Rainbows and Unicorns: The Dream of a Utopian HOA

By Scott Swinton

I was poking around the grounds of a local HOA last week on a quest. The sky was blue, and the fragrance of jasmine and orange blossoms stirred the air. It was an arc of color, unexpected on this clear day, that had me treading the soft turf and peering under bushes. Suddenly, springing softly out from its hiding place in a tangle of wisteria, a unicorn bounded out onto the lawn. Yep, the rainbow had ended somewhere near here. And, only a few yards away, bathed in technicolor light, a gaggle of happy homeowners sat upon a checkered picnic blanket, smiling, chatting, and glad to be a part of the grand experiment known as a common interest development (CID).

J. K. Rowling and the Brothers Grimm would be cringing beside you. Strike fairy tales from my resume. Truly my story is trite, but G.K. Chesterton, the great English writer, and philosopher, had something interesting to say about fairy tales: “Fairy tales do not tell children dragons exist. Children already know dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”

My little tale attempts something similar. It doesn’t tell us that a technicolor utopia exists but suggests that with a bit of imagination – it might. And for that matter, we need not go so far as utopia. In fairy tales, giants, beanstalks, witches, and gingerbread houses all stand for greater unavoidable realities or ambitions that cannot be subdued. Fairy tales give hope that the hard truths in life are not entirely unbeatable or unattainable. One can kill the evil witch, thwart the wicked stepmother, and wear glass slippers to the royal ball.

In my silly introduction, I visited the ideal utopian association. Yes, it’s unattainable. But like in beloved fairy tales, it’s still worth reaching for. The grand common interest development experiment, launched in earnest over 50 years ago, was intended to provide a high standard of living for a wide swath of Americans looking to enter the home-buying market. In truth, it did just that. Despite the growing pains, owners of properties in HOAs are served well by the experience. Of course, we shouldn’t hunt for pots of gold in the CC&Rs, but it’s worth the effort to search for a good life where conventional wisdom has painted tangled thorns, dragons, and sorcerers.

Thorns and Roses

I was talking with a lovely manager the other day, and she told me a story about a homeowner that had recently moved into an HOA. This owner was pleased with the community management, had been nominated for the board of directors, and was happy to have other professionals in charge of maintenance and repairs. The new owner told this manager, “I love living in my HOA, and I’d make the decision again.”

In this story, the new homeowner knew what she was getting herself into. She knew there would be rules. Of all people, she could have made an informed decision to avoid buying into an HOA. But instead, she embraced the constraints as a blessing, not a curse. The thorny rules and regulations that trigger malcontents are roses to those who understand the profound benefits of community and cooperation.

Is it possible that some personalities are not meant for HOA life? Sure. But history has repeatedly shown that education, understanding, and patience have moved many from angst to acceptance and even earnest advocacy of the community.

Pixar’s How to Train Your Dragon reveals that (spoiler alert!) the fearsome and pesky dragons were deeply misunderstood and, gasp…affectionate! The moral is that humans can appreciate dragons, and dragons can trust humans.

Individual homeowners within a CID can often be misunderstood and feared, and they may need to be more trusting of management and board members. Admit it; it’s not a bad analogy. But in talking to a Hercules, CA homeowner, previous board member, and happy resident within an HOA, Aisha never once hinted that dragons were lurking. Instead, she said she enjoyed being on the board of directors because she met more of her neighbors. She liked the snug neighborhood because she liked the people.

Dragons create smoke, fire, and hysteria. If you have even one, you can be stung by flying sparks. This is the risk of living in close proximity with others. But is this truly unique to the HOA? Of course not. The narratives have spun rogue and insinuated that HOAs are uniquely vulnerable to dragons. This is, of course, false. The workplace, families, apartments, local governments, and schools all present realities where dragons roam and where the bullied may be much more vulnerable than in any HOA.

Conflict resolution, in truth, is far more accessible in the HOA than in most other spheres. Dragons can change, and the HOA structure provides a framework to facilitate the transformation.

Saruman the Sorcerer to Gentle Gandalf

In literature, you won’t find many sorcerers changing their ways. Unfortunately, HOA managers are often cast in the role of Sorcerer Supreme, throwing lighting storms and curses from monolithic white towers. And if that’s you, stop doing that.

But the wise manager scripts their role less like Tolkien’s Saruman and more like the sagacious Gandalf. In The Lord of the Rings (LOTR), Gandalf assembles a motley fellowship of unlikely leaders. He provides encouragement, guidance, and protection. Isn’t this an apt comparison for the HOA manager?

Like Middle Earth in the LOTR trilogy, California CIDs are in a time of substantive change. Is it worth the effort to bring CIDs to a healthy maturity? When as many as 65% of California homeowners live in an HOA, the answer becomes obvious, yes. Managers are the wizards tasked with encouraging owners to make good decisions, guiding them toward peaceful and positive solutions, and protecting the members they serve with an understanding of the law and an army of informed industry partners.

The CID experiment is young compared to other community forms, but it’s here to stay. I recently attended an event where some of the early pioneers in California CID governance and organization were honored. I sat at a table with several owners and board members of local communities. They were happy and content. They loved their homes and their neighbors. They were proud to serve their community.

This is the narrative of the next generation. As this industry leaves adolescence, it will find firmer footing, grace, and the stability that comes with adulthood. With maturity, perspectives can change. Likewise, as attitudes change, so will the narrative. So be on the lookout for rainbows and scampering unicorns coming to an HOA near you in the future.

Scott Swinton is the General Contractor and Certified Construction Manager at Unlimited Property Services, Inc.