I stay away from HOAs personally as many have or can have (I.e. they can change bylaws and covenants) numerous  restrictions.

My tenants (who are leaving at the end of the month) have been great with me throughout their residency, but the unit owner below me (who happens to be the HOA president) has called me every month this past year, complaining loud foot step noises in the middle of the night in and near the bedrooms, most likely from jumping out of bed. 

Or, the HOA may have a specific requirement for insurance. 

I wonder if you could get with your neighbors and form an HOA.

I could obviously get more cashflow with a duplex, but as you said this might not be the right neighborhood for that, and maybe a build and flip (with a SFH) is the smarter way to go.Check with the HOA as well - in Texas , where alot of older neighborhoods are gentrifying and turning into complete remodels / new builds where homes are in the 600-1.1 mil price range, a duplex wouldn't be allowed.

With condos you need to deal with HOAs and with single family, it can be very expensive if it is vacant.

I found my newest property HOA is 350,the price is short saleIs there a calculator to check if it's a good deal

Do you normally prefer to avoid HOA’s for rental use?

The HOA could kill it at any time.

Hi BP,Can my HOA prevent me from renewing my lease with my tenant?