I definitely agree people should read the fine print before signing on the dotted line, and most do. Most, if not all people I know who live in HOAs thought the initial concept sounded great at first, but then they come to find out that every breath they take is being dictated, and it begins to wear thin very fast.
Yes, as you must know since your girlfriend goes over this with people, many people live in a fantasy land when it comes to law.
They "think" that a certain activity will be ok and they not bothering anyone and think just because its in the documents still no one will bother them over this or that silly thing, until they are bothered.
AS she knows, HOAs are the community, members of the board are elected by the homeowners hence HOA = HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION and anyone can run for the board. This isn't some "outside agency" telling them what they can do or not.
In a new community, not yet completed, the developer is the HOA until the community is completed. Everyone gets their HOA documents, they all know the rules, simple stuff until a homeowner realizes he doesnt like a rule and ignores it.
I really like this subject (in case you didnt know*LOL*) because when we moved from another state to where we live now, moving into a community with an HOA was a must have requirement because I have seen communities without one and not the life I wanted nor was paying for.
Yeah, there are always a few in a community that are vocal about the rules, oh well, too bad. The comments from most are, "move"
I think our community is reasonable, exterior of homes must be power wash clean, no overnight parking in street, garbage cans hidden except for pick up day, no commercial vehicles in driveways, no boats or other things parked in the driveway for long periods of time.
Get approval for fencing, no vinyl fencing
ya da ya da.