No one forces anyone to buy with an HOA or in deed restricted. People choose these options because they help to ensure their proerty values do not go to shit because of people who let their properties fall to neglect. As long as the board is honest and keeps good records, one should be able to see an counting of the expenses to maintain the property and savings for expectced expenses like new roof, repaving parking lots etc. It cost a lot of money to maintain a home properly in undeed restricted. An HOA is just paying someone else to take care of it. Not a scam unless the board is stealing.