Category Archives: Realtor

They’re Fake Kops!

      3 Comments on They’re Fake Kops!

Egads, I get my dander up at stories like this: HOA employees impersonating police officers.

Well, the Illinois Supreme Court in its infinite wisdom recently ruled that an untrained HOA security guard could use police powers against a resident, flashing lights, siren, physical detention and a demand for a check written out to the local HOA.

Now, let’s move to Georgia where the “good ol’ boys” live. Give that man a siren and a gun and he’ll soon be in close contact with every attractive woman in the neighborhood.

I really don’t want to pick on Georgia, in particular. But I once lived there and in my testosterone-soaked youth would have loved to have had the power to pull over and chat with certain female motorists. I also knew some good ol’ Georgia boys who I wouldn’t have trusted with my family dog.

But in the St. Marlo Country Club Homeowners Association, a gated community of course, HOA employees are using radar guns, sirens, badges, and staking out stop signs. These ‘brats’ then waddle up to the motorist’s door and ask to see driver’s license and insurance.

THEY’RE NOT REAL COPS!

They don’t know the first thing about Miranda and Escobedo, and about illegal force, and warrantless search, and any of the other fine points of that annoying document some of us refer to as the U.S. Constitution.

Jodie Fleischer of Action 2 News in Forsyth County, Georgia did the report linked below.

But, Dear God, when will the madness stop?  WHEN?

http://tinyurl.com/c3fbb7k 

(original source)

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/do-security-guards-issuing-traffic-tickets-overste/nXXbD/

 

LOL! A Burglar? Or A Typical HOA Board Member?

      1 Comment on LOL! A Burglar? Or A Typical HOA Board Member?

A woman in Putnam County, Tennessee called police to say a possible burglar was ‘casing’ her home. She heard a noise, then the doorbell. And a cute little lady said, “Oh I’m only here for the Homeowners Association, seeing if anybody lived here.”

Putnam County investigators say there’ve been lots of burglaries there, and some crooks are obviously casing homes for possible break-ins.

But since when does a cute little lady with a clipboard actually do the scouting for a burglary ring?

Oh, there’s a theft about to happen, for sure. But it has nothing to do with burglary rings. No, this sounds way too familiar. It actually IS someone scouting for money. But she doesn’t want your TV. She wants to see if she can find any code violations that you can be sued for.

So, Lady Homeowner, you don’t need to buy a firearm. But you might want to scout for a lawyer to protect you from the HOA nonsense that’s coming. I’m just sayin’.

(original source)

http://www.herald-citizen.com/view/full_story/22331716/article–White-C-Burglaries-under-investigation?instance=crime_log

Namby Pamby In Colorado

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Even the normally pro-CAI lobby in the Colorado legislature is looking at a couple of bills which could slightly moderate the horrific powers of Homeowner Associations.

Deborah Grigsby writes in OurColorodo News.com that lawmakers are “mulling over” two bills that would impact the ability of Homeowners Associations to foreclose on homeowners who are late on their fees. A second law would require that all community managers be somehow “professionally credentialed.”

Well, dad-gummit Miss Grigsby! I’m sure you’re a nice enough lady. But I wonder if the signers of our Declaration of Independence “mulled over” the fact that by signing that document they were essentially signing their own death warrants? And I wonder if John Adams, and James Madison “mulled over” giving an extra Bill of Rights to all American citizens?

No, our founders fought tooth-and-nail and risked their lives to give Americans true independence. And they didn’t require that lower level managers got “professionally credentialed.”

Can’t reporters get it through their thick skulls and muddled minds that our elected leaders SWORE AN OATH TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION?

That’s what’s missing in all these fractious little debates around the country over who and what should have the power to fine, lien and foreclose, and if so, when.

Dang it! LOOK AT THE CONSTITUTION! And for your bathroom break, READ THE BILL OF RIGHTS! It’s mighty clear that this country was founded on some pretty basic principles which we all seem to have forgotten as we buzz open the fancy gates of our gated neighborhoods, and on hands and knees beg a private non-profit neighborhood association for permission to plant just one extra rosebush.

Americans are to bow to no man. None.

And that’s not arrogance.

It’s what we fought and died for.

 http://www.ourcoloradonews.com/centennial/news/legislation-seeks-to-prune-hoa-powers/article_4a34a2e2-ac6b-11e2-8c6d-001a4bcf887a.html

Nice To See When A Lawyer Finally ‘Gets It’

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Sure, this guy has his own vested interests and he can likely face criticism for lobbying for one side over another. But he’s right about the Legislative conflicts-of-interest that have left Floridians with some of the worst HOA laws in the country.  Florida wouldn’t have faced a fraction of its recent housing bubble if these laws hadn’t been in place.

So, like him or not, this lawyer needs to be heard. I just wish he’d thrown around some words like ‘corruption’ and ‘Las Vegas style HOA scandal.’ Betcha dollars-to-donuts, the Feds could nail ten times as many swindlers with a West Boca Grand Jury investigation.

http://tinyurl.com/dys66z7

(original source)

http://www.news-press.com/article/20130422/OPINION/304220008/Guest-opinion-Condominium-homeowner-s-associations-beware-bad-bills

Do I just Have A Warped Sense Of Humor?

      1 Comment on Do I just Have A Warped Sense Of Humor?

Is it just me, or is it just generally hilarious when an all-white southern Country Club decides to become white-trash for just a day?

Yep, the good folks of the Country Club Homeowners Association In North Slidell, Louisiana are going to open their gated community for just a day so the po’ folk can come take advantage of their annual garage sale.

Somehow, I’m just morally conflicted about this story!

http://tinyurl.com/bproa77