HOA are not all bad, it just depends what is in the bylaws. I live in Apple Valley near Mt. Vernon, we have an HOA. It is really a good thing for us. The HOA keeps people from putting up a trailer next to my nice house. Along with keeping people from running a junk yard. Therefore protecting home values. I am glad we have ours, otherwise we would have some hillbillies up here KILLING my home value
If you have an HOA that has weak bylaws (too much interpretation) then you can get the little old lady telling you what color your house can be painted.