What No One Tells You About Buying in a San Diego HOA
When you're house hunting in San Diego, many listings will feature beautiful amenities like pools, manicured landscaping, and gated entries. What they don’t always mention up front is that these perks often come with all the fine print of a homeowners association, or HOA.
More than half of homes for sale in San Diego County are tied to an HOA—meaning your lifestyle, monthly costs, and even your home’s future value could be affected. While HOAs offer structure and shared services, they also come with surprises that many buyers only discover after escrow closes. If you're thinking of buying into one, this article will explain exactly what to know before making that offer. And if you want expert guidance from the start, Melina Rissone can help you navigate the process with confidence.
HOA Fees Can Rise Faster Than You Think
Many San Diego homebuyers are surprised to find their HOA dues can rival or even exceed their mortgage. In some local condo communities, fees have surged by as much as 60–70% since 2021 alone. This pattern is driven by escalating insurance costs, inflation in repairs, and deferred maintenance. Over 55% of homes for sale in San Diego County now require HOA membership, compared to around 40.5% nationally, and monthly dues frequently reach $500 or more.
State law allows HOAs to increase fees by up to 20% per year without a vote, and they can levy special assessments for major repairs, which may add hundreds to your monthly expenses. To avoid unforeseen costs, experts recommend reviewing at least five years of financial statements, including reserve studies, instead of relying on just one year's dues history.
Legal Reforms Are Happening—But They’re Not Enough
California has recently passed laws like AB 2159 and SB 900 to increase HOA transparency and ease voting requirements. While these laws help increase owner involvement and reduce board meeting quorum issues, many HOAs still operate with limited member input. In practice, some associations delay sharing financial information or fail to tell residents about vital maintenance needs.
Bills aimed at enforcing stricter reporting rules have failed, leaving some communities with old or incomplete records. While progress exists on paper, enforcement is another story. Buyers often expect these rules will protect them, but oversight remains inconsistent across San Diego HOAs.
HOA Boards Hold More Power Than You Realize
Living in an HOA means agreeing to the rules, called Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs), which regulate everything from your exterior paint color to pet ownership. Many homeowners don’t realize how much power the board holds until they receive a fine or are denied a seemingly simple upgrade. In San Diego, HOA boards can impose fines, place liens on your home, and even initiate foreclosure for non-payment of dues or violations.
Appeals processes exist, but they can be slow and confusing for new homeowners. Disputes often escalate, especially in communities with strict enforcement. This private governance can catch buyers off guard, especially those used to more freedom in single-family homeownership.
Rising Insurance Premiums Could Derail Your Budget
One of the hidden costs in HOA living today is insurance. Wildfire risk, aging buildings, and changes in the insurance market have made coverage more expensive and harder to obtain. San Diego HOAs, especially those near canyons or coastal cliffs, are seeing policy renewals spike by 15–30% or more. Many associations pass these hikes directly onto residents via fee increases or emergency special assessments.
Financing can also be impacted: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have flagged hundreds of California condo associations as too risky for standard loans. If you’re using a conventional loan, confirm that your lender doesn’t require extra review due to the HOA’s financial or insurance status. Buyers often overlook this until their mortgage approval is delayed or denied.
Transparency Isn’t Always the Norm
California law requires HOAs to provide updated budgets, reserve studies, and financials, but many still aren’t fully transparent. Some associations offer outdated or hard-to-access records, leaving buyers unaware of deferred maintenance or looming special assessments. Reserve studies are only required every three years, and not all communities follow best practices.
When transparency is lacking, you might not know that your future dues are about to spike due to roof replacements or plumbing upgrades. Buyers should review the HOA's financials with a fine-toothed comb and request minutes from board meetings to spot red flags. The absence of bad news isn't proof of good health; sometimes it's just poor reporting.
Conclusion
Buying in an HOA neighborhood in San Diego offers convenience and a sense of community, but it also means entering a complex legal and financial system. Rising dues, limited transparency, unexpected rules, and insurance challenges are just some of the hidden aspects of HOA life that can catch even seasoned buyers by surprise. Recent laws have helped, but they haven’t closed all the gaps in oversight or accountability.
If you’re considering an HOA property, doing deeper due diligence now can save thousands and help avoid major headaches later. That’s why it’s important to know exactly what’s being signed before the keys change hands. Melina Rissone is a San Diego-based Associate Broker who specializes in guiding buyers through HOA complexities. She helps clients review HOA documents and understand how each community operates. Reach out to ensure your next move is the right one—for your budget, lifestyle, and future.
Melina Rissone
Having sold properties for more than 20 years and earning various prestigious awards throughout the course of her career, Melina Rissone has more than earned her reputation as one of San Diego's most skilled and trustworthy real estate brokers selling homes and luxury condominiums. Her loyal clientele would share that Melina brings structure and planning to chaos. She specializes in supporting her clients and their referrals; families and individuals going through divorce and seniors and active adults planning their moves and financial decisions during their retirement years.
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Institute of Luxury Home Marketing certified.
Certified Senior Advisor by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors
Cartus Network Inventory Specialist and Cartus Network Marketing Specialist since 2015.
RCS-D Designation, a Real Estate Collaboration Specialist for Divorce.
SRES Certification through NAR is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist certification.
Melina is bilingual in English and German.
Recognized as the Top 4% of all real estate brokers in San Diego County in 2021 and the Top 3% of Coldwell Banker International.
Coldwell Banker Presidents Elite Award.
Recognize as the Top 2% of Coldwell Banker West in 2024.
Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Institute of Luxury Home Marketing Certified.
Melina is on point, extremely resourceful and well connected. She has a very versatile knowledgebase so was able to help guide us in many areas I was not even expecting from an agent. I've referred her to several friends who all reported great experiences. She takes her role in representing her client very seriously so its not like some kind of half time gig thing. She gets it done.
-Dan C.
