Tag Archives: FBI

Pennsylvania Widow Loses Home Over Six Bucks

The grapevine is buzzing about a Pennsylvania widow who inadvertently underpaid her property tax by six dollars & change and lost  her house at the county tax auction. This fight’s been going on for several years but now a judge has essentially told her, “The loss of her home was just fine and dandy.” Her $280,000 house seized and handed off to someone else.

When her husband died, she apparently got behind on the bills. She paid the property tax but she says she was never informed about the six dollar interest charge. She’s going to appeal, and who knows, she might win in a higher court.

Still, she was protected by the U.S. Constitution, she had the right to due process and the right to appeal, the right to appeal over and over again.

Across this country the same thing is happening. The record home seizure was in West Boca, Florida, where a single mom lost her home over an inadvertent underpayment of Homeowners Association dues by 78 cents. But day in and day out, Homeowners Associations are attacking residents of the neighborhood for such things as parking the wrong kind of car in the driveway, not getting your trash cans inside within an hour after pickup.

In one paper written by a fellow in the Cato Institute, the author talked about HOA attorneys in Houston running around ticketing cars because they knew they’d make extra legal income by generating extra fines, liens and lawsuits. Talk about a conflict of interest!

The difference between the government home seizure in Pennsylvania and the confiscation of all those other homes by Homeowners Associations… HOA residents don’t have the Constitutional rights to fight back. There’s no due process, there’s no way to appeal, no checks and balances. The guy who tickets you is a member of the board or the HOA manager. So you have to appeal to the same people who are beating you up in the first place.

The typical HOA is based on the private non-profit corporation model, and when you’re attacked by your own corporation you have little or no access to Constitutional rights. 

Welcome to your new life in your HOA.

(link to Associated Press story)

 

“Arizona Dave” Speaks Out Against Pending Bills

guest blog by Nila Ridings

Dave Russell is the on-site manager at Circle Tree Condominiums in Mesa, Arizona.  He is always looking out for the safety and security of its residents and all other condo owners in Arizona.  Always! Dave is more than a manager.  He’s a condo owner.  He resigned from a full-time job (one which paid a whole lot more) and became the manager of Circle Tree. He had a goal and commitment to turn the place into premier condo living.
 
On this blog, Ward has repeatedly exposed other Arizona characters like ‘Blondie’ (Gov. Jan Brewer) and ‘The Bimbo’ (Rep. Michelle Ugenti) for their underhanded and illegal ways in which they tried to pass HOA bills into law.  
 
And of course, our other “keep it legal” and “grant the owners’ their rights” experts like the honorable and skilled HOA fighter, George Staropoli. He has labored long and hard and his tenacity has helped a lot of Arizona homeowners avoid additional nightmares.
 
Arizonans are very fortunate to have Dave and George keeping an eye on the scandalous HOA bills that seem to sneak onto the annual docket! 
 
Keep up the great job you guys!  (Standing applause!)
 
 

Are Things Dandy in Brandermill?

Hoo boy, things are going to get downright nasty in one of the largest HOAs in Virginia. Like many Homeowners Associations, there are strictly-worded restrictions against residents who operate home businesses. The ‘home business’ clause is one of the most idiotic parts of the typical set of CC&Rs. I would venture to say that home businesses are one of the largest sectors of the American economy.

Are you a freelance writer? You’re breaking the rules.

Do you do tax returns from home? You’re illegal.

Teach piano lessons? Forget about it.

But the Brandermill Homeowners Association in Chesterfield County, Virginia is about to commit residential suicide. They’re preparing to shut down 360 babysitters and private businesses.

Child care in a private home is outlawed in most associations, but those with smarter board members don’t try to enforce the restriction, unless a business operation is causing traffic problems. But as HOAs continue to hoist their anti-kids flag, more and more potential residents are telling their Realtors, “Don’t show me anything in an HOA.”

Brandermill is going to be turned into a war zone.

(link to Times Dispatch story)

 

HOA Crap vs Hanging Crappers?

guest blog by Nila Ridings

If the CAI sees this video they will hang their hat on this being a justifiable reason for the existence of HOAs!  Yes, HOAs would prohibit this from happening for sure.  But is putting up with the crap from the HOA better or worse than this?  
 
Is this revenge for a newly-erected fence?  Or is it an eye for “art” that includes a tree “monument” to honor Sir Thomas Crapper?  He’s famous for… well, he’s just famous.
 
After living in an HOA, I could find the humor in this if it meant I was living HOA-free.  I’d even buy the first 100lb. bag of bird feed.
 
But something tells me the city codes enforcement agent will be out soon to write a violation for some kind of hazard.
 
Under any condition will these neighbors ever be able to live in peace and harmony?
 
 
http://www.krdo.com/news/toilets-and-sink-hanging-around-tree-in-front-yard/24997508

Every City Needs A Joe!

guest blog by Nila Ridings 

I can name on one hand the cities that have television reporters that will actually expose an HOA and their bad actors. Or HOAs that refuse to allow homeowners access to the financial records.  Nope, pretty much television stations have gotten the “memo” on not covering HOA stories.  Or so that’s the way it appears.  Phoenix has Joe Ducey and he doesn’t hesitate to expose the HOAs.  He actually invites homeowners to contact him with their HOA nightmares.  So, Arizonans…Let Joe Know!  And pass along a heartfelt “thank you” from all of us!
 
This video…intentionally blurred…hummm, I wonder why?  I’m laughing.  I know WHY and so do you.  Regardless it’s typical of an HOA meeting.  Is there any wonder why homeowners don’t attend HOA meetings?  Are they afraid of being physically hit, yelled at, and bullied?  Or do they chose to spare their nervous system the extra stress for two hours once a month?  At my HOA some of them “premedicate” from a glass bottle or an aluminum can before walking through the clubhouse door.  
 
Some might find it entertaining while others find it obnoxious.  Either way, “welcome” to meeting night at your lovely HOA!