Long Island Civic Association demands public maintenance of roads

September 24, 2017

Riverhead, NY town council, highway Superintendent debate whether public funds should be used to maintain private roads for Oak Hills Association (HOA)   By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Road maintenance has become a controversial issue in states across the U.S. It is no secret that decades-old roads and highways are in desperate need … More Long Island Civic Association demands public maintenance of roads

HOA trade group fails to acknowledge its role in foreclosure abuse

September 23, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Catherine Reagor and Jessica Boehm of The Arizona Republic have been shedding light on the controversial power of HOA foreclosure. (If you missed it, you can find IAC analysis of the issue here.) To be fair, HOA industry watch dogs, community advocates, and homeowner rights activists have been on … More HOA trade group fails to acknowledge its role in foreclosure abuse

Condo ownwership is, at best, only temporarily affordable

September 22, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities As real estate prices start to climb, the industry is once again pushing low down payment home loans, luring first-time homebuyers with relatively inexpensive condominiums and townhouses. Buyer beware. In the previous two decades, when developers were building condos and selling apartment-to-condo conversions faster than they could build and … More Condo ownwership is, at best, only temporarily affordable

Cooperative board says, according to rules, siblings cannot share bedroom

September 21, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Canadian cities such as Vancouver share a common problem with U.S. cities – a severe shortage of affordable housing. The typical young family with children simply cannot afford to buy – or even rent – the rare detached single family home in Vancouver. Densely packed housing such as condominiums … More Cooperative board says, according to rules, siblings cannot share bedroom

Experts agree: restrictive covenants, a foundation for HOAs, perpetuate housing segregation

September 20, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities A new research project at Augsburg University, Minneapolis, dubbed Mapping Prejudice, is combing through old deed restrictions to identify racial restrictions that were legal before 1968. Researchers say the purpose of the study is to promote awareness of “the realities of structural racism” in Minneapolis, pointing out that restrictive … More Experts agree: restrictive covenants, a foundation for HOAs, perpetuate housing segregation

Will FEMA help rebuild Florida’s waterfront condos?

September 19, 2017

Hurricane Irma floods condo in Jacksonville, waves destroy foundation Readers have been contacting me, wondering if FEMA will help homeowners, condominium, or cooperative associations rebuild after two major hurricanes (Harvey and Irma) have devastated communities in Florida, Southeast Texas, and portions of Louisiana. For example, what will become of River Oak Condominium and The Villas … More Will FEMA help rebuild Florida’s waterfront condos?

Florida HOAs dealing with hardship and damage following Hurricane Irma

September 18, 2017

Homeowners and residents are picking up the pieces after Irma barreled through the entire state of Florida. Damage is widespread throughout the Sunshine State. By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities After Hurricane Irma: Singer Island condo condemned; people scramble Julius Whigham II Palm Beach Post Staff Writer 6:16 p.m Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 A wall … More Florida HOAs dealing with hardship and damage following Hurricane Irma

Rockhill HOA orders homeowners to remove child’s playhouse from backyard

September 17, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Here we go again. Another HOA dispute over a child’s playhouse. Rockhill HOA, Blue Springs, Missouri, insists that the charming pink structure, tucked away in the back yard of the Goolsby family, must be removed. According to a report by KSHB 41/WISN, Kansas City, the HOA leadership says the … More Rockhill HOA orders homeowners to remove child’s playhouse from backyard

Stopping a condo to apartment deconversion is challenging

September 16, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities A controversy brewing in Chicago provides more evidence that the market for association-governed housing is on the decline, especially condominiums. River Trails Condominium, 16 buildings 360 units, located in Prospect Heights, Illinois, is one of the latest multifamily housing communities that real estate developers covet for a deconversion. A … More Stopping a condo to apartment deconversion is challenging

Spike in HOA foreclosures – implications for legislative change

September 15, 2017

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities The subject of foreclosure by association-governed communities is getting substantial attention in the past year or two, and that’s a good thing. Investigative reports, such as the following article published by The Arizona Republic at azcetnral.com, serve to increase public awareness of risks for homeowners, as well as the … More Spike in HOA foreclosures – implications for legislative change