Living in an HOA neighborhood? Here's what you need to know about house washing

Several neighborhoods around Manchester and Tullahoma have HOA covenants that require exterior maintenance. If you've ever gotten a nice letter about "visible mildew," this one's for you.

• Siding must be free of "visible discoloration"
• Fencing must be maintained in original color
• Driveways must be free of oil stains
• Gutters must not show streaking

Most HOAs don't specify *how* you clean — just that you clean. A soft-wash every 12–18 months keeps most homes well ahead of any HOA complaint.

Late April through May, before the summer heat really sets in. Getting the wash done before June means your house looks best exactly when HOAs do their walk-throughs.

Don't panic. Most HOA "warning" letters give you 30 days. That's plenty of time to book a wash. Send them a quick note that you've scheduled service and the issue will be resolved by X date — most HOAs will close the complaint.

If you and your neighbors are all getting notices, group bookings save everyone money. I discount when I can hit 3+ houses on the same street in the same day. Talk to your HOA board — I've done neighborhood-day washing before.