[snakebitekit]

An HOA is the same as the US Government, you get what you vote for. The apathy in most HOA's is pathetic and that is when you get the wrong boards, because no one wants to step up the plate.
I will not live in a non HOA again, too many times I have had neighbors that don't give a rat's butt about how their home looks or how their "habits" can affect my value.
Is it perfect, no, but the home values in HOA's go up faster than non HOA's.
HOA's have their place and work well if there is owner participation.