Category Archives: Case Studies

Don’t count on your HOA to enforce nuisance rules

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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→

Study explores HOA power relationships of condo owners

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities IAC is pleased to announce the recent publication of an HOA case study co-authored by West Liberty University Professor Michael J. Marshall, PhD, HOA Warrior author Shelly Marshall, and administrator of Independent American Communities, Deborah Goonan. The article, entitled HOA power relationship, problem-solving, and communication patterns during a major building renovation construction crisis, which was published in the journal Housing and Society (October 13, 2018), documents a case study of Continue ReadingStudy explores HOA power relationships of condo owners→

After nearly three years of legal battles, Florida condo owners find replacing their board a daunting task

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Whenever I read talking points from an industry trade group, Community Associations Institute (CAI), claiming that Association Governed Communities are “democratic” self- governance, I cringe. Nothing could be further from the truth. Perhaps in a perfect world. But most associations are far from perfection when it comes to conducting clean annual elections. As HOA, condo, and co-op election season swings into full gear in many associations, there will Continue ReadingAfter nearly three years of legal battles, Florida condo owners find replacing their board a daunting task→

How does HOA litigation affect owners and residents?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities I’m not an attorney. However, over the past 5 years, I have been reading legal complaints, case summaries, and generally following the progress of legal disputes in Association-Governed Housing. I read and analyze pages and pages of dry, verbose information, including legal opinions, to gain a better understanding of exactly how current laws work for or against housing consumers. In other words, I look for patterns of dysfunction and Continue ReadingHow does HOA litigation affect owners and residents?→