Buying in an HOA? How to Get the Most Value from Your HOA Dues – Pt 1

When you buy a house in an HOA, you notice the nice neighborhood and you think that the HOA dues are pretty worthwhile for a good location and a pretty street. But when you feel like grumbling later about the dues each month; are you really getting everything you could from the neighborhood?

After all, you are now the proud co-owner of several residential blocks and all the amenities therein. The nice sidewalks, the grassy park, the swimming pool and the clubhouse; are all partially yours. That’s what the dues pay for. In fact, you’re getting a bulk savings by pooling with the other homeowners – and you deserve to enjoy every cent you put in. If you’re not getting the most value from your HOA dues, how can you improve that ratio?  

As it turns out, making the most of your HOA is a pretty relaxing and fun endeavor. Here are the ten best ways to get the best value from your HOA dues:

1. Swim in the Pool with Friends

Make use of the pool. Really enjoy it. On a hot summer afternoon – or perhaps a warm weeknight evening – slip into your bathing suit and take a dip. Soak in the spa, if you have one. Bring friends to make use of the grill, tables, and pool on a nice Saturday. When you want to catch some sun, snag a deck chair by the pool and position the umbrella just where you like it. When you want to float on an inflatable lounge and sip a thermos of something spicy, it’s your pool to enjoy.  

You can bring friends and family according to the guest’s rules or enjoy the pool on your own. Everyone can treat the pool like their own backyard – a luxury no one has to pay for alone. Just remember it’s everyone else’s pool, as well.

2. Make Use of the Fitness Center

If your HOA has a fitness center, you don’t need a gym membership. Combine running the neighborhood trails with the machines and weights in the fitness room for a great multipoint workout. Pick your favorite time and machine to build a routine or hit the fitness center any time you have a spare thirty minutes and a clean towel to bring with you. 

Saving on a gym membership alone can make your HOA dues worthwhile. Depending on where you live, gym memberships can be pretty pricey. Getting your workout through HOA shared spaces is a great way to make your dues really worth their value. You get to keep workout equipment out of your living room, avoid a gym membership fee, and your fitness center is likely within a comfortable brisk walking distance from your front door.

3. Take Walks Around the Park

HOAs almost universally have a neighborhood park and playground. It’s one of the things we can easily provide a community with minimal maintenance and maximum value. The playground makes any community welcoming to both resident families and visiting families. The park is a great place for kids, adults, and pets to play on the open green. Whether you’re a parent, an athlete, or just someone staying fit – take a walk around the park.

Explore the trails, admire the playground equipment, and consider the sports courts. Just surrounding yourself with green grass and trees is good for your mental health, and a brisk walk is great for your cardiovascular system. Walk alone, stroll with a friend, power walk with a group, or walk your dog.

4. Play in the Sports Courts

The sports courts are there for you to play in. Communities build them with pooled dues revenue so that everyone can play tennis and basketball whenever they want to. In fact, if you keep it quiet, you can even play in the middle of the night. Living in an HOA is kind of like being part of a miniature country club, including the ability to use the sports courts whenever you want.

Grab a friend and a pair of rackets to play a little tennis or shoot a few free throws on the basketball court as part of your interval training. Take your kids to the sports courts for a weekend activity. If you don’t want to play ball, bring a bucket of colored chalk and leave a mural for the community instead. You can even book the courts for parties and barbecues.