When we looking to buy our house, we made sure we did not get a house with a HOA. Only because at the time dh worked for a tow truck company and if he had to bring the truck home(if he had a late night call) he could. Plus I don't want anyone telling me I can or can't do something to my property if I want to. We wouldn't paint our house any odd colors any way.
We do have pretty strict code enforcement in our county though and they do come by every 2 weeks or so through the area.

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Mom to Katie 1/95 and Sara 5/97