If you search the Internet for Homeowner Association (HOA) experiences, you’ll find a wide variety of stories ranging from very positive to very negative. In this article, we’re going to focus on the benefits of living in a neighborhood with a HOA and what homeowners can and must do to achieve maximum return on their investments. Church Point was incorporated as a Homeowners Association from the beginning and all homeowners knowingly bought a house that came with the associated benefits and responsibilities. Here are some benefits that apply to the Church Point Homeowners Association:

Keep Property Values High

One of the most obvious benefits of HOA living is the protection of property values. As someone who invested a great deal of money into a home, you naturally want to make sure it retains (and even increases) its value. While you can control how your own house looks, you can’t do the same for the rest of the neighborhood. This is where Homeowners Associations come in.

Because homeowners need to seek permission to make any structural changes to their property, the HOA has control over the aesthetic consistency and appeal of the neighborhood. HOAs typically have rules concerning landscaping, trash placement, decorations, and vehicle parking. These rules all have one ultimate goal — to make the community look nice and, therefore, keep property values high.

It is strongly recommended that every Church Point homeowner is/becomes familiar with the governing document for the neighborhood. In those cases that a homeowner is renting out their house, it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to educate the tenants and ensure they comply with the rules. For those that find the governing document overwhelming, a good starting point is the Rules and Regulation.

The process for making changes to a property is very simple and streamlined assuming the request is within the rules. A form is available to start the process and it is recommended to do this well in advance of the project start. In case you have questions, please engage the Architecture and Rules Enforcement Committee.

Lots of Opportunities to Socialize

HOAs also like to uplift the culture and standard of living in the area they manage. Often, it means having a variety of social activities for Association members, so you and your family can have plenty of opportunities to get to know the neighbors.

Not only do you get to talk to your fellow homeowners during annual Homeowners meetings, but you can also chat them up during parties and social gatherings. Church Point has a very active Social Committee and you can find a schedule of activities here. In addition to that, the next social events are announced on the front page of this web site, Nextdoor and on Facebook.

Church Point homeowners are strongly encouraged to use those social opportunities as they strengthen our sense of community.

Enjoy Common Property

HOAs often have common amenities that all homeowners can enjoy. Church Point has over 33 acres of common space with multiple large parks, a waterfront area and miles of trails. These spaces are maintained by the Association and provide great opportunities for a game with the kids, a picnic or just a stroll. Obviously, as the saying goes, you should take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints and kill nothing but time. Maintaining the integrity of the common grounds/structures contributes to creating and maintaining a more aesthetically pleasing environment for all homeowners.

If you spot any issues in the common areas like garbage, unmaintained areas, broken tree limbs, fallen trees or damaged infrastructure, please report these issues to the Landscaping Committee using their Issue Form.

Dispute Settlement

Have you ever had an issue with a neighbor over a barking dog or loud parties? If you’re living in a homeowners association, your Board of Directors and the Management Company will address these issues on behalf of your Homeowners Association and ensure that everything is resolved amicably and effectively. Having an official mediating party will not only discourage these issues in the first place, but it will help any neighborly issues get resolved as quickly as possible. You can reach out to the Board of Directors and/or Management company via the online form or emailing/calling them directly.

In case the issue is of a law enforcement nature, the Virginia Beach Police Department offers an online mechanism to report issues like noise violations, neighborhood crime, destruction of property, traffic incidents, abandoned vehicles, embezzlement and identity theft. You can also call them at (757) 385-2703.

Location, Location, Location

Not every Homeowners Association offers this benefit but Church Point is in a unique location in Hampton Roads with quick access to historical places, recreation, beaches and fine wining and dining. Here are some links to get you started:

• History:
  • Adam Thoroughgood House (Wikipedia)
  • Church Point Manor
  • Other Historic Buildings
  • Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel – “One of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World”
• Recreation:
  • Bayside Recreation Center
  • Bayville Farms Park
  • First Landing State Park
  • Pleasure House Point Natural Area
• Education:
  • Virginia Beach Public Schools
  • Virginia Beach Public Library
  • Brock Environmental Center by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation

For Homeowners

If you are a current or potential future homeowner, a list of resources is available for you to quickly access other relevant information on this website.