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Gather a core group of people to start the HOA. Hold information sessions. Promote the benefits of the HOA. Offer different fee arrangements to allow for more involvement. Consider making the HOA voluntary.

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When choosing a group to form the association, it may be best to start with a smaller number of people who will be responsible for actually setting up the legal entity and talking with neighbors about the benefits of forming and joining an HOA. However, before setting up the actual HOA, it is important that you generate support from most, if not all, of the neighbors.  You should choose a convenient time and place to hold the initial HOA meetings so that all of the core group members can attend. You can consider having each of the members host a meeting at their home, condo, or duplex. During the initial meeting, discuss why you are interested in starting an HOA. Before your second meeting, members should research local and state laws to ensure that HOAs are permitted in your community. You should also discuss the best ways to convince others to join the HOA. For example, you can circulate a survey asking everyone what changes and/or services that they would like to see in their community or complex. You can use the survey responses as a guide to developing a plan for the HOA. Once the core members have established a basic outline of what the HOA would provide, you should host information sessions for all of the neighbors. This allows people to ask questions of the core members and voice their concerns about the HOA. It also allows people to discuss how they want to interact with the HOA and provide suggestions and input on desired services. You should use the information meetings to try and “sell” the idea of an HOA to your neighbors. Explain how membership dues will be used to provide specific benefits to the community, such as landscaping to beautify the neighborhood and increase property values. If you live in a duplex or condo, an HOA might help pay collective bills and save for building repairs. You should also discuss how the HOA can pool community resources to provide benefits that families could not afford on their own, such as a new playground. Consider preparing different tiers of HOA dues. For example, if everyone in the neighborhood or complex wants to build a pool for community use, plan out how much money that would take and the cost to each member. You should also provide lower cost options and specifically detail what services the HOA would provide. When starting a new HOA, you will most likely need to make the organization voluntary, at least in the beginning. By making the organization voluntary, families will not feel “trapped” by the organization and may be more likely to join. As the HOA demonstrates its benefits to the community or complex, more homeowners, condo owners, and duplex owners may be willing to join and participate.  A mandatory association requires all homeowners, condo owners, and duplex owners in a certain community to join the HOA. HOA membership would actually be linked to the sale of one’s home, condo, or duplex.