HOAs are not restricted to condos. Many newer SFHs are governed by neighborhood HOAs also, and they are famous for putting onerous restrictions on residents.

HOAs are not restricted to condos. Many newer SFHs are governed by neighborhood HOAs also, and they are famous for putting onerous restrictions on residents. Also, not all condo HOAs are a mess like you describe. I'm part of a 3 unit HOA on subdivided infill lot. It's dense, but no shared walls or structures. The low HOA fee covers the shared insurance policy and nothing more. Within my exclusive use area I'm free to do anything reasonable with landscaping, etc. Only structural changes to my unit require HOA approval The dysfunction of some HOAs is more a function of the misplaced priorities of the members, as in the example you gave, not with the idea of shared ownership itself.