Category Archives: HOA Housing Information, & Educational Resources

HOA residents’ interests often clash with trade group

Posted on by

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities An update to the 2016 article Homeowners’ Association residents’ interests often clash with trade group CAI. A reminder that the trade group does not represent the interests of 70 million homeowners and residents in associstion-governed communities.   In their 2015 Annual Report CAI claimed to be the “single most credible resource not just for community managers and board members but also for the tens of millions of Americans who make their homes Continue ReadingHOA residents’ interests often clash with trade group→

Advertisements

Reader seeks affordable solutions to pave HOA private roads (VA)

Posted on by
Problems and solutions sign blackboard

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   QUESTION: I read your article about private roads and the need for out of the box solutions for the problem. I very much agree. We have a very small HOA, less than 50 homes, in northern Virginia. There are several private roads that provide access to about half of the lots. The other lots are on the main state road. The cost of paving our road in this Continue ReadingReader seeks affordable solutions to pave HOA private roads (VA)→

Is an “affordable” home or condo a good investment?

Posted on by
Real estate investment homeownership handshake

by Deborah Goonan, Independent American Community Two hot topics in real estate these days are the current housing affordability crisis and real estate’s investment potential — or lack of it. There’s no sugar-coating the truth. The U.S. real estate market has changed dramatically in the wake of a financial meltdown ten years ago. And today’s housing market is certainly much different from any decade since the post-World War II era. At one time in the Continue ReadingIs an “affordable” home or condo a good investment?→

Honest HOA survey shows many young homeowners hate HOAs

Posted on by
Round ball emoticons love hate happy angry

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Check out a fascinating new “Honest” HOA survey by InsuranceQuotes.com. “Honest About HOAs,“ shows the love-hate relationship between owners and their HOAs. Thanks to several of my readers, who forwarded a link to a Washington Post article summarizing the new HOA survey by InsuranceQuotes.com. But before analyzing the InsuranceQuotes survey, let’s take a look at the methodology used to collect responses. “Honest” Survey methodology highlights Methodology refers to how a Continue ReadingHonest HOA survey shows many young homeowners hate HOAs→

Exposing corruption in the affordable housing industry

Posted on by

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Do governments and private individuals spend affordable housing taxpayer dollars wisely? Critics say the industry is plagued by fraud and corruption. What exactly is “affordable housing?” How many times have you heard the industry claim that it’s essential to build condominiums in order to provide more affordable housing? Multiple meanings It depends on who is promoting affordability. Real estate agents and developers often sell home buyers on the concept that Continue ReadingExposing corruption in the affordable housing industry→