Buying to Rent but confused with HOA/COA

[Mike Verrona]

i finished reading the helpful beginners guide here on BP. 

And, the users here have been much more helpful than I could imagine. 

I Am a serious newb and its good to now know some of the terminology for some of the strategies and niches I've always wanted to do even - before I knew how to properly explain it. 

buying a duplex/TRIPLEX is something I can def see myself doing while living in one of the spaces. Even if I just break even or have very little cash flow, as long as it's not a loss it's effective . 

If I own the du/triplex do I still have to abide to an HOA ? Is the HOA not a board organized by the owner and a few others to maintain the property?

Or, even if I own the building I will still belong to an HOA somehow?