Maybe you could find out specific areas and "subdivions" that don't have an HOA and search within? Most of the sites that I have used allows for a subdivision search and that is the option that I personally felt to be most helpful.

Most realtors have the ability to sort by HOA. That's just part of the service that they can provide you with. And if you are buying, you don't have to pay them a dime. The seller pays their commission.

Thanks for the advice.

Oddly enough, my husband found a property that listed as an HOA for 15$ a month, with only 8 homes in the subdivision. The realtor says it's not a legal HOA, it's only a collection for the snowplow, but she is double checking. And I will have my lawyer verify eventually.

Our community has a voluntary $30/year "HOA".
There are no rules - the standard stuff is covered by city code (yard upkeep, junk in driveway, etc).

It does include organized foot, car, bike and boat police-trained neighborhood patrols, organized beautification (logging work hours that gets us grants from the city), annual neighborhood garage sale that attracts hundreds (if not thousands) of shoppers, a Christmas party and a spring picnic.

I'll have to check how REAs list that in the MLS because it hadn't occurred to me.