Your L.A. builder cousin is CORRECT. However, the H.O.A. fees would be shown in the Public Report, which MUST BE DISCLOSED to the buyer and cannot be arbitrarily changed by the builder. From the DRE website:
“Before marketing new subdivisions in California, subdividers must obtain a public report from the DRE. Public reports contain information of vital importance to prospective buyers including covenant, conditions and restrictions which govern the use of property, costs and assessments for maintaining homeowners’ associations and common areas, and other material disclosures.”
“After the subdivider conveys the last remaining lot/unit in the subdivision, the DRE’s oversight ends and the board of directors of the homeowners association operates the subdivision.”
