Category Archives: Hidden Costs of HOAs

Why can’t home buyers find the modern non-HOA homes they really want?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   If you’re in the market to buy a home, you’ll relate to today’s post on IAC. Have you noticed that there’s a huge housing market mismatch between the kind of homes buyers want, and the supply of homes available for sale? But, contrary to standard political messaging these days, it’s not just a matter of high home prices and a lack of so-called “affordable” housing.  Based upon careful Continue ReadingWhy can’t home buyers find the modern non-HOA homes they really want?→

My View: HOA-industry makes housing less affordable

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities In case you haven’t noticed, in just about every city and town in the U.S., housing costs are going through the roof. (Pun intended) Here in my home state of Pennsylvania, I’m starting to see reports of piecemeal government programs designed to increase the supply of affordable housing. For example, WBRE reports that four Monroe County organizations have received $300,000 in state grants to tackle the problem. Pocono Mountains Continue ReadingMy View: HOA-industry makes housing less affordable→

With no active HOA, who should pay for bridge repair on private road?

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Road bridge iron railing

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities debgoonan@icloud.com What will it take to rebuild safe access to a private 9-home community with no active homeowners’ association? It’s a neighborhood problem that has been brewing for at least 15 years. The issue: for decades, nine secluded properties on the northern end of East River Road were served by a private road crossed by Baker’s Creek Bridge. But 4 years ago, when it developed gaping holes, the city Continue ReadingWith no active HOA, who should pay for bridge repair on private road?→

Building your Dream HOA — a Checklist

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities debgoonan@icloud.com Does your HOA have what it takes to work well for residents? The industry that builds, sells, and serves homeowners’ associations (HOAs) promotes a wildly unrealistic premise — that unit owners and shareholders will forever engage in fair and friendly cooperation with their association leaders and their neighbors. Unfortunately, in the real world, HOAs aren’t always fair or friendly. In the U.S., reports of HOAs from Hell are Continue ReadingBuilding your Dream HOA — a Checklist→