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Ward Lucas is a longtime investigative journalist and television news anchor. He has won more than 70 national and regional awards for Excellence in Journalism, Creative Writing and community involvement. His new book, "Neighbors At War: the Creepy Case Against Your Homeowners Association," is now available for purchase. In it, he discusses the American homeowners association movement, from its racist origins, to its transformation into a lucrative money machine for the nation's legal industry. From scams to outright violence to foreclosures and neighborhood collapses across the country, the reader will find this book enormously compelling and a necessary read for every homeowner. Knowledge is self-defense. No homeowner contemplating life in an HOA should neglect reading this book. No HOA board officer should overlook this examination of the pitfalls in HOA management. And no lawyer representing either side in an HOA dispute should gloss over what homeowners are saying or believing about the lawsuit industry.

“CLEAN OUT YOUR GARAGE, WOMAN!”

An Arizona woman is learning what kind of power her HOA has. She stores lots of stuff in it, but it’s rarely opened. Somehow, her Homeowners Association got a picture of all her junk and sent her a violation notice. It said that garages should be used for cars only.

But it’s not until she got the media involved that the Lawn Nazis back down. The link below says it all.

(Is my HOA crazy?”)

 

Some Media Outlets Are Just Beginning to Get It

There are so many layers of dishonesty and corrupt dealing in the HOA business that it’s hard to get a real handle on it. But little by little, some media outlets are beginning to pay attention.

The article linked below is from the Miami Herald. An investigative reporter has ‘discovered’ that many Florida HOAs are breaking state law by charge super high resident application fees. Really? Dishonest HOAs? “Say it ain’t so, Joe.”

http://therealdeal.com/miami/2016/06/04/many-condos-charge-illegally-high-application-fees/

 

American News Media Getting Educated About HOAs? Nawwww!

Homeowners rights advocates like Deborah Goonan, Sara Benson, Nila Ridings and others are noting that more and more mainstream news outlets are beginning to be aware of the national Homeowners Association scam. Yes, they’re writing about it, but they’re still getting it wrong.

This is a multi-billion dollar scandal and these idiot reporters are just saying that homeowners have to be more aware and do more DUE diligence. The Fox Business article linked below is another example of a reporter learning that “there’s something out there!”

But the very structure and promise of Homeowners Associations is a complete lie. You can’t just ‘investigate’ to see if your HOA is being operated properly. A balsa wood doll house might look strong enough to stand on. But the strength it promises is a fabrication. Your HOA promises to protect your property values, but in tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of HOAs across America property values are plummeting. If you think your values are being protected then you’ve bought into one of the biggest lies ever sold to the American homeowner.

WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!!!

(link to Fox Business article on the need to investigate before you buy)

 

Announcing BIG NEWS! The HOAX!

guest blog by Nila Ridings

Drum roll please!!!!After years of waiting….THE HOAX will be available online for all the world to see! Directed by Rodney Gray, this film is a documentary about HOAs. Starting 6 June 2016 for one week twenty-four hours per day from the comfort of your home, cabin, camper, or while on the bus, train, or plane viewers can see it all! This is one movie you do not want to miss!

How many thousands of times have we heard, “SOMEBODY SHOULD MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT THESE CRAZY HOAs?!?! Rodney has entered this film into film festivals across America. He’s never given up on trying to get the word out about HOAs. He’s a true ‘fight to the finish’ warrior. Perhaps his time in the United States Marine Corps played a role in his tenacity, determination, and perseverance? Whatever it took to create this production is far more than most of us could imagine.

Congratulations, Rodney Gray!

Click on the the link below for instructions on how to watch the movie starting 6/6/16. Scroll down to #20-THE HOAX

 

HOA Embezzlement and Suicide

Being caught embezzling from your neighbors can certainly be very embarrassing. Usually, though the embezzler is arrogant enough to not care if he or she is exposed as a thief. But things turned out very differently for a school board president and HOA treasurer.

I’ll spare you the details but just leave the link below:

(link to embezzler story in the Tacoma News Tribune)