By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Another week, another report of HOA lunacy. The latest story comes from Seven Oaks Property Owners Association (SOPOA) in Wesley Chapel, Florida. According to a report by Kendra Conlon, WTSP, SOPOA’s management company Associa, working with an attorney from Bush Ross, is now threatening to foreclose on the … More How HOAs abuse power to impose fines
Florida condo association threatens foreclosure in dispute over $25 late fee. Condo owners, former managers say the board is out of control. By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Condo residents and former community managers of Ventura Greens, West Palm Beach, FL, are the latest group to speak up about what they see as a … More Condo owners, managers speak publicly about abusive association
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 … More How government uses HOAs and special districts to create stealth tax
Attorney Ryan Torrens says it’s time for legislative change By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Readers of IAC blog know I have been following this outrageous HOA foreclosure horror story since the first report. Back in February, a Judge upheld Rivercrest Community Association’s foreclosure of a home owned by Tina and Luis Lopez, all … More Florida AG candidate instrumental in HOA settlement with family over $150 foreclosure
CO Supreme Court decision may please home builders, but can home buyers count on safe, well-built homes? By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities A recent Supreme Court decision in Colorado proves, once again, that stakeholders in the real estate industry such as developers and home builders, hold an unfair legal advantage over homeowners. The … More Does court victory for home builders create more risk for condo owners?
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 Wall Street Journal, entitled Neighbor Disputes Turn … More Homeowners’ Associations: 3 facts vs. myths
By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities A frequent complaint of homeowners and residents of Association-Governed common interest communities is that the board restricts access to community gathering areas, while, at the same time, controlling the content of all official communication venues. For instance, what if a group of homeowners has a difference of opinion about … More CA SB 407 would uphold First Amendment rights for HOA residents
By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Several of my neighbors regularly display the American flag. Some hang bunting on their front porches, or set up patriotic lawn statues of soldiers. The displays generally go up before Memorial Day, and come down sometime after Labor Day, although a few neighbors have a flag pole suitable for … More It’s Memorial Day weekend – here come the HOA flag restrictions
By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Following yesterday’s blog, Legislation should limit power of HOAs, a reader sent the following comment: This article raises many important issues and misunderstandings about HOA governance. At the Owner level, far too many Owners do not understand their Governing Documents and their rights and duties under those Governing Documents, particularly … More Do homeowners experience due process in HOAs?
