Homeowners' associations are becoming increasingly difficult to avoid as they expand from new construction into the resale market. Last year, 44% of existing homes for sale were under HOA governance, up from 34% in 2019, according to Realtor.com data. This shift reflects changing development patterns where builders increasingly construct amenity-rich communities.

HOAs first proliferated in the 1960s and 1970s as suburbs expanded rapidly and municipalities required developers to include associations for infrastructure upkeep. Today, they're most common in Mountain West states like Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado, as well as Florida, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. where condos dominate. In more rural areas, they remain comparatively rare.

The financial burden is growing. Median HOA dues reached $135 monthly last year, up from $108 in 2019. Some homeowners face special assessments on top of regular fees. Laura Domrzalski in Colorado Springs saw her townhome HOA fees rise to $380 this year from $280 in 2023, plus a $5,000 special assessment for roof repairs. Despite these costs, HOAs haven't significantly impacted home sales velocity in either direction.

Quick Fact: 44% of existing homes for sale were under HOA governance in 2024, up from 34% in 2019.