Can a COA Become an HOA? Understanding the Real Difference with Expert Michael Crew
Update: 2025-11-17
Description
Welcome to Go Gaddis Real Estate Radio! I’m Cleve Gaddis—here to make real estate clear, simple, and worry-free.
Today we’re tackling a question that confuses homeowners, buyers, and even some agents: Can a COA become an HOA? And what’s the real difference between the two?
Joining me is Michael Crew, CEO of Homeowner Management Services, Inc., one of Atlanta’s most trusted experts in community association management. We’ll break down:
What separates a Condominium Owners Association (COA) from a Homeowners Association (HOA)
Why the appearance of a community can be misleading—townhomes can be condos, and detached homes can be part of a COA
Whether a COA can ever “convert” into an HOA (and why it’s far more complicated than most people think)
How a community’s legal documents—not the architecture—determine its ownership structure
What buyers and sellers must review before making decisions, including the Declaration of Condominium and the property’s legal description
How an experienced agent can help you locate, interpret, and understand these documents before you sign anything
We’ll also share insights from “The Neighborhood That Wanted a Do-Over,” a real-world example of what happens when a community discovers they’re operating under the wrong governance structure—and what it takes to fix it.
Plus, I’ll tell you more about our Upside program, built to give buyers and sellers all the tools and options they need to move forward with confidence.
Got a question, comment, or challenge? Visit GoGaddisRadio.com to connect, push back, or subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Today we’re tackling a question that confuses homeowners, buyers, and even some agents: Can a COA become an HOA? And what’s the real difference between the two?
Joining me is Michael Crew, CEO of Homeowner Management Services, Inc., one of Atlanta’s most trusted experts in community association management. We’ll break down:
What separates a Condominium Owners Association (COA) from a Homeowners Association (HOA)
Why the appearance of a community can be misleading—townhomes can be condos, and detached homes can be part of a COA
Whether a COA can ever “convert” into an HOA (and why it’s far more complicated than most people think)
How a community’s legal documents—not the architecture—determine its ownership structure
What buyers and sellers must review before making decisions, including the Declaration of Condominium and the property’s legal description
How an experienced agent can help you locate, interpret, and understand these documents before you sign anything
We’ll also share insights from “The Neighborhood That Wanted a Do-Over,” a real-world example of what happens when a community discovers they’re operating under the wrong governance structure—and what it takes to fix it.
Plus, I’ll tell you more about our Upside program, built to give buyers and sellers all the tools and options they need to move forward with confidence.
Got a question, comment, or challenge? Visit GoGaddisRadio.com to connect, push back, or subscribe so you never miss an episode.
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