Category Archives: State Policy & Legislation

HOA, condo real estate housing trends (Sept 2019 update)

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Real estate home buyer key

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities debgoonan@icloud.com A brief summary of housing consumer preferences, the growth of the rental housing market, and state laws changing the property rights of homeowners and their HOAs.   Where do home buyers prefer to live? Once again, according to recent National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) surveys, a majority of home buyers in all generations prefer to live in the suburbs. Here’s how the percentage of home buyers who Continue ReadingHOA, condo real estate housing trends (Sept 2019 update)→

HOA, condo, co-op News Roundup (Sept. 1, 2019)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   New HOA laws in SC don’t rein in corruption; FL HOA to fine police officer for parking violation; NE residents fear their road will collapse into a cavern below; bankrupt condo association living with blue tarps over their rooftops.   Say it isn’t so! New HOA laws don’t help homeowners (SC) State Rep. Russell Fry tells WMBF’s investigative reporter that he knows HOA statutes, which became effective January Continue ReadingHOA, condo, co-op News Roundup (Sept. 1, 2019)→

States enact new laws regulating short-term vacation rentals (AZ, MA, WA – 2019)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities City and town governments have been regulating short-term and vacation rentals for several years, especially with the growing popularity of online rental platforms such as Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO, and others. The battle over short-term rentals is controversial, often pitting neighborhood residents against owners and investors who earn substantial profit sharing their home. Local regulation typically results in inconsistent, piecemeal regulations from town to town. Not wanting to miss out Continue ReadingStates enact new laws regulating short-term vacation rentals (AZ, MA, WA – 2019)→

Deborah Goonan, Shu Bartholomew discuss children, lemonade stands, and property rights On the Commons

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Lemonade stand children

by Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities UPDATED June 12, 2012 This week, Shu Bartholomew and I discussed a sign of positive change for children and families in HOA-governed communities in the U.S. A few weeks ago, I wrote about Texas House Bill 234. It’s common sense legislation that gives kids the freedom to set up a lemonade stand on private property, without paying for a city permit. But here’s what make HB 234 noteworthy. It Continue ReadingDeborah Goonan, Shu Bartholomew discuss children, lemonade stands, and property rights On the Commons→