by KYW's Amy Feldman

A man in suburban Philadelphia bought a condo and was aware that he was subject to its homeowners association’s rules.  He didn’t think much of it—until the day he was told that the car his company gave him—ie, his only mode of transportation—violated the rules because it has the company logo on it and was therefore considered a commercial vehicle.  Despite a slowing condo market, there are still 230,000 condo associations with rules out there and those considering a purchase want to know: are you serious about that?

The covenants, conditions & restrictions (the cc&r’s) dictated by the homeowners association contain rules on everything from the color you can paint your house to whether or not you can park your car on your own driveway or have to garage it—which you are subject to.  And the homeowners associations often have powers so broad they can actually foreclose on your house for failure to pay your homeowner’s dues.  Best advice—ask BEFORE you buy whether or not you’d be subject to a homeowners association and ask to see the cc&r’s before you plunk down your money for the house or use the car to drive away.