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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.

Christians are Considered ‘Icky’ to HOAs?

Christmas. What a wonderful holiday. I love it as much as I love Hanukkah and the Seder and all the other religious holidays. In fact, I love any religious person’s special days. It’s just what we do in America.

But why, oh why, are Homeowners Associations coming down so hard on holiday lights? I get it that some light displays are over the top. I get it that gorgeous light displays bring more traffic into a neighborhood. But the greater spirit I see during the holidays satisfies an inner part of my soul. Homeowners Associations, as far as I know, are the only entity in America where expressing your religious beliefs is verboten.

(link to another story about HOA Christmas hatred)

 

Another Goofy HOA Court Decision

The Illinois Supreme Court has handed down some pretty goofy decisions on behalf of Homeowners Associations. I loved the one last year, the ruling that gave untrained, private HOA security guards police powers, the ability to pull over motorists and hand out tickets.

This latest one is a humdinger. It makes any new buyer of a condo responsible for all unpaid assessments, fines and legal costs run up by the previous owner IF it fails to pay the first monthly assessment on time. Once again, ask yourself what financial organization in its right corporate mind would invest in an HOA? And if you can’t find lenders, what does that do to property values?

(link to story on Illinois court decision)

 

Clothesline Craziness in Florida

Florida is choked with Homeowners Associations and their regulations can sometimes be draconian, such as no drying of clothing on the backyard clothes line. Here we are facing a worldwide energy crisis, we’re supposedly facing global warming. Yet HOAs threaten to fine, lien and foreclose on homes where somebody tries to save energy by hanging some towels out on the line.

Florida actually passed a law prohibiting HOAs from enforcing such prohibitions. HOAs and property managers should know the law. But they’re more comfortable bullying than in recognizing homeowners’ rights. The story linked below is about a Fort Myers homeowner who did know the law. But she’s now being targeted by the Cross Creek Estates Homeowners Association.

She’s going to lose, of course, because HOAs know that by the time a controversy has been settled the homeowners who try to stand up for their rights have to spend a fortune on legal bills. That’s why I frequently refer to the ‘national HOA scam.’ It’s all about funneling money into the pockets of lawyers, all the while claiming to protect property values.

At least this lady is getting a little emotional support from the news media. If you have friends in Florida just let them know about that state’s Right-To-Dry law. And drop this lady a note thanking her for her courage.

(link to laundry controversy in Fort Myers)

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I blogged about the Cobblestone Community Homeowners Association a few days ago, but the update linked below is worth reading. While I can refute this reporter’s claim that “Most homeowners’ associations work and work well….” Hmmm, this leads me to believe this reporter is a novice. In truth, every Homeowners Association is one vote away from disaster. They don’t protect property values, they don’t ensure personal security, they don’t protect you from embezzlers on the board or in the management company.

The lawyer quoted in the story says he’s frustrated. Of course he is. He knows how dangerous HOAs can be!

(link to Fox5-Atlanta story on Cobblestone HOA)

 

 

HOA Racism

Deborah Goonan, one of the nation’s most articulate homeowners rights advocates, has posted on her website an important story about racial discrimination by a Homeowners Association. It’s blatant. It’s actionable. And it’s a story that should be read by everyone who respects all races, ethnicities and religions.

by Deborah Goonan (IndependentAmericanCommunities.com)

According to DNAInfo (article linked below), after ending a relationship with her fiance (a white man and a Wall Street executive), Hanying Liu says the cooperative board refused to transfer her fiance’s shares to Liu.

Liu is the only non-white resident of Spice Lofthouse, and alleges cooperative members have made disparaging and discriminatory statements related to her race. She says that the board has not provided a valid reason for denying her full ownership. Liu also alleges that Chinese friends and family have been interrogated by cooperative members, and her daughter, who resides with her, has been mistreated.

NY State Division of Human Rights has investigated Liu’s complaints, and recently filed a discrimination lawsuit against the 15-unit, multi-million dollar cooperative association.

TriBeCa Co-Op Board Discriminates Against Chinese Resident, State Says

(link to article on discrimination lawsuit)

Quote from Ms. Liu, in reference to her cooperative association:

“They are trying to push me and my daughter from our home,” she said.

“They only want you here if you are white — they only tolerated me before because my fiance was white and he worked on Wall Street.

“They are worse than the communists in China — they police me and my friends.”