Independent American Communities
Exposing #HOA #Condo #AffordableHousing corruption & educating consumers in search of the American Dream #ValueMyRights #Homeowner #RealEstate
By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities It’s good to see that local investigative journalists are covering serious condo and HOA issues, including the dangerous collapse of condo balconies. When I first started this website in 2014, TV news reports focused almost exclusively on disputes over flag displays or paint color. While those are common HOA …
Continue reading "Condo HOA not helping owners after balconies collapse (KY)"
By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Homebuyers often assume that a new neighborhood development will be free from defects such as infrastructure failure. Consumers often pay a premium price for the advantages of new construction: an attractive community with smooth roads, and good drainage to prevent flooding & erosion. They expect their new or nearly …
Continue reading "Who’s responsible for infrastructure failure in these HOAs?"
Many owners of property in association-governed communities have a fundamental misunderstanding of the concept of "common interest." By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Today's feature article about special assessments features mudslide-plagued Launani Valley in Mililani, Hawaii. The community of more than 800 homes was originally established in 1992-1993. As the reader can see in …
Continue reading "After a mudslide in this Hawaii community, HOA members assessed $3,900"
Where were City and County Code Inspectors when these subdivisions were built? By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities New subdivisions with homeowners’ associations are often sold to buyers as private communities designed to protect and enhance property values. In theory, a brand new home in a new subdivision should be easy to maintain, without all …
Homeowners and residents are picking up the pieces after Irma barreled through the entire state of Florida. Damage is widespread throughout the Sunshine State. By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities After Hurricane Irma: Singer Island condo condemned; people scramble Julius Whigham II Palm Beach Post Staff Writer 6:16 p.m Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 A wall …
Continue reading "Florida HOAs dealing with hardship and damage following Hurricane Irma"
This is the third landslide in 20 years for Winter Valley subdivision, near Fenton By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Making its rounds on the news and social media is the report of a landslide at Winter Valley subdivision near Fenton, Missouri. Homeowners report that the earth movement of May 4 is the third event …
Continue reading "MO HOA faces millions in special assessments to stop landslides"
By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities One of the more disturbing trends in new home construction is the use of unsuitable building sites. Over the past few years, I have read an increasing number of reports of owners that had to walk away from their homes because of unsafe conditions caused by movement of earth …
Continue reading "HOA planned communities built on unstable ground – literally"
By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Let's talk about property rights - something that matters to all Americans, and homeowners in particular. When John Adams and James Madison helped to write the U.S. Constitution, private property rights were deemed the most important right that must be protected by government. John Adams "The moment the …
Continue reading "Your property rights are as unstable as CO hillsides"