10 tough questions for opponents of HOA reform
10 tough questions for opponents of HOA reform : By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Although it’s a Presidential election year, several states and  the US Congress are in the process of considering new or amended legislation that would affect Association-Governed Housing. At the same time, federal agencies such as HUD are considering new rules for FHA financing of condominiums. Local government planning boards will also consider development proposals. For decades, however, stakeholders in the real estate industry have been promoting more and more Continue Reading10 tough questions for opponents of HOA reform→
How government uses HOAs and special districts to create stealth tax
How government uses HOAs and special districts to create stealth tax : How many layers of government do we really need? By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Have you ever stopped to think about all the costs associated with owning a home? Property taxes. Homeowners, condominium, or cooperative association maintenance fees and assessments. Insurance. Short and long term maintenance. Homeowners and home buyers may not fully understand that living in a planned common interest community comes with several additional layers of financial obligation. Today’s article illustrates Continue ReadingHow government uses HOAs and special districts to create stealth tax→
When will Americans declare independence from HOA tyranny?
When will Americans declare independence from HOA tyranny? : By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities In honor of Independence Day, today let’s take a look at a list of Constitutional Rights not guaranteed in homeowners, condominium, and cooperative associations. Because, after all, according to HOA industry trade group lobbyists from Community Associations Institute (CAI), association governed common interest communities are private organizations, not government entities. While the U.S. Constitution was written to uphold certain inalienable rights, and to create constraints that would prevent abuse of Continue ReadingWhen will Americans declare independence from HOA tyranny?→
10 questions property owners should ask before voting on Special Districts
10 questions property owners should ask before voting on Special Districts : By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Here on IAC, I’ve been following a growing trend. Subdivisions, and planned communities — many of them HOA-governed — are turning to Special Districts to pay for failing infrastructure and other neighborhood improvements. On this website, you can read about dozens of communities across the U.S., where homeowners look to their local governments to collect taxes or fees for various projects. When it’s not possible or practical for a Continue Reading10 questions property owners should ask before voting on Special Districts→

‘Put it in the back yard:’ Yet another HOA restricting the American flag

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities If Sergeant Chris Link wants to display the American flag in his HOA-governed Texas community, he’ll have to put it in his back yard. That’s the suggestion offered by Falls of Fox Creek HOA manager, Tosha Purifoy, as reported by KCEN Channel 6. HOA rules in the Killeen community limit flag displays to just 4 days per year: Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day and Flag Day. The rest Continue Reading‘Put it in the back yard:’ Yet another HOA restricting the American flag→

Owners upset over rapidly rising HOA, condo fees

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Whether you own property in a planned community or a condominium, beware of unexpected fee increases. Here are three recent examples: Homeowners in Tennessee debate how to pay to update their aging amenities; an aggressive board forces owners out of their Florida condos with excessively high fees; and a flash flood destroys basement common areas and condo units, but insurance won’t cover the full cost of repairs.   HOA Continue ReadingOwners upset over rapidly rising HOA, condo fees→

HOA’s ‘poor decisions’ lead to multimillion dollar jury verdict

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Sometimes an HOA board’s poor decision leads to human tragedy. And that tragedy, in turn, opens up the Association to huge liabilities in personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. The latest report comes to us from Florida, the result of a bicycle accident. In April 2016, James Schnurr was cycling behind his wife, Christine, when he crashed into a pole on the bicycle path of Jonathan’s Landing, in Jupiter, Continue ReadingHOA’s ‘poor decisions’ lead to multimillion dollar jury verdict→

HOA power plays turn ugly

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Two recent reports highlight ugly HOA wars, power plays resulting in threats, discrimination, aggression, and downright hostility.   Mayor makes angry threats in HOA dispute (FL) In states such as Florida, where the majority of housing is HOA-governed, it’s not uncommon to live in the same neighborhood as local or state politicians. Understandably, it can get a bit awkward when the Mayor of your city lives down the street, Continue ReadingHOA power plays turn ugly→