Category Archives: Federal Housing Policy & Regulation

Vietnam Vet wins 20-year flag pole battle with HOA

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities The good news is that a Virginia delegate helped a Vietnam veteran convince his HOA to allow him to put up a flag pole for his American flag. The bad news: it took 20 years to resolve the dispute, and allow an American veteran to assert his rights and display his patriotism. Last Friday, WRIC Channel 8 News (Richmond) reported that Wyndham Homeowners Association finally told Richard Oulton that Continue ReadingVietnam Vet wins 20-year flag pole battle with HOA→

Smoking, marijuana, and your condo HOA

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Marijuana legalization in some states has created an even stronger push to make apartment and condo buildings smoke free. Smoke and odor from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes — whether tobacco or marijuana — causes several problems in multifamily housing. Foul odors. Health risks from breathing in second-hand smoke. Smoke stained walls, ceilings, and floor coverings. Ashes and cigarette butts to clean up and dispose of. Increased risk of fire, Continue ReadingSmoking, marijuana, and your condo HOA→

Battle HOA for super priority lien supremacy continues

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Updates on the status of the HOA super priority lien. In a post entitled Is the HOA Priority Lien necessary and beneficial? (June 9, 2016), I made the case against the HOA super priority lien as a tool for associations and real estate investors to extinguish or “wipe out” bank liens for first mortgages. Based upon documented facts provided in the article, I concluded that Community Association Institute’s (CAI) argument Continue ReadingBattle HOA for super priority lien supremacy continues→

HOA Issue #11: Political influence of real estate developers: the heart of the HOA beast

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Real estate developers figured out a long time ago how to exert political influence over government officials and housing policy makers, from the local to the federal levels. For the past three years, IAC has provided more than 1,000 posts citing thousands of references to prove a point: The U.S. housing market is not determined by public need or consumer demand, but instead is heavily influenced by interested Continue ReadingHOA Issue #11: Political influence of real estate developers: the heart of the HOA beast→