Study explores HOA power relationships of condo owners
Study explores HOA power relationships of condo owners : 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→
How government uses HOAs and special districts to create stealth tax
How government uses HOAs and special districts to create stealth tax : How many layers of government do we really need? By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Have you ever stopped to think about all the costs associated with owning a home? Property taxes. Homeowners, condominium, or cooperative association maintenance fees and assessments. Insurance. Short and long term maintenance. Homeowners and home buyers may not fully understand that living in a planned common interest community comes with several additional layers of financial obligation. Today’s article illustrates Continue ReadingHow government uses HOAs and special districts to create stealth tax→
Where can homeowners turn for help with HOA problems?
Where can homeowners turn for help with HOA problems? : By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities I get a lot of requests from homeowners and residents seeking help with HOA problems. What can you do when things go wrong with your HOA? It depends on the issue, but I try to guide readers to limited available resources. The truth is, while the HOA industry is very lucrative for its major stakeholders, it is very loosely regulated – if regulated at all – for housing consumers. Continue ReadingWhere can homeowners turn for help with HOA problems?→
10 questions property owners should ask before voting on Special Districts
10 questions property owners should ask before voting on Special Districts : By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Here on IAC, I’ve been following a growing trend. Subdivisions, and planned communities — many of them HOA-governed — are turning to Special Districts to pay for failing infrastructure and other neighborhood improvements. On this website, you can read about dozens of communities across the U.S., where homeowners look to their local governments to collect taxes or fees for various projects. When it’s not possible or practical for a Continue Reading10 questions property owners should ask before voting on Special Districts→

Florida HOA, condo, & co-op legislation updates (April 2019)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities The Florida Legislature is considering several HOA, condo, and co-op bills that may impact your property rights, as well as housing consumer protections. Several bills would guarantee your Constitutional right to lease your property, for short- or long-term rentals There’s a huge battle brewing in the Sunshine state between owner-occupants and owners — primarily investors — who rent their property. Some full-time and seasonal residents complain about vacation rentals Continue ReadingFlorida HOA, condo, & co-op legislation updates (April 2019)→

IL Appellate court upholds First Amendment rights of condo residents

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities A recent Cook County Appellate Court ruling reaffirms the First Amendment rights of condo owners in Illinois. On March 29th, in Brian Connolly v.  Anthony Milazzo, Mike Fish, Serap Brush,  and Glenn Greene, Justice Cunningham reversed the trial court’s dismissal of one of the Plaintiff’s primary claims. In his lawsuit, Connolly claimed his condo association board members imposed unjustified sanctions and fines against him, in retaliation, after he criticized the Continue ReadingIL Appellate court upholds First Amendment rights of condo residents→

Ocean City MD condo owners file AG complaint over $2.6M project

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Three unit owners of an Ocean City condo building filed a complaint with Maryland’s Attorney General, shortly after they were hit with $18,000 – $40,000 special assessments per unit, slated for a $2.6 million exterior renovation project. Ocean Place Condominium Association plans an extensive renovation of the exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS) over the next two years. Construction would begin this fall, with the work scheduled in the off-seasons. Continue ReadingOcean City MD condo owners file AG complaint over $2.6M project→

HOA Homeowners, you may be contributing to industry lobbyists

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities We’re well into legislative season across the U.S., as dozens of states consider bills that affect the rights of homeowners and residents of association-governed communities. And, as usual, stakeholders in the real estate industry continue to promote legislation that protects their profits, while opposing bills that offer consumer protection. Real estate developers, home builders, mortgage banks, and Realtor associations have the ears of many state and federal Legislators. They Continue ReadingHOA Homeowners, you may be contributing to industry lobbyists→