HOA vs COA: What Actually Changes for Homeowners? | Expert Advice from Michael Crew

What’s the practical difference between living in an HOA and living in a COA—and how does it actually impact your daily life as a homeowner?

In this episode of Go Gaddis Real Estate Radio, host Cleve Gaddis continues the conversation with Michael Crew, CEO of Homeowner Management Services, Inc., to break down the real, everyday responsibilities that change depending on your community’s legal structure.

1. What Homeowners Are Responsible For

Your governing documents determine what you legally own—and that determines what you must maintain and insure. Michael explains how responsibilities often differ between an HOA and a COA, including:

Roofing and exterior maintenance

Landscaping and grounds

Structural components

Shared utilities

Parking and common areas

Two communities may look identical, but their obligations may be completely different.

2. How Your Insurance Coverage Changes

We discuss the difference between:

HO-6 condo policies

HOA single-family policies

Master insurance policies

Walls-in vs. walls-out coverage

Michael clarifies why every homeowner must understand where the association’s insurance ends and the homeowner’s insurance begins.

3. Repairs, Assessments & Reserves

Your financial responsibility can change dramatically based on your ownership type. We’ll cover:

How COAs handle reserve funding

Why HOAs may require more individual maintenance

What happens when major repairs arise

How special assessments are triggered and approved

4. Protecting Your Property Legally

Using guidance from “Making It Legal — and Protecting Your Property,” we discuss the legal safeguards every homeowner should know. Michael outlines how understanding your Declaration, Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation can prevent disputes and protect property values.

5. Why This Matters for Buyers and Sellers

Whether you’re purchasing a home, preparing to list, or evaluating a community, knowing the difference between HOA and COA governance helps you avoid surprises and make informed financial decisions.

At Go Gaddis Real Estate Radio, our goal is to help you become a real estate expert so you never learn something after closing that you should’ve known before.

👉 Want to submit a question for Michael Crew or have your community featured? Visit GoGaddisRadio.com.
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