Tag Archives: HOA Neighborhood

Nevada Judge Orders Release of Documents

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As a former investigative reporter I always hated it when some nameless bureaucrat failed to obey federal law and turn over documents under the Freedom of Information Act. They ALWAYS stall. In doing so they ALWAYS break the law. Many times I went behind the bureaucrats’ back and asked a buddy to ‘leak’ the requested information to me. Then to mess with their heads I often sent a letter of demand to the agency in question asking for all documents related to how the agency had handled my first demand under the Freedom of Information Act. They’re bureaucrats. They’re arrogant. Some are lazy. Some just aren’t that bright. And sometimes they screw up and end up giving me the documents they were required by law to turn over in the first place.

That said, reporters and lawyers for the Las Vegas Review-Journal are doing their job at getting their hands on documents in the FBI’s long-running investigation into the slimy, organized crime ring involving HOA scammer Leon Benzer and his private Mafia of three dozen cops, lawyers, businessmen and HOA management companies who tried to take over Homeowners Associations in The Valley.

Now, Federal Judge Mahan has seen the light and has unsealed quite a number of documents in the FBI’s biggest Las Vegas scam in the state’s history. It’ll take the reporters a long time to sift through the millions of documents. But this is the only news agency in the country that has taken HOA crime seriously and has doggedly pursued these monsters.

I’m still a bit unsettled that out of forty or so cases of bald faced lying and swindling only one guy got significant time. And I still think he’s making travel arrangements to Mexico so he’ll never spend a day in prison. Trust me. This guy is working on it.

(link to Review-Journal story on unsealing of documents)

http://m.reviewjournal.com/news/crime-courts/judge-grants-newspapers-motion-unseal-hoa-probe-documents

Cautions About Condos From Heloise

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guest blog by Nila Ridings

Something about the condo purchasing information in this newspaper column tells me she’s had some first-hand experience. She knows enough to wave the warning flag and sound the alarm, but not enough to know those items are the lesser of the worries in a condo purchase.

I’ve written her a paragraph about my perspective on condo living. If you feel so inclined to help add to her HOA education write her at: Heloise@Heloise.com

Perhaps it will be a newspaper columnist who impacts the most people in the shortest time period? I don’t know. What I do know is the vast knowledge about HOA and COAs among our readers must be shared far and wide.

Just today, I called an Attorney General’s office for some information as I was investigating another HOA nightmare. She asked me, “What makes you inquire about HOAs?” I proceeded to give her the shortest version I could of the past eight years of my HOA exploration and experience. She said, “You sure called me at the right time!” Our conversation continued with her telling me she is looking to buy her first home. All of her friends have purchased condos!!! She thanked me several times for the information I gave her. I hung up feeling like I had just saved a life! I feel 99.9% sure no real estate agent will get her signature on a contract for an HOA property. And I know she will do the research and read the things I suggested so her level of knowledge will most likely be greater than the Realtor trying to sell her a property.

Education…it’s imperative!

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/heloise-333687-ocprint-grapefruit-dear.html

 

 

Visual Assistance For Making Decisions

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guest blog by Nila Ridings
My lifelong friend shared the video below with me.

The visual images put life into perspective in a way that makes a person think. Think, about what has been accomplished and what lies ahead.

Where is it we wish to be down the road? The young may be seeking the perfect mate, an exciting career, a dream car, or a luxury vacation. The older folks mostly set their focus on their health (and wish it had been their top priority decades before), hope they can hold onto their job until they can afford to retire, and they cherish calls from friends and family while clinging tightly to their beloved pets.

When it comes to the roof over all of our heads…I hope the young have learned to run from condos, POAs, and HOAs. I wish every senior would get out of them before they cannot make the move. And for those still able-bodied and know the risks I hope for them to find the motivation to pack up and drive right out the gate. I fall into the latter category and this video just helped me to stay focused on my goal.

If you find it interesting and motivating, please share it. I’m so thankful my dear friend shared it with me.

A Great Newspaper Column!

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Newspaper columnists who favor the Homeowners Association system are getting about as rare as hen’s teeth.

On the other hand, many many journalists are finally ‘getting it.’ Either they’ve been bitten themselves, or they’ve had a flood of complaints from bullied or cheated homeowners. The column linked below from the Capitol Gazette, in Maryland, is really, really good.

She uses the words, “no accountability.” Amen to that!

(link to column on HOAs in Capital Gazette)

 

They’re called HOA Nazis for a Reason!

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The word ‘Christmas’ must be anathema to some people. In fact, any word containing the letters that spell C-h-r-i-s-t makes people spit nails. Oh, they’ll use the word, but only while slinging cuss words around.

In Arizona, Roger Walklin of the Velda Rose Estates Homeowners Association, says a bunch of little old ladies who stitch Christmas stockings each year in the clubhouse are no longer allowed.

“You’re a religious group,” he said. “It’s against the covenants to allow religious groups in.”

Each year, Ferne Skidmore and her friends stitch about 3000 Christmas stockings, stuff them with goodies and hand them out to less fortunate kids.

“We’re not a religious group. We have no religious affiliation at all. We donate stockings to anybody who wants them. Besides, there’s nothing in the covenants that says religious groups can’t use the clubhouse.” Ferne is now taking the money out of her air conditioner repair fund to take Walklin to court.

I’ve got a much better and cheaper solution for Ferne. Don’t call it the ‘Christmas Stockings Project.’ Call it the ‘L’il Hitler Stockings Project.’ It’s an HOA for gosh sakes. That one might slide right by and nobody would catch it.

BTW, Arizona property manager Dave Russell is outraged and he’s already offered his community clubhouse to the ladies for free. No hassles!

(link to story on KPHO/KTVK TV, Phoenix)

 

 

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