Every time someone new gets into an HOA flag fight, I sell a few more books. So, what the heck? Fly your flag and be proud of it. Here’s another guy, this one in my neck of the woods, who’s being fined because he wanted to fly a patriotic flag… and on Flag Day, of all the nerve!
Colorado is actually sort of a home for people who protest their HOAs by intentionally displaying Old Glory. Well, actually, there’ve been some fights here about an upside down Old Glory, a well-recognized international symbol of distress. And what’s more distressing than knowing your HOA has the power to knock you around, fine, sue and lien you, auction off your home on the courthouse steps and alert their law firm buddy to arrange to be the only bidder at the auction. It happens. In fact, it happens more times than you might think.
So, while the Colorado man at the story linked below might win a round or two in court, once he’s branded an independent thinker they’ll harass him forever.
I recently quoted one of the most prolific trade association bloggers as saying: “I know this has been said before but purchasing in an association is a contractual agreement between you and the association, the association is not the government and you have every right not to buy or to sell but communities need rules and they need the ability to enforce those rules.”
Perhaps this is true, but the often-made statement disregards the FACT that CC&Rs COULD protect the constitutional rights and privileges of unit owners and other residents! But, they do not.
Why developers and trade association members and state legislatures REFUSE to protect American citizen Constitutional rights and protections owning property and living in HOAs and Condos is the mystery. No statute forces such denial of American citizen rights.
So, why do managers like Mr. xxxx and so many other property management people refuse to agree that such COULD be granted if only the industry was not so selfish?
Why do business managers seem so uncompassionate and disinterested in the welfare of their true customers? After all, their customers are the ones who pay the salaries and produce the revenues enjoyed by trade association members. Do they not deserve far better representation by the business interests and their trade association leaders? Is this not a moral imperative?
I am still seeking an answer to “What HARM will it cause to grant American Constitutional Rights and Protections to HOA unit owners and other residents?”
No one in the industry has been willing to answer that question after many months of asking. Those that do comment change the subject or endlessly repeat the claim that a private contract does not mandate such basic rights to unit owners. So what?
Developers could VOLUNTARILY include such Constitutional rights and protections to their future customers. Why do the industry leaders want/prefer to deny such basic property and citizen rights to HOA/Condo owners?
I don’t understand or accept the silence and deception, and I will continue to consider it my duty to encourage others to help me ask the question until someone has the courage to fairly and accurately answer it.
I’ve been accused by one of our forum members of doing a ‘bait and switch’ in my recent offer to discount book sales during the month of June. My original intent was to discount bulk purchases of my book Neighbors At War. But my wording was poorly thought out and it led to some bruised feelings among some. The misunderstanding was my fault and I apologize to anyone who felt deceived.
While Amazon frowns on authors who discount books below their online price, I still need to correct my error. So If anyone wants to purchase a single copy (or more) for $5 per book I will respect and fulfill your order while my stock holds out. If my supply of books gets low I will instruct my fulfillment house in New Hampshire to honor the same arrangement. I am out of town until later this month, but when I return I will gladly fulfill any requests.
Sicily Kolbeck built her dream home, lost her best friend in the midst of building, and gave a TED Talk. How old is she? 13. What did she learn? Many lessons about construction but even more about life, loving, losing, and living on.
Her story really touches my heart. I was 13 when I built a lake home with my dad, who was my best friend, too. I miss and think of him every day. I know if he was still here, I never ever would have purchased in an HOA.
I wish Sicily all the best in her new home whether she takes it to college, lives in the wilderness, or hooks up and pulls it around Alaska. Most of all, I hope she’ll always remember her dad’s loving hands helped her build not just a tiny home but confidence that will take her many places that she has yet to dream of.
I also hope she will inspire other young people to build a tiny house so they won’t fall into the condo concentration camp. Or the maintence-not-provided scam. If it takes a few feet of living space on a trailer to protect the younger generation from the nightmares of HOA living, I’m all for it!
Enjoy both videos as Miss Sicily shares her story!
