Tag Archives: Iowa

Retired residents suffer under leadership of dysfunctional condo HOAs

Posted on by
Woman with head in hands abuse

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Reports of HOA leaders making poor decisions just keep on coming. Today’s examples: a California board’s inaction leads to preventable accident; a Colorado HOA’s impulsive decision leaves residents in the cold; an Iowa condo board and its insurance contractors botch a post-fire reconstruction project.   California — HOA refused to remove dangerous tree. Then it destroyed the home of a retired Veteran and his wife. Beginning in 1996, Lela Continue ReadingRetired residents suffer under leadership of dysfunctional condo HOAs→

HOA condo legislation updates (CO, HI, IA, TX, MI, May 2019)

Posted on by
Law legislative legislature forum

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Selected highlights of legislation. Subjects: HOA manager licensing (Colorado); proxies in condo association elections (Hawaii); construction defects “right to cure” (Iowa); MRTA changes and HOA lien status in tax sale foreclosures (Michigan); limiting the HOA developer control period (Texas). Colorado HOA, condo manager licensing statute extended In May, the Governor approved HB19-1212, which extends the sunset date for HOA management licensing through August 31, 2020. Stan Hrincevich of the Continue ReadingHOA condo legislation updates (CO, HI, IA, TX, MI, May 2019)→

HOA, condo, & co-op corruption and fraud roundup (April 2019)

Posted on by
Arrest handcuff fraud theft

By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Updated April 29, 2019 7:35 PM EDT This month: a bumper crop of HOA embezzlement and fraud investigations, arrests, and plea deals. Most of the crimes were committed by former HOA board members or managers. A common theme in these reports — the embezzler makes all kinds of lame excuses for stealing from neighbors, and then tries to bargain with the HOA to avoid criminal charges. Quite often, white-collar Continue ReadingHOA, condo, & co-op corruption and fraud roundup (April 2019)→

Clive, Iowa, man fears erosion along Walnut Creek

Posted on by

City refuses to help, and Hickory Hills Lake HOA not responding to homeowner concerns By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Ralph Amodeo, a homeowner in Clive, Iowa, has a big problem that he didn’t cause and cannot fix. His Hickory Hills Lake home sits uphill from Walnut Creek, which runs through the city. In recent years, erosion from heavy rains has led to erosion along the creek, washing away portions of his back yard. Slowly but Continue ReadingClive, Iowa, man fears erosion along Walnut Creek→