If you’re selling a home in an HOA community, the Community Association Disclosure form is not just another piece of paperwork—it’s a critical document that can impact your bottom line at closing. Any fees that are misstated or omitted on this form become the seller’s responsibility when it’s time to settle up.
That means if you accidentally underreport your HOA dues, forget about a special assessment, or miss a transfer or initiation fee, you could be on the hook for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. So, what should you do? Take the time to verify all fees with your HOA before completing the form. Be sure to confirm:
- Recurring dues.
- Special assessments.
- Transfer and initiation fees.
Before closing, the attorney will order a closing package from the HOA, which includes a full statement of fees, and will check for any discrepancies and make adjustments to the settlement statement accordingly. If the discrepancy is with the dues, the seller owes the difference between the actual and disclosed amount for the remainder of that calendar year! This happens a lot when a home is listed in or just before the new year, as often any fee increases or changes will begin on January 1st. If your home is on the market when the fees change, you will need to go back and amend your disclosure.
I’ve seen this happen multiple times just this year so if you’re selling a home in an HOA, double-check those numbers to avoid any expensive surprises! And as always, reach out to me with any questions!
