For the seventh time in 13 years, Americans living in HOAs and condominiums
say they're satisfied in their communities.
June 4, 2018 — Falls Church, VA — Community associations, commonly referred to as homeowners associations (HOAs), condominiums, and housing cooperatives, remain preferred places to call home for millions of Americans, according to the 2018 Homeowner Satisfaction Survey, conducted by Zogby Analytics for the Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR). The majority (90%) of survey respondents say their association's rules protect and enhance their property values (62%) or have a neutral effect (28%). Eighty-four percent of those surveyed expressed that neighbors elected to the governing board “absolutely" or “for the most part" serve the best interests of their communities.
Nationwide, 63 percent of surveyed homeowners and condominium association members live in single family homes, followed by 17 percent who live in condominiums and 14 percent who live in townhomes. Zogby, the independent polling and research firm, used random sampling to identify association residents and asked them to rate their homeowners association experience on a scale of one to five, with one being very bad and five being very good. Sixty-three percent say they are “very" or “somewhat" satisfied, with 22 percent reporting a neutral response.
Community association residents in the data sample commented on other association benefits:
- Nearly 73 percent of residents said their community managers provide value and support to residents and their associations.
- Most common monthly assessments are in the $100–$300 range, with condominium assessments slightly higher than homeowners association fees (17 percent are more than $500 per month).
- In addition, more than half of respondents nationwide (54%) feel they are paying just the right amount in assessments.
- Two-thirds of surveyed homeowners and condominium association owners have, at some point, attended their community association board meetings—with the majority attending four board meetings per year.
- More than 60 percent of respondents believe that associations should insist that all homeowners pay their assessments, and attorneys should be involved, if necessary, when homeowners are delinquent in paying their assessments.
“Community associations remain an essential component of the U.S. housing market, and—once again—a large majority of Americans who live in community associations report that they are happy and satisfied in their communities," says CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas Skiba, CAE. “The most recent survey validates that the majority of homeowners believe their boards are serving their community, that their fees fall within a reasonable range, and that being a part of their community association enhances and protects their property values."
Today, 69 million Americans live in 342,000 common-interest communities, according to the 2016 National and State Statistical Review for Community Association Data. From city-sized, master-planned communities and multi-building condominium complexes to urban cooperatives and small homeowners associations built into small tracks of open suburban spaces, the new survey findings also show that homeowners want to see less—or at least not more—government oversight and control of community associations.
The Foundation for Community Association Research conducted similar surveys in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2016. Results can be accessed at http://cairf.org/research/survey_homeowner_past.aspx.
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About Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR)
The Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR) was founded in 1975. FCAR is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports and conducts research and makes that information available to those involved in association development, governance, and management. FCAR provides authoritative research and analysis on community association trends, issues, and operations. Our mission is to inspire successful and sustainable communities. We sponsor needs-driven research that informs and enlightens all community association stakeholders—community association residents, homeowner volunteer leaders, community managers, and other professional service providers, legislators, regulators, and the media. Our work is made possible by your tax-deductible contributions. Your support is essential to our research. For more information, visit www.cairf.org.
About Community Associations Institute
Since 1973, Community Associations Institute (CAI) has been the leading provider of resources and information for homeowners, volunteer board leaders, professional managers, and business professionals in 342,000 homeowners associations, condominiums, and co-ops in the United States and millions of communities worldwide. With nearly 40,000 members, CAI works in partnership with 36 legislative action committees and 63 affiliated chapters within the U.S., Canada, United Arab Emirates, and South Africa, as well as with housing leaders in several other countries including Australia, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. A global nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization, CAI is the foremost authority in community association management, governance, education, and advocacy. Our mission is to inspire professionalism, effective leadership, and responsible citizenship—ideals reflected in community associations that are preferred places to call home. Visit us at www.caionline.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook @caisocial.