New to HOA's

I recently purchased a condo at the end of November. The complex I live in is part condos and part apartments, therefor we share amenities (pretty much the pool). When I bought the place, I did so because the HOA fee was at a rate I felt comfortable with, $160 a month. I have been trying to contact the HOA but cannot to any avail. I was unsure what all was covered in my fee's and because I have not received a response back after a month and a half I have gotten my own insurance. I finally got the email address of the person who is control of finances, I emailed her asking where to send my check, and finally I heard back from someone via email with no other answers. Apparently my HOA went up to 385$. I would have NEVER of bought this condo with such a high HOA, it has barely any amenities, I have one parking space for a 3 bedroom and I am next to train tracks. This HOA has to be the highest HOA in my city, there is no way the condo will ever resale. I was looking at another city, which is much nicer but decided not to buy there because the HOA's were around 300$. Is there anything to do? I was never aware of this and apparently the previous owner was but never disclosed this information to me. Also the hike in price cannot be resolved because it says that the majority of the board has the right to put HOA to any amount (the HOA is owned by a company that owns the apartments therefore they will always have the majority of the board). Does anyone have any advice on what I should do???

I am primarily worried that there is no way I will be able to sell the house back. There are no condos with this high of an HOA in this city. I am guessing I will end up having to sell the condo for a lot less than i bought it, is that what you are thinking?

CB5,
Is this the first thing of Value you have ever purchased? You have to have your eyes wide open before you make what is usually this type of Major decision. Did you have a Realtor assist with this transaction? They hold some of the blame here IMO. I am also assuming No Guns were used forcing you to make this purchase.

Please tell us the whole story so that if we can help we have the details. I doubt that this will be anything else but a major life lesson.

CB, it appears to me that Texas Property Code 82-157 required the seller to provide you with a "resale certificate." The resale certificate is required by law to state, among other things, "2) the amount of the periodic common expense assessment and the unpaid common expenses or special assessments currently due and payable from the selling unit owner;" As interested, see https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.82.htm . If you cannot find these documents in your purchasing papers, then I suggest you call your realtor and ask if he/she has them.

Part of the issue is, I cannot get a hold of anyone in charge of the HOA. I really do not know what additional benefits may of happened. This has been so frustrating!

Why is it you think the seller's realtor knew an increase was coming? Texas statutes also require disclosure of certain information about the reserve fund. Why? Possibly to make it difficult for buyers like yourself, who do not study the disclosure, to file suit.

I doubt it will be all that hard to re-sell the condo.

I would file a lawsuit about this. Or at least I'd talk to a lawyer. If you were screwed by the prior owner, I'd sell the place and sue the prior owner for (1) breach of contract, which could get cash damages for you, or (2) fraudulent inducement, which could result in the sale agreement being voided and you getting your money back.

I am contacting a lawyer today. Any suggestions for a good real estate lawyer in the DFW area?

Why should someone do that prior to suing?

I don't have any specific names, but a small firm or solo practitioner who is very aggressive would be great for this. Some real estate litigation experience would be helpful.