Category Archives: Hidden Costs of HOAs

IL HOAs ask Village to change policy for dedication of private roads

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities    More and more homeowners are discovering that, after a few years, the allure and prestige of living on a private road loses its charm. It’s not easy to find reliable contractors to plow snow in the winter and fix potholes in the warmer seasons. It’s hard to keep up with cracked and crumbling roads, and poor storm drainage, too. HOA board members and property owners are sick and Continue ReadingIL HOAs ask Village to change policy for dedication of private roads→

Three outrageous HOA lawsuits (March 2019)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities This month: an Oregon HOA wants to end mandatory contributions to a builder’s nonprofit; a Pennsylvania homeowner appeals a case that seems like an obvious condo board conflict of interest; and the Texas AG fights an HOA’s attempt to incorporate as a city. Do you know what those closing fees are for? Buying  a home is expensive. In addition to the purchase price, a buyer is likely to pay Continue ReadingThree outrageous HOA lawsuits (March 2019)→

U.S. housing industry pushes costly HOAs, condos, & apartments

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities When you look at the Big Picture, it’s easy to see why housing is so expensive in the U.S. Today IAC highlights 4 national trends toward higher density, multifamily housing, with a big emphasis on suburban condos and building more rental apartments. See if you can spot real estate industry PR, which is shifting away from detached single family housing, private land ownership, and homeownership in general. Also note Continue ReadingU.S. housing industry pushes costly HOAs, condos, & apartments→

HOA Realities — living next to a retention pond or wetland

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Have you ever seen a real estate ad for a home boasting its “water view” or a “lake” view? Today’s post is a Buyer Beware message. Unless you’re viewing a home near a recreational lake — a real lake used for boating, fishing, swimming and other water sports — that ornamental “lake” is nothing more than a retention pond. Its primary purpose is to collect stormwater runoff for environmental Continue ReadingHOA Realities — living next to a retention pond or wetland→