HOA Fees in New Frisco Communities: What's Normal and What to Ask

By Javed Memon, Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty · November 6, 2026 · Frisco, Texas

I'm Javed Memon, a realtor with eXp Realty here in Dallas–Fort Worth. When buyers tour new communities in Frisco, the HOA fee is usually one line on a feature sheet, mentioned in passing. Then it becomes a real monthly cost for as long as they own the home, so I ask them to slow down and read it properly before they sign.

What the fee actually pays for

A homeowners association fee pays for the shared parts of the community that no single homeowner owns. That typically means the entries and monuments, landscaping and irrigation of common areas, trails and parks, and — where a community has them — pools, splash areas, and an amenity center, plus its staffing, utilities, and events. It also pays for insurance on the common areas, management, and a reserve fund for future repairs, so a worn-out pool or entry does not automatically become a surprise bill.

That is why two fees are hard to compare on price alone. A higher fee in a community with a full amenity center, miles of trails, and staffed facilities is buying something different from a lower fee in a smaller community that mainly maintains an entry and a pond. Neither is automatically better. The question is whether you will use what you are paying for.

Why the headline amount can mislead you

• Billing is not standard. One community quotes an annual amount, another quotes quarterly or monthly. Convert everything to a yearly total, then to a monthly cost, before you compare.
• There may be two associations. Some homes sit in both a master association for the wider development and a sub-association for their own section, each with its own dues. Ask plainly: is this the only HOA fee I will pay?
• Townhomes and condos are different. Where the association maintains roofs, exteriors, or front-yard landscaping, the fee is usually higher because it is replacing work a single-family owner would pay for directly.
• It is not your tax bill. HOA dues are separate from property taxes and from any MUD or PID assessment on the lot. Add all three together — that is the real carrying cost, and it is the number your lender's monthly estimate should reflect.

The new-construction wrinkle: the community is not finished yet

In a brand-new Frisco community, the amenity center in the brochure may not be built yet, whole phases may still be dirt, and the association may still be controlled by the developer rather than elected homeowners. None of that is unusual, but it changes the questions. Ask when each promised amenity is scheduled to open, who controls the association today and when control passes to owners, and whether the current fee is expected to change as the community is completed and more shared facilities open. A fee that looks low in phase one can look different once a pool, amenity staff, and finished common areas all have to be maintained.

Fees can also rise over time, and an association can levy a special assessment for a major cost its reserves do not cover. You cannot get a guarantee that neither will happen, but you can ask for the current budget, the most recent fee history the sales team can share, and whether any increase or assessment is already planned.

What to ask before you sign

• How much are the dues, how often are they billed, when are they due, and what are the late charges?
• Is there a master association and a sub-association — and what is the combined total?
• What exactly is included, and what do I still pay for myself — especially front-yard care, exteriors, and amenities?
• What HOA charges are due at closing? New communities may add an initial capital contribution or foundation fee, on top of the first dues payment. Get every one in writing.
• Are there transfer or resale-certificate costs when I sell later?
• What do the rules cover that affects my plans — rentals, home businesses, parking, fences, sheds, and exterior changes?
• May I see the governing documents, rules, and current budget before I sign, not after?

I cover taxes, school zoning, and registering your agent in my complete guide to buying new construction in Frisco — read the HOA questions above alongside it, because the two costs are decided on the same day even though they are paid to different places. And start on my homepage, where I keep current listings and investor picks and a way to book a call, if you want me to pull the documents for a specific community before you visit.

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal HOA fee in a new Frisco community?
There is no single normal amount. Smaller communities often charge a few hundred dollars a year, while large master-planned communities with pools, trails, and amenity centers can charge well over a thousand dollars a year. Compare what the fee covers, how often it is billed, and whether a second sub-association fee sits on top of it.

What do HOA fees pay for in a new construction community?
They typically pay for shared areas and amenities — entries, common-area landscaping, trails, parks and pools where the community has them, amenity-center upkeep, events, common-area insurance, and reserves for future repairs. The exact list is in the community's budget and governing documents, so ask for them before you sign.

Can HOA fees go up after I buy a new home?
Yes. Fees can increase, and a special assessment is possible if a major cost is not covered by regular dues and reserves. In a community still being built, also ask who controls the association now, when control passes to homeowners, and whether the current fee is expected to change as the community is completed.

Are there HOA fees at closing besides the annual dues?
Often, yes. New communities may charge an initial capital contribution or foundation fee at closing, and there can be transfer or resale-certificate costs when a home changes hands. Ask for every HOA-related closing charge in writing before you sign, not at the closing table.