Category Archives: HOA Housing Information, & Educational Resources

6 HOA promises vs. HOA realities

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HOA suburb aerial view

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Home buyers may be drawn to HOA-governed housing because of all the so-called “advantages” promised by home builders and sales agents. But how many experience buyer’s remorse? In September 2018 Insurance Quotes surveyed 649 homeowners about their opinion of HOAs, revealing that a minority of people actually ‘love’ HOAs. Honest About HOAs analyzes survey data by board membership, the results are somewhat predictable. Among board members, 57% love HOAs, Continue Reading6 HOA promises vs. HOA realities→

How one HOA deals with its traffic problems (LA)

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Traffic jam parked cars

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Traffic bottlenecks are often an unexpected disadvantage of living in a planned community, especially when the HOA subdivision has only one road in and out. All of the curvy loop roads and cul-de-sacs connect to a few main artery roads, sort of like branches extending from a tree trunk. The result: vehicles often travel on the main roads at unsafe speeds, ignoring stop signs. And during morning and evening Continue ReadingHow one HOA deals with its traffic problems (LA)→

Don’t count on your HOA to enforce nuisance rules

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Brooks-neighbor-dogs-barking

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Do you believe that HOA covenants, restrictions and rules help keep a neighborhood looking neat and tidy, discourage your neighbors from behaving badly, and foster some sense of community? If so, read on. All too often, we hear reports of overly restrictive HOA enforcement of rules. HOAs have been known to fine and sue homeowners over trivial “violations of standards” that range from painting the front door an unapproved Continue ReadingDon’t count on your HOA to enforce nuisance rules→

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?→