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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.

Showing Support For Your Candidate

guest blog by Nila Ridings

It’s that time when signs, signs, and more signs will be seen. Signs of all sizes and colors will start to appear. The exception will be in the HOAs where the restrictions apply to size, location, lighting, and dates for display. Count on the HOA board to have their cronies watching your every move with a political sign…unless the board president happens to be supporting the same candidate. Then it will most likely be okay to have your sign out whenever and wherever you’d like. Rules seem to only apply to the supporters of the candidates the board dislikes.

We have one city in Kansas that is trying to ban candidates from campaigning in their city neighborhoods. The Kansas legislators created a bill to stop that from happening. I believe that bill is still pending. I think it is ridiculous since homeowners are not forced to open the door if they do not wish to speak to someone, anyone, political candidate or otherwise. On the other hand it gives the homeowner the chance to share their concerns one-on-one with a candidate. I know candidates get an earful about HOA nightmares when they knock on the doors in my neighborhood. Those discussions helped open the doors for our legislators to listen about the abuses that happen in HOAs. So, I say, let em’ knock and talk.

Here’s a Donald J. Trump supporter who either doesn’t live in an HOA or is willing to suffer the consequences of having a mega sign. Either way, it’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen in a residential setting.

Mr. Simmons, It Was Your Lucky Day!

guest blog by Nila Ridings

Here’s a veteran who has no clue how lucky he was when the VA loan he was planning to use to purchase a condo did not pan out.

It’s a bit confusing, but it appears the Pheasant Run condo complex in Topeka, Kansas did not meet the criteria of the VA. Somehow, it is being reported that the HOA turned down the purchase due to a VA loan. I’m not exactly sure what went ‘wrong’ but I know this is the best ‘wrong’ Mr. Simmons will ever have in his life.

Being turned down to purchase a condo is like becoming an instant lottery winner! It’s the day you did not sign yourself into a prison of rules about your outdoor flowers or your window treatments, the size of your dog or whether you can have a dog, and when and where you can fly the flag of the United States of America to say the least. You will not be the guarantor for payment on the debts and liabilities of the HOA and you will keep your Constitutional Rights.

Mr. Simmons, you have been saved from a nightmare and you just do not know it yet.

I hope this man lives happily in his sister’s basement because he almost signed himself into a life of hell.

Live well, Mr. Simmons and THANK YOU for your service to our country.

On a side note: When the name of the association has the word “Run” in it, do exactly that, RUN like your hair is on fire!

http://ksnt.com/2016/03/22/homeowners-association-denies-topeka-veteran-a-home/

Denver Snow

Sorry about getting behind on my Neighbors At War blogs but I have been slogging through this Denver blizzard. At first I didn’t think it was such a big deal, but that was before I got my Blazer and my snowplow stuck in ditches. Oh, and trying to dig out neighbors has been a huge stress producer. This really wasn’t much in terms of a Denver blizzard. We had one in March of 2003 that left snowdrifts up to twenty feet high. But this one, despite being just a couple of feet, is the wettest snowfall I’ve ever seen.

Ah well, there’s always tomorrow.

Why? Why?!!?!?!?!?

Why does a family with a handicapped child even have to go through this kind of a lawsuit?

Why?

Damn Homeowners Associations!

Damn them!

Sorry to be so emotional.

(link to federal lawsuit against Andover Forest Neighborhood Association lawsuit)

If They’re Screaming, There’s Corruption

In an Atlanta Homeowners Association (linked below) screaming and death threats are becoming a common experience. Homeowners are upset that the management company built a gate and is charging the homeowners $135,000.  A hundred-and-thirty-five thousand bucks? For a frickin’ gate?

It’s long been my observation that the louder the screams at the HOA meeting, the higher chance there’s some embezzling or raw theft involved. If people are screaming, it’s time for a forensic audit…and a couple of pairs of handcuffs.

(link to story on FOX-5 Atlanta)