HOAs are a PITA. They go around counting shrubs vs trees, making sure you have the right mix. They monitor your weeds, dead bodies in your yard, etc. You'll get a nasty letter.

Not mine. Where I live is a very “hands off” HOA. There are still minimum rules, like having architectural changes approved and not parking overnight on the street, but you can even do that for a week before anyone will complain about it. (One guy parked his cement mixer there for a while but was eventually asked to park it elsewhere.)

Otherwise it’s mostly an association for an annual party or two, and maybe a ways to resolve minor issues.

but on the other hand we’re not allowed to put up political signs

I’m pretty sure that if taken to court that rule would be overturned. There are some things HOAs can and cannot do, and taking away the right to “freedom of speech”, especially in politics, is likely one of them.

I recall when HOA rules against satellite dishes were declared invalid by the FCC. Stroke of a pen, rules abolished.

Well. Reading here: hub.associaonline.com - Hoa political signs

It seems that in some states they can prohibit. In others they can regulate (size, number, days before election, etc.) And in others, do whatever you want. I still wonder if it could survive a court treat at the USSC.