and reserves — plus what they usually don't cover.
What Is an HOA Initiation Fee? A Guide for Buyers
What an HOA initiation fee is, how it differs from monthly dues and transfer fees, typical amounts, who pays it, and where to find your real number.
What Is an HOA? Homeowners Associations Explained
What a homeowners association (HOA) is, how it works, what your dues pay for, HOA vs condo association, and what to know before buying.
Why Are HOA Fees So High? (And Will They Go Down?)
Why HOA and condo fees keep going up — insurance spikes, underfunded reserves, deferred maintenance, new mandates — and what owners can do.
Why Do HOAs Exist? The Real Reason
Why do HOAs exist? Developers create them to shift infrastructure costs and protect resale value, not for the reasons most owners assume today.