Yep, Lady. That’s what it is. Welcome to Communist Amerika.
These stories just make me physically ill. The Masterson Station Neighborhood Association in Lexington, Kentucky, decided that a 75 year German immigrant didn’t deserve her home. So they took it. And they sold it. Now they’re booting her out to the curb.
Ingrid Boak thought the whole thing was a mistake. An oversight. But Ingrid, you’ve learned there is a fascist, communist side to the United States. Most of us deny that, of course, and we all like to pretend it’s still a free country.
Ingrid bought her home in 2007 for $125,000 cash. She didn’t realize the Homeowners Association was mandatory. She thought the dues were for the local swimming pool which she never used. So when the notices arrived at her house she thought it was junk mail. The neighborhood was demanding $48 per year but she thought it was just solicitations for things in which she didn’t participate.
Ingrid first noticed something was wrong when she found a note taped to her door saying she didn’t live there any more, and that someone bought her house at auction for $93,500.
“How can my house be sold without my permission, or without me having something in my hand?” Ingrid asks. “It’s almost like Communism.”
Nathan Billings, attorney for the Masterson Station Neighborhood Association said they were unaware anyone lived at the house. Strange, because the whole neighborhood, including a police officer next door, all knew she was living there.
Anyway, after the auction the money was divided up among the HOA, the attorneys, and the Master Commissioner. Oh, and they kicked some of the money toward Ingrid, although it was tens of thousands less than she had paid for her house.
Now this may be way out of line, but sometimes I do say things without measuring the consequences. The thought of these guys huddling around dividing up Ingrid’s stuff just reminds me of a Biblical scene, where Roman soldiers stood around after the Crucifixion divvying up Jesus’ garments.
(click here from story from Lex18)
Property Manager, Dana 859-246-0911
I spoke to one of the neighbors who called me because he hoped I could help. I asked what his relationship was to Ingrid because he was seeking help for her. He said there was none, “I don’t know this woman,” he told me “but I own a house there and when I read about this..I wanted to help. I am a Christian and what was done to her was wrong.” He asked me not to use his name, but wanted to get national attention to this tragedy. Neighbors like this man, one who doesn’t even know Ingrid, is what communities could be if we got the boards out of the way allowed neighbors to be real neighbors to each other. It is what they are meant to be.
Ingrid, you are in my prayers and I hope your neighbors, like the gentleman who called me, are blessed in reversing this “bad act” by the board. And I do hope it goes viral–I hope one of your neighbors interviews you and films it and puts it on YouTube–If I were there, that’s what I would do. HOA Warrior
Shelly,
I agree. If the board members used more compassion and less aggression HOAs would not be nearly the miserable nightmares that they are.
It boils down to lack of skills. Yes, we can use the excuse they are volunteers. But in the end having volunteers destroying the culture and stability of the community is like shooting ourselves in the foot.
Perhaps HOAs would be better served to hire a professional customer relations consultant to handle their collections? Anything would be better than sending threatening letters of liens, lawsuits, and foreclosures. The bully approach immediately puts the homeowner in a defensive position. And since there is never any verbal or face-to-face communication it becomes a sterile environment for a battle ground. Once it starts it only gets worse.
I’m glad a concerned homeowner called you asking for help. Sadly, it may be too late for Ingrid.
Raising awareness is something we can and should continue to do. Otherwise, the HOA insanity continues.
We need federal legislation to prevent this sort of thing! I’m willing to bet if Ingrid’s home was underwater and had a mortgage, the Association would have just placed a lien on the property vs. foreclosing.
Shady lawyers and unscrupulous board members are just looking to steal paid for homes in HOA’s.
Another one of Lexington’s real estate stealing scams. There are so many more where the same group of guys are always involved. This would make a great investigative report as their documentation is lacking and they seem to target individuals who travel or are disabled.
The young, ill, elderly, and ignorant are the easiest targets for HOAs. The young have a blind-faith and trust. The ill are too weak to fight. The elderly are too scared and financially unable to battle the bullies. And the ignorant wish to stay that way and let their neighbors fight the battle and pick up the tab on the expenses.
Absentee owners aren’t always kept informed.
Perhaps some of the Kentucky readers could contact their Kentucky legislators and their Attorney General and expose these people? Some calls to the local television stations and newspaper might result in even more exposure.
These guys are like termites. They operate best in darkness and don’t like being exposed to the light.