Initiation fee for condo HOA

[Margie Pierce]

I was looking into buying a condo in the Island West development in Davenport. HOA is reasonable at ~$200, there is a small pool and gym, etc., but I just learned that I have to pay a "HOA Initiation fee" of $5k. This seems very odd to me as I thought those were only charges when the units were first purchased. As a northerner who doesn't live in the area I am wary of being sold a raw deal.