HOA Fees in Montgomery County PA: What Buyers Should Know in 2026
HOA fees in Montgomery County can meaningfully change your monthly payment and buying power, especially for condos, townhomes, and 55+ communities, so they need to be evaluated alongside price, taxes, and insurance.
What Is an HOA and What Do Fees Cover?
A Homeowners Association (HOA) manages and maintains shared elements of a community. Typical services include:
Maintenance and repairs: Landscaping of common areas, snow removal, exterior repairs (roofs/siding in many condos and some townhomes).
Shared amenities: Clubhouses, pools, fitness rooms, playgrounds, walking trails, security gates.
Shared utilities and insurance: Trash, sometimes water or sewer, and master insurance on the building shell for many condo communities.
Exactly what’s covered varies by community, which is why reviewing the HOA documents, budget, and insurance summary is essential before you buy.
How Much Are HOA Fees?
HOA fees in Montgomery County vary by property type, amenity level, and age of the community, but national and regional ranges give useful benchmarks:
Condos: Often around 200–600 per month, sometimes higher in buildings with elevators, garages, or extensive amenities.
Townhomes: Often around 150–300 per month, usually covering landscaping, snow removal, and common areas, with owners taking on more of their own exterior maintenance.
Single-family / 55+ HOAs: Can range from around 100–200 per month in simpler neighborhoods to much higher in amenity‑rich active adult or golf communities.
High‑end or resort‑style communities can exceed 1,000 per month when they include things like concierge services, extensive recreation facilities, or large buildings to maintain.
How HOA Fees Impact Affordability
Lenders treat HOA dues as part of your monthly housing expense, and they are included in your debt‑to‑income (DTI) ratio. That means:
Higher HOA dues reduce how much you can borrow, even if the purchase price is the same.
Underwriters break annual or quarterly dues into a monthly number for DTI calculations.
A 400/month HOA fee can meaningfully lower your maximum approval compared with a similar home without HOA dues.
Your realistic monthly housing cost becomes: mortgage + property taxes + homeowners insurance + HOA dues (and condo master insurance where applicable).
Are HOA Fees Negotiable?
The fee amount itself is not negotiable—it’s set by the association’s budget and bylaws. However, buyers and sellers can sometimes structure around it by:
Negotiating seller credits toward closing costs.
Addressing known special assessments in negotiations (for example, asking the seller to pay a pending assessment at or before closing).
You cannot negotiate your way into a lower monthly HOA charge after purchase; you can only decide if the community’s services and costs are a good fit.
Special Assessments and HOA Financial Health
A special assessment is an extra charge levied on owners to cover big expenses that normal dues and reserves cannot handle, such as:
Roof or siding replacement
Major structural or mechanical repairs
Unplanned capital projects or emergencies
Industry estimates suggest a large share of HOAs nationwide are under‑reserved, which raises the risk of future assessments. Before buying, it’s wise to review:
Recent reserve studies (if available)
Current reserve fund balances
History of past special assessments
Minutes from recent HOA meetings to spot upcoming projects
Underfunded HOAs increase the chance of surprise costs later.
Rules, Restrictions, and Lifestyle Fit
Beyond dollars, HOAs come with rules that can impact day‑to‑day life, including:
Rental or leasing restrictions (caps, minimum lease terms, or bans on short‑term rentals)
Pet policies and breed/size limits
Exterior modification rules (fences, decks, paint colors, solar panels)
Parking and vehicle restrictions (assigned spaces, guest rules, commercial vehicles)
Because rules vary widely, always read the bylaws, covenants (CC&Rs), and rules and regulations to be sure the community aligns with your lifestyle and future plans.
Are HOA Homes a Good Investment?
HOA properties can be a strong fit when you value:
Low‑maintenance living (lawn, snow, exterior covered)
Access to amenities (clubhouses, pools, trails)
A cohesive look and feel that can help protect property values
National data suggests condos and townhomes with HOAs often sell at a higher price per square foot than similar non‑HOA properties, especially in newer or amenity‑rich communities, although appreciation ultimately still depends on location, overall market conditions, and HOA management quality. Poorly managed HOAs with underfunded reserves, frequent assessments, or restrictive rules can hurt resale, so governance and financials matter as much as the amenities.
Considering a Condo or Townhome in Montgomery County?
When you look at HOA communities, it helps to evaluate:
What the monthly fee covers (and what it doesn’t)
The association’s budget, reserves, and reserve studies
Any recent or upcoming special assessments
Rental policies and other rules that affect your flexibility
How the fee level compares with similar communities nearby
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Total monthly cost, including HOA dues
Township and tax comparisons
Lifestyle fit and long‑term resale prospects
