Why do people agree to homeowner associations?

@SomeMichGuy According to this, they can find you $200 for not doing what they say.

@sstronaut They can claim things but that doesn't make a valid contract.

This forces you to be insecure in your own home, and makes your garage useless (it might as well be a carport).

I am in one where the deed restrictions are unenforceable.

@SomeMichGuy Well I certainly don't know all their legal contracts... but in theory you could take it to court, but then you're just force to pay lawyer bills and maybe even your part of the HOA lawyer bill.

If the rules are unenforceable, then why so there even one to start with?

@sstronaut People make invalid or unenforceable agreements all the time. Watch a few daytime court show episodes and you'll see it abundantly clear.

@SomeMichGuy I know they do, that wasn't the point.

If it's invalid, then there basically is no HOA. That's not the point.

@sstronaut No, if some provisions are unenforceable, there is still a HOA

@SomeMichGuy You're missing my points. But thanks.

@sstronaut No, I think you are missing mine.

There are several docs/parts of docs which are part of a HOA.

The corporation has docs defining it.

But the deed restrictions are one part of a "declaration of covenants, [etc.]" which actually give the HOA the power to "tax" via fees.

Invalid restrictions don't get rid of the power to tax.