What Should I Know About HOAs Before Buying? (2026 Guide)
By Jeff and Lane Morrell · October 2026
The Morrell Group | eXp Realty
Most newer communities across the Front Range, from Meridian Ranch to the master-planned neighborhoods of the Springs, run through a homeowners association that sets rules, collects dues, and maintains common areas. A well-run HOA protects property values; a poorly run one can bring surprise assessments and restrictive rules. Before you buy, read the HOA documents, check the reserves, and understand what you can and cannot do with your property.
What you are buying into
Dues, rules about paint colors, fences, parking, and rentals, plus enforcement. The covenants, bylaws, and financials are part of the deal, and your title company pulls them with the contract. Read them, do not skim.
The red flags we teach buyers
Our August 2026 HOA guide highlighted the warning signs buyers should check: underfunded reserves, looming improvement projects, which is where special assessments come from, and rules that conflict with your plans, such as forbidding rentals or certain vehicles.
Colorado Springs specifics
Many east-side and northern communities, from Lorson Ranch to Cordera to Wolf Ranch, are HOA-governed, while older central neighborhoods often are not. An HOA is neither good nor bad by itself; it is a set of trade-offs you should choose knowingly.
We hand every HOA buyer the same short list: reserves, pending special assessments, and the rental rules. If a seller hesitates to share the documents, that is an answer in itself. We will read the fine print with you so the rules do not surprise you after move-in.
Here when you're ready, Jeff & Lane Morrell
Want the answer for your situation?
Every market and every home is different. Text us at 719-499-9394 and we will give you a straight answer, or book a free consultation and we will talk it through.
Ask Jeff & Lane Anything
There are no dumb questions and no emergencies in real estate. We answer every message ourselves.
Text us at 719-499-9394 or Book a Free Consultation
Back to Ask Jeff & Lane