It's odd when you think about it. What could be a better example of local democracy than a planned development with its own homeowners association? There, the elected representatives discuss and decide on issues affecting all of the development's residents in meetings which all residents may attend and take part in.

Sounds great. The only trouble−-and this is always worth contemplating−-is that an effective democracy is an extremely difficult and fragile system, always needing care and feeding, always requiring each of us to compromise now and again, to listen carefully to others, and even to admit now and again that we were wrong.

So, here's the crux of the matter. Not everyone who moves into a planned development with a homeowners association really wants to participate in something that can be as cantankerous and grueling as self-government. For that reason, it may be very important to attend a few homeowners association meetings before deciding to buy in a particular community. If you like the process you see and want to be a part of it, great. If not, you may do well to think long and hard about whether you want to be a part of such a community. For assistance with decisions about real estate call Beth at (425) 450-5208 and visit her website at www.bethbillington.com.

Beth Billington is a Realtor® with Coldwell Banker Bain in Bellevue, WA.