Category Archives: Deferred or Indadequate Maintenance

HOA storm water ravine destroys their home, neighbors get nasty

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  By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Several months ago, I told you about the plight of Joe and Jill Nixon of Weston Lakes, in Fulshear, Texas. According to a new report by Dolcefino Consulting, nearly two-thirds of Nixon’s 1.6 acre property has now slipped into a deep ravine, due to severe erosion and poor storm water drainage. To date, Weston Lakes HOA has not done a thing to stop their drainage channel from eating Continue ReadingHOA storm water ravine destroys their home, neighbors get nasty→

HOA Realities — living next to a retention pond or wetland

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Suburban pond lake sidewalk storm water woes

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Have you ever seen a real estate ad for a home boasting its “water view” or a “lake” view? Today’s post is a Buyer Beware message. Unless you’re viewing a home near a recreational lake — a real lake used for boating, fishing, swimming and other water sports — that ornamental “lake” is nothing more than a retention pond. Its primary purpose is to collect stormwater runoff for environmental Continue ReadingHOA Realities — living next to a retention pond or wetland→

You pay your condo HOA fees. Shouldn’t your home be safe?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Most residents of common interest developments and community associations expect their HOAs to faithfully provide important services they were promised when they moved into their home. But I’ve lost count of the number of homeowners and residents that reach out to me in frustration. They often tell me that their homeowners, condo, or co-op association is not keeping up with routine maintenance, and, even worse, their association is not Continue ReadingYou pay your condo HOA fees. Shouldn’t your home be safe?→

Condo owners, tenants deal with safety hazards

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Buyers and investors purchase condos, expecting that the association will maintain a safe and attractive property. Unfortunately, many condo owners find that their HOA doesn’t live up to their expectations. Even worse, some condo HOAs put off major repairs and avoids renovations. In other cases, deferred maintenance or shoddy renovations result in safety hazards. Check out this roundup of condominiums that aren’t aging well.     Balconies could collapse Continue ReadingCondo owners, tenants deal with safety hazards→