Love them or hate them, homeowner associations (HOAs) exist and at some point you may have to deal with one. Originally created to help maintain property values by controlling and managing the appearances of properties within a residential subdivision, HOAs often take on far more and can even spawn subcommittees, such as a neighborhood watch committee.

If you choose to buy a house in a HOA controlled neighborhood, then you will be subject to its rules and regulations. Learn more about the typical types of regulations a HOA has, and what to do if you end up in a dispute with one.