By Raylene Lewis, REALTOR® | NextHome Realty Solutions BCS
Oakmont’s HOA in Bryan is part of the appeal for buyers who value a consistently well-kept neighborhood. It can also be a reason someone decides to buy elsewhere. I describe it as a little strict, and worth it for buyers who want that maintained setting and are comfortable with the rules that come with it.
The difference gets clear when we move from admiring the neighborhood to talking about what someone wants to do at home.
I had a buyer reject Oakmont because they wanted chickens. We call them “city girls.”
That was a specific ownership priority. A well-kept entrance and attractive homes could not make up for a restriction that conflicted with what this buyer wanted.
The Oakmont deed restrictions posted by RNL include a prohibition on raising, breeding, or keeping poultry in section 6.6(a). For an individual purchase, the current governing documents for the property establish the applicable restrictions.
Other buyers simply tell me they don’t want an association deciding what they can and cannot do with their property. Buyers who appreciate the structure often see it differently: maintaining standards is part of what attracted them to Oakmont.
When I drive buyers through Oakmont, they notice the entrance and homes that look cared for. The sidewalks, pool, and park space help them picture the neighborhood beyond the property we’re showing.
The association, the community’s design, and individual homeowners all contribute to that appearance. I like the well-kept look. I also want a buyer to understand the ownership arrangement that comes with it.
RNL’s published Oakmont community information sheet lists annual HOA dues of $600. That is the equivalent of $50 a month for budgeting; it does not mean the association bills monthly. The current association documents confirm the amount due for a purchase.
Oakmont’s association information says annual fees provide access to the community amenities. It also describes a separate Oakmont Community Foundation fee collected at closing. That contribution is separate from annual dues.
The HOA expense has made some of my buyers hesitate. For others, the larger issue has been the total amount they wanted to spend on a home. Some moved to a lower price range, while others preferred College Station at their budget. Those decisions don’t all mean someone disliked the HOA.
In my experience, Oakmont lots are usually controlled by builders. Seeing an open lot doesn’t establish that it is available or that a buyer can bring any builder and design to it.
I haven’t found the architectural process difficult in itself. There is a set of standards a project is expected to meet. The builder, the particular homesite, and the applicable community documents determine the choices available.
For the buyer who wanted chickens, we already had a reason to move on. For someone who values the maintained setting and accepts the standards, the same neighborhood can make sense. That is why the conversation about rules belongs alongside the conversation about the house.
The Oakmont neighborhood overview covers the community’s location, homes, and amenities.
Explore how resale and new construction homes in Oakmont compare—and how your priorities can help you decide which fits your next move.
Take a closer look at Oakmont’s builders, home designs, and exterior variety to understand what gives the neighborhood its look and feel.
