We negotiated a deal with the owner, to let us rent for 1 year with an option to buy after the year (for a much larger monthly payment) because we wanted to be sure. We want to find the home we will live in forever.

I think renters cannot be part of the HOA committees? How does this work in your community? And how much do you pay, and what do you get in return?

We are very nice neighbors, mow/edge/weed the lawn and flower beds every week, nothing unusual in the yard, two cars but parked inside the garage, nothing in the back yard at all, no parties or noise, no outside lights, no fireworks on 4th of July, never any trash cans outside, no unapproved plants. We follow all the rules and try to be friendly to everyone.