Last year more than 295,000 neighborhoods were governed by a community association, according to the Community Associations Institute, with more than 58 million residents. An association board governs the local community in such matters as property appearance, utility services and common area maintenance, to name a few.

There's always the periodic story about a condo association board member who goes too far. Like the association that cited a condo owner for "non-neutral draperies" hanging from his balcony. The drapery was actually the American Flag being displayed by a patriotic condo owner on Flag Day.

Nevertheless, a recent survey of association members by the Foundation for Community Association Research, revealed, that overall, those who live in a condo association environments, actually appreciate and approve of the restrictive covenants that come with living in such a community.

Seventy-two percent of those surveyed reported that living in a home owners association has actually been a positive or very positive experience. In fact, nearly 75 percent believe that the community rules protect and enhance property values.

Another part of the survey revealed that condo owner and homeowner association residents like governing themselves. So much that 80 percent said they would not want to see more government regulation on how associations are operated and 88 percent believe their association board is striving to serve the community as a whole.

Published: January 23, 2008

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Mr. Carr has covered real estate since 1989. He is the author of Real Estate Investing Made Simple. Got a personal real estate issue? Post your questions and comments at Anthony’s blog: commonsenserealestate.blogspot.com.