Tag Archives: Texas

HOA storm water ravine destroys their home, neighbors get nasty

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  By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Several months ago, I told you about the plight of Joe and Jill Nixon of Weston Lakes, in Fulshear, Texas. According to a new report by Dolcefino Consulting, nearly two-thirds of Nixon’s 1.6 acre property has now slipped into a deep ravine, due to severe erosion and poor storm water drainage. To date, Weston Lakes HOA has not done a thing to stop their drainage channel from eating Continue ReadingHOA storm water ravine destroys their home, neighbors get nasty→

Three outrageous HOA lawsuits (March 2019)

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities This month: an Oregon HOA wants to end mandatory contributions to a builder’s nonprofit; a Pennsylvania homeowner appeals a case that seems like an obvious condo board conflict of interest; and the Texas AG fights an HOA’s attempt to incorporate as a city. Do you know what those closing fees are for? Buying  a home is expensive. In addition to the purchase price, a buyer is likely to pay Continue ReadingThree outrageous HOA lawsuits (March 2019)→

HOA Realities — living next to a retention pond or wetland

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities Have you ever seen a real estate ad for a home boasting its “water view” or a “lake” view? Today’s post is a Buyer Beware message. Unless you’re viewing a home near a recreational lake — a real lake used for boating, fishing, swimming and other water sports — that ornamental “lake” is nothing more than a retention pond. Its primary purpose is to collect stormwater runoff for environmental Continue ReadingHOA Realities — living next to a retention pond or wetland→

Should cities adopt HOA-like restrictions?

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By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   In today’s post, IAC considers the question: in the relentless quest for protecting property values, haven’t some cities gone too far?   Beware: Some cities turning into HOAs on steroids Several city and county governments in Georgia are up in arms about proposed restrictions on their power to dictate design elements of single-family and duplex homes. Five House representatives are sponsoring a bill that would prohibit local governments from Continue ReadingShould cities adopt HOA-like restrictions?→