> HOAs are still relatively rare outside of SoCal, so this issue is unlikely to pop up for 99.999% of the US population.

This seems incorrect. They are more common than you think, especially in neighborhoods built within the last 30-40 years.

I'd agree that many of the crazy HOA stories come from CA, they are common all over. Northern VA (metro DC) has them just about everywhere (at least anything built since the mid-70s).

But, most of those mid-70s neighborhoods have fairly light-weight rules... Some architecture review, but generally not the crazy "can't leave garage door open" or "potted plants must all be in pots 13.25" in diameter" stuff.

22-24% of US population according to this website:

https://foundation.caionline.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/...

I don't think I've seen a development in the last 30 years that doesn't have an HOA, and it seems like like all of Florida/Texas is HOA.

HOAs (in neighborhoods with houses) do a lot of things local governments do in other parts of the country, like south suburban chicago, where I grew up -- operate pools, common lawn care, etc.

I'm on a condo board currently and those are an entirely separate thing, much more intense, much more money, and much more service (when run well).

Almost anytime you have a developer that develops an entire neighborhood, you’re going to have an HOA.