December 26, 2025 | Mark Luis Foster
Given the growth in the network this year, we’ve decided to start surveying members more often to get a handle on trends in HOA land. In early December we launched our Pop-Up Surveys series, which will occur roughly every month through the new year on a variety of topics, with results being unveiled at chapter meetings and published thereafter. We are now in the ‘thereafter’ for Survey #1, which revolved around HOA fees.
We asked members three things (and three things only — hence the “pop-up” survey motif to keep it brief):
- How much are you paying for HOA fees?
- What’s the amount of change in the fee, if any?
- What is driving the change?
We recognize that’s it is dangerous to compare HOA fees from one association to the other without knowing the make-up of each fee, but this survey was more about how much our network members are paying monthly, to create a basis for out-of-pocket HOA living comparisons. The results are interesting, but not necessarily surprising given what we all know about HOA issues that are driving our costs.
Out of 110 responses, we discovered the average amount being paid each month (as of December 1, 2025) is $511.00. Back in October we blogged about a study that showed average HOA fees across the country, and Minnesota ranked the 10th most expensive state for HOA fees, at $269 per month on average reported in those results. Read it here.
We also asked if the fee was changing for the new year. The majority (76.7%) reported an increase coming, with 16% reporting no change and 4.7% saying they expect a decrease. See chart:
The amount of change is fairly evenly dispersed. Changes (delta) in the fee were reported as more than $40 per month and $11-20 per month (18.6% each); “no change” and $21-30 per month (16.3% each); and $10 or less and $31-40 (15.1% each). See chart:
The reasons for the change were not surprising, with master insurance being chosen as at least one of the major drivers (58.1%), followed by maintenance costs (43%), reserve funding (32.6%) and funding for capital improvements (10.5%). Respondents could choose more than one answer. See chart:
Another Pop-Up Survey is being planned so watch your e-blast for the link!
