The Legalese of a Homeowners Association

The conditions and obligations may be confusing

A Homeowners Association (HOA) can be a very attractive housing arrangement for some people. An individual is able to buy property in an established community with amenities such as golf courses and swimming pools. There is no question about the condition of the house, because it follows certain standards established by the Association. There is an agreement that has to be signed by the new homeowner, and it outlines requirements and obligations. While an HOA does sound fantastic, a person has to be a little bit cautious. The agreement is a legal document and should be read carefully. Some of the language may be confusing and require professional examination. That is a service offered by a group legal plan that can avoid catastrophe.


The Obligations Are Very Firm

An HOA wants to protect the value of the properties. This will require people to follow certain rules and regulations. Anyone buying a home within an HOA has no choice but to be a member of the Association. The agreement will spell out the type of material used to build the house, mandatory landscaping, and even requirements for upkeep of the property. Failure to abide by the rules of the HOA can result in assessments and penalties. Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services has been developing group legal plan benefits that have the opportunity to include a very important option. One of the Countrywide group legal services is the inspection of any contract or legal document up to six pages in length.

Duties As Seen through Professional Eyes

Prudence requires that a person look carefully at the HOA agreement. It is not a situation where the Association is trying to trap someone, but the prospective buyer ought to know what he or she is getting into. Countrywide attorneys will review the paperwork and help explain the various clauses. The lawyer can point out what the obligations are and what the consequences will be for not following them. The benefit of such group legal services cannot be underestimated. There is a lot of money involved in purchasing a house within an HOA. It is better to find out what the requirements are of ownership before signing on the dotted line, than to find out later. It allows a group legal plan member to decide whether or not the purchase is a good idea. It also helps with the relationship between owner and the HOA. Paragraphs that have been clarified by a Countrywide attorney reduce any confusion or mystery. The agreement can then be signed which is fully understood. The buyer knows what is expected.


The Quality of Service

Countrywide screens attorneys carefully before allowing one to be part of the network. These legal experts must be able to provide excellent group legal services to any plan member. The attorneys live in the area where the plan member resides. In fact, a Countrywide lawyer may know something about the HOA that the plan member doesn’t. That extra information can help in making the ultimate decision. Countrywide understands that people may be a little bit confused about the language. One of the secondary services of any Countrywide group legal plan is unlimited number of telephone calls to the Countrywide attorney. All questions are answered completely, and this provides a great deal of relief to the plan member.

Reviewing legal paperwork is one of the many great group legal services benefit options Countrywide offers. We know each organization has its own separate needs, and we encourage decision-makers to select those benefits they feel are best for a legal plan. We tailor everything to the express needs of the client. We also have benefits administration that provides a service quickly and effectively. Legal paperwork and agreements don’t have to be a frustrating puzzle. Every plan member has the right to have the paperwork inspected and clarified, and our attorneys are experts at defining the terms.

Contact us today for more information about our ID Theft and Legal Plans!