HOAs are built on foundation of property values, not social values

July 23, 2017

HOA governance does not value kindness, or even people By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Once in a while, I read an Editorial about association-governed communities (homeowner associations or HOAs) that just begs for a response. From Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Kristen DeBoy Caminiti, a social worker turned stay-at-home parent, and founder of Crofton is … More HOAs are built on foundation of property values, not social values

Estate of deceased condo owner suing association after fire

July 22, 2017

One of the most devastating incidents that can occur in a condominium is a fire, especially if it involves personal injury or loss of life.   By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities When a fire occurs in a condominium association, owners and residents are affected on multiple levels. Initially, for some residents, there is the … More Estate of deceased condo owner suing association after fire

Condo association may be liable for crime related death

July 21, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities In 2015, 22-year-old Alex Johnson was found shot dead in his condo apartment unit at Paradise Cove, West Palm Beach. According to reports in the Palm Beach Post, that death was rules a homicide. Also, according to reports, Johnson was a tenant at Paradise Cove Condominiums. Johnson’s mother, Lynn … More Condo association may be liable for crime related death

Why do cities allow construction of condos, homes over abandoned underground mines?

July 20, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities (IAC) It seems that about once a week I read at least one report of relatively new homes or condos built upon land that presents some kind of hazard. In Eastern Ohio, the sudden collapse of an abandoned mine shaft presents one possible safety hazard, not to mention extensive … More Why do cities allow construction of condos, homes over abandoned underground mines?

Does your HOA, condo association discriminate?

July 19, 2017

  By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   The origins of early planned and private communities of the 20th century were rooted in principles of exclusive accommodations for the privileged class. When developers started mass producing housing for the middle class following World War II, neighborhoods became more segregated by race and social class, mainly … More Does your HOA, condo association discriminate?

Honolulu Condo fire stirs controversy over sprinkler retrofits

July 18, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Fire fighters in Hawaii and other states say that fire sprinklers would have prevented loss of life and property in the recent fire at Marco Polo highrise condominium in Honolulu. Unfortunately, the fire that started on the 26th floor resulted in three fatalities, at least a dozen people injured, … More Honolulu Condo fire stirs controversy over sprinkler retrofits

Homeowners’ Associations: 3 facts vs. myths

July 17, 2017

Originally posted on Independent American Communities:
By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities ? Top 3 Fact Check list about life in common interest, Association-Governed Housing, including Condominium Associations and?Homeowners Associations (HOAs) – also known as Planned Communities or Private Communities. ? Myth #1. HOAs are enclaves for the wealthy Facts: A recent article in the…

Buying a home in a community association (HOA), beware of fake news

July 16, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities FACT: Many articles we see in print and online are nothing more than public relations, marketing, or political propaganda. That’s why there’s been such a buzz about #FakeNews. And, of course, the real estate industry that promotes the creation, sale, and ongoing care of association governed communities has been … More Buying a home in a community association (HOA), beware of fake news

Hillcrest Farms HOA de-annexed from city of Kinston, NC

July 15, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities     Several recent articles have featured mature association-governed communities seeking annexation to a local municipality, or the establishment of a special district to assume important public services that the HOA is no longer able or willing to supply. Here’s the flip side of the coin. Enabled by a … More Hillcrest Farms HOA de-annexed from city of Kinston, NC

WA state HOA decides if rebuilding is worth the cost

July 14, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Homeowners in Sudden Valley, a large-scale association-governed community in Bellingham, Washington, have been fighting for several years about whether or not to preserve HOA property. In fact, an article was previously published on IAC in 2015 , discussing the HOA’s difficulty in getting a new budget approved, and … More WA state HOA decides if rebuilding is worth the cost