When I bought my house a few years ago, the two things I told the agent were 1) no HOA and 2) if possible, a pool. He said no HOAs were becoming a more popular request, and it isn't hard to see why. Then again, you might end up with somebody like my neighbor who had two mini-palms in his yard - only color other than dirt. He dug them up this weekend. I'm hoping he does something nice with it, time will tell.

Anyway, I agree. Paint the visible parts to the outside white and see if that is acceptable. If it is, you saved yourself losing the 50% refund price. If it isn't you just lost the other 50% I guess

Maybe do one and then ask the HOA if it is acceptable before doing the others?