My current house isn't part of the neighborhood HOA because the developer messed up the paperwork for several homes, and we're not required to be members. This

My current house isn't part of the neighborhood HOA because the developer messed up the paperwork for several homes, and we're not required to be members. This only became apparent when we received a letter from the HOA asking if we wanted to join and "enjoy the benefits" of a well maintained community. We had been paying the HOA fees for 4 years before this notice arrived, be we declined to join. They've invited us two more consecutive years, but we'll continue to decline. Our city maintains the roads, parks and school, the individual homeowners maintain the sidewalks. The HOA maintains the landscaping in two locations, and that's about it. I don't want the encumbrance of having to follow some insane HOA rules about paint color, or antennas, or such, so I'll pass.