> because I’ve seen neighborhoods without them and they’re never really stunning.

Most neighborhoods I’ve lived in have not had an HOA. They’ve ranged from okay to great.

I can think of a few neighbor situations where an HOA with teeth would have been welcome. The most specific involved someone getting a big angry dog breed, neglecting it, and then leaving their gate unlocked so it got out. That one was eventually dealt with by the city, though.

Meanwhile the one HOA I lived under was pretty boring and friendly. Didn’t really bother anyone but maintained a nice common area. HOA board members were friendly and reasonable, but then again so were all the neighbors so there wasn’t much to deal with.

I think the nightmare situation is a busybody HOA that starts going after things that don’t matter, which would be hell.