Study explores HOA power relationships of condo owners
Study explores HOA power relationships of condo owners : By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities IAC is pleased to announce the recent publication of an HOA case study co-authored by West Liberty University Professor Michael J. Marshall, PhD, HOA Warrior author Shelly Marshall, and administrator of Independent American Communities, Deborah Goonan. The article, entitled HOA power relationship, problem-solving, and communication patterns during a major building renovation construction crisis, which was published in the journal Housing and Society (October 13, 2018), documents a case study of Continue ReadingStudy explores HOA power relationships of condo owners→
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→
Where can homeowners turn for help with HOA problems?
Where can homeowners turn for help with HOA problems? : By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities I get a lot of requests from homeowners and residents seeking help with HOA problems. What can you do when things go wrong with your HOA? It depends on the issue, but I try to guide readers to limited available resources. The truth is, while the HOA industry is very lucrative for its major stakeholders, it is very loosely regulated – if regulated at all – for housing consumers. Continue ReadingWhere can homeowners turn for help with HOA problems?→
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→

HOA, condo & co-op corruption and fraud roundup (March 2019)

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Arrest handcuff fraud theft

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities This month: more condo HOA managers under investigation, several sentenced after pleading guilty to theft and money laundering; FBI probe in Miami; condo owners catch maintenance worker stealing their stuff. Illinois Condo President says former management company left them bankrupt CBS2 Chicago, reports that Drexel Condo Association President Natasha Neptune, has filed a complaint with Illinois Department of Financial Professional Regulation against the association’s former management company. Neptune says Continue ReadingHOA, condo & co-op corruption and fraud roundup (March 2019)→

Million-dollar HOA lawsuit grabs headlines in WSJ

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HOA conflict fight

  By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities This week the Wall Street Journal published a story about an insanely expensive lawsuit over petty homeowners’ association rules. Many WSJ readers don’t know that the story has been making headlines in the Kansas City Star since 2016. I’ve been following the story of Jim Hildenbrand and the HOA for Avignon Villa Homes for nearly three years, from the initial report, to Hildenbrand’s court “win” in 2017, to Continue ReadingMillion-dollar HOA lawsuit grabs headlines in WSJ→

Three outrageous HOA lawsuits (March 2019)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities This month: an Oregon HOA wants to end mandatory contributions to a builder’s nonprofit; a Pennsylvania homeowner appeals a case that seems like an obvious condo board conflict of interest; and the Texas AG fights an HOA’s attempt to incorporate as a city. Do you know what those closing fees are for? Buying  a home is expensive. In addition to the purchase price, a buyer is likely to pay Continue ReadingThree outrageous HOA lawsuits (March 2019)→

Arizona Legislative updates: Assessments, HOA foreclosure, Condominium Association termination (March 2019)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Updated March 23, 2019 A summary of several bills impacting HOA-governed communities, and closely tracked by the Arizona Homeowners Coalition (AZHOC). Subjects: Assessments, HOA foreclosure, Condominium Association termination HB-2374 Planned Communities; applicability; recreation center *UPDATE: Good news for homeowners! According to Dennis Legere of  AZHOC, HB-2374 is not on the Senate Government Committee agenda for this week. The bill is effectively dead for this legislative session. A bill summary Continue ReadingArizona Legislative updates: Assessments, HOA foreclosure, Condominium Association termination (March 2019)→