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In many communities, high or rising HOA fees are scaring off potential buyers—especially as mortgage rates remain elevated and household budgets get tighter.
For new buyers, the idea of taking on a home plus hundreds of dollars in monthly fees can be a tough sell. Yet for others—especially downsizers and retirees—the arrangement still holds strong appeal.
HOA communities often come with perks like professional landscaping, access to amenities, and hassle-free upkeep. In many cases, these features make daily life more convenient—and sometimes even more affordable over time.
If you’re a prospective buyer wondering whether HOA fees can be negotiated (like rent, insurance premiums, or other housing costs), the answer isn’t as straightforward as you might hope.
What HOA fees cover
When you buy a home in a community governed by a homeowners association, you’ll likely be responsible for paying monthly or quarterly HOA fees. These aren’t just arbitrary costs—they’re pooled funds used to help maintain the shared spaces and overall quality of life in the community.
HOA fees typically cover the following:
- Routine maintenance and services, like landscaping, snow removal, pest control, trash pickup, and wastewater management
- Amenities upkeep, including pools, gyms, clubhouses, and playgrounds
- Security and safety features, such as gated attendants, patrol services, and cameras and electronic access systems
- Reserve funds for major repairs and replacements, like installing a new roof or repaving the roads
Not all HOAs are alike. Costs and services vary widely depending on the community, region, and property type. A luxury condo in a high-rise building with valet parking and 24/7 concierge service will naturally have higher fees than a small HOA for single-family homes with basic landscaping.
Even within the same city, two communities might offer different amenities or have different standards of upkeep—and so their fees could differ significantly. That’s why it’s essential to review what’s included in the fee before buying a home with an HOA.
Can you negotiate HOA fees when buying—or after?
One of the most common misunderstandings among homebuyers is the belief that HOA fees are negotiable, much like a home’s sale price.
In reality, these fees are typically set by the HOA and apply equally to all homeowners in the community. They’re based on the association’s budget, and the actual amount charged by the HOA is generally not negotiable on an individual basis.
But there might be some flexibility on certain occasions.
During the homebuying process
While you can’t negotiate the HOA fee itself—you might be able to negotiate who pays for it, at least initially. For example, some buyers negotiate for the seller to cover several months (or even a year) of HOA dues as part of the closing agreement.
This can be especially helpful if you’re already stretching your budget to afford the home, and it’s similar to asking the seller to pay closing costs. It doesn’t reduce the HOA fee, but it does reduce your out-of-pocket expenses upfront.
If the property you’re bidding on is in a neighborhood with unusually high fees, and it’s been sitting on the market for a while, the seller might be more open to creative concessions like this to close the deal.
After you moved in
Once you become a homeowner, you can get involved in the HOA to try to influence costs. Join the board and work with the community to push for budget changes or cost-cutting.
You might still be limited in what you can change even if you attend meetings. HOAs are legally bound to maintain certain standards and reserves, so slashing fees isn’t always practical or advisable. Still, being engaged in your community can lead to smarter, more transparent budgeting.
Why HOA fees are going up—and where it’s most concerning
While modest annual increases in HOA fees are typical, fees are rising significantly across the country. A mix of regional factors drives these hikes, but common themes have emerged nationwide.
Inflation, deferred maintenance, and expanded service offerings are pushing HOA fees higher everywhere. Rising costs for labor and materials, combined with the need to catch up on postponed repairs, have strained HOA budgets.
These increases are widespread, but some areas are experiencing particularly steep hikes.
In Florida, the devastating 2021 Surfside condo collapse prompted lawmakers to impose stringent safety regulations requiring older buildings to undergo detailed structural inspections and maintain larger reserve funds. These mandates have caused HOA fees to spike dramatically in many communities.
For instance, condo residents in Altamonte Springs reported a nearly 100% increase in their HOA fees, with some paying over $700 monthly for a 649-square-foot unit. Similarly, the Wekiva Country Club Villas Homeowners Association in Longwood saw its annual insurance premium skyrocket 156% in 2024, prompting a corresponding rise in HOA dues.
Meanwhile, in California, the increasing frequency of wildfires has led to soaring insurance premiums for HOAs. Some communities have seen their insurance costs multiply several times over in just a few years, forcing sharp increases in monthly fees or even special assessments to cover the shortfall.
Special assessments: What they are and how they affect your bottom line
There’s another, often overlooked cost that can hit your wallet hard besides the standard HOA fees.
A special assessment is an additional fee charged by the HOA when it doesn’t have enough money in its reserves to cover a major or unexpected expense. This could be anything from emergency roof replacement from a natural disaster to legal expenses and lawsuits.
In some communities, special assessments might be rare, while in others, especially those with aging buildings or poorly managed finances, they can happen every few years—or even more frequently.
These assessments are separate from—and in addition to—your regular HOA dues. Unlike your predictable monthly fees, special assessments often come with little warning and can be expensive, depending on the issue and the number of homeowners in the community.
It’s not unusual for assessments to run into the thousands or more per household. For example, a structural repair costing $500,000 in a 50-unit condo could lead to a $10,000 bill per homeowner.
In well-managed communities, these costs should be anticipated and covered by reserves. But in reality, some HOAs keep reserves too low to avoid raising monthly dues, and when a big bill hits, they pass it directly to homeowners through an assessment.
One way to avoid surprise costs like these is to review the HOA’s financials—including reserve funds and recent budgets—before buying into a community. A knowledgeable real estate agent can help you request and interpret these documents and spot potential red flags before you commit.