Awhile back, I did a thread on this subject which recieved a wide variety of responses. A large part of these HOA's contribute to the Demorats and many of them are not well known for their integrity.
The bottom line, when buying a home check to see if it's in a neighborhood run by an HOA. Insist that the realtor address the issue. If he or she refuses and/or the house is in an HOA, turn it down and find a realtor who will be more cooperative with you on this issue.
And if your neighborhood is about to be taken over by an HOA and you don't have the financial or physical means to fight, move out and find another place to live.
HOA's are criminal enterprises, just like the Democratic party.
Regards.