Can a HOA charge realtor to show property?

That's shaky ground there. I've seen and heard of HOA's restricting the use of For Sale and For Rent signs. Those are the ONLY signs we may place on our property. However, more "exclusive" homes prefer NO signs at all. There's several reasons for that. Especially where famous people may live. Don't want a paparazzi to buy the house next door just to spy on Britney Spears for months.

HOA's are setup so to keep property values maintained. That's there main goal is uniformity and consistency. HOA's are really "Sales" tools. I find it a little strange that the homeowners would allow a policy that would limit their sales of their property. Charging or limiting a sales agent or owner isn't a good idea IMO. If I was trying to sell my home, I would want as little resistance as possible. Plus the more houses that sell, the more the value of my home increases. (More or less).

I would question this fee and ask what it goes toward. Is it so the HOA can pay for copies of the rules for the potential buyer? Is it to cover other costs associated with the sales of the property? Does your HOA control keys or access to the property? Maybe they have to pay someone to come down and allow access. Whatever that fee is for, find out. I would be interested in knowing.

It's hard enough to try to sell a home with a HOA. Some people bolt at the idea and some people are okay with the "concept". It really depends on the setup of your HOA that may offer discreminating tastes to sour. There should be a known use for this fee, otherwise, request that it be removed. If it's not benefitting the owners, it's not doing much good.

DavidK8: Would you kindly explain the $10 fee to "get bar codes" to access the neighborhood? Why not use the realtor Lock Box w/key most realtors use when showing a home?

So who monitors this? Is it just a one time fee for the bar code? Sounds like they may be charging for the Bar Code sticker to recoup the cost of the new system. This would make sense if it's just to purchase the code and NOT each time you go through the gate. Maybe the homeowner's had to do the same thing?

Ever think about "Piggy-backing"? Arrange to meet an owner at the gate or have your name left on the list as a "visitor"?. Seems to me, that may be the best route to take until the owners realize what is going on. The owner's do have a right to change this rule only if they participate and try. It seems owners tend to complain amongst themselves but never take any real action. If you and others don't like the rule this much, then take some action and make the changes.