Category Archives: HOA CID governance

What is the root cause of HOA dysfunction?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities     To solve any problem, it helps to identify its cause or causes. So as we attempt to tackle social and economic problems plaguing many of our association-governed, common interest communities, let’s look beyond the increasingly obvious abuse and HOA horror stories, and recognize that we have built this model of community housing on a false foundation. What are the building blocks in that foundation? What is causing Continue ReadingWhat is the root cause of HOA dysfunction?→

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What to do when it’s hard to avoid an HOA

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Readers often contact me with a difficult problem. They hate HOAs. But, in their home search, they cannot seem to avoid association-governed housing. And that’s not surprising when you look at the statistics for new home construction over the past decade. Specifically, according to the U.S. Census Survey of Construction (SOC), the nationwide percentage share of new single family detached homes sold has remained steady, in the range of Continue ReadingWhat to do when it’s hard to avoid an HOA→

Lake community owners to vote on Watershed Improvement District (VA)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Because its homeowners’ association cannot raise enough money to dredge Timber Lake, Campbell County recently approved a referendum vote to establish Virginia’s second Watershed Improvement District (WID). According to The News & Advance, lake front homeowners will have a chance to vote for or against the WID on March 2. If a majority of homeowners votes in favor of the WID, an official election will take place on April Continue ReadingLake community owners to vote on Watershed Improvement District (VA)→

What the heck is an HOA?

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By Deborah Goonan,  Independent American  Communities Today, let’s have a bit of fun with a game of  “what the heck is it?” Check out the video and references below, and try to figure out what your HOA is: a business or a government. And if it’s a government, what kind is it? Which form of government does your HOA most resemble? Let’s see. HOAs, particularly cooperatives and condominiums, limit ownership of private property. And they Continue ReadingWhat the heck is an HOA?→