Category Archives: Insurance Liabilities & Litigation

Hidden liabilities of HOA ponds, lakes can wreck property values

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities deborahgoonan@icloud.com   Home buyers are often tempted by the natural beauty and recreational value of ponds and lakes. But condo, HOA, and lake association members don’t always consider the hidden risks and liabilities of life near the water.   WISCONSIN The case of the disappearing pond Homeowners in the Auburn Hills subdivision of Caledonia, Wisconsin, are angry and disappointed, now that they’ve learned that their view of an unattractive Continue ReadingHidden liabilities of HOA ponds, lakes can wreck property values→

Fairfax County to take over Kingstowne Lake?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities debgoonan@icloud.com   A large-scale Virginia homeowners’ association is asking its County to take a 14-acre stormwater retention pond off its hands. Kingstowne Residential Owners Corporation, or KROC, is a planned development of more than 5,300 homes. It shares maintenance costs of Kingstowne Lake with the Kingstowne Commercial Owners Corporation (KCOC). KROC sent a petition to Lee District Supervisor Jeff McKay in July, asking the County to take over maintenance Continue ReadingFairfax County to take over Kingstowne Lake?→

How about some HOA Good News for a change?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Every once in a while, homeowners win small victories, and finally reach the end of their HOA nightmares. It happens when good people get involved and do the right thing. Today’s post shares three rare examples of HOA good news, and a glimmer of hope for millions of other homeowners and residents stuck in HOA hell.   FL mobile home park says Catholic resident can keep her painting of Continue ReadingHow about some HOA Good News for a change?→

HOA’s ‘poor decisions’ lead to multimillion dollar jury verdict

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Sometimes an HOA board’s poor decision leads to human tragedy. And that tragedy, in turn, opens up the Association to huge liabilities in personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. The latest report comes to us from Florida, the result of a bicycle accident. In April 2016, James Schnurr was cycling behind his wife, Christine, when he crashed into a pole on the bicycle path of Jonathan’s Landing, in Jupiter, Continue ReadingHOA’s ‘poor decisions’ lead to multimillion dollar jury verdict→