Tag Archives: Realtor

Just When We Thought The Condo World Could Not Get Any Worse!

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guest blog by Nila Ridings

Lately, I’ve learned quite a lot about self-storage. It’s an interesting business where investors own steel structures with no plumbing, limited wiring, concrete slab flooring, and no overnight tenants. Generally speaking the square footage rents for far more than apartment rentals and the maintenance is amazingly less. The laws that protect those who rent these spaces are far more extensive and protective of the tenant than it is for the homeowner that buys into an HOA or COA. The process to cut the lock on a tenant’s unit and sell their contents to the highest bidder is closely adhered to. In addition, when it comes to taking bids for buy-outs the employees better closely adhere to the laws or find themselves in BIG TROUBLE for bid-rigging. (See below)

Much to my displeasure, I recently discovered this new concept called, ‘Garage Condos’ where you buy in and avoid paying monthly for self-storage. Yes, you pay monthly condo fees! There is a volunteer board of directors. They can foreclose for non-payment of dues. And once again, owners are clueless as to the risks. They see the fancy clubhouse, opportunity to customize their garage space, the scheduled social events, and never think twice about signing on the dotted line.

Just when we thought the condo world could not get any worse! Here’s just another way for buyers to take more risks for losing their life’s savings. I could write a list of all the ways I see this concept failing but I’ll let time expose the truth.

The sales representative I spoke with was very enthusiastic and excited to tell me these were already being built in California and Arizona. I’m so sorry they made their way to Kansas!

On the subject of bid-rigging…can somebody explain to me why the FTC has not been riding the backs of property managers, condo takeover investors, and HOA board members? Or have I missed something?
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/prk/4845475986.html

http://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/competition-guidance/guide-antitrust-laws/dealings-competitors/bid-rigging

http://garagekansascity.com/kansas-city-garage-condo/

Lawsuits, Drama, and political controversy surrounding Palm Beach, FL condominium association

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guest blog by Deborah Goonan

Here’s a condo story in Florida that might some day make the basis for a great TV movie script. It’s so bizarre. I can’t make this stuff up.

It involves Whitehall Condominium of the Villages, West Palm Beach, Florida.

First, I watched the WPBF news report of condo-owners breaking and entering the condo office to seize records, checks, and computer hard drives. It just so happens one of the homeowners involved was Katherine Waldron, a candidate for Palm Beach Commission.

Predictably, dirty politics is using this information to campaign against Waldron, and in favor of her competitor.

Waldron explains that in October 2014, FL Division of Professional and Business Regulation (DBPR) had authorized the removal of Condo President Vincent Rossi, and therefore the owners were justified in taking control of the Board and securing their assets and records.

Another video report from WPTV sheds additional light on the story. After a recent audit, owner Cary Collins and others became concerned about discrepancies in the financial records. There seemed to be money missing! Enter Vincent Rossi, former condo Board President. He admits to WPTV that he withdrew money from Association accounts to gamble in various casinos, but claims it was “his” money after all. Something to do with Rossi guaranteeing a past due water utility bill, he claims.

Whitehall owners have filed many other complaints with DBPR officials. But when the state fined the Association $5000, Whitehall Condo Association, led by Rossi, fought back unsuccessfully, at a cost of $130,000 to condo owners. Oh, and by the way, although he is no longer on the Board, Rossi is currently employed as the maintenance manager at Whitehall to the tune of $52,000 annually.

The owners have sued the Whitehall Condo Association and Mr. Rossi. The Association is now suing the owners for damages related to the break in.  WPTV reports an ongoing police investigation, which could result in criminal charges. Your tax dollars at work, Floridians, even if you are fortunate enough not to live in Whitehall or any other condo or HOA in the state.

It’s too early to tell how this battle will turn out, and we may never know the whole story if there is yet another round of out-of-court settlements with gag orders.

References:

(video of Palm Beach Commission candidate breaking into condo office)

(link to article about Palm Beach Commission race, Whitehall Condo)

(link to video interviews with upset condo owner, former condo president accused of wrongdoing)

(links to public record of court cases filed:)

(link to another court case)

Owner wants to know how to get rid of HOA

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guest blog by Deborah Goonan

An owner in Parkview HOA in Brownsville, TX was recently interviewed by KRGV television. He explains that several years ago their HOA “fizzled out” but then a new management company suddenly appeared on the scene, looking to collect assessments. But the HOA has a $46,000 deficit, and many owners are not paying their dues or paying attention to the HOA, despite collection letters tacking on a $250 attorney fee for delinquent account owners.

So what’s the story here? That’s a bit of a mystery. A quick Google search turns up minimal information on Parkview Homeowners Association LLC – address, phone number, and management agent. Attorney Bill Davis was consulted by KGRV, and, according to him, the first step is to locate the original HOA governing documents, and determine whether the HOA currently attempting to collect assessments is the Original HOA vs. a newly formed corporation masquerading as the once-defunct HOA. Got that?

The story leaves out many details, and calls to mind several questions. Was there a vote of owners to revive this inactive HOA? How long was it inactive? Were assessments being collected before the new management company started sending invoices? How many homes are involved, and what are the dues?

There are specific legal processes for dissolution, as well as reviving inactive HOAs, depending on state law. Looks like the homeowner, Mr. Jack Jew, will have to consult an attorney, and get together with his neighbors to see if they can rid themselves of the HOA that he claims most owners do NOT want.

Ironically, as demonstrated in Florida, a group of Bulk Buyers (investors) can quickly gain control of a Board, and then vote to dissolve the Association.  But ordinary owners of one measly home apiece have to play detective and jump through numerous legal hoops just to get rid of the HOA albatross, if possible.

Does that seem fair to you?

(link to story in Brownsville, TX)

Driveway To HOA Hell

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guest blog by Nila Ridings

Here’s a homeowner who drives a pick-up truck and parks it at his home on his driveway.  Well actually it’s not his driveway according to his HOA.

This HOA board is dumber than a box of rocks, in my opinion.  A pick-up truck does not indicate a person operates the vehicle for commercial use!

How well I know.  One of my vehicles is a pick-up truck.  Thank goodness it has four-wheel drive.  My HOA owns my driveway, too. They are supposed to maintain it, but in ten years they have only sealed it once.  One time!  After it had cracked and fallen apart.  The worst issue I’ve had is when it dropped below the concrete floor in the garage.  I literally could not get my truck into my garage without using four-wheel drive every time!!!  In addition, every time it rained the water ran in under the garage floor and eventually into my finished basement.  The HOA made a very poor attempt to repair the driveway after I had professional contractors tell me it was not repairable. Now it has separated leaving a crack across the driveway that is 3″ deep allowing water to run under the driveway.  It has also started to drop again…back to four-wheeling into my garage I’ll go.

The HOA now claims it’s my responsibility to pay for the replacement of the driveway.  Yes, we are in another court battle because my HOA would rather spend $100,000 on a legal battle than to replace a $5,000 driveway.  As our readers know, you just can’t fix the incredible levels of stupid in an HOA!

A former board president told me that all driveways are common ground.  I asked if I had a party and needed extra parking spaces could my guests park on my neighbors’ driveways?  He said, “They sure can!”

As if we don’t already have at least a million reasons why not to buy in an HOA, this driveway issue is just more proof of it!

Another Nomination for America’s Worst Neighbor!

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LOL! These actually are getting pretty funny. There’s nothing that works better than a camera to reign in stupid neighbors. But this is a case of a couple who put up so many cameras, they were eventually charged with stalking.

(bad neighbors in New York)