Category Archives: HOA Alternatives

HOA Alternative? Single family homes for rent — pros and cons for housing consumers

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HOA suburb aerial view

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Have you noticed the new real estate trend? U.S. homebuilders are creating new communities of detached single family homes for rent, not for sale. The new rental home communities provide an alternative to traditional apartment buildings or HOA-governed townhouse neighborhoods.   Why is this happening? Well, according to BSB, an architectural design firm with a 50-year history, built-to-rent single family detached homes provide a lucrative revenue source for American Continue ReadingHOA Alternative? Single family homes for rent — pros and cons for housing consumers→

Can HOAs be reformed or should they be abolished?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities An interesting editorial written by David Sobotta in The News & Observer, entitled My descent into HOA hell in North Carolina, is both eye-opening and provocative. Sobotta explains how, after eight years of uneventful living in his HOA, everything quickly spiraled downward when the developer abruptly decided to hand over control to a volunteer homeowner board. Well, the way Sobotta describes it, it was more like dumping a lot Continue ReadingCan HOAs be reformed or should they be abolished?→

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

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Homeowner volunteers faces smiling

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→

City says no trash pick up unless owners create HOA

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Garbage trash recycling cans bins

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities The purpose of the Urban Service District (USD) was to expand Metro Services,  that were available to residents of Nashville, but not outlying suburban neighborhoods. Those services include trash pick up, curbside recycling, street lights and the addition of liquor stores. In exchange for inclusion into the USD, homeowners would agree to pay higher property taxes for new public services. Two years ago, the representatives of 20 Districts in the Continue ReadingCity says no trash pick up unless owners create HOA→